Minolta X700

Anyone had a shutter fail on their x700? Mine is starting to fail occasionally. Blank or partially blank frame in every 15th shot or so. Everything else seems to be working fine. I checked the shutter with the back open and it's clear to see that it does not open fully at a consistent rate.


Any ideas if it could be an electronic och mechanical failure?

Edit: I did check with fresh batteries just to rule out bad batteries as a cause.
 
There is a capacitor that sometimes fails in this line of cameras, but a technician can replace it.

You don't show in your profile where you live, but if you're in the US, John Titterington is a good technician who could do the job.

- Murray
 
Thanks! Seems like it could be a pretty simple fix then.

I'm located in Sweden, so I think that will be tricky to arrange by thanks for the suggestion.
 
halvmesyr said:
Thanks! Seems like it could be a pretty simple fix then.

I'm located in Sweden, so I think that will be tricky to arrange by thanks for the suggestion.
Click to expand...

9 out of 10 times is the capacitor failure. Sometimes there are two capacitors that might fail, the second one might require a bit more disassembly. Easy job for a repairman though and capacitors are cheap and plentiful. Whilst he is on it, ask him to have a look at the frame counter. It is the next thing that breaks (a small plastic piece that acts as a break wears out). Easy to reinforce too.
 
halvmesyr said:
Thanks! Seems like it could be a pretty simple fix then.

I'm located in Sweden, so I think that will be tricky to arrange by thanks for the suggestion.
Click to expand...

I don't think that your problem is with the capacitor, it is more like a shutter tensioning problem. Does it do this at all speeds, or only the faster speeds? Usually shutter capping is worse at faster speeds. Anyway, any competent camera repairperson should be able to fix it.
 
Agreed, my X570 bricked and was completely unresponsive and could not advance the shutter lever when the capacitor went.

It sat in my drawer for over 10 years before I decided to fix it a couple weeks ago.
There is quite a bit of info on the internet and on YouTube on diy changing capacitors.

If there is interest I can see if I can dig up the link that I found which gave detailed instructions and part numbers.

Although I don’t think your issue is a capacitor.
 
The X-700 shutter is electronically controlled. If there was an issue with spring tension causing uneven exposure at a particular speed setting, it is very unlikely this behaviour would be occasional. A weak first curtain spring will be weak every time the shutter is released. Not just every 15th time. I do own an X-700 but it is a very early example that works well according to my Kyoritsu/Copal tester. So I do not know much about their innards personally. However an electronically controlled shutter that manifests intermittent problems does sound to me, like a continuity fault with the power to the electro magnet release. This might be old solder joints, corrosion, perhaps a power capacitor that is on the way out (if it is not storing the correct amount of juice, consistently, perhaps?). If capping, most likely the second curtain tripping prematurely.

Initially I'd suggest carefully cleaning the accessible parts of the relevant circuits, checking continuity from the battery contacts, re-check shutter and go from there. Of course, a way of accurately checking shutter efficiency is helpful to truly confirm any change in behaviour.

On the topic of capacitors there's an outstanding discussion of the topic at this web page by CJ Odenbach:
https://www.678vintagecameras.ca/blo...and-capacitors

You can retrieve a pdf of the factory service manual from this link. Also available at the Learn Camera Repair website. I haven't looked at the manual for some time, but from memory there are some trim pots. If you can isolate the fault, if the shutter does not automatically return to spec it can be dialled back in if you have a way of accurately measuring the times.
 
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Thanks for all the replies. It's very helpful.

I tried out different shutter speeds and it seems like the problem is present throughout the range.
 
Greyscale said:
I don't think that your problem is with the capacitor, it is more like a shutter tensioning problem. Does it do this at all speeds, or only the faster speeds? Usually shutter capping is worse at faster speeds. Anyway, any competent camera repairperson should be able to fix it.
Click to expand...

I managed to fix the issue by following the details in the last post from this thread:
http://forum.mflenses.com/minolta-x-700-curtain-problem-t55751.html

It seems like it was the tension of the shutter. I had the exact same problem on my "backup" x300 and it fixed it on that too.

Might be helpful for anyone else getting the same issue.
 
Good to know, halvmesyr, as there are a lot of these cameras in circulation. Thanks.

I have two X-570s (X-500) and an X-370 (X-300), along with several older SR-Ts, and they're all great cameras.

- Murray
 
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