Minolta XK - Amazing Camera but having problems, please help

Just picked up a Minolta XK, I really like the quality but I am running into issues. If you have any tips to fix, that would be awesome. Here are the problems:

 

1. AE Finder needle always reads maximum exposure (1/2000) when turned on. Light blinks once when turning on so connection between camera and finder is providing power. I cleaned the contacts but it did not change the needle always jumping up to 1/2000. I removed the finder and the aperture ring follower will not click into place aligning the red dots but I can use a toothpick to keep it aligned while placing the finder back on the body so that the aperature ring notch is being read (maybe this is part of the problem but I doubt it).

 

2. Mirror sticks at and below 1/60 when set to ISO 100 and all other equivalent combinations. Shutter does not stick at higher values (such as 1/125 and ISO 100).

 

I hope I can fix these myself but if you know any repair shops, especially if they are in NYC, that would be great.

Edited May 2, 2021 by expired35

The XK electronics, even when the camera was new, could sometimes exhibit odd behavior. Even the instruction manual states that if the camera is not operating properly that removing and reinstalling the battery may remedy the problem. I'm guessing that on your camera that even if you tried this the problem would keep returning. I owned a used XK for a while with similar behavior, but luckily I was able to return it. To the original question, likely not an easy fix whether DIY or repair shop.

On the plus side, the XK has a really nice shutter, but electronic issues often prevent the user from benefiting from it.

Hi Mike, thanks for your answer. I am trying to find options besides returning it but I might not have any others.

Just for information, here is a contemporary ad for the camera

Popular Photography 1974-12

If you're brave enough the repair manual is here :

 

Product Details | Minolta XK Service Manual | Minolta | Service Manuals | Learn Camera Repair

Why did those 70-80's camera ads look so much more mouthwatering than anything that followed? I somehow want to consume that camera.

Just for information, here is a contemporary ad for the camera

[ATTACH=full]1386771[/ATTACH]

Popular Photography 1974-12

Looks like somebody fitted a cow-catcher or snowplough to the prism of a Nikon F2A.

 

And FWIW my two F2As have never given me any functional issues at all in over 40 years!

Looks like somebody fitted a cow-catcher or snowplough to the prism of a Nikon F2A.

 

And FWIW my two F2As have never given me any functional issues at all in over 40 years!

That was why I bought the F2AS instead of the XK in 1977. Too bad someone stole it in 1984.

O

That was why I bought the F2AS instead of the XK in 1977. Too bad someone stole it in 1984.

See, that wouldn’t have happened if you got the XK.

Way back when, I took one look at the XK and bought a Canon F1 instead. When it was introduced I bought a Nikon FE, and I've been with Nikon ever after.

O

 

See, that wouldn’t have happened if you got the XK.

 

My brother gave me an XK in 2016. I sold it in 2018 for $300 just the body. It's a nice camera but having it reassured me that I made the right choice back then.