My new 35mm Minolta x500

unwantedfocus

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Got a new camera, a Minolta x500 with a 35mm f2.8, the lens I had left over from my previous x700 (which I sold) and my SRT graveyard. I like the handling a lot so far, about a year ago I shot a bit with the x700 but did not like it at all, and sold it shortly after. I have some rolls ready for tomorrow, can't wait!!!! Any Minolta connoisseurs here?

 

Autonerd

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I'm a Minolta connoisseur in the making. A friend gave me a beat-up XG-E and I really love it. It's a bit of an orphan as I only have one lens for it (a rather nice 50/1.4). But for what is supposed to be an automatic-only camera it does a really nice job. I do want an XD but they get expensive (I love me some bargain cameras)and then I need a 28 and maybe a zoom and then and then and then... so I'm holding off and just enjoying the XG-E as it is. I also have a 400si and a Maxxum 5 -- autofocus isn't really my thing but they are fantastic cameras, and dirt cheap. Best way to get into photography for someone starting in digital, IMHO. Biggest problem with the 500si is that the battery costs almost as much as the camera body!
 
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unwantedfocus

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XD is a great choice, I was thinking to get one too but I'm kind of hesitant. One very good feature that seems nobody to point out about the xd7/xd11, is that the shutter speed dial is slightly overlapping so you have easy access to it from the front without leaving the viewfinder (Kind of like on the Leica m5 but more subtle).


What I really dislike about Minolta, on some of the lenses Minolta thought it was a good idea to connect two lens elements with a plastic holder system so you are unable to separate and clean them. I have yet to see someone successfully dismantle a Minolta MDIII 50mm f1.7. and clean the inner inner side between those two elements. Maybe someone has seen a successful attempt at this or a new 3d printed holder for both lens elements, please let me know. I made the realisation when my lens had pretty bad dust and I wanted to clean it myself but there was no chance if there is dirt/dust/fungus between those 2 elements you can throw the Lens away and buy a new one for 30+ Euros. On canon on the other hand you can clean literally all FD lenses I think, I cleaned a Canon NFD 50mm f1.4 by myself without any major problems (thanks to YouTube), it had fungus and I was able to remove it pretty good.

If I invest in Minolta again I would only buy lenses that can be fully cleaned and serviced.
 

naaldvoerder

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Not a connaisseur, but certainly appreciative of late stage manual Minoltas's, and the glass that goes with them.





P.S. I much prefer the 700 over the 500
 

naaldvoerder

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I successfully opened and cleaned the front lens group in my MD III 50/1.4. A bit of a job, as the 2 elements are encased in plastic, but doable.




 

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RokkorZ

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Gotta love a good Minolta. It was an XG-M that started my journey into film. What a slippery slope.

I currently have that XG-M, an SRT 100b, and an XD5.

Try and get hold of the 135mm 2.8 its magical and so underrated.
 

Huss

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What did you not like about the X700? I know the 500 has better manual metering, but that seems to be the only advantage.
 

Wallendo

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I have 2 SR-1's, each of which has some issues, but both work. I also have 2 SRT-201's which are fun to shoot. I have an XG-7 (which no longer works ?capacitor issue). I recently picked up a X-370 and am currently tracking down a light leak. I love the minolta lenses and camera feel, but they don't seem to have the same durability as older Nikons. The older Minoltas didn't have the stylishness of other manufacturers, but were always very functional and easy to use.
 

BMbikerider

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Oh Yes I like Minoltas. I have an XM and an XE1 both work superbly but the XM takes a bit getting used to. Never the less it has a superbly quiet shutter and a sensitive meter. The XE1 has a silky smooth wind on unlike any other I have used. Minolta lenses are as good as the best but the later ones do not feel as well made as the earlier ones. However the 35/70MD zoom is up there with the best of any and even good enough to be remanufactured under licence by Leitz for their reflexes.
Add to that a couple of SRT101's a few Minolta TLRs (Various models) and a one I was really sorry to loose, an SP Rangefinder which was stolen.
 
