Hey Guys,
I am a new entrant to this page. Recntly bought an X-700, Minolta.
In 1985 I was gifted with an X-300 and it gave awesome pictures. This inspired me and I ventured into buying a used X-700 but it came with a bunch of problems.
I am posting my observations, Can some body give me suggestions.
1) The shutter speed/ Program Mode selection Dial is loose. Altough it is working fine but there is play in it. It can be tilted in any direction about the click button.
2) Their is a ring (in the camera body) around the lens mount, with a nose. When the MD lens is mounted and we change the apperture setting, a similar ring with nose in the lens unit turns the ring in the camera.
This rign in the camera is jam and does not move freely.
3) I could not find what is the use of a little lever at the 10-O-Clock position on the lins mount.
If Some Has a suggestion, It will be highly aapriciate.

Thanking You,
AJ

Great for begginers
Tips, tricks, and tutorals available online, just do a google search.

No easy method to double expose the film.

An Excellent camera for newcomers to the art of film photography. This camera is perfect for outdoor photography. My particular camera came with an 80-200mm Tokina 1:4 lense. The camera comes with a automatic mode in which the camera sets the aperture and shutterspeed for you.
The only con to the camera that i've found is that there is no easy way to take double-exposures. However the method is as follows:
1. Take your first picture
2. take up the slack in the film by re-winding the film till it is tight
3. press the film rewind button located on the bottom of the camera
4. while keeping the rewind lever still, wind the film as you normally would after a photograph.
5. take your second exposure
6. wind the film as you normally would and take your next photograph.

This camera is an excellent deal for beginners, and with the deal i recieved, it is one of the best purchases of photographic equipment I've ever made.

1. Good construction

I have used both Minolta and Pentax bodies and feel that this model was the best-built and most dependable despite the many features.

2. Versatility

This inexpensive camera has not only the exposure overrides mentioned above, but a depth-of-field preview, timer and a cable release socket. Again, there are plenty of extensions available such as grips, motors, data backs, flashes, etc.

3. Handy "P" mode

The program mode is great for beginners.

4. Dependability

I've used this camera on mountain hikes; in the Australian outback; in the south Pacific; in rain forests; on long cycle trips; for portraiture; with infra-red film (for which it is really suited); with reverse-mounted lenses; in the rain; in sub-zero weather (for which I will admit that its battery-dependence is not well suited); and in terrible snowstorms. I took it on the road for a 19-month journey. I found that this camera not only stood up to all of it but came to feel like an extension of my hand -- it's an easy camera to appreciate because all of its functions just work.

1. The meter

The meter in this camera seems a bit limited. As my understanding of exposure grew I came to understand that the camera was giving me inconsistent results. I put this down to the meter, though I never entirely figured out where it was going wrong. I lay the blame with the meter, however, when I started to use the Minolta XD (with the same films, lenses, flash, etc).

It seems to me that the X-700 tends to underexpose, and the results get less predictable under low-light situations. To avoid this, I suggest two things:
a. use with a flash in low-light unless you have a way to independently meter and can adjust
b. bracket your shots using the exposure adjustment

One note: I've used a variety of infra-red films with three film bodies and found the X-700 to yield the most consistent and appealing results.

2. The looks

The camera's external body is largely constructed of plastic, and doesn't look like the dependable and versatile tool that it really is. If you care what people think of your gear, this isn't the camera you want to carry around.

You can by replacement leather for it, though -- I found that replacing the default faux leather helps considerably.

1. Easy to use

An X-700 allows newcomers to put the camera and lens in "P" mode and let the camera do everything else. This extends to compatible flash systems as well. In short, this camera allows you to automate everything but the focus and the film advance.

The controls are all very much self-evident with this camera, as well. There's no menu system on an LCD and no tricky button combinations. It's all manual and all laid out very well -- very much the opposite of today's DSLR's (which typically have a user interface more reminiscent of a photocopier).

The viewfinder is a big bright one with a lot of information laid out in a logical fashion. This camera spoils the user.

2. Versatile

The X-700 also has the standard aperture-priority and manual exposure modes, as well as a flash sync speed and bulb. It's got two exposure override features (a lock and a manual adjustment of +2/-2). It takes a wide range of film speeds. And it supports an enormous collection of lenses and other peripherals. It was designed as a "camera system" rather than a standalone camera and many of the peripherals can still be found (cheaper than ever, in some cases).

So once you've outgrown simple "P" mode automation, you'll find yourself able to take yourself a lot further with this versatile tool.

