Minolta XK Tips and Tricks

Malinku · Jun 16, 2015

So after the other thread I started about the XK. I decided to get one. So I kept my eye open for one and was able to find a working one in my price range.

I just ran my first roll of film through it. It did not go smoothly. The sense switch works well when pressed properly but is touchy. So I ended up locking the shutter a good amount of times. So I know how to reliably unlock the camera if I dont fire it correctly.

So im wondering if anyone has any tip or tricks on how they use this odd beast.

flavio81 · Jun 17, 2015

Perhaps the electronics need a rehaul. Capacitors, particularly electrolytics, change characteristics over time. Replacement is easy for an electronics technician. And/or there should be a sensitivity adjustment control inside the camera. Usually these kind of "touch" switches do have an adjustment potentiometer.

I bet that the sense switch, when it went out of the factory, worked correctly.

Congrats on the XK. As soon as I find one in my country, i'll buy it. I want one.

Les Sarile · Jun 17, 2015

There is a rotary switch on the back of the AE/AES finder to turn the meter on all the time bypassing the sense switch. Just don't forget to turn if off.

Malinku · Jun 18, 2015

@(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
The switch works fine when fully pressed. so I don't think there is a real problem with that system.

@Les Sarile
I figured that out right after posting this thread. doh

I just look at my first roll I ran through it. It came back all out of focus due to the mirror not sitting in the correct location when down. so It is back to my trusty X-700 till I find someone to fix it.

Nokton48 · Jun 18, 2015

Years ago I had Essex Camera Repair overhaul my XK.
It took about six weeks as I recall. They did a great job.
This was right before Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast.

Malinku · Jun 18, 2015

Nokton48 said:
Years ago I had Essex Camera Repair overhaul my XK.
It took about six weeks as I recall. They did a great job.
This was right before Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast.

Too bad they are closed now.
I seem to recall that mark hama works on XKs. so I sent him an email.

Les Sarile · Jun 18, 2015

I understand that John Titterington is also a Minolta repairman although I haven't used his services yet.

Malinku · Jun 18, 2015

Les Sarile said:
I understand that John Titterington is also a Minolta repairman although I haven't used his services yet.

Last I heard he does not deal with XKs

dosilverhalide · Jun 19, 2015

I bought one several years ago, its one of the more user unfriendly slr's I have ever used. J.

Les Sarile · Jun 20, 2015

How was the XK unfriendly?

Uncle Bill · Jun 21, 2015

I sympathise in regards to finding someone to repair your XK. I have a XE-7 with a jumpy meter and there's no repair tech in my neck of the woods who will touch that camera with barge pole, SRT's no problem.

leicarfcam · Jun 21, 2015

Uncle Bill said:
I sympathise in regards to finding someone to repair your XK. I have a XE-7 with a jumpy meter and there's no repair tech in my neck of the woods who will touch that camera with barge pole, SRT's no problem.

It's too bad since this jumpy meter is an easy fix.. I've fixed several myself. All it is is a dirty aperture variable resistor under the rewind crank. If you don't know how to properly clean it you'll break it since part of it is very thin glass..

You might try Gary's http://www.garryscamera.com/ Since the meter is still working that means the main board is still working so he should be able to fix it..

Uncle Bill · Jun 21, 2015

I might try another repair tech, the other problem is my XE-7 has film advance issues as in the lever won't go back when advanced on occasion. It's my last Minolta (gifted my SRT 202 and X700 to my brother). I think I might just give the body to him and see if he can make it go. My core go to systems are Nikon, Olympus, Leica M, Pentax M-42 and Canon FD.

dynachrome · Jun 22, 2015

John Titterington overhauled an XE-5 for me so I would contact him about an XE-7. Whether he can repair an XK is something I don't know but he did excellent work for me on the XE-5, an XD-11, an X-700, an X-9 and at least one SRT model.

Nokton48 · Jul 4, 2015

Yes

John Titterton recently repaired my XE-7.
He did a great job, very quick, not expensive.
Luckily mine did not need parts as he dosen't have spares any more.

When I inquired several years ago he said he dosen't work on XK's.
But perhaps Essex will be back up and running?
They did a great job with mine.

Malinku · Nov 21, 2015

So an update on my XK repair.
I sent it off to Mark Hama and in a few months time it came back fully CLA'D and repaired. So if you are in need of a xk repair I'd recommend mark.
http://www.markhama.com/

Now to enjoy shooting with my XK.

Nokton48 · Nov 28, 2015

Mark has fixed several Yashica Mats for me in the past and was very quick about it.
Great to know he is willing to work on the XK.

Minolta XK Tips and Tricks

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