Eye - Start Automation
|
When you bring the Maxxum 9 to your eye, an electrode sensor in the grip and an eye sensor in the eyepiece  instantly activate the AF and AE systems, so the camera is ready to capture just the shot you want. Because AF is activated without having to push the shutter release button halfway down, there's hardly any time lag in focusing, ensuring that you won't miss those exciting shots that sudden chance presents. Naturally, Eye - Start can be switched off if desired.
|
|
3 - Point AF system
|
 The wide focusing area is covered by three AF sensors: left, right, and a crosscut sensor in the center that tracks subjects in both vertical and horizontal directions. These three sensors are ideally balanced to cover the whole viewfinder area, and the AF system automatically selects the one where the subject is most likely to be. Accurate focusing is achieved regardless of the subject's brightness, thus ensuring effective subject tracking. Even in low - light conditions, the highly sensitive AF sensors can perform down to as low as -1EV (ISO 100) illumination where the human eye cannot focus properly.
 Projected local focus area
- When the shutter - release button is pressed partway down, the selected local focus area is indicated in the viewfinder by three LEDs projected through the pentaprism. This ensures that you see the necessary focusing information to track your subject even in low - light conditions, a difficult task with conventional transparent LCD display systems. The luminance level of the LEDs varies according to the exposure values.
- Focus area selection
-
 When the AF button is pushed, AF/AE Lock is activated and red illumination indicates which of the three local areas in the wide focus area is focusing the subject. Operating the front dial while the AF button is depressed will switch focusing among the local areas, with the currently selected area illuminated.
|
|
Three AF modes
|
 According to the subject and situation, you can choose from among three AF modes. By selecting the one that is best suited for your purpose, you can be sure of achieving effective AF control for optimum photographic expression.
- Automatic AF mode (A)
- According to the movement of the subject, the camera automatically switches between Continuous AF and Single - shot AF modes. Focusing continues while the subject moves. With still subjects, focus is locked when the shutter - release button is pressed halfway down.
- Continuous AF mode (C)
-
With the shutter - release button depressed halfway, the AF system keeps focusing according to the movement of the subject, and focus - lock does not engage even when the subject is focused. Ideal for sports and other fast - action photography.
- Single - shot AF mode (S)
-
When the shutter - release button is depressed halfway in Single - shot AF mode, the AF system focuses and locks on the subject. You'll want to use it for portraits and other still subjects.
|
|
Omni - Dimensional Predictive Focus Control
|
By performing high - speed calculation of the metered data, the AF system analyzes the speed and direction of the subject, and predicts its movement during the time lag from shutter - release to the instant of exposure. The system is capable of tracking abrupt changes in speed and direction -- even U-turns -- while maintaining perfect focus. For example, with a 300mm telephoto lens attached, this function can accurately follow an object moving as fast as 24.8 miles/hour to within 26-1/4 feet.
|
|
Timed AF drive control
|
The Maxxum 9 uses a new AF drive system that controls lens movement until the completion of focusing. Operation is extremely smooth, with precise control of subtle shutter and lens movements during focusing. In most conventional cameras, smooth AF drive is difficult due to the use of multi - step AF drive with repeated lens - drive stops. Konica Minolta's improved Timed AF Drive system increases the focusing frequency and constantly updates the data, resulting in much smoother and faster focusing.
|
|
Selectable AF drive speed (customized setting)
|
The ideal AF speed varies according to the shooting situation and the photographer's intention. With the Maxxum 9, you can select high speed (default setting) or low speed, for more effective focusing and easier AF control to match specific purposes.
- High - speed AF (speed priority)
-
Useful when taking consecutive shots in a short time span, such as for sports or fashion.
- Low - speed AF (silence priority)
-
Ideal for shooting in dim light, for macro shots, or when silence is required.
|
|
Selectable AF Priority/Release Priority modes (customized setting)
|
 At different times you have different priorities: focusing or shutter release. With the Maxxum 9, you can choose either AF Priority mode or Release Priority mode.
- AF Priority
- Focusing is given priority; the shutter is released only when the camera has completed focusing.
- Release Priority
-
When shutter - releasetiming is important, use this mode to release the shutter even when the camera has not finished focusing.
|
|
Built - in AF Illuminator
|
 Using three beams aligned with the three AF sensors in the wide focus area, this supplementary AF light makes it easier to focus in low light conditions, and to shoot in low contrast situations with the built - in flash. The three - beam AF Illuminator optimizes the metering over the entire focus area.
|
|
Sliding focus mode switch
|
 A large sliding switch is used for switching between auto and manual focusing modes. This new design prevents accidental switching between modes.
|
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