3. Dependable

I've had only one problem with my two X-700 bodies over the years. This is a well-made camera (don't let the made-in-China label on later models give you pause, Minolta was known for excellent camera manufacture and they kept the standards the same at the Chinese assembly line). The one problem I encountered was both a simple and cheap fix -- in part because Minolta sold so many of these cameras that the parts and repair expertise are not uncommon.

Customer Service

I found the X-700 readily repairable at third-party repair shops. It's a well-known model and one for which parts and expertise seem commonly available.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta XD
Minolta SRT-101
Pentax MX
Pentax *istDS
Fuji F30
Olympus 35DC
various point-and-shoot film cameras, toy cameras

Very lightweigt, even with an extra telephoto lens and a few rolls of film, this is great for my kind of photography, I often have to hike a few miles to get to my subject, etc. Many shutter speed modes, good for long exposures, and quick ones

Old-Skool, manual advance, Minolta-brand lenses and other accessories are no longer made, its film. Flash reaction is only good, not great

I was given this camera as a gift, more like a hand-me-down, overall, great camera

COST! Used for under $100 if you are a savy shopper.
Availability of affordable, top-notch accessories.
Super quality lenses now available for pennies on the dollar.
Excellent quality construction with steel lense mount and rugged body.
Easy to use in any mode. Do it all yourself or use it as a point-n-shoot.

Personally I have not ever had a complaint other than the fact that the X-700 is no longer in production.

I originally purchased my first X-700 back in 1980, brand new for something like $225 as I recall. That camera was wonderful in every way and served me well for about 4 years until I ended-up in a tight spot during one of my many travels and needed fare for a ferry from Crete to Piraeus/Athens in Greece. Sold the ting for about $50 and regretted it every since.

In 2007 I decided after years without, that I wanted another 35mm SLR but really didn't like the features or prices of new ones and digital?...no way! I quickly ran to eBay and there I found it...a multitude of Minolta X-700's in all grades of condition from "just for parts" to "bought it but never used it". My dream came true when I won the auction for my "used 3 times then packed away 8 years ago" dream camera.

As if that weren't good enough, eBay also yielded a huge asortment of high quality accessories for pennies on the original dollar. I got a Minolta brand 28mm, new in the box for $16 and a few weeks later a Minolta brand 35-70mm zoom also new, in the box with original warranty, etc fo $35.

The rest is history. The Minolta X-700 is rugged, high quality, dependable, attractive, affordable and perfect for beginner and advanced photographer alike. It is a classic!

appature range, lightweight body, easy film load and rewind, well balanced with flash in place.

lightweight body

This 35mm camera is the best that I've ever had the pleasure to operate. The settings are easy to see and understand and film loading is a breeze. What really sold me on this model over so many of the others is the range of the appature setting. So that with a tripod a the proper lens shooting any sports figure is never a problem.

Customer Service

The only service that this camera has required in 19 years is a yearly cleaning that I have preformed by my local camera shop for 26.50. Each time I bring the camera in the owner offers to buy it from me. but I tell him it's not for sale.

Similar Products Used:

Canon AE1

Easy to use, great lenses, metering, shutter accuracy. Bright, clear viewfinder. Looks and feels nice; more accessories than you'll probably ever need. DOF, choice of automatic exposure modes. Light and durable.

Minolta is no more! No servicing available: find your own spare parts and look desperately around for a local camera repair man.

No indication in viewfinder of set shutter speed (in manual mode).

Film is for saddo Luddites (like me), isn't it?

Bought for £250 new in 1991.

The X-700 was my first and until recently only SLR, and it has unfailingly produced perfectly-exposed, pin-sharp photos, with gorgeous colour rendition(given the right film and lighting). I've found that bounce flash exposures produce picture quality that I simply cannot imagine being bettered in the 35mm format. Meter, lenses and shutter are all spot-on. No complaints on those scores. It is simple and intuitive to use, as solidly built as you can expect from a plastic-based camera, and has a nice feel. The viewfinder is bright and the focussing aids crisp and accurate. The camera is also durable, surviving several drops and bangs with no (functional) ill-effects, resolutely refusing to let in sand when taken to windy beaches, resistant to light rain and strong heat, and able to function in lower temperatures than I can.

However, as someone who has always shot mainly in manual mode, I have over the years become increasingly irked by the viewfinder's lack of indication of the set shutter speed. Having to take my eye from the viewfinder, check the shutter speed dial and then recompose (and often re-focus) is extremely annoying and certainly takes away from the pleasure of photography. The slow flash-sync speed denies one many of the most useful functions of flash, and the lack of an effective double-exposure mechanism limits one's ability to create a fantastical negative. Also, the absence of mirror lock-up means that ultimate camera stillness is not available.

