Minolta XK AE vs AE-S heads - my take.

[MattKing]

Was it because of sales tactics alone where Minolta was not as aggressive, or was it just plain history of nay saying?

Distribution, most likely.
It wasn't the camera manufacturers that made things happen, it was their local distributors, who may or may not have been owned by the manufacturers.
The manufacturers would have had to be on board, but they didn't actually do the real work.
In Canada, the Minolta distributors had little or no public exposure.

 

[Bikerider]

I have an XM - the same camera - different name. It is a bit awkward to use at first but you can get used to it. The metering is as good as it gets without sophisticated electrickery, with only a tiny number of exposure errors. What impressed me when I first bought it was how quiet the shutter was. It is certainly quieter than any of my Nikon bodies. I had a full check over and serviced by an engineer in UK who specialises in working with Minolta models. I think he was one of their engineers. When that name disappeared and was changed to Sony, he bought all the factory spares in UK.

It is a bit battered like the XK in the pictures but what are a few marks so long as the device works. I have not used it all that much compare to my other cameras and have yet to replace a set of batteries How long can I expect a set to last? Lenses, I have tried to stay away from zooms. They are usually heavier than primes so have accumulated primes 28mm through to 135 including a 85/F2. I also have my eye on a F2.8/20mm (Expensive!) a F3.5/200mm and a F4.5/300

The 200/3.5 is one of three 200's that were available, these others were the F4 and 4.5 versions. Any guidance which of the 3 has the best performance or is it marginal?
Oh yes I also have an XE1 as well but doesn't have the kudos of the XM

 

[Huss]

.. Lenses, I have tried to stay away from zooms. They are usually heavier than primes so have accumulated primes 28mm through to 135 including a 85/F2. I also have my eye on a F2.8/20mm (Expensive!) a F3.5/200mm and a F4.5/300

The Minolta 35-70 3.5 is superb. And smaller than carrying 35mm, 50mm and 75mm lenses. Not to mention more convenient.

 

[Bikerider]

Yes it is good, I have used one, but I like the wider aperture of the 28,35,50 and the F2 of the 85mm. Weight is not a problem.

 

[Deleted member 88956]

Rokkor 24-50 is one convenient beast too, and the softer corners wide open are a plus for me.

 

[Jon Buffington]

Just got mine back from a fresh CLA. Bought it 3+ years ago, non working and finally got it fixed.

 

[CMoore]

I remember this post making me laugh.... Herman Munster.