Minolta slr's

frank · Oct 30, 2015

Minolta was an SLR brand that I never connected with well.

(Canon was another, with the AE1 which just felt wrong to me, but at least they had the EF and F1n winners.)

Was the XD11 the last decent Minolta model before the awkward dynax era with creative expansion cards? Did anyone like that?

(Sorry, this post is a negative one. It's not my usual type of post. Don't we deserve one of those every now and then?)

Theo Sulphate · Oct 30, 2015

Mostly I'm a manual-focus, low-automation advocate. But...

Investigate the Maxxum 7 - for me, it's been amazing!

First, all the controls - and there are plenty - are on dials and switches: exposure compensation (by halves and thirds), drive modes, metering modes, autofocus zones and patterns, and so on. It is so well organized that even though there are lots of things you can control, nothing gets in the way and you can ignore the things you don't use.

The viewfinder display is very informative, nice, and uncluttered.

The user's manual can be viewed in the rear display!

Last year I took mine to a car club event with the "kit" 35-80/3.5 zoom and I could not believe how sharp the negatives were - like a top rate prime lens.

Sirius Glass · Oct 30, 2015

The Minolta SLR are great I used them since 1966. SR-7, SRT-101, SRT201, XD-11, X-700

frank · Oct 30, 2015

My 35mm camera roadmap went like this after finding my father's Kodak retinette la:

Pentax ME, then added MX. Switched over to Nikon while I worked in Japan for a year. FE2, then added FM2. A bit later I added an 801s, then an F4, and an F3. Then added an F and an F2. Then a couple of FG's.

Concurrent to this I also collected other 35mm slr's, RF's, compacts, and medium format cameras, but the Nikons are my primary 35 slr's.

Theo Sulphate · Oct 30, 2015

The Minolta SRT-101 has been on my list of all-time favorites even though I couldn't afford one in the 1970's. After the SRT era I lost all interest in Minolta until I accidentally discovered the Maxxum 7 a few years ago (there's a 7D digital version as well).

I finally have an SRT-101 - for me they seem to be light, quick handling, and natural to hold.

Their early autofocus, automated cameras had no appeal for me.

jeffreythree · Oct 30, 2015

Love my SRT 102. The other 35mm slrs have been relegated to back up. I love the viewfinder and feel, plus mine is the early one with mirror lock up. Great value since they are mostly forgotten.

Ron789 · Oct 30, 2015

Minolta is certainly under-valued. The XD11 (sold in Europe as XD7 and in Japan as XD) is a great camera and was the basis for the Leica R3 to R7 range. If you consider buying one, best choice is one of the later series, with the 125 on the shutter speed dial being green; the earlier series are known to have some issues. I found the MD Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 to be one of the best lenses I ever had; better than comparable Canon or Nikon 50mm lenses. As an alternative, typically cheaper and more available, you might consider the X-700.

Alan W · Oct 30, 2015

In these days of cheap film cameras it is possible,without much outlay,to try most brands from most manufacturers.I have tried plenty of Minoltas,my favourite being the XE 7.It is a finely crafted camera,as smooth a winding lever as you'll find.The xd 11 is great too,metering is always spot on,but there is that very slight shutter lag which negates the decisive moment.I have had ,and used,SRT's but find Canon's FTb or even Pentax spotmatics easier to handle.Minolta lenses are as good as any,but Canon FD lenses are the real bargain today-plentiful,cheap and everywhere.Just try to find a Minolta 85mm lens!All in all I feel that I've got it as good as ever,first class cameras,first class lenses,and all for a reasonable price-Minolta,Nikon,Canon etc.....

Malinku · Oct 30, 2015

The X-700 is a very good camera and is what I currently use. it has all the fancy auto exposure features needed well still being a good camera to use manually. the only draw back to the is the metering system. it measures too much of the scene making it not very reliable.
The xk is a totl pro level camera equal to the other brands pro level mf bodies.

Chan Tran · Oct 30, 2015

Malinku said:
The X-700 is a very good camera and is what I currently use. it has all the fancy auto exposure features needed well still being a good camera to use manually. the only draw back to the is the metering system. it measures too much of the scene making it not very reliable.
The xk is a totl pro level camera equal to the other brands pro level mf bodies.

I am not a Minolta fan but the latest (almost latest) Minolta Maxxum 9 and 7 are excellent cameras.

Les Sarile · Oct 30, 2015

frank said:
Minolta was an SLR brand that I never connected with well.

Was the XD11 the last decent Minolta model before the awkward dynax era with creative expansion cards? Did anyone like that?
(Sorry, this post is a negative one. It's not my usual type of post. Don't we deserve one of those every now and then?)

We all spend our money as we see fit and it's a great thing to have such a variety to choose from.

Minolta XD-11's are excellent. The only decision really is what color to get? Why not both . . .

Minoltas all have a very smooth film advance. However, the XE-7 has by far the smoothest full stroke action that is even smoother than the Nikon F3 that has 11 bearings! You have to experience it yourself but beware as you might think there is something wrong with your other cameras once you do . . .

