Minolta XK

Nathan Riehl · Aug 1, 2014

So, I just happened to come upon ownership of a Minolta XK with an MC Rokkor 50mm f/1.7 and a metered prism. Also has the hot shoe attachment that attaches to the rewind knob. Something that my Nikon F2 lacks. After looking it up, I found that the cheapest it went for on the bay was close to $400 before shipping. That was just with an older looking version of the same kind of lens and without the hot shoe and it had a lot of paint loss. I had the chance to test mine out and it seems as if all of the features are working correctly! It even looks pretty nice too. The lens had no fungus, there's little paint loss other than some fading on the XK and the viewfinder was very clear. It even came with a leather case with holes for the button and switch on the bottom. I don't really know much about this camera other than it took them apparently 10 years to develop, and that it was Minolta's answer to the Nikon F/F2 and Canon F-1. I am considering running some film through it, but eventually I'd like to sell it. So I have to ask, is there much demand for this camera? Would like to hear some thoughts. I don't want to say how much I paid for it, but let's just say there's a lot of room for profit if I can sell it for anywhere near what the one I saw on ebay went for.

Nathan Riehl · Aug 1, 2014

I should add that the seals need replacing, but after 30~ or so years, that's a given.

Barry S · Aug 1, 2014

My first camera was a new Nikon F, but my second was a Minolta XK. It's a lovely camera and it has a following, so selling it will be easy. It was very advanced for its time and the build quality is superb. Unfortunately, it never captured the pro market as Minolta intended because of the lack of motor drive attachment, but they came out with a motor version (which is really worth big bucks).

Nathan Riehl · Aug 1, 2014

I just recently saw that it was worth a lot if it was the motored version. It's unfortunate they never came out with an attachment.

elekm · Aug 1, 2014

If you saw one on eBay sell for $400, then that's the answer to your question as to whether it is in demand. That's more than you'll pay for some of the Nikon bodies.

Chan Tran · Aug 1, 2014

I am not sure if there is a high demand for it but the going price is high. Price also depends on whether it is the motorized version and what kind of viewfinder it has.

Nathan Riehl · Aug 1, 2014

It has the standard metered viewfinder that came with it as a kit. Same with the lens. It's the unmotorized version.

zk-cessnaguy · Aug 1, 2014

have you read this article? Dead Link Removed
Very nice piece of kit is the XK, I'd love to find one someday.

Alan Gales · Aug 1, 2014

My buddy has a nice Minolta collection. Since I'm on Ebay a lot he asked me to try to find him a cheap mint condition XK. After looking I told him that they are easy to find. They are just mixed in with the cheap mint condition Leica's.

Interesting camera. I don't blame him for wanting one. There is definitely a demand for them.

Barry S · Aug 1, 2014

That's an excellent summary of the system. The only extra finder I had was the waist level finder--which is pretty silly for a 35mm camera.

Alan Gales · Aug 1, 2014

Barry S said:
That's an excellent summary of the system. The only extra finder I had was the waist level finder--which is pretty silly for a 35mm camera.

I owned a Praktica with a waist level finder. I bought it for the uniqueness. It was pretty impractical in use.

Barry S · Aug 1, 2014

Alan Gales said:
I owned a Praktica with a waist level finder. I bought it for the uniqueness. It was pretty impractical in use.

They should really call them chin-level finders.

Nathan Riehl · Aug 1, 2014

It looked almost like a scope of sorts when I looked up the WLF, haha. Not very practical at all. Anyhow, I think I've decided to stick with my X-700. So if anyone is interested in purchasing the camera from me, I'd love to entertain offers from the community here rather than the bay, so I may post an ad. Please don't hesitate to send me a private message if you're interested.

fstop · Aug 2, 2014

For an XK to be worth 400 it would have to be mint- no paint loss at all no dings dents etc any scratches on the base plate drops the value a lot.

There isn't a single XK worth 400 on ebay right now except the one with AES finder and that one is over priced.

Les Sarile · Aug 2, 2014

There are many sold listings on ebay that you will give you a good idea of price range and condition. Looking like between $100 - 450. Of course cosmetic and functionality are key but on these cameras, accessories can sometimes cost more than just the body.

Nathan Riehl · Aug 2, 2014

Well, I have to say minus the status of the seals, it's probably a 9/10 condition.

Nathan Riehl · Aug 2, 2014

http://www.ebay.com/itm/141279534002

I have that kit, but with a removable hot shoe attachment and a leather case.

fstop · Aug 2, 2014

I have 7 of them including one that looks brand new with a brand new AES finder and box.Including the hot shoe in the case in the box with instructions. All mint condition. I could not get 600 for it, the last XK motor on ebay went for under 1000, prices are coming down.

I collect XKs,XE and their variants. I can tell you that any missing paint or fading takes a 400 camera and puts its below 300 provided it works correctly and there are no curtain wrinkles or rub marks, finger prints etc on the shutter curtain.
A common issue with the standard XK view finder is the mirror inside that illuminates the shutter speed scale gets out of alignment and the scale is not evenly illuminated. You have to move your eye around to see the full scale if its out of alignment.
There are other things to consider, the back, if it has an ASA/DIN scale vs memo holder. The memo holder bodies are worth more.
The eye piece shutter has to work without force, the on off switch needs to work correctly along with the touch sensor.The touch sensor is a weak point.

The bottom line is you aint gonna flip XK cameras and make a buck if your buyer has any brains. Just keep it and shoot it.

Les Sarile · Aug 2, 2014

This is my XK kit with the three unmounted finders as recent additions. In perfect working order, it is a fine light tight box. It is not likely I will ever know what anyone would pay for it

Nathan Riehl · Aug 2, 2014

Haha, I'm not sure I want to keep it. I think if I could get $250 for it, I'd be happy. There's a little rubbing off of the XK logo, but everything else looks perfect. I did notice that the circle in the middle of the focusing screen was dark when I had the F-stop at 22. It went away when I held down the button right of the lens mount that moves the mirror..

Les Sarile · Aug 2, 2014

fstop said:
I collect XKs,XE and their variants. I can tell you that any missing paint or fading takes a 400 camera and puts its below 300 provided it works correctly and there are no curtain wrinkles or rub marks, finger prints etc on the shutter curtain.

I don't believe I have ever heard of wrinkled titanium curtains on an XK or any other similarly equipped camera like the Canon F-1, Nikon F, F2, F3 and Pentax LX.

fstop · Aug 2, 2014

That button is the depth of field preview, it also serves as the mirror lockup.You don't even know how to operate this camera do you? This is why pristine examples should be kept by people who can appreciate them for what they are.

fstop · Aug 2, 2014

Les Sarile said:
I don't believe I have ever heard of wrinkled titanium curtains on an XK or any other similarly equipped camera like the Canon F-1, Nikon F, F2, F3 and Pentax LX.

Surely you jest.

You don't have many used bodies of the above mentioned cameras do you?

You want I should post pictures of such damage?

btw I didn't sell my like new XK I kept it.6 bills is not enough to get it out of my hands, 6 would be a tough sale for my NIB XE-7 with the plastic rail "remove before using" cover.

Nathan Riehl · Aug 2, 2014

Don't need to be a dick, yo. I forgot what the button was called. I have a Nikon F2 already, so I don't need the Minolta. I have another kit lined up, hence my need for the sale.

Les Sarile · Aug 2, 2014

fstop said:
Surely you jest.

You don't have many used bodies of the above mentioned cameras do you?

You want I should post pictures of such damage?

I only mention bodies that I do have but apparently they are all only the good kind . . .
If you have such wrinkled titanium curtains I would be curious to see what that would look like.

Minolta XK

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