Product ReviewsMinolta X-700 35mm SLR Film Camera Body Only

Pros and Cons of the Minolta X-700

The Minolta X-700 was Minolta's most technologically advanced manual focus camera ever produced. Debuted in 1981, it introduced the "Program" mode to SLR cameras and offered through-the-lens (TTL) flash metering, greatly simplifying the photographic process for millions of people. However, the model does have some drawbacks in its design.

Positives of the model, relative to the other Minolta models out there:
- TTL flash metering. This allows automatic and more precise output of flash no matter whether the flash is direct or bounced.
- The program mode is a benefit to some. I personally never use it.
- Metering is fairly accurate.
- Ergonomically better than the older straight rectangular body designs.
- Generally a reliable camera.
- The price is right - for what you get the X-700 really is a good value.

Negatives of the model, again relative to the other Minoltas:
- Shutter curtain is a relatively cheap cloth design allowing only 1/60 sec flash sync (only the XD series offers a better one, though).
- Light seals will need to be replaced on most bodies you find on ebay. Not a tough job, and anyone can do it, but you've got to get the material and it takes a few minutes.
- Sometimes the capacitors on the camera go bad. You can solder new ones in if you have the skill.
- Does not offer metered manual exposure (set the camera to manual and the camera would tell you if you're over or under exposed)

If you're buying into the Minolta system, other cameras you might consider are the X-570 (also a TTL camera; adds metered manual; my personal favorite), the XG series (a budget option which is less reliable and has fewer features; avoid the XG-A), the XD-11 or XD-5 (better shutter and build quality, no TTL flash). See my guide on the Minolta system for some more options or see www dot rokkorfiles dot com.Read full review...

Great camera for the beginner, good workhorse for a pro.

This camera was reported to be one of the top-of-the-line available from Minolta in the '80s. I would have to agree. I own other Minolta models and this one takes it to the next level.

This is not a full-on professional camera, but the photographic results are comparable since the optics are of top quality. This is a great camera for someone who is a novice and even pros might like its ease of use.

It can be used with automatic settings as well as being fully manual. I personally do not like the automatic settings as I am an artistic person. The preview button helps to ensure the novice gets an excellent result every time. This camera can utilize a wide range of Minolta compatible lenses and is great fun to shoot with.

I bought my X-700 because it was priced low and reported to be broken. I have the ability to repair these cameras and saw an opportunity to get one cheap. When it arrived, it actually just needed a new battery. The shutter on these cameras is dependent on battery power and will not fire if it is not strong enough. Additionally, there is a known issue with capacitors failing which will leave the camera inoperable. They are easily replaced by a person with electronics knowledge.

I would recommend that these cameras be obtained as cheaply as possible. They can be sent for an overhaul and cleaning. There are companies out there who will do it for as little as $65.Read full review...

Nice camera with a lot of features

I have been taking photography classes and wanted an old camera to learn the different techniques. So I found a minolta x-700 that had all all of the accessories while we were on vacation.
My son liked it alot and wanted one too. Since his birthday was coming up I wanted to find one for him. So I started looking for one on e-bay, bidding on some. I found out that there was a lot of other people wanting the same camera and they were willing to pay any price to get what they wanted. I knew what I wanted to pay for this camera and I found this one which no one was bidding on it because it didn't have accessories to it. I figured my son could use my extras to my camera or I could look for the accessories later on e-bay. Also the camera was in good condition. So I got what I wanted, at the price that I wanted to pay. My son loved and has been having fun with. We go out together and do pictures shoots with our cameras. This camera was sought after when it first came out because of all of it special features. I recommend it if you are in to photography or just enjoyed diferent styles of cameras. Also I do recommend that you get a autowinder with this. Otherwise it's a fun camera.Read full review...

Great shooter in a compact package

I just had to have one of these since back in the early 80s, as a new college graduate I was unable to afford this higher level Minolta or the Minolta telephoto and wide angle lenses I really wanted for it ( I had to settle for a Vivitar Zoom and Minolta Celtic wide angle lens). Today they are very affordable. Now here's what's great about this camera: It's very lightweight, compact and very handsome too. Minolta made a huge range of accessories for its cameras and for some bizzare reason, Minolta cameras and accessories cost far less than other leading brands on ebay. They take phenomenal pictures and are really a bargain.

While you still have to focus, if you put this in the Program mode this is as close as you can come to having a point and shoot that takes razor sharp pictures. And when you want to get creative there is full manual control and Aperture Priority automatic exposure. People who had these cameras more than 25 years ago still talk about what great cameras they were. I've bought two of these for under $30. Can't beat that.Read full review...

