A700 Accessories Information - Updated Oct. 23rd

Seriously, there's a strict allotment of one focusing screen per camera; although that one screen could easily incorporate multiple features if it was designed that way.

Edited by sybersitizen - 16 December 2007 at 21:02

Well, there's where the confusion arises. It probably is a two-part screen in the cameras they own. I've disassembled my Maxxum 5, and the standard screen definitely has two parts. One section has the focusing screen surface and the other has the AF markings. The two parts are separated by a metal gasket sort of thing. That's not the same as saying there are two focusing screens.

EDIT: I took a peek into my 5D just now, and it has the same arrangement. But I think I understand the confusion now: Your Maxxum 9 must use a normal, monolithic screen that combines all the features. You apparently don't have an option to replace one section or the other. Just guessing, since I don't have one to look at.

Edited by sybersitizen - 16 December 2007 at 21:20

For general info, the A100 batteries don't have the same Infolithium circuitry as the A700 batteries. Where the A100 only shows a battery indicator with 4 bars showing the level of charge, the A700 batteries report to the camera an exact percentage of charge remaining, and you see that percentage displayed on the screen. It's nice, actually.

Further, when you have the vertical grip, it automatically switches from a depleted battery to the other fresh battery in the grip without missing a beat.

And, the A700 batteries will work in an A100, so they're backward compatible.

Stumbled across this old thread while looking for info on 3rd party batteries.

Regarding the ML screen versus the M and L screens ... I sent my KM 7D to Minolta in NJ to have it upgraded to the 'ML' screen. I spoke with Phil Bradon about it first. He told me that when you ask to have the ML screen installed, they replace the standard screen with the M screen and then add the L screen. He said it was a bargain and a matter of time before Minolta got "smart" and asked more money for the two screens ;) So if you ask for the L screen, you have the G screen with the L (grid) overlay; if you ask for the ML screen, you have your G screen replaced with the M screen and get the L overlay; if you ask for the M screen you get the G screen replaced with the M screen.

So feel free to shoot me, but until I hear from someone more authoritative than Phil, I'll continue to believe this.

dtrph wrote: Has anyone tried out the 3rd party VG-C70AM by treekoala or any other generic out there worth while? thanks in advance dt

I haven't tried one but it looks to be nothing more than a holder for two batteries with the addition of a wireless remote. It also appears to have a switch that needs to be moved to change the battery source. Overall if all a person needs is the extra battery on board as well as a grip for portrait orientation with a shutter release it my not be a bad choice for about 1/3 the cost of a Sony grip. I found a bunch on ebay but none shown mounted to the camera which I would like to see just to be able to tell how well it mounts and matched up to the body. If you try one be sure and post back your opinion

he he he I like parts of the kit, the accents around the buttons, not sure about the top bits. Would be good to see a silver kit. Interesting if nothing else.