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unwantedfocus

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Chan Tran said:
If you didn't like the X700 what makes you think you would like the X500?
Click to expand...
Good question, my main reason was the live LED readout, it shows the actual shutter speed, you can easily adjust it, or even under/overexpose without leaving the viewfinder. Overall I enjoy the manual x500/x570 features more than the x700 but maybe its just in my head.

Video of the viewfinder LED readout.
 

Chan Tran

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I am sorry then. I will have to read the manual of those cameras. I thought the X-700 is the one that has the most features of all the Minolta X cameras. (not counting the XD's)
 
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unwantedfocus

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Chan Tran said:
I am sorry then. I will have to read the manual of those cameras. I thought the X-700 is the one that has the most features of all the Minolta X cameras. (not counting the XD's)
Click to expand...
No you are right in theory the x-700 has more features. The x500/x570 came out later and is more of a "manual camera".

X700
x500/x570
 

waynecrider

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I'm a fan of the brand and shoot a XG-M as my carry. It's simple and straightforth without a lot of extra features. Lenses are a 50mm F1.4 and a 35mm Miida F2.8. Love the big screen and micro prism focusing, and it balances nice with either lens. All I need now is a wider lens.
 

CMoore

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Not in your head.
Whenever the 700 and 570 are compared, the meter read-out is Always/Frequently the main topic of discussion.

I had the XG-M.
I loved that camera.
I donated it with a 50mm lens to my local college.
I simply had... and still have... too many 35mm SLR
For manual mode, I liked it better than any of my A-Series Canon Cameras.
 

Huss

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I prefer the location/function of the power switch, and the AE compensation on the X700 vs the 500. I prefer the manual metering on the 500.
The 700 has the P mode which can be handy if you let someone else use it who may not have your mad skillz, or if you just are feeling footloose..
 

Martin Rickards

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I picked up a nice clean all black X500 with a Hanimex 35-70 mm f2.5-3.5 zoom, which produces surprisingly good images (as good as those on my MD 35-80 mm.zoom on my Dynax).
 

Helge

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The X-700 final check is tipping the scale for me.
Means you can use lenses that might have slightly heavy blades (in one sense or the other) and means you can use older stop-down lenses without thinking about it.

Program is very nice. It not called P(rofessional) for nothing. It makes the decision you’d normally need seconds to make, instantly.

I can live without having to see the time in the viewfinder. I never actually used it on my 570.
I usually use M as “shutter priority” anyway, so I know what speed it is.

Slow sync can be quite easily modded on the 700, but really 60 is what you want most of the time when shooting in dark conditions.
Still some ambient fill, but the shutter speed is fast enough to stop handshake blur on it’s a own without ghost trails.

I have both and I reach for the 700 most of the time.

If you absolutely need the time in the finder, the 300/370 is a plentiful and cheap alternative.
The only things missing from 500, in the 300, is TTL, stop-down and data back contacts.
 
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BMbikerider

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Chan Tran said:
I am sorry then. I will have to read the manual of those cameras. I thought the X-700 is the one that has the most features of all the Minolta X cameras. (not counting the XD's)
Click to expand...

Sometimes having more features can be a hindrance. It is more to remember (and forget). I mainly use Nikons and have an F4 and an F80 but they stay on aperture priority 95% of the time and the AF is on fixed point. It has never let me down. There is no need (in my eyes to change anything) to 'get better pictures'. Going back well before my association with Minolta I used Pentax SV, S1a or Spotmatics. I got more satisfaction from them than any other, although the Minoltas came a very close second.
 

Helge

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The addition of P in this case is hardly something that tips the scale. The rest of the differentiating features are automatic.
 

Chan Tran

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I don't know much about the X series camera from Minolta so excuse my ignorance. I understand that the X700 has the P mode which for me personally not desirable but I guess a more features camera would have the better viewfinder display. But obviously I was wrong.
I used the Nikon Secretary software to disable P and S modes on F5. So I don't have to remember which way the dial turn when I want to switch from A to M and vice versa.
 
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