Minolta X-700 shutter sticking/hanging

lilmsmaggie · Oct 24, 2009

Having some problems with the shutter on my X-700 I bought new way back when. After processing the film, I've discovered partial exposure in some frames (half the frame, or near the frame edge). Not sure if this is a DIY fix, or send to a qualified camera repair shop. Then of course, there's the cost to repair. I have three lenses for this camera. A CLA wouldn't hurt.
The camera has never had one. It may extend the life of the camera.

Any Minolta owners out there expereience shutter problems? Did you fix, or replace?

Mike Wilde · Oct 25, 2009

I had an x-700 new from '84 until three years ago, that was just fine until it and I went for a swim together. Then I replaced it with an x-570, which is like a brother to the x-700 without program ,and with better metering options in manual exposure modes. The first one exhibitted a similar problem to yours shortly after I got it.

It turned out that one of the two 'big' electrolytic capacitors in it were going. They are used to store energy from the comparatively small current limited battery to power the big current draws when the electromagnets that control the shutter curtain release. Replacing them is not a DIY fix; a professional fix is to replace them with tanatalum capacitors; which don't dry out/die nearly as readily. I elected to send it back and get another one.

Then I bought a second x-570 as a backup, I liked it so much better than the x-700, for when I shoot b&w.

To round out my options I bought a srt101 about 10 years ago, to share my MD glass optins with and there is very little electronic to have to worry about in it.

John Koehrer · Oct 25, 2009

Are the partial frames with flash?

lilmsmaggie · Oct 25, 2009

John Koehrer said:
Are the partial frames with flash?

No flash used.

lilmsmaggie · Oct 25, 2009

Mike Wilde said:
Then I bought a second x-570 as a backup, I liked it so much better than the x-700, for when I shoot b&w.

To round out my options I bought a srt101 about 10 years ago, to share my MD glass optins with and there is very little electronic to have to worry about in it.

I may just have to leverage my Canon gear. I also have an ELAN 7E.

I got one online quote from Precision camera $130 to repair

KEH has X-700 bodies starting around $99. Shame - the X-700 is a nice little camera. I could probably sell off the Minolta glass and use the proceeds toward another Canon film body.

Decisions Decisions

mgb74 · Oct 25, 2009

Suggest you try www.garyscameras.com

mwdake · Oct 25, 2009

Or maybe .....

http://www.garryscamera.com/

mgb74 · Oct 25, 2009

Mwdake is correct.

lilmsmaggie · Oct 25, 2009

mwdake said:
Or maybe .....

http://www.garryscamera.com/

Thanks ... mgb74 and mwdake. Very tempting. Anyone out there done any business with Garry's Camera? Were ya happy with the results?

Price is right. Although sending my X-700 out for repair is scary

benjiboy · Nov 7, 2009

lilmsmaggie said:
I may just have to leverage my Canon gear. I also have an ELAN 7E.

I got one online quote from Precision camera $130 to repair

KEH has X-700 bodies starting around $99. Shame - the X-700 is a nice little camera. I could probably sell off the Minolta glass and use the proceeds toward another Canon film body.

Decisions Decisions

To my mind if you spend the $ 130 at least you will know It's been serviced, another one is an unknown quantity and you may just be buying trouble for the future, at least you know where yours has been.

mgb74 · Nov 7, 2009

lilmsmaggie said:
Thanks ... mgb74 and mwdake. Very tempting. Anyone out there done any business with Garry's Camera? Were ya happy with the results?

Price is right. Although sending my X-700 out for repair is scary

I've used Garry's camera and would use him again. Not sure why sending it out would be scary.

Minolta X-700 shutter sticking/hanging

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