Which Minolta do you recomend?

[scottj]

Do the Minolta SRT101,XD7,XD11 and XDM all use the "MC and MD" lense

mount system? And which is the better of the "X Series" cameras? I'm

a beginner looking to get a camera to go with a couple "MC" style

lenses I have. And will the lenses work on any of the "newer" "X"

style cameras? Would appreciate any and all input.

Thanks,

Scott

[kymtman]

Some info on this page. http://www.cs.ubc.ca/spider/boritz/photo/xmain.html

 

do a google on Minolta History

[douglas_green1]

Most practical manual focus Minolta SLRs for general use:

X-500/570 is best, followed by X-700. I STRONGLY recommend the X-500 or X-570 for anyone looking for a great student's camera. It's got even better viewfinder exposure info than the X-700, and only sacrifices programmed exposure mode.

 

Superb auto exposure cameras, but hard to repair: XD series all models, XE series, all models

 

Best all manual exposure SLRs for use - old, but well built and can be repaired due to no obsolete electronics: any Minolta SRT series.

 

All of the MC lenses will work 100% on an X-500/570, and in all modes except programmed autoexposure on the X-700. On the XD series, all modes except shutter priority automation will work with MC lenses.

[jamesdak]

A lot depends on what kind of shooting you are going to do. I have Minoltas bodies from the SR series to the X-700. My SRT-101 is used for my macro work since it has mirror lock up and meters while stepped down. My XD-7 is used as a carry around camera mainly for the quality feel in your hands while using it. My X-700 is the one one teenage son is using to learn on. Visit www.rokkorfiles.com and reseach the different camera features and then decide for yourself which body will suit you best.

[skygzr]

Yes, the lenses will interchange.

 

I like the X-series because of the very bright screens. You can pick up an X-370 for a song. No DOF preview, though. I have an X-700 and really like it.

 

The SRTs are great cameras. But, their screens were never as bright as the X-series to begin with, and they've often gotten cloudy with age (as have we all).

[kevin_mcdonald1]

I LOVED my XD-5 (cheapened version of XD-11), had it since new. But the electronics failed, and it cannot be repaired. As nice as they are, I do not think that the XD series are a good choice, due to this reliability issue.

 

I went with a SRT-102 rather than and X series; the manual exposure (match needle) isn't a big deal to me, and there aren't any electronics to fail.

 

I sure miss shutter priority with sports shots, tho.

[tom_s.]

I feel that the SRT-102 is the best camera of the line. It has both mirror lockup AND hotshoe flash. (newer cameras lack mirror lockup, older ones lack the hotshoe)

 

Much ado has been made about the manual match-needle metering system... but it is VERY easy and fast to use. Much easier than focusing manually, in my opinion.

 

Both MC and MD lenses work on it, but MC Rokkor-X lenses are probably the best made ones. (some MD's feel a bit 'cheaper' to me)

[twoliver]

Scott, as mentioned, your MC lenses will work with any SRT, XD or X series Minolta SLR. Unless you pickup an XD series camera with Shutter Priority Mode, you will lose no functionality sticking with the MC style lenses. The great thing is that all of these models are very inexpensive to purchase. I've got an X-700, SRT-202 and XD-11 and love them all. I think the X-700 is a great all around camera, the X570 is better in regards to viewfinder readout of actual aperture selected vs suggested aperture. XD-11 has the Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority but the X-570 and X-700 are easier to find at more affordable prices, while only losing the Shutter Priority. Personally I prefer Aperture priority over Shutter priority. With the X-570/700 you can utilize full features of both the MC and MD type lenses. Cost vs. features, I think the X-570, especially for a beginner, is your best bet. my two cents...

[roseberry guitars]

Hello Scott, I have or have had most of the Minolta line from SR 2 to XD (the Japanese issue of the XD11/7) and find any of the models up to and including the XD to be very much worth the time and money you might invest in them. My experience with those later models (X700, Maxxum, etc.) has not been a positive one. In fact my first and replacement X700 were in the repair shop so often that I got to the point where I didn't even go back to pick it up the last time it was there. I just accepted the loss and "so long" as far as I was concerned. I think that Minolta lost it after they worked with Leica designing the XE and XD series. They seemed to become too tuned into fadish consumer trends and lost sight of what they were really good at and that was building a solid, reliable, user friendly machine with excellent glass. My SR7 is still going strong after being introduced in 1962, I believe, and all I've ever done is a tune-up now and again. My favorite of the long line will have to be the SRT 202 followed closely by my Black XD. I also really like the XE 5 and 7's but don't reach for them as often as the others. Great shutters those metal leaf.

