Minolta... X570 and XD-11

CMoore · Jun 27, 2019

I have read, a few times, that the XD-11 Can/Does develop electronic problems that are hard to fix. Not sure why, i am guessing it is the obsolescence of the parts.?
Going forward from 2019, are the electronics in the 570 more likely to be "Fixable".?

Why do i ask.?
Because i own both, and i Still have more 35mm cameras than i can use.
I was going to send both for a CLA, and then i realized i only need to send one, and sell the other.
In the next 10-15 years, if something goes wrong, is the 570 any more likely to be an easier fix.?
Thank You

Theo Sulphate · Jun 27, 2019

Something about the flex circuit in XD11 that is problematic. Flexible circuit assembly that breaks or connections on it fail.

That is what I was told; I have no direct experience.

CMoore · Jun 28, 2019

Yeah..... that sounds familiar.
Thanks Again

neilt3 · Jun 28, 2019

Whereas with the X570/500/700 models it's the capacitor that tends to go which is a simple enough job with easily obtainable parts .

vlasta · Jun 29, 2019

Tha X-700 is somewhat complicated case because top cover must be removed to access second capacitor which must be also replaced !

neilt3 · Jun 29, 2019

vlasta said:
Tha X-700 is somewhat complicated case because top cover must be removed to access second capacitor which must be also replaced !

A bit more work but no less fixable . Parts needed are readily available .

Chan Tran · Jun 29, 2019

Theo Sulphate said:
Something about the flex circuit in XD11 that is problematic. Flexible circuit assembly that breaks or connections on it fail.

That is what I was told; I have no direct experience.

If it is a fragile flex circuit then a CLA could do more harm than good.

dynachrome · Jul 4, 2019

Since I learned that John Titterington can't repair the XD cameras any more, I wouldn't get another one. I have many X700 cameras and a few X570s. These are very flexible cameras with nice bright finders. The main limitation is the 1/1000 top shutter speed.

Les Sarile · Jul 5, 2019

dynachrome said:
Since I learned that John Titterington can't repair the XD cameras any more, I wouldn't get another one.

Even more reason to acquire good working examples . . .

neilt3 · Jul 5, 2019

Les Sarile said:
Even more reason to acquire good working examples . . .

The cameras I particularly like using I have more than one of , either so I have spare bodies if a repair is not possible , or if I want to have different film loaded or using two different lenses while I'm out without messing about changing lenses .
XD7'S , X700 & X500's and Dynax 7's are all ones I have spare bodies off for this reason .

Pentode · Jul 5, 2019

The XD-11 is among my favorite models ever but all three of mine have become intermittent. I have one in for a CLA at the moment and I'm hoping my tech can get to the bottom of it but I fear that these cameras have a shelf life and mine might have reached it.

Theo Sulphate · Jul 5, 2019

Pentode said:
The XD-11 is among my favorite models ever but all three of mine have become intermittent. ...

What a shame that these cameras fail so consistently. How long did you have the cameras? Did you buy any of them new?

I've always wanted an XD-11, but am afraid of buying one because of the failures.

Pentode · Jul 5, 2019

Theo Sulphate said:
How long did you have the cameras? Did you buy any of them new?

One of them was purchased used from B&H in 1994 and it has more miles on it than any other camera I own. That’s the one that’s giving me the most trouble. Sometimes it won’t power up at all. Other times the meter works but the shutter won’t release.

THe second was purchased at a flea market two or three years ago and is mostly reliable but the battery cover seems to oxidize any time I leave the camera alone for a few weeks. After a thorough cleaning it works fine again for a while but then the problem recurs. I’m not sure how to prevent it. Otherwise the camera is just about pristine.

The last was purchased at a camera show a few months ago in very nice condition with new leather and new seals. This one is the most reliable of the three but sometimes, like the first, the shutter won’t release.

None of them like the cold, but that’s typical of cameras of this era with electronic shutters.

The X-700/570/370 series are much newer and, therefore, more reliable cameras but over the years I sold off my X-700 and X-370 because I just didn’t enjoy shooting with them as much as I liked my XD-11s.

ant! · Jul 5, 2019

Pentode said:
None of them like the cold, but that’s typical of cameras of this era with electronic shutters.

Seems like my XD-7 (=XD-11 from Europe) doesn't know that, I took quite some photos in the range of -15°C and -25°C. Once, we did a 4h hike at -25°C, the camera was fine for shots of my frozen beard while the bottle of water in the backpack was solid...

I bought mine about 8 years ago, had the light seals changed and the little mirror which helps showing the aperture in the view finder had to be reattached (or was it the one for the shutter time? not sure...). Beside this, no problems, and I hope this stays still a while like this. But I have a X570 as backup as well...

CMoore · Jul 6, 2019

ant! said:
Seems like my XD-7 (=XD-11 from Europe) doesn't know that, I took quite some photos in the range of -15°C and -25°C. Once, we did a 4h hike at -25°C, the camera was fine for shots of my frozen beard while the bottle of water in the backpack was solid...

I bought mine about 8 years ago, had the light seals changed and the little mirror which helps showing the aperture in the view finder had to be reattached (or was it the one for the shutter time? not sure...). Beside this, no problems, and I hope this stays still a while like this. But I have a X570 as backup as well...

That's funny, i had the same problem with my XD-11..... the aperture mirror "alignment".
So i sent it off to have that fixed and also have (i think. i will have to check the receipt) a CLA while it was with the tech.
It has been working fine for the last 2-3 years. It is about the smoothest and most quiet SLR i have used. But i just (Still) have way too many 35mm SLR. I will have to put it up for sale in the classifieds...after i check that receipt, so i now how to describe it.

Minolta... X570 and XD-11

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