dajain

Just in case anyone is curious. The capacitors I ordered fixed my camera and it is working perfectly. Maybe when a newbie asks a simple question, stick to a simple answer.

Just some food for thought guys. Not a single one of you have said anything to the likes of, "hope that fixes your camera" or anything positive in that regard. Nothing but negativity from the majority of the group. Not all of you though. Thank you to the ones for those helpful comments. I do really appreciate them Have a great day.

"You'd ready" ??? lol If you look back at the original post my friend, I asked a simple question and it had nothing to do with a capacitor. It wasn't until several posts into the discussion where the capacitor comes into play. And the last several entries by the "seasoned" photographers have been nothing but argumentative. I have looked into my camera and have seen what it has in it, you have not. Plain and simple I'm done with this conversation. It's already wasted too much of my time just like EVERY other forum trying to get advice. Some of you have been great. Have a great day

This is the thing that I find frustrating and hilarious about ALL forums I have been to. The O.P. has, what I would call, a very simple camera operation question. Up to this post, that simple question still has yet to be answered. But yet, we are discussing an object or subject that has absolutely nothing to do with the original post and talking about something that has nothing to do with cameras or photography. Hilarious and frustrating. lol

I highly doubt this camera has he high end capacitors rated for noise or temperature applications. I've been inside the camera and it is comprised of simple solid state electronics that are comparable to a 1990's television. But, the mechanical workings in the camera are nothing to sneeze at. They are very fine and delicate. All the research I have done on it does point towards the capacitor to be used for the shutter solenoid which in turn, when it's not operational, prevents the film advance from winding. If the capacitor fixes it, Great! We have a working camera then. If not, the question remains to ship it off for repairs or just buy a different camera. Like I said before, I paid $12 for the camera. Not sure I want to stick too much money into it. And I do know about the "uF" and what it stands for, but many do not. I've worked with systems with intrinsically safe circuits in explosive atmospheres (methane) and up to power distribution systems up to 13.8 kva. Many could care less about the different types of capacitors and I'm sure that applies to Minolta in the '90's also. haha

Just remember that a capacitor is a capacitor. They haven't changed much (if at all) since their invention. This capacitor serves the same purpose as the capacitor in your refrigerator even though they are completely different sizes. There is a VERY, VERY, VERY small chance that there is a difference between the 2 capacitors that have the same markings for this camera. Sounds like some are "splitting hairs" to me.

This camera is of the early 1990's. You guys are acting like it's a high tech camera of the modern day. I opened it up, looked at the capacitor I needed and ordered it. It is not a sophisticated digital camera where EVERY specification needs to be exact for the camera to work. The capacitance value never changes in any of my statements so I don't know why that is all of a sudden a concern. The original is a 220 microfarad and the one I ordered is a 220 microfarad. I would be willing to bet money that they are both 20% tolerance as that is a common standard. And yes, that is what the "uf" stands for, microfarad. haha It's a 1990's camera and yes, it is crude to todays standards. That is probably why I like it. And if the capacitor isn't the problem with the camera, I'm out $12 as that is what I paid for it, the lens and the case. I have spent some time with the camera and have tried everything "simple" to correct the situation with this camera. Thank you SCL for mentioning this option. I tried it and still no operation. Been looking at the internet for possible solutions and answers range from dead batteries, rewind pin, shutter stuck, etc. but the capacitor seems to be a common problem for the x-300, x-370, x-9 and the x-700 and they all use the same capacitor. Yes, it is a crude capacitor compared to todays standards, but it was the 1990's. lol I'll keep ya'll posted when I get them in.

I'm not exactly sure of the tolerance but I have seen online people using a 220uf 6 volt capacitor with success to repair their cameras. Since the original capacitor is a 220uf 4 volt rating and the batteries only produce a series voltage of 3 volts, that is already a tolerance spread of 25% for a 4 volt capacitor. Really didn't want to go any bigger. With a 6 volt capacitor, you're looking at a 50% tolerance spread, but some have said it worked well. Update: looked up the capacitors I bought and the tolerance is +/- 20%, which is standard. Since I am getting 10 of them, I'm not too worried about them burning out. If it does cause a problem (which I doubt) I will look for a different camera.

Once I have the old capacitor out of the camera, I can test it and know whether it's bad or not before I install the new one. But really, why not just install the new one when you got it that far already? haha

It has brand new batteries in it, so I know that is not the problem. I turn the camera on, the light metering lights up when the shutter button is depressed as it should but the shutter does not activate. The film advance only turns approximately 30 degrees and stops. All the research I have done points to this capacitor underneath the base plate. I've looked at the website, Garry's Camera Repair and it even mentions the replacement of the capacitors with their service. There seems to be 2 of them in this camera. I'll do the easy one first which is just under the baseplate with 4 screws. Their services for the camera is $53, which isn't bad at all so if the 65 cent capacitor and 1/2 hour of my time doesn't fix it, I may just send it in. Or, I can go on E-bay and buy a working camera for $30. But sending this one is would mean I get a refurbished camera ready to use and no questions if it's going to work or not. I've already had the bottom of the camera open to verify which capacitor I need and it's right there and easy access. Don't have to dismantle everything to get to it unlike the capacitor in the top. I'll keep ya'll posted,

Upon more research, I have found several leads that indicate a capacitor has gone bad inside the camera. Since I am an MSHA certified electrician and familiar with these sort of things, I find this to be an easy fix. Found a batch of 10 of them for $6 on Amazon. Sure I only need one, but if anyone has an X-9, X-300, X-370, or even an X-700 that they have given up on because it quit working, ship it my way. :)

As I posted in the wrong part of the forum earlier, (sorry guys), I picked up a used Minolta X-9 before Christmas and we are still waiting for the film to come in. The owner manual that came with it is for the X-300 camera but everything reads and looks the same But, my question should be pretty basic, I hope. With no film loaded into the camera, do they have some kind of lock on the film advance lever and shutter? Reason I ask is because I finally got the batteries and got them installed, everything lights up inside the view finder but the film advance lever will not turn and the shutter doesn't activate. It makes sense to me that there would be a lock on this if there is no film installed to keep the alignment in place, but still would like to make sure. Didn't see anywhere in the owners manual where it says so though. Thanks for any responses.

I will check out the beginners forum. I did not see it on the list otherwise I would have started there. This "classic manual camera " forum was the closest one I seen for this camera. I'll check it out now. Thanks!

Thanks for the advice Woulter. From what I have researched of the aperture has led me to believe the very thing you have stated, to leave it open. Since most of our pictures consist of scenery, sunsets and everyday life I don't see too much demand for focusing on just one thing in the foreground, but you never know. I'm sure I will experiment with it, but don't think the wife will. Then, I'll get in trouble for wasting film. lol

That's why you gotta love Amazon. haha 10 rolls for $33. Experiment away! And don't worry, Brutally honest is good. Would rather have that than sugar coating the white spec on top of the chicken crap. :)