Minolta XD-11 Score

I'm a sucker for "broken" cameras. Don't ask me why, but I like trying to get them running again. However, sometimes they are beyond repair. It's always a bit of a gamble. Well, this gamble has paid off.

There was a Minolta XD-11 being offered locally; ad said that it was being sold for parts/repair because the mirror was stuck. I sent an inquiry requesting to see what the battery compartment looked like. Seller responded with a photo, and it looked clean. Price was quite reasonable ($38 shipped to my door) and camera came with a MD Rokkor-X 50mm 1.7 and an Auto 200X flash.

Camera arrived today. Upon initial inspection, when I removed the battery cover, I saw right away what the problem may have been: corrosion on the inside of the cover.



I have another XD-11 with batteries in it, so I just swapped out the batteries (and cover) of the working camera with this camera. Voila! Camera meter came to life. I then fired away a few test shots in aperture priority mode. All good. I then went through all of the shutter speeds in manual mode; again, all good. Self-timer works just fine too.

This is a nice XD-11 copy that appears to have been well taken care of. The battery cover should clean up and be useable again. The film advance smooth. Only thing on the camera that needs any work are the light seals, which is expected of a camera of this vintage.







The lens, though, may need a tune up. Focusing is a bit too firm, and it feels a bit "grainy" when it is turned; needs to be cleaned. Also, the UV ring is a bit stuck; will play with that more a little later. As for the flash, while the battery compartment itself is clean, the metal on the inside cover looks just like the camera's battery cover. Will clean and test that later.

Overall, I almost feel bad for having picked up this camera for such a low price. But it was a gamble on my part, as I have many a story of picking up old cameras that didn't turn out as well.

Nice score! Never feel bad about rescuing a camera. You paid the price asked and the seller obviously didn't want to invest even the least bit of effort in restoring it to working condition, so why feel bad?

I like those kinds of "fixes" myself. That's a nice score and I would not feel the least bit guilty if it were me!

The XD11s are just such a refined camera!

Congratulations. You should have received a good deal, as buying it was a gamble, not a known thing. You never really know w/ old electronic cameras.

I bought two Nikon FGs recently, both their mirrors were stuck in the up position and the shutters wouldn't fire. Normally this is because the batteries are dead, and even w/ fresh batteries, one needs to know that the meter won't come on until you advance the film several frames. However, both cameras are dead even w/ batteries, and there isn't much I can do w/ the electronics on these things.

momus said:

Congratulations. You should have received a good deal, as buying it was a gamble, not a known thing. You never really know w/ old electronic cameras.

I bought two Nikon FGs recently, both their mirrors were stuck in the up position and the shutters wouldn't fire. Normally this is because the batteries are dead, and even w/ fresh batteries, one needs to know that the meter won't come on until you advance the film several frames. However, both cameras are dead even w/ batteries, and there isn't much I can do w/ the electronics on these things.

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FG has M90 and B available as fully mechanical shutter settings.In these positions the meter doesn't function and no LEDs are lit but should fire the camera unless something else is hanging it up . . .

$38 is a high price if you have to pay for ten cameras for every one score.
I wouldn’t have taken the chance, but you where lucky or had a sixth sense.

That's great. Good job

Enjoy!

Good work. I use my XD-11 more than any other camera.

Helge said:

$38 is a high price if you have to pay for ten cameras for every one score.
I wouldn’t have taken the chance, but you where lucky or had a sixth sense.

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That ratio is more like the opposite. I seem to get one bad camera for every 10 I buy. But, each is its own case. For example, the last two Canon A-1's that I bought had their LED's light up at purchase, and fired, but mirror would stick in the up position. I thought it would be an e-z fix each time, but the main circuit board on each was fried. No joy.

momus said:

I bought two Nikon FGs recently, both their mirrors were stuck in the up position and the shutters wouldn't fire. Normally this is because the batteries are dead, and even w/ fresh batteries, one needs to know that the meter won't come on until you advance the film several frames. However, both cameras are dead even w/ batteries, and there isn't much I can do w/ the electronics on these things.

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I suggest sending them to Garry's Camera Repair. He works on on the Nikon FG's. http://www.garryscamera.com/nikon.htm

bluechromis said:

Good work. I use my XD-11 more than any other camera.

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The XD-11 was my very first SLR camera back in the mid 90's. I think it's better than the X-700.

Helge said:

$38 is a high price if you have to pay for ten cameras for every one score.
I wouldn’t have taken the chance, but you where lucky or had a sixth sense.

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If it turned out junk , selling the lens on it's own would almost get you your money back , the main thing to check is that it doesn't have fungus in it .
Then sell the camera as "for parts only" , and go into a profit .