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Motor/Winder

The Minolta 9000 is the only SLR camera with integral auto focus ever made that lacks a built in winder for advancing film. Thus, if you want to shoot with speed, you need an external motor. There are two of them; they attach to the bottom of the camera, using the tripod thread.

Auto Winder AW-90

The Auto Winder is a compact, relatively low weight winder. It advances film with two frames per second, with either single-shot or continuous film advance. These modes (together with "off" which naturally means "no motorized winding") are set by the upper switch. The lower switch controls the focus priority mode; if set, the camera won't release the shutter until it thinks that correct focus is achieved. The AW-90 is powered by four AA (R6) sized batteries; alkaline or nickel-cadmium batteries can be used.
The AW-90 does not feature motorized rewinding. To rewind the film, press the small pin at the bottom of the winder, and rewind the film manually with the rewind crank. The AW-90 has no vertical shutter release.

Motor Drive MD-90

The Motor Drive is a professional motor with advanced features. It offers single-shot and three speeds of continuous winding:

  • High (H) setting: 5 frames per second (at shutter speeds of 1/250 sec. or faster and with Ni-Cd Battery Pack NP-90M)
  • Medium (M) setting: 3 frames per second
  • Low (L) setting: 2 frames per second

It also features a continuous winding focus priority mode; the speed of that mode is obviously depending on how fast the camera can acquire focus between the shots, but the theoretical maximum is four frames per second. If the focus priority mode is not used, the camera will make no attempt to focus between sequential shots.
The MD-90 can also rewind your film, and has a safety feature -- a settable (and resettable) indicator for how many frames that are left on the roll, so it won't rip the film clean from the spool. To rewind, slide the "counter reset" button to the left and push the rewind button. Film rewinding is fast, approximately 7 seconds for 36-exposure film. It leaves the film leader outside of the cartridge. A LED indicator on the back of the MD-90 keeps you informed of the motor drive's operating condition; it lights green for winding and rewinding and red at film end (film end according to the settable counter, that is).
The MD-90 is powered by either of two detachable battery packs; the Battery Pack BP-90M which uses 12 (yes, twelve) AA (R6) batteries, and the rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery pack NP-90M which is significantly smaller and lighter. The latter comes with its own dedicated charger which is capable of charging two packs at the same time. Charging time is 8 hours, and has to be interrupted manually. Both battery packs have shutter releases for situations when the camera is held in a vertical position. The BP-90M is good for 40 rolls of 36-exposure film, while the NP-90M can drive 35 rolls before needing charging.

NOTE
  • Make sure the contacts at the bottom of the camera as well as the pins on the winders are clean, or the winding will function erratically or not at all. Clean the contacts with alcohol if needed; be sure to use a small amount, so it doesn't enter the camera.
  • The NP-90M Ni-Cd pack contains thirteen Ni-Cd cells, reportedly of the "N" type (1N-150N as far as I can tell). To disassemble the pack, all screws at the top must be removed, as well as one at the bottom (the one with the largest head, in the corner). Then, to get to the batteries, just remove all screws holding the metal plate.
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Click to see descriptions of the different parts.







The Auto Winder AW-90. 2fps, takes AA batteries, no motorized rewind.

The Motor Drive MD-90 with NP-90M mounted on a 9000. 5fps, takes AA or proprietary Ni-Cd battery packs, fast motorized rewind. An extra shutter release button for vertical shots is located on the battery pack.

A label from the 220v charger for NP-90M, showing some technical details if you want to build your own. It's 2x22v because the charger can charge two packs at the same time. Negative polarity is on the center pin.

Mounting index Bayonet mount Aperture stopdown pin Lens lock pin Lens release button Self timer LED Shutter speed up/down control DOF preview switch Lens contacts Aperture up/down control Focus mode switch Remote control terminal (covered) Matte screen Bottom contacts for accessories Battery compartment Rewind release Coupler for motorized film winding Coupler for motorized film rewind Handgrip PC socket Focus drive coupler Mirror Tripod socket Serial number Back release lock Lighting window Diopter adjustment dial Eyepiece shutter lever AEL button Accessory shoe Finder Film window Film advance lever On/off switch Multiple exposure button Strap eyelets Strap eyelets Strap eyelets Exposure mode selector Shutter release button Self timer switch Exposure adjustment button Frame counter Back release/ rewind crank / metering selector ISO adjustment button Film guide rails Film guide rails Back removal lever Take up spool Shutter curtains Film winding sprockets Accessory back contacts Back release latch Rewind prong DX contacts Back/top Front/bottom Film chamber Alphabetical