Manual Focus Cameras x-700 and t90

I'm a newbie photographer and I was looking into bying a manual focus

film camera to learn the basics. I've narrowed the search down to the

Minolta X-700 and the T90. I'm looking for the bes value for my money,

but since both are availible under for under $200 price isn't the the

issue. Since I plan to keep the camera and build from it (ie not just

use as a starter) I'm considering:

 

Lenses-which have a wider range availible for good prices;

All-round quality of build, ergonomics, durablity, etc.

 

thanks,

 

Dave

The Canon FD system is dirt cheap now since the lenses aren't usable on digital cameras without expensive or image damaging adapters.

 

The T90 is arguably the most advanced manual focus 35mm ever made. I love both of mine.

Both are excellent cameras, and the T90 has a built-in motordrive, though there's one for the X-700 for less than 100 bucks these days. There are endless lenses for both, both generic and brand name. I have two

X-700 bodies, two MD-1

motordrives, and a several Minolta lenses which I find hard to beat.

The lenes for both are solid, I myself had the x-700 and 7 lenses and accessories. I sold off most of that system to move to nikon, I wanted the flexibility to have Manual and autofocus that took the same lenses. I wish that I had started with nikon for that reason alone.

You can get the T90 for under $100 at KEH these days.

 

Given the choice, I think that the T90 is a no brainer.

i have both the T90 and the X700 - the X700 was the first camera I bought after years of borrowing my dad's (Minolta) cameras, but eventually I switched to FD and now mostly use an A-1 and T90. I still have my X700 though, and I actually enjoy using it far more than my Canon bodies.

 

I find the user interface of Minolta cameras to be far superior to those of Canon. Canon uses buttons and multi-purpose dials, whereas minolta (in this case anyway) has a much simpler interface - dials and switches which all do one job and one job only. The x700 is also much lighter (because it has more plastic in it - which may be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you look at it). Other small things like placing of AE-lock buttons, and easier use of DOF-preview, I also prefer on the x700. The Canon interface is more powerful in many ways, but isn't anywhere near as intuitive.

 

So why did i move from MD to FD? Lenses. Well, actually, not just lenses - I wanted a broader range of both lenses and bodies, which Minolta just doesn't have in manual focus. The T90 does things that just aren't possible with the X700, like spot metering, shutter priority, and an excellent dedicated flash system. I do a lot of available light photography, so things like spot metering are a big bonus for me. Also, there are lenses in FD that just aren't available in MD, like (for instance) a 1.4 24mm. However, I've since learned that these 'extra' lenses are either VERY expensive (hundreds of GBP), or hard to find, or, usually, both. So it's not such a great advantage for me (although in the UK i would say there are a few more FD lenses about than there are MD).

 

I personally don't see much difference in the lenses of the two systems, either in terms of optical or build quality. On an aesthetic level I prefer MD lenses, but that's just a personal preference.

 

When I chose to move to FD, i strongly considered going with Nikon (an FM3A or an F4) and the only reason I didn't was cost - I could get a T90 for half the price or less of those cameras, and the lenses were similarly much cheaper. If you can afford the pricier lenses, Nikon is in many ways a better system to start off with, as you can use your manual lenses with most AF bodies in the Nikon range (not quite that simple, but better than FD/MD obsolete lenses). The same goes for Pentax - if i was starting out now, I may well go for a Pentax system.

 

Personally, I don't care for AF so all the above wasn't an issue for me, but may be worth bearing in mind if you plan to go down that route eventually.

 

hope that's helpful

Try them and see which one gives you the better feel. The T 90 has the better features but if you prefer a smaller and unobtrusive camera the Minolta might be your choice. Qualitywise the 2 systems are equal.

 

Stefan

Since it sounds like you want a manual focus camera to learn the basics, then I would also put in a vote for the Canon FD system just. The system offers a wide range of lenses...more than Minolta and Olympus, and the prices are cheaper too. Get a Canon F1. I think it is an incredible camera and they are going pretty cheap at this time. I like that they are match needle metering and they are built like a tank. The T90 is also a good camera as is the AE-1, AE-1 program, A1, AT-1, EF, FTBql, and T70. I am sure I missed one or two.

 

W

I agree with Stefan - quality wise the two systems are equal so what should decide it is your feeling for the camera when you hold it. One will probably feel better than the other. Sounds a bit airy-fairy but you're going to use this as a tool and the one that fits your hand (and mind) better is going to do better work.