Sophisticated piece of equipment, astounding results

I have owned and used a Minolta X-700 since 1982. I got it as a beginning photography student at age 19; I'm not 49.At the time this was a highly sophisticated, state of the art camera, and in its hey dey it took spectacular pictures especially using a tri-pod and Kodachrome or some other slow speed film. However, there are several drawbacks to it and I basically learned to use this camera by trial and error and had many, many pictures turn out either underexposed or overexposed.Since the camera came with a feature which is supposed to prevent this, I could never figure out why my pictures didn't turn out perfect. Here are some of the drawbacks:
1. The on/off button is located on the aperture, it has three settings, the green on, on with the low light indicator (also green; beeps and flashes) and off which is black. When the sun is bright it is unreadable and I have often lost a picture by inadvertently switching it to the "off" or forgeting to turn it on. Well, I have lost the moment,on bright sunny days, especially while filming animals because I have inadvertently switched my camera off.When set in the "P" mode on the aperture, the camera automatically selects aperture, focus and shutter speed. You must also lock the lense, however as well as select the green "P" mode. I found the pictures taken with this setting are not very good, unless one has a dark filter screwed onto the lense and the picture is taken with a slow speed film like Kodachrome. With "A" mode you can change the aperture (amount of light entering the camera) while the camera accordingly sets the speed. There is a square button you push on the left side of the lense which usually darkens the view through the viewfinder if the light warning indicator beeps. However, it is highly subject to shadow and if you are taken a sunny picture while standing in a shadow it isn't reliable. I have had many countless pictures come out too dark by following the camera's low light indicator guide, and accordingly changing the aperture to the indicated speed setting. (It will flash on the correct speed setting through the viewfinder if set too high. It also has a circle with a line through it indicating shadows and it's for correct angle. If the bottom half of the circle appears dark, you are standing in a shadow which will affect the picture. Both parts of the circle should match, so you are supposed to point your camera higher or at a different angle. This camera also has a plus/negative setting the left side of the camera, i.e. 1+, 2+ 3+, or 1-, 2-, 3- etc.This feature was designed to control tone and speed, and was most useful with pan-x and the b/w films, though, I didn't use it much. With the subsequent development of sophisticated Another problem I experienced was the film guide or loading film when I installed it in my camera. You had to bend back the beginning of the roll and insert it into the winder. Many times the film failed to engage in the winder and I wound up with unused rolls of film, though the camera indicated the subsequent advance of film as if the film were winding. Also the rewind feature is manual, not automatic. You wind it back with a little knob that flips up.Since the rewinding is manual,you can either rewind after the camera indicates 24 or 36 exposures have been taken or until the advance switch (a bulky knob that sticks out) doesn't progress.However, don't be deterred by these little things as the camera is indeed worth its weight in gold! Still use it!Read full review...

Minolta's Best Film Camera

1981 European Camera of the year probably the best camera that ever left the Minolta factory, great to use super easy to program.

One of the best view finders to actually use for it's brightness.

With the X700 attached to the motor drive gives awesome wind on speed adapted to the Landscape and Portrait shutter buttons makes it a breeze to use.

It's only minus is that it can get heavy if constantly used for long periods and all the other camera's seem to get covered in dust from non use.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: japan_goods_yok...

Good camera, but not minolta's best

This is a great camera, especially for the advanced amature. I think there are better choices from minolta, however, including the X-570 with it's full information viewfinder, the XD-11/XD-5 for thier all metal construction and smooth, quiet metal focal plane shutter, or the SRT-102 for full info viewfinder and mirror lock up.

I have worked on many X-700's and here are some things to consider when buying.

The foam light seals deteriorate and become gummy, they should be replaced. This is something that can be done one's self with materials avalible on ebay, but the mirror bumper foam is a little hard to get to on this model and maybe should be replaced by a pro.

The capacitor issue. On newer x-700 the shutter-release capacitors tend to go bad over time and often need replacement. This is an expensive repair. When buying make sure that the capacitors have been checked or replaced or look for a camera with a serial number below 2500000 or so, these should have the older style capacitors that are more reliable. Also, you can look for cameras that have "brassing" or rub marks on the top corners where brass is showing through. This may not look too pretty, but the older cameras have the brass (not plastic) top covers and also have the more reliable capacitors. This is a good indicator that you are getting a good working camera. I have used a well-worn older x-700 that I got on ebay several years ago. It has never given me any problems

The metering is pretty accurate and consistant on these cameras and rarely needs adjustment, but the shutter timing often drifts significantly over time. Make sure you are getting a camera with accurate shutter speeds. If this cannot be confirmed by the seller, this is something that your local repair shop should be able to adjust easily.

For more good info on this camera see the review by joewest2000.