Of course, Minolta lenses are second to none. Minolta is only one of two camera companies in Japan and one of a very few in the world that make their own optical glass and lenses - as per their brochure. This may be a reason Minolta lenses are very good.

I have yet to experience the much coveted Minolta SR-2 which was their first SLR but there are many fine models to choose from.

pbromaghin · Oct 31, 2015

The X-570 was my first Minolta, arriving right after my Pentax ME Super died. It remains my favorite Minolta body. I have 3 X-700's (1 for parts) and an X-370 that I have come to like a lot. Last week I picked up a pristine SRT-201 that will go in for conversion to modern battery and a CLA and I should then have enough bodies that there will always be one loaded with every kind of film I shoot. They are wonderful cameras with fantastic lenses and extremely accurate light meters.

hoffy · Oct 31, 2015

I'm another Minolta shooter here as well, having a few MD/MC mount cameras, AF mount cameras (including a few Sony Digitals). Heck, I even have a Autocord.

I have two favourites - From the MD/MC range, it has to be the XE-7 and from the AF pack it is the Dynax/Maxxum 7. I don't understand why people didn't like them. I suppose Minolta never gave the Pro support that Nikon and Canon did and they weren't cutsy small like the Olympus range. Still mighty fine cameras regardless.

mr rusty · Oct 31, 2015

X300/370 is a great camera as a "chuck it in a bag and keep it with you". You can pick them up for virtually nothing and the MD 1.7 50mm lens is a a cracker. Aperture priority auto and full manual. small, functional, What is there not to like?.

Cycler · Oct 31, 2015

I came to Minolta's by recommendation. My eldest brother, there's another a musician, in between uses Minoltas and had some used preset lenses. My first wide-angle was a Pentacon 30mm f3.5 preset fitting via the Minolta adaptor ring. And with it I used a Soligor 135 f3.5 T2 lens. Currently I have an X-700 and a SRt 101 with a dead meter. Current favourite lens is a Minolta 35-135 and there's a 50 f1.4.

cuthbert · Oct 31, 2015

Les Sarile said:
Of course, Minolta lenses are second to none. Minolta is only one of two camera companies in Japan and one of a very few in the world that make their own optical glass and lenses - as per their brochure. This may be a reason Minolta lenses are very good.

I find it hard to believe it.

blockend · Oct 31, 2015

Any old hand cranked SLR that's till working is worth a toast. I get the feeling Minolta were bigger players in the US and Japan than Europe. I knew lots of Nikon, Canon, Pentax and Leica owners, but can't recall a single Minolta user from the 70s or 80s.

guangong · Oct 31, 2015

Space camera

Minolta was perhaps the oldest maker of lenses and cameras in Japan with a stellar reputation. In the early 1960s Minolta got a publicity boost when one of thrir slrs was used in an early US space flight. This was way back when they had offices aound Union Sq in NYC. Their reputation for lense quality was partially the reason for cooperative efforts between Leitz and Minolta.

georg16nik · Oct 31, 2015

Les Sarile said:
... Minolta is only one of two camera companies in Japan and one of a very few in the world that make their own optical glass and lenses - as per their brochure. This may be a reason Minolta lenses are very good...

Yep, long time ago - Minolta and Yashica (Tomioka Optical Co. Ltd.) initially, then other joiners.

Paul Howell · Oct 31, 2015

I just replaced my Sigma SA 7 and 9s with Minolta AF, the 50 1.7 is one of the best 50mm I have ever used. The 35 to 70 3.5 is an excellent performer. i As I recall only Nikon and Minolta made their own glass which was bought by other Manufacturers, it was rumored that Konica and Kiron used Nikon glass for their lens.

miha · Oct 31, 2015

Les Sarile said:
...However, the XE-7 has by far the smoothest full stroke action...

This plus one of the shortest shutter lags in the industry is the reason I prefer my Leica R3 to the R4.

Jedidiah Smith · Oct 31, 2015

I've used so many different Minolta bodies, both manual, auto and digital (Sony's as well) that it would be stupid to type out the list.
The XD-11 was my favorite manual body, and the Maxxum 7 my favorite auto body. Out of all the Minolta film gear we've ever owned, the Maxxum 7 is the only one we still have and use. The handling is superb, and if you like to walk around with your camera outdoors, you will soon appreciate the relatively light weight (compared to the Maxxum 9 or the high-end Canon/Nikon bodies). If you've never tried one, it's worth a shot before writing off Minolta entirely - especially for the prices they go for now! ;-)

Nokton48 · Oct 31, 2015

New restoration project. 250 Exposure Film Back for my Minolta SR-Ms. After forty-five years in it's original box, it lives!!!
Click-whirr, Click-whirr. The restoration continues. Shown with extra battery pack and film cartridges.

005 by Nokton48, on Flickr

pschwart · Oct 31, 2015

I have owned a pile of manual focus Minoltas and they have all been fine camera. The best feature: Minolta focusing screens are exceptional -- very bright with excellent microprisms.

GarageBoy · Oct 31, 2015

That sr-m is gorgeous!

Minolta slr's

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