Minolta XE-7 Comments and Questions

Love the XE-7

I used to shoot with Minolta cameras in the 80s and early 90s before giving up the hobby. Back then I had an SRT 200 and later added an X-570, along with an MD Rokkor 45/2 and a K-Mart Focal 135/2.8 (Kiron made, I think). I got the zoom bug in the early 90s and bought a Kiron 80-200/4.5 and quickly lost interest in photography as my pictures started to suck.

I recently got back into the hobby with digital (Sony A850 full frame and NEX7 compact), and then in a quest for exceptional portrait lenses for the NEX7, bought into the Leica R system.

Long story, I got a Leica R3 MOT with a 50/2 Summicron for only $30 more than the lens alone and rather than use the lens on the Sony NEX, started buying film. I grew my Leica system to now include 2 bodies (R3 MOT and R6) and 4 lenses (35, 50, 90 and 138, all f2.8). It was only when looking at Leica wide angles and learning that the Elmarit 24/2.8 was actually a rebranded Rokkor that I decided to go back to Minolta.

I am so glad that I did. For under $400 (about 2/3 the price of the Leica-branded Rokkor 24) I was able to buy a mint XE-7, a very nice X-570 and five nice Rokkor lenses (MC 28/2.5, MD 35/2.8, MD 45/2, MC 58/1.4 and MC 135/2.8). The XE-7 is every bit as nice as the R3 with the exception of lacking spot metering. Otherwise, they are functionally identical, though the R3's black surface appears far more durable.

Using the Minolta gear is like coming home. Outstanding lenses and the camera is simply luxurious.

Just read the June 1975 Modern Photography review of the XE-7 and it extolled the smoothness and quietness of the camera. I've always said the XE-7 has to be experienced. But beware, you might think there is something wrong with your camera after trying out the XE-7 . . .

Les Sarile said:

Just read the June 1975 Modern Photography review of the XE-7 and it extolled the smoothness and quietness of the camera. I've always said the XE-7 has to be experienced. But beware, you might think there is something wrong with your camera after trying out the XE-7 . . .

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You're not wrong! I had an XE-7 that had metering issues. I didn't want to mess with it so I sold it. I still have the XE-5 and the smoothness of winding is something to experience.

Ralph Javins said:

Good morning, FilmOnly;

Yes, the XE-7 with the electronic controlled shutter is nice. Yes, it is also quiet. A nice camera.

The MC ROKKOR 1:1.4 f=50mm is a good lens. It will focus down to just under 18 inches, but you might like the results better if you get a reversing ring and turn it around, especially if you want to go closer. For more serious macro work, look at the MC MACRO ROKKOR 1:3.5 f=50mm lens. That one will down to about 9 inches and a full 1:1. If you need to go closer, look at the AUTO BELLOWS ROKKOR 1:4 f=100mm bellows lens.

No, the mirror does not go into a Mirror Lock Up mode if you set the self timer. I do not think that any of the Minolta cameras from the XE series and onward had an MLU. They did bring it back on a couple of models of the AF cameras. If you need that feature, go back to the SR-T series or the SR-7. Many of them, but not all even in the same model designation, had the rotating MLU control on the side of the lens mount just below the shutter speed dial. The SR-T 102 is one model where it may or it may not have the MLU. Look at the camera lens mount on the side.

One point of the XE-7 are the batteries. The camera does require batteries to work. There are two (2) and you will run them down if you leave the camera on when putting it away. Turn the camera OFF when it is not being used, and you will enjoy normal camera battery life.

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Minolta considered that the shutter and mirror braking mechanism was so vibration free that mirror lock was unnecesasery .

But boy, my XE-7 still scares small children at the faster shutter speeds. Kerrrrr-LUNK

hoffy said:

But boy, my XE-7 still scares small children at the faster shutter speeds. Kerrrrr-LUNK

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I can guarantee you that the sound of the shutter is consistent across the whole range which I just verified on mine. If yours is not then it sounds like a good service is in order.

BTW, what other camera do you have to compare just for reference?

I have a couple of late model Minolta's, but have not operated them yet.

Mind you, my Sony DSLR that I suppose you could call a Minolta sounds like slicing butter.

You might call your Sony a Minolta but I'm not calling any of my Minolta's a Sony . . .