Good Hunting!!Read full review...

MINOLTA X-700 - Technical Details

Type: Electronically governed 35mm single-lens reflex AE camera
Exposure-control modes:Fully programmed (P), aperture-priority automatic (A), and metered manual (M). Lens mount:Minolta SLR bayonet of integrally lubricated stainless steel; coupling for full-aperture metering, finder display input, and automatic diaphragm control, providing programmed or aperture-priority auto operation with Minolta MD lenses, aperture-priority auto operation with MC and other Minolta SLR interchangeable lenses/accessories; spring-return button for depth-of-field preview or stop-down meter readings with other than MC or MD lenses (standard lenses: MD 50mm f/1.2,f/1.4,f/1.7 or f/2). Exposure control and functions: Low-voltage, low-current computer circuit incorporating quartz crystal for sequential control to 1/30,000-sec. accuracy, large-scale ICs, samarium cobalt impulse-release magnets, and linear-resistance inputs) varies both aperture and shutter speed steplessly according to special "faster-speed" program in P mode, or varies shutter speed steplessly according to aperture set in A mode, to yield proper exposure for the film speed and exposure adjustment set; auto-exposure range: EV 1 to EV 18 (e.g., 1 sec. at f/1.4 to 1/1000 at f/16) at ASA/ISO 100 with f/1.4 lens; AE-lock device holds meter reading for exposure at that value regardless of subject-brightness changes. Shutter: Horizontal-travers focal-plane type; electronicall conrolled stepless speeds 1/1000 to 4 sec. set automatically with endlessly rotatable selector dial locked at "P" or "A" setting of fixed speeds 1 to 1/1000 sec. or "B" set manually at detented dial indications; electromagnetic shutter release locks when voltage too low for proper operation.Metering: TTL center-weighted averaging type, by silicon photocell mounted at rear of pentaprism for available light, measured full aperature for normal finder display, then at taking aperature for programmed/automatic-exposure setting/determination or stop-down display; by another SPC mounted with optic in side of mirror compartment for off-the-film light at taking aperture during exposure to control dedicated flash duration.
Film-speed range: ASA/ISO 25 to 1600 set by dial that locks at 1/3-EV increments. Exposure-adjustment control: Up to +- 2 EV continuous adjustment of P,A, or M exposure by dial that locks at zero position and each 1/2-EV setting. Mirror: Triple-coated oversize instant-return slide-up type. Viewfinder: Eye-level fixed pentaprism type showing 95% of 24x36mm film-frame area; magnification: 0.9X with 50mm standard lens focused at infinity; power: -1D, adjustable with accessory snap-on eyepiece lenses; Fresnel-field focusing screen having artificially regular-patterned matte field plus central split-image horizontally oriented focusing aid surrounded by microprism band, interchangeable with Type P1,P2,Pd,M,G,L,S or H screens at authorized Minolta service stations; visible around frame: mode indication (P,A or M), shutter-speed scale (1,2,4,8,15,30,60,125,25,500 and 1000) with LED setting indication, triangular over-/under-range LED indicators blinking at 4Hz, flash-ready signal, FDC signal, mis-set lens warning in P mode, battery check, f-number set with MD or MC lenses, and exposure-adjustment indication (LED blinking at 4Hz); display and metering activated by normal finger contact or slight pressing of operating button and continue for 15 sec., except go out after shutter release.Flash sync: PC terminal and hot show.Read full review...

How to purchase a good Minolta X-700 camera

When I look over the different X-700 cameras offered on eBay I always check the following:
1. Does the film advance lever operate ? (many do not) This requires good set of batteries and or replacement of some internal capacitors. A trip to the camera shop costs about $75.00 + shipping costs.
2. Does the light meter work correctly? if not (same as No.1.)
3. Is the bottom of the camera stamped Japan or china ? (Japan is best)
4. Any physical damaged to the camera ? Light brazing at the camera edges is OK.
5. The better deal is to purchase camera with at lease (1) lens attached.
6. Look for higher S/N cameras, they are newer.
Avoid cameras from (No.1/2/China/4 with cracks/5 with body only/6 low S/N).
NOTE: The Minolta X-700 camera is one of the best 35mm cameras in the world.
It built to last and it takes excellent pictures also, much easier to use .Read full review...

Last Manual Minolta

The X-700 was the last and best of the all mechanical Minolta's. Its main shortcoming was poor low light performance. In addition, it is entirely dependent on battery power, with out one even then shutter will not fire. The good news is that the batteries (Eveready EPX-675) are inexpensive and readily available. Other than that this an excellent camera for anyone who wishes to get into film photography.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: pu3eroexq2w@del...