I found someone for Minolta XK XM X1 service!

[Huss]

A while back I bought a really nice condition (cosmetically) Minolta XM with the AE-S head. The head worked great - I tested it on my XK- but there was something flaky going on with the electrics in the body. Most of the time everything was fine, then I would get an intermittent slow speed and lock up.

No-one that I contacted would touch this camera, until I went to Walter's Camera Repair in downtown Los Angeles. I explained the issue and they said they would take it apart and clean the electronic contacts. I'm thinking that is what is needed considering the intermitency of the problem.

$65 for the service, fingers crossed it fixes it because it is such a shame not to be able to use this camera.

On another note I seem to be preferring the old AE head vs the AE-S. I find the shutter speed read out far more visible, I can see the needle and the numbers in almost all light conditions. With the AE-S head, I cannot see the LEDs in bright light, and in dim light I cannot see the numbers..

 

[Nokton48]

http://www.walterscamerarepairs.com/#Anchor-types-47857

 

[Huss]

Update - but they could not service mine as they said the body was 'frozen' and they could not open it up. Weird as there are no outward signs of corrosion etc. Everything looks perfect. So much for that, eh? My XK has nice wear and patina, and works perfect. The difference between looks perfect and works perfect...

 

[sevo]

Update - but they could not service mine as they said the body was 'frozen' and they could not open it up. Weird as there are no outward signs of corrosion etc. Everything looks perfect.

I've had that with a Nikon F2 - apparently a past owner had had it weatherproofed by applying some sealant (silicone or rubber cement?) to the seams between the body panels, top and bottom cap. I eventually managed to force it open - but I had to damage both caps. Which did not matter on a already ugly and severely brassed ex press tool. But a perfect looking shelf queen XK probably is worth more as a collectors item than a working one that has been bent and beaten back into shape...