Minolta XG-M Shutter Speed LED Issue

[alan_nyc]

Hi. I just got a Minolta XG-M and the light/led showing the shutter speed in the viewfinder is half cut off and not the full red dot - It looks like a half moon with only the one side showing the red. Also, there looks to be light spillage above and below the actual shutter speed being indicated. Does anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it? I was thinking maybe it was just an issue with the camera not being used for a while, so I put in fresh batteries and had it on, metering and firing the shutter for a while but the issue is persisting. It looks like something might be misaligned or something similar.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Jon Goodman]

Is half the mirror also blocked (when you look through the viewfinder) or is it only the led display?

 

[alan_nyc]

Hi - Thanks for your reply. It is just the LED display - I'm guessing something might be misaligned but not sure how to fix it.

 

[Jon Goodman]

Somewhere I have images of work I've done on the Minolta "x" model cameras, but they would be stored on 3.5 inch floppy disks. I had once migrated them all to a hard disk but a lightning strike reduced that computer to a lump. There is a fellow in the UK who has posted some work he did on the capacitor problem here: https://simonhawketts.co.uk/2016/05/04/minolta-xg-m-capacitor-replacement/ His work is good and you can see much of the possible nightmare awaiting you.

If your mirror view is ok, that is a good beginning sign. There is an electronic/shutter problem which pretty much disables everything and a half-view through the viewfinder is what you'll see. If your display is misaligned, one's first thought might be that somebody has been in there goofing around and got it out of whack. But honestly that isn't likely. Here is the bad news: there is a flex circuit which sits right on top of the pentaprism. That flex circuit (you can see it in Simon's images) must be removed in order to disassemble the prism assembly and it isn't easy if you're not really comfortable with de-soldering and re-soldering some tiny wires. In one or two of the x models you can remove the switch assembly on one side and fold it over. Let's both hope the XG-M is one of those. I can't recall, sorry. On each side of the pentaprism sit the display pieces (which naturally are wired in to the flex circuit). What you need to do is get to the prism, remove the prism holder, lift it carefully up a bit and move the side display (or both of them) back into place. Unfortunately getting to it and keeping the integrity of all the wiring is the challenge...

 

[BMbikerider]

When was your camera last serviced? All the series of Minolta cameras from the XG1 to the XG9 (including the similar XD models) had a problem with shutter magnets if they were not serviced regularly (every 3-4 years) after which the shutter curtains tend to get 'sticky'. This cab cause all variety if symptoms. A good clean usually sorts the problem out.

 

[alan_nyc]

Thanks for everyone's reply. I'm not sure when it was serviced last - I just got it from eBay. Do you all have a recommendation for where to get it serviced? I've heard Garry's recommended. I've emailed out to him to see if he has encountered this issue and am waiting to hear back.

 

[alan_nyc]

Somewhere I have images of work I've done on the Minolta "x" model cameras, but they would be stored on 3.5 inch floppy disks. I had once migrated them all to a hard disk but a lightning strike reduced that computer to a lump. There is a fellow in the UK who has posted some work he did on the capacitor problem here: https://simonhawketts.co.uk/2016/05/04/minolta-xg-m-capacitor-replacement/ His work is good and you can see much of the possible nightmare awaiting you.

If your mirror view is ok, that is a good beginning sign. There is an electronic/shutter problem which pretty much disables everything and a half-view through the viewfinder is what you'll see. If your display is misaligned, one's first thought might be that somebody has been in there goofing around and got it out of whack. But honestly that isn't likely. Here is the bad news: there is a flex circuit which sits right on top of the pentaprism. That flex circuit (you can see it in Simon's images) must be removed in order to disassemble the prism assembly and it isn't easy if you're not really comfortable with de-soldering and re-soldering some tiny wires. In one or two of the x models you can remove the switch assembly on one side and fold it over. Let's both hope the XG-M is one of those. I can't recall, sorry. On each side of the pentaprism sit the display pieces (which naturally are wired in to the flex circuit). What you need to do is get to the prism, remove the prism holder, lift it carefully up a bit and move the side display (or both of them) back into place. Unfortunately getting to it and keeping the integrity of all the wiring is the challenge...

This looks pretty involved and not something I'd dare do otherwise I'd probably end up with a lot of "extra parts" - ha. The camera looks like it needs new light seals and a good clean up so probably best to just get it serviced I'd imagine.

 

[Jon Goodman]

Replacing the light seals is not difficult at all. The work involved with removing the prism is tedious and fiddly and some electronic components in all the "x" cameras were made with the idea they would never be removed (meaning they were "plastic welded" in place). I don't know about Garry's. I think the main thing you need to consider is how much the work would cost v returning this camera to the seller for a refund and purchasing another camera without those problems. Minolta made several changes when the "x" cameras were introduced and those changes meant two things in my opinion: 1---Minolta's name was now attached to cameras which had been designed by Minolta but were being rapidly produced in China now 2---Minolta now had more $$$ to spend on their auto-focus projects which had displaced manual-focus SLRs as their main corporate interest and goal as far as cameras were concerned. Do you know anything about the Seagull Camera Company (China)? That's who made the one you have.

 

[nrer]

>It looks like a half moon with only the one side showing the red. Also, there looks to be light spillage above and below the actual shutter speed being indicated. Does anyone else have this problem or know how to fix it?<

You need to pull the pentaprism. The acrylic light transmitters from IC2 to the viewfinder are misaligned. Some contact cement will fix this problem.

 

[nrer]

Pulling the pentaprism isn't hard. You just need a good work area, patience, and scotch tape.

 

[StanMac]

Zacks Camera Repair has done CLAs and repairs (including replacing those pesky capacitors) for me on several X-series Minoltas. They have done excellent work and I would recommend them highly. But as in everything to do with these old film cameras, you will have to decide if having a working film camera is worth the investment it will take to get it there.

Stan

 

[alan_nyc]

Pulling the pentaprism isn't hard. You just need a good work area, patience, and scotch tape.

Hi - This sounds like a reasonable conclusion. Do you know of specific instructions for doing this? Thanks.

 

[nrer]

Tools: cross point screw driver (#0?), tweezers that are pointed, a rubber lab stopper (1/2"), scotch tape, digital camera might be helpful to document each step
Rewind knob/film speed wheel. Set ASA 100 , 0 for exposure. Pop open film chamber. Place a screw driver between the forks of rewind spindle. Unscrew the rewind screw . Tape parts. Next using point tweezers unscrew the the nut holding down film speed wheel. Remove assembly tape parts.
Film advance lever: Try using the stopper to unscrew the nut/screw holding down the lever. Otherwise use pointed tweezers. Remove round spring. Note orientation of slots in spring. Use pointed tweezers to remove nut under spring. Tape parts.
Auto/Manual dial. Set dial to auto. Use pointed tweezers to unscrew nut surrounding exposure button. Note orientation of dial when removing. tape parts
Cover: Remove the 2 screws by viewfinder, the 2 screws by Minolta front, remove screw near rewind. Tape parts. Tape Auto/Manual release button. Gently remove cover. XGMs flash are hard wired. Tape view finder to cover.
Before going forward, please respond to this post in case you have questions about the above.

 

[Dimpas]

Hello to the Group ! Its my first post and i am facing a "problem".
I was given a Minolta XG-M . It need a very good clean. I noticed that everything works except :
The M led on the viewfinder.
When the camera is in A mode no M letter is in the viewfinder
When the camera is in M mode there should be a M led lighting in the viewfinder.
In my camera it is not !
All other leds are OK !
Shutter seems OK
Film transport, self timer, ISO dial are ok
IS there any clue where the problem is ?
Thank you all !