 

I think you would do fine with any of the pre "X Series" but that is just my experience and others will have had different experiences, I'm sure.

[harris_goldstein]

I own or have owned SRT, XE, XD and X series Minoltas. Here's my persective (FWIW):

 

The SRT were great camera's in their day, but the battery issue (I know there are alternatives) make them less desirable.

 

The XE series were probably the best Minoltas in terms of quality and ruggedness.

 

The XD were almost as good as the XE (except for the leather covering) and provided additonal exposure options.

 

The X series marked the decline in quality. While the features/capabilities of the X700 were above the earlier Minolta models, reliability (especially the shutter) was a problem. I have less experiece with the other x-series cameras, so take that into account.

 

As I understand, MD mount lenses were only necessary for those cameras (XD and later) that had a program mode. The build quality of the MC and early MD Rokkers are a pleasant reminder of when lenses where built to last.

[ericd]

In the long run the SR-7 is the most reliable.

[Mike Gammill]

With used Minoltas usually inexpensive, you may want to pick up two bodies (especially if you have/or plan to get a lot of lenses. If you don't mind the size, the XE series is nice (quiet shutter) and if battery runs down, you can get a mechanical 1/90 sec (x-sync) or B. The XD series also offers two mechanical speeds: 1/100 ( O setting) and B. As a back up, any of the SRT series as the batteries are only required for the meter. If on a budget, look at the X or XG series as a second body, but remember they don't have the build quality of XE, XD, or SRT Minoltas. Note: XG's (except XGA) have a manual mode, but the meter does not function in manual.

[roger_smith4]

X-500/700 has better metering than the earlier cameras. I find my X-700 to be an excellent, versatile camera with cheap but sharp lenses.

[john falkenstine]

My X-700 has been working well since the earl 1980's. Same for my SRT201. I recently purchased a 2nd SRT201 cheap inasmuch as it needs some work. The real issue might be: what kind of photography do you like to do? When I look through my very first images with the SRT201 I see some nice stuff. The X-700 is also great, especially the viewfinder display, while the match needle on the SRT201 can be difficult in low lighting. The battery issue on the SRT is Way overdone..when I need a battery for it I have no trouble finding one that fits and I avoid the crappy Wein Cells. Does the slightly different voltage affect the light meter adversely? I haven't noticed.

[cenelsonfoto]

My go-to units of choice are a breeding pair of XE7s. I do believe I could clear a barfight with one in each hand - they're that rugged.

<p>

Good luck in your quest.

<p>

Craig<br>

 

<a href="http://nelsonfoto.com/phpBB2/index.php">nelsonfoto forums - you're in good company</a>

<p>

XE7, AGFA200, MD24mm lens - a nice combo...a classic one? Soon enough.<p>

 

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[joseph_wei]

I use primarily Canon FD equipment, but the Minolta SRT-101 I used once was so tough (it was accidentally knocked off some bleachers by a mis-aimed basketball - bounced off and hit the ground with a thud; worked perfectly afterwards), and its metering quite accurate for a camera of its age, I highly recommend it!

[glen_johnson1]

"Which Minolta do you recomend?"

 

Today? Probably a little-used or recently-serviced SRT. Mechanical operation, easily repaired. Some light meter and battery issues, but otherwise solid as long as the shutter's not worn out.

 

XD/XE cameras were the high point in Minolta electronic SLR cameras without question, with their high quality constructition and reliable metal shutter. But they are getting long in the tooth these days, parts long unavailable, and some of the models, like the XE-7 are fiendishly complex so finding someone to repair them may be impossible.

 

X-300/370/570/700 were a clear step backwards in construction quality, with a cheaper cloth-curtain shutter, slow flash sync, more plastic operating parts, and questionable electronic components. The X-700 with its extra features is the most complex inside and predictably the most problem-prone. How they functioned when new in 1981 is no indication of how they perform now. You might spend some time soldering on new capacitors, replacing circuits and finding shutter magnets.