When the flash is switched to manual, this symbol is not displayed. Accordingly, a user can tell simply looking through the viewfinder that the flash is TTL compatible and set to that function. While a minor difference, the X lacks this feature. Given the excellent prices that Minolta gear is available for on the second hand market, this camera makes an excellent choice for an advanced amateur seeking a sturdy and lightweight body at a reasonable price. Although rarer than the ubiquitous X, its lower profile generally means that you can generally purchase one for a lot less.
As with all Minolta manual focus cameras it accepts the full range of Minolta non-AF lenses, and as an added bonus it is fully compatible with the 'Minolta Program System' accessories. Refer to the 'Lenses' and 'Accessories' areas of this site for more detail.
As detailed previously, the X followed Minolta's traditional pattern of naming cameras differently in different markets, being called the X in Europe and Asia. Interestingly, the X was normally sold as a chrome body, but is available in black albeit very rare , while the X was only produced in black.
The X is without a doubt the most highly respected of the X Series cameras amongst serious photographers. The TTL metering of the X is duplicated in this body, and with the easy to use full information viefinder it makes shooting on manual a breeze.
I see the X as a camera to give to a new photographer, where the program mode might have some benefit until they learn the basics of exposure, depth of field etc.
On the other hand, the X is the right choice for someone who already has a basic knowledge of these things and wants a hard working and intuitive tool to use. These accessories included items such as dedicated flash units, a motor drive and autowinder, a power grip to supplement flash batteries, a data back, a multi function back and a wireless controller.
Together these facts make the X an undiscovered gem, and an absolute steal at current prices. If you don't own one already, buy one, you surely won't regret it!
The viewfinder features in the X Image Copyright Minolta. In manual mode the user set shutter speed is indicated by a blinking LED. A range of interchangeable screens was available see here. Automatic exposure lock button. Silicon photocell TTL centre weighted meter, measured at full aperture for normal display, then at taking aperture for automatic exposure calculation, with a second meter for measuring off the film during TTL flash operation. Automatic exposure range EV1 to EV ISO 12 to film speed range.
Plastic body construction, encased in light metal. Can be used with the Auto Winder G for motor driven sequences of up to 2 frames per second, or with the Motor Drive 1 for exposure sequences at up to an amazing 3. Depth of field preview button. Plastic shutter blind attached to strap for tripod use won't mess up your metering. PC connection for studio flash use. Audible and visible self timer LED. Assuming it was 2 decades expired, I set the ASA film speed dial on the camera to to add two stops of overexposure to the film.
The shots were all taken in the evening on a sunny day, but entirely in shade. The last 3 shots were done in an abandoned farm house near my work. The problem with expired film is that the results can be unpredictable because you never know how well the film was preserved. Film that sat in a closet, or worse, in a hot attic or garage will degrade much more, rendering muted colors, excessive graininess, or other anomalies. Thankfully, the film held up pretty well, and setting the ASA dial to was a wise choice as all of the shots seem to have come out properly exposed.
Had I shot this as an actual speed film, I predict everything would have been dark and murky. Had I tried to use this roll in an older, less capable model, I might have had much worse looking results. Still, what I have here is impressive. I can only imagine what the X could do with a fresh roll of Ektar or color slide film. The Minolta X is one of the best cameras made by any manufacturer ever. I am ecstatic that I was able to find one in working condition and cannot wait to shoot with this camera again.
If you have an opportunity to pick up one of these in working order, do it. Even if you find one that has the capacitor issue, I urge you to find someone who can fix it. When I was considering models though, I never saw the as an available option in — the step down model by this point was the silver-clad X that seems by nearly all accounts to be similar if not identical to this X in feature set.
A friend of mine had a and it performed just fine for him. I love Minolta cameras and have since my first XE I have a few in my collection and love them. The battery drain issue on yours is definitely an issue. My battery life is typically a year or two depending on usage.
Anyways Mike, I want to thank you for your reviews. As a camera collector myself, I like reading others opinions of cameras that I own, or want to own. I really like your reviews and I look forward to reading more. Thanks for the kind words, Anthony! Do you have any advice on how to improve the battery drain issue?
Mike, from what I know and understand, it could be a short in the wiring, failing or faulty capacitors, dirty contacts, or a combination of of these. If I had to guess, I would say the caps and dirty contacts around the speed selector and the capacitive shutter button. Now this is just a guess. I would probably start by removing the top cover and cleaning the contacts then remove the bottom cover and check the wiring. I do agree with you on the photo quality. I think the Rokkor glass is world class.
I am no electronics genius and i am as ham fisted as the next man but it was relatively easy to swap the old cap for an equivalent tantalum one which makes a permanent fix as this will never burn out. A full information viewfinder shows both the selected aperture and shutter speeds in the viewfinder in manual mode, but who needs it? Manual mode on the X is intended for use with separate metering, which takes the eye from the viewfinder, so viewfinder info is not required.
Not so. A slip of insulating tape that every advanced amateur carries in the hot shoe sorts that in ten seconds. A flash meter, or a decent flash that has variable manual mode, is likely to serve far better in high contrast conditions, anyway.
Minolta would have done far better to provide a decent exposure-adjustment dial instead, but that would have cost money. My childhood was quite literally captured by a Minolta X I never thought much about the camera as a kid. I expressed an interest in using it to take some pictures. Lo and behold, when I put new batteries in the camera it was DOA. A little searching online led me to this and other websites where I learned about the supposedly dreaded capacitor issue.
One only needs to remove four little screws to take the bottom plate off, and then the capacitor is right there, very easily accessible. I happen to be handy with a soldering iron, but I have very unsteady hands. Yet I was still able to replace it without a problem. Home Photography Minolta X It is a good looking camera, especially in black, that has excellent ergonomics and is a pleasure to hold and shoot with.
Simply, this is one of the best manual focus cameras made by any manufacturer, ever. Another ad proclaiming the advanced features of the X The X was called the X in Europe in Asia.
The meter will come on only when it detects a finger is resting on the shutter release. I believe this image was the reason I got the X so cheap. This image does not do the viewfinder justice. It is incredibly bright in person, almost as if it were artificially illuminated. Along with the front hand grip, that little bump on the right side of the back of the camera helps maintain a confident, yet comfortable, grip on the camera.
The location and design of the power switch is about the only possible thing I could come up with complain about on this camera. Gotta love 2 year olds! I am rarely in my own photos, but my mom took this picture. It was her first time using a manual focus camera in decades. Sadly, some of these images were cut off by the lab who scanned these images. The black line on the right is not a fault of the camera.
Nothing too special here, but I like the look of this image. The meter handled the difficult lighting of a dark interior and bright window well. Another example of the meter handling the huge contrast between the walls and window, quite well. Like this article? Share it! Like this: Like Loading Previous Post Minolta A Next Post Yashica Minister-D The result?
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