Customization

Photographers' differing personality will dictate the functions, modes and types of exposure control they will most frequently use or desire. On the other hand, a camera that provides only the features and functions a particular user wants, rather than burdening him with unnecessary controls, makes the camera easier to operate and more enjoyable to use. Minolta's answer to this challenge was to provide customizable functions in the camera to meet the varying needs of individual photographers.

Creative Expansion Card System

Rather than attempting to add more and more functions to the point where a camera became difficult to use, the company took an entirely new approach with the release of its DYNAX 7000i. This new-concept camera incorporated the Creative Expansion Card System, a novel technology seen for the first time by most photographers and used to add their favorite functions or shooting techniques. Essentially a small computer, the Creative Expansion Card enabled the user to control various functions such as exposure, shutter release, AF functions and more.

Special Application Cards

These cards contained various programs of advanced photographic techniques. They were provided to help improve a photographer's shooting skills and could be selected according to the shooting purpose. The cards were the precursor to the Scene Selection modes incorporated into cameras that came later.

Feature Cards

Feature Cards added such functions as Auto-Bracketing and highlight and low-light selection modes to the camera. The Fantasy Effect Card, which garnered much publicity, could activate the AF drive during exposure to create fantastic sceneries.

Customized Function Cards

User data such as customized camera settings and operations could be stored on these cards. When a card is inserted into the camera, the data is transferred into the camera's memory and can be accessed even when the card is removed. Removal allows other cards with additional data to be inserted and used at the same time.

Data Memory Card

Many photo-hobbyists and students of photography want to keep photo-shooting data along with the photographs they take. Such data can be stored on this card and then viewed on the camera's display. Later, with the introduction of APS cameras and then digital cameras, recording shooting data became a standard feature.

Programline Creation

With the aid of the program-line feature, photographers were able to take successful photos in challenging situations more easily and with fewer failures. However, manufactures alone decided and supplied the program line content. So DYNAX engineer developed the Program Back Super, incorporating a user-friendly interface and large dot matrix LCD, for the 7000 and 9000 to enable photographers to create their own program lines. From the beginning, the DYNAX system was developed with expandability in mind, much in the manner that personal computers are designed, so that customizable accessories with various user-interfaces could be employed.

Customized Memory Functions

Functions originally found in the Customized Function Cards of the Creative Expansion Card System were incorporated into the camera, beginning with the release of the DYNAX 700si and then later models.

ART en EU 2008 10 DYNAX Customization