How to identify a dead capacitor on a Minolta X-300/370/500/570/600/700

[neilt3]

Could well be .
Have you read the first post on this thread ?
It kind of sums things up .
It is the most common issue with these camera's .

 

[nokia2010]

I did took a look to the original post. I hope it is the capacitor, because I do really love the camera... I took so many memories with it.

 

[Auer]

If you get a very

I did took a look to the original post. I hope it is the capacitor, because I do really love the camera... I took so many memories with it.

From the OP: 4 - LEDs in viewfinder light up when the camera is turned on, but die and will not light up again if the shutter button is pressed.

I had this on two 370's and it's an easy fix if you have a soldering iron.Takes a few minutes max.
Remember to orientate the cap like the old one, they are directional.

 

[vlasta]

Have you finally repaired the camera? Thanks

Didn't followed this thread.

Only replaced bottom capacitor and nothing happened.
Top capacitor is still waiting better times.

 

[Anffray]

Hi all ! Sorry to resurrect this old thread but I just want to share my result since it works for my X300s.

I have two Minolta : the X300s and the XG-M
Both had the same problem :
- The lever couldn't be pushed more than about 30° and the shutter release button couldn't be press to take a picture.
- The led inside the viewer could switch on and and the light measurement could be done by the cell until the shutter button is pushed and then nothing is enlighten in the viewer.

So everything indicated that it was the capacitor of the bottom that was burnt/too old and that the cameras were stuck because the shutter couldn't be released.

Living in France, I ordered my capacitor on Conrad (took 5 working days to arrive and costs less than 0,50 € for each capacitors).
I decided to respect exactly the capacitance and also as much as possible the voltage of the components.
For the XG-M I ordered a 100µF/6.3V which is exactly the same as the original one.
For the X300s I ordered a 220µF/6.3V which is also exactly the same as the original one.
(Apparently if you take a higher voltage it is not a problem but the capacitor could be too large for the space in the camera).

The replacement worked for the X300s but not for the XG-M so there might be other capacitors to change in that camera. (So I might have a look further one day (as we say in French "Quand j'aurai pas la flemme" and replace the other capacitors mentionned by StallBerger here : https://www.flickr.com/groups/1061226@N23/discuss/72157640473237815/72157640909097953 ).

It was so satisfying when I pushed the shutter release button on the X300s and that I heard the camera doing its job and firing and then the lever could be pushed as it should be.
This repair is easier on the X300s as the copper path is larger but with patience everything is achievable even for beginners ! You can use a piece of tape/blutack to hold the capacitor while soldering.

Take care !


Also here is a list of contents I read prior to identifying the issue and buying components :
https://www.paulbeesley.com/posts/2017/12/minolta-capacitor-replacement
https://www.678vintagecameras.ca/blog/what-was-up-with-minolta-and-capacitors
https://simonhawketts.co.uk/2016/05/04/minolta-xg-m-capacitor-replacement/
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...n-a-minolta-x-300-370-500-570-600-700.149035/
https://www.flickr.com/groups/1061226@N23/discuss/72157640473237815/

http://www.twid.de/x700/index.html#fixc
https://www.chassimages.com/forum/index.php?topic=66596.0 French.

 

[Auer]

Check for shutter curtain Drag before putting any film in it.

Many have been sitting a long time and will have drag.