I've still got my X-700, though, and I still use it; I sent it for repair a couple of years after I got it, when the mirror kept staying up too long, but it has never needed further attention. Just as well too. I think Minolta was like an irresponsible mother, bearing beautiful children but not interested in looking after them. And now she's gone.

Customer Service

Good at the time but no longer available.

Similar Products Used:

MInolta SRT 102 and XD7; and Hi-Matic 7s.

-Excellent Quality build, very strong -A great assortment of manual lenses and accessories still available for great prices -Great Manual control -AE lock AND Exposure Compensation on the same camera -Best of all, great quality pictures!!!

-Sync speed set at 1/60 of a second -Max 1/1000th second shutter -Program AE sometimes unrealiable -Camera won't function if battery is dead -Film loading sometimes cumbersome

During Highschool, I used my own Canon FTb SLR, although a great camera, lens and accessories were hard to come by and were expensive. However, I also had the chance to use the Minolta X-700 and was blown away from the quality. After looking at several camera stores, I finally tried eBay and got a great deal on an X-700 with 4 genuine Minolta lenses, case, flash, everything in Mint Condition for about $350 Cnd!!! Compared to what Henry's camera wanted, $250 Cnd just for the X700 body! Anyway, I was very pleased, and when I recieved the camera, I had some Fuji 200 ISO film ready and started taking pictures. The prints I recieved back were great, excellent exposure, and prestine clarity, thanks to the great lenses I had (my favourite being the Rokker-X 135mm) I love the variety of controls, including AE lock and Exposure compensation to help under different lighting conditions, and having a DOF preivew button and shutter release connection for long exposures really comes in handy. The Program AE mode works well when I need a shot fast, but sometimes is unrealible in extreme differences in lighting. However, I primarly use the apeture priority mode because I usually take landscapes, people, etc... shutter priority is not a concern for me. Although 1/1000 shutter is decent, I wish it were faster, when you compare to today's SLR's with their 1/8000th second speed. As well, the flash sync speed of 1/60th a second can be annoying for action shots in lower light. The body is very sturdy and built very well with a solid, heavy feel that is missing in todays midrange SLR's. The battery life is good, however, the problem is if the battery dies, the camera will not function. Thats a feature I loved about my FTb, it was all mechanical and didnt require a battery to release the shutter. The LED's used to show exposure are very straight forward and I find it very easy to set up my shot. The one major gripe I have with the X-700 is it's film loading. First, you must insert the film in the white grove, the manually wind, and advance the film lever. This can waste time when you need to change fast, as sometimes, the film can slip out and you must start again. My Canon Ftb, I just placed the film on the wheel, shut the door and advanced, took less than 10 seconds, and that was back in 1973! Lenses and accessories are still readily available from camera stores and online sites like eBay. I recently purchased a 50mm 1:1 Macro lens for only $160 Cnd in literlly perfect condition, and takes wonderful closeups. I also ordered a 35mm lens for standard shots so I'm ready to shoot in almost any situation. Overall, I'm very happy with my Minolta X-700, I got it for an excellent price, and couldn't be happier with the picture quality this camera produces, I'll be using it for years to come! Thanks for reading!

Similar Products Used:

Canon FTb

Very reliable...a real workhorse.

Programmable metering isn't very reliable. Apeture or fully manual mode are more reliable.

I've owned this camera since 1987 and still going strong. The x-700 is probably the most dependable and bang for the buck for its generation of SLRs. Unfortunately, it is also the start of the generation where SLRs in general are made of plastic. Probable the last of the Minolta line of SLRs worth holding onto as a hobbiest/amature/collector.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F2A, Nikon FM, Rolleflex TLR

Lots of features Accurate program and AE exposure modes Long battery life Lots of used lenses available

It won't work when the battery dies (unlike my old SRT-201) Limited availability of new Minolta lenses

As noted in the other reviews, this is a really great workhorse camera. I usually use it in the manual mode with a hand held incident light meter. However, when I'm feeling lazy or am photographing something with a lot of activity the aperture priority or program modes do a fine job of getting a good exposure. Under normal use (whatever that is) I typically get around 1 year life out of the battery.

Customer Service

The exposure counter stopped working after about 15 years of use. It was repaired, along with a clean and adjust, at my local camera shop.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta SRT-201, Minolta AL, Minolta Autocord