I remember the Minolta Vectics S1 being launched back in about 1996-when APS was being hailed as the "replacement for 35mm". Total claptrap of course and I told the Fuji rep that to his face and almost ten years later I've been proved right...
Anyway back to the camera.
When new the Vectics ... Read review
Advantages: Compact,weaterproof body, full multimode operation, as easy or as difficult to use as you want,capable of superb results,pinnacle of APS technology Disadvantages: Small range of lenses, plastic lens mount, its APS so has it's own quirks.
I remember the Minolta Vectics S1 being launched back in about 1996-when APS was being hailed as the "replacement for 35mm". Total claptrap of course and I told the Fuji rep that to his face and almost ten years later I've been proved right...
Anyway back to the camera.
When new the Vectics S1 used to be on sale for £400 c/w 22-56 zoom lens, but I purchase mine c/w a 25-150mm zoom lens from Cash Converters ... ...which is non-standard so only Minolta Dynax compatible flashguns will fit. This isn't a major issue because the design has been around for a good 15 years now.
In operation, the autofocus proved fast and decisive with virtually no "hunting" (the inability to focus) and the flash would fire just when it was needed-unless I had turned it off. All good signs of obtaining some great pics.
I remember the Minolta Vectics S1 being launched back in about 1996-when APS was being hailed as the "replacement for 35mm". Total claptrap of course and I told the Fuji rep that to his face and almost ten years later I've been proved right...
Anyway back to the camera.
When new the Vectics S1 used to be on sale for £400 c/w 22-56 zoom lens, but I purchase mine c/w a 25-150mm zoom lens from Cash Converters (again!) for the grand total of £50-bargain again eh?
The first thing I noticed is that the Vectics S1 is an extremely compact SLR camera which is down having a side mounted pentaprism-thats the device which allows you to see through the lens of the camera before taking the pic-hence the term SLR or Single Lens Reflex. However, despite being made almost entirly of plastic it does handle very well and inspires confidence
Loading the film is very easy,you press a button which opens a door on the side , pop the film in and close-and thats it. As easy as the 110 and 126 cameras of old.
On holding the camera up to the eye, I noticed a bright clear image and full information ie a read out of both shutter speed and aperture. It also has a pop up flash and a hot-shoe which is non-standard so only Minolta Dynax compatible flashguns will fit. This isn't a major issue because the design has been around for a good 15 years now.
In operation, the autofocus proved fast and decisive with virtually no "hunting" (the inability to focus) and the flash would fire just when it was needed-unless I had turned it off. All good signs of obtaining some great pics.
A word has to be said about the functions here:
PROGRAM,a totally automatic fuction with self explanatory settings which are indicated on a LCD panel in the form of icons. Portrait, Landscape, Close up and Sport. The idea is that somebody with no experience can set the camera on one of these modes and obtain decent results. In practice this certainly works but I like to have more control, so its a seldom used function.
APERTURE PRIORITY. On engaging this mode, you set the aperture-or the opening on the lens. The camera then sets the corresponding shutter speed. Ideal for portraits and landscapes.
SHUTTER PRIORITY. The opposite way round-ideal for sport and if you are wary of camera shake (which caused blurred pics-the higher the shutter speed the less chance of shake)
MANUAL. Where you set both aperture and shutter speed- This gives total control but also the scope for the most mistakes.
Other functions include TTL Flash, giving very accuratly exposed flash pics and a plethora of APS related functions such as PQI (Picture Quality Improvement which tells photo printer via 'computer'data recorded onto film-giving better prints), HCP Format change-giving you standard ,widescreen or panoramic prints automatically,Mid roll film change which allowed the film to be taken out and put back in again-ideal if you wanted to take shots say in black and white then colour you could change films without the hassle a 35mm camera may give you.It also has the funtion of printing day,date and time of the pic on the BACK of the photo along with titles if you wanted.
So all those facillites but what about the quality of the results?
In a word,excellent. I had mine loaded with Fuji 100 speed film and had the film processed using theJessops 'Diamond Laser' service. 40 bright, clear sharp pics. Although my photography can always improve, I was very pleased especially for a camera using the APS format which doesn't normally give pics as good as 35mm.
And the drawbacks?
A very limited range of lenses for the serious photographer as Minolta introduced a new lens mount and only ever produced six (four zooms a telephoto and macro lens)It also had a less durable plastic mount but this isn't a major problem for this type of camera.
Overall though, I'm very happy with my Vectics S1. Sadly Digital cameras have destroyed APS as a format including the Vectics S1 which Minolta stopped making last year so you are unlikely to purchase one new. The going rate for them is about £100-150 in decent condition in Jessops and specailised camera shops.
Advantages: Small, simple, packed with many, many features, great optics from the better lenses Disadvantages: Small film format, dated AF technology
...digital use! the first Minolta RF digital cameras took the vectis lenses and the 17/3.5, a digiital lens made for thre RF, is an outstanding performer. Keep in mind many digital SLRs sensor uses the APS-C size...yes that is the same APS size area as the film.
I bought tons of Fuji 200 APS film cheap on *bay so I am well stocked. I will have fun with my vectis, taking it to family functions, wedings and trips and will get back really nice 4x5 prints ... ...image quality (in my experience, Minolta lenses are as good as Nikon and Canon lenses..blasphemy in Nikondium and Canonville, but true per most lens tests)
One day the electronics will stop working, but if the longevity of the electronics in my Minolta CLE, MD-11 and Maxxum 9000 are any indication (25-30 years and still working), it will outlast any production of APS film. A great P&S system for most uses. ...
RamRay 13.10.2007 (08.10.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Minolta Vectis S1 Compact Camera
Advantages: very good picture quality, good value for money, many functions Disadvantages: little extra equipment, not compatible to Dynax
The Vectis is Minolta’s first SLR camera for the APS format. Unfortunately this has not been very successful, despite the Vectis being a good camera: it has varied functions, is of high quality and it’s water-resistant. And compared to other SLR cameras the Vectis is relatively light and compact.
But the disadvantages outweigh:
1. The Vectis series is not compatible to Minolta’s Dynax series. The range of other lenses and accessories that is on ... ...not possible to use the Dynax accessories for the Vectis.
2. There is only a small choice of APS films. That is really too little for an SLR camera, especially if you are an enthusiastic photo amateur. I have thus not been able to experiment with different films.
3. The biggest disadvantage of the Vectis series is that it may soon cease to be produced. There have been signs that this could happen; the price of the camera has fallen by around 50% ...
damien 14.06.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Minolta Vectis S1 Compact Camera
Size, portability 
