Summary: An Excellent Choice!

Comment: I purchased this camera for myself about two years ago, as I prefer using film to digital cameras (I feel the quality of the image is better with film). It's an EXCELLENT camera- I recently used it on a lengthy trip to Europe, taking TONS of pictures with it- almost each and every one of the pictures turned out perfectly.

My only fault with the camera is that the pop-up flash unit somehow broke and now will not stay down, but I have had it for two years and it did get banged around a lot.

Overall, a wonderful camera, I recommend it to anyone who enjoys photography but can't pay loads of money for a professional one!

Summary: Not Great

Comment: I received this item as a gift. (Photography is a very expensive hobby of mine.) Up until I received this autofocus camera, I did all my work with a Nikon FM-10.

My issue with this camera may just be a glitch with my particular camera and not with ALL of the Maxxum 50s. My camera appears to have a short in it somewhere. Sometimes when I go to use it, the shutter release button will not work, although the display is lit and indicates it's ready to go. Also, once in awhile the battery indicator will say my batteries are low, then after a few moments it will say they're okay. This issue is NOT the result of old or mixed batteries. It will do that with high-quality, brand new batteries and it will operate for months afterwards on the very same batteries it claims are about to die.

Finally, this camera is not very user-friendly. It is difficult to remember which symbols represent which functions. I have to keep the owner's manual with me at all times to be able to use all the features.

Unfortunately, I cannot locate any warranty papers, so I'm stuck with this faulty camera. I don't know if I would trust it with my memories, given the choice. I am disappointed as Konica Minolta usually makes quality equipment.