Minolta XD vs Canon A-1

gavinlg

gavinlg

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My mju II is getting a bit long in the tooth and replacement ones are getting stratospheric in cost on the 'bay, so I've decided to grab a middle weight SLR body. I've narrowed it down to the Minolta XD or the canon A-1. Mostly I use them with 28/35/50 primes and a motor grip.

Wondering if anyone has any real world experience with the two and how they operate - any quirks or operational advantages to either?
 
Both are great cameras. I no longer own a canon, but there are lots of good Minolta MF
X bodies out there. I have three. XD 11, XE 7 and an SR T 102. The Rokkor glass is superb and at a reasonable cost. They are worth a look for sure.
 
I like the XD very much, but the biggest reason I would choose it is for the lovely and cheap Minolta lenses. And don't neglect the much more common X700. It does have a few less features, but has come to be my most used Minolta.

I'm sure the A1 is a nice choice too; either body is going to do more than I would ever care about. You don't say how you intend to use it, so I suppose a difference might be more relevant if you have specific needs. I mostly use manual, but occasionally use aperture priority since my Minoltas are about the only built in meters I almost always agree with.
 
I've shot with an XD-11 for many years and I'm a big fan of how it handles. Minolta glass is really good (under-appreciated IMO) and inexpensive compared to Canon or Nikon on the used market.

A good friend of mine used the Canon A-1 exclusively for a time and I shot with his a few times. My recollection is that the ergonomics were odd to me, but it was too long ago for me to remember why. Aside from that, it was a very capable camera.

One thing worth noting about the XD series is that the mirror mechanism is designed in such a way as to create a very small delay in shutter release. It has never bothered me in more than 20 years of shooting that XD-11, but it really bugs some people. It would be worth checking one out in person to see if it bothers you.
 
The XD is amazing, super smooth and great viewfinder. Like the Contax 139Q, has a bit of shutter delay.
The A-1 never grew on me, but it's a very capable camera.
 
Pentode said:
I've shot with an XD-11 for many years and I'm a big fan of how it handles. Minolta glass is really good (under-appreciated IMO) and inexpensive compared to Canon or Nikon on the used market.

A good friend of mine used the Canon A-1 exclusively for a time and I shot with his a few times. My recollection is that the ergonomics were odd to me, but it was too long ago for me to remember why. Aside from that, it was a very capable camera.

One thing worth noting about the XD series is that the mirror mechanism is designed in such a way as to create a very small delay in shutter release. It has never bothered me in more than 20 years of shooting that XD-11, but it really bugs some people. It would be worth checking one out in person to see if it bothers you.
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littleearth said:
The XD is amazing, super smooth and great viewfinder. Like the Contax 139Q, has a bit of shutter delay.
The A-1 never grew on me, but it's a very capable camera.
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I never had either of the cameras you mention. But I did have a Contax 139Q. I never knew is was known for any kind of mirror or shutter delay because of it. I loved that camera, and used in in a lot of crime work.

Since the issue has been raised it would no doubt be worthwhile to try them in your hands and maybe dry fire them a few times to ensure there is no issue for you.
 
gavinlg said:
...
Wondering if anyone has any real world experience with the two and how they operate - any quirks or operational advantages to either?
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In terms of control functionality and layout, the Minolta XD models are far better than the Canon A-1. The A-1, IMHO, is the oddest and most difficult to work with of any of the 4 mode cameras of that era. Don't get be wrong, the A-1 works and works reasonably well. It's just that the controls aren't the easiest to learn and to work with. I sold both of these, back in the day, and spent time with my customers, both during the sales and over the months and years afterwards, learn how to use their new cameras. The A-1 customers were the only ones that chronically needed substantial and repeat tutoring.

The XDs were great cameras with one exception. The "cushy" body covering feels good but doesn't hold up well. It shrinks leaving gaps around the edges and doesn't stay glued to the body well.
 
littleearth said:
...Like the Contax 139Q, has a bit of shutter delay...
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The Nikon FA is another camera with the same type of delay and for the same reason.

These camera bodies can't set the lens' aperture accurately due to issues with the legacy lens mount and coupling design with which they are required to function. They correct for this by first doing the best they can leaving the mirror down while the aperture stop down is done. They can then do a stop down metering before raising the mirror so that they can trim the shutter speed to correct for any minor error in the f/stop setting.

This means that the mirror doesn't lift until after the aperture is closed down, which takes slightly longer than doing both actions at the same time, as is done in most SLRs with automatic diaphragm stop down funcitons.
 
I have only limited experience with the XD-11 but recall it had good ergonomics and a nice shutter release. I do have more experience with the A-1 and am not a fan. I did not like the ergonomics, hated the recurring A series shutter squeal, disliked the red led calculator displays and the shutter release was pretty harsh. In my mind, the A-1 embodies the notion of incorporating technology for its own sake, rather than to improve the photo experience, i.e., the camera as a gadget.
 
The Minolta 1Id is a nice camera.
I have never used the Canon A1.
I have the Canon AV-1, Ae-1 (Black) and AE-!P (program).
The Canon lenses, 28mm, 50mm f1.8 and 35~105 f4 (real zoom) are wonderful. The 50mm in many ways better than my Collapsible Summicron.
The zoom has severe barrel and pincushion at certain focal lengths.
I have always regarded zoom and vari-focal lengths as "toys".
My opinion. :D
Minolta lenses the 35mm, 50 are really good.
The body can have electronic problems like The Leica R4 series.
The Ae-1P is a swift fast reliable camera, except in severe cold..
 
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Hi,

My votes for the XD or, if you can afford one because they are dirt cheap to buy but dear to mend, the Leica R5 variation.

FWIW, once I'd discovered the 1980's Tokina 28 - 85mm ATX zoom I never bothered with anything else on the Minolta.

Regards, David
 
I though the R4 was the Minolta-based body? Anyway, I can't speak to the Canon but I love the XD! Very nice build and handling and maybe the best value vintage lenses out there.
 
Thanks for your help all - a few comments mentioned the 'interesting' haptics of the A-1 in regards to its program modes and after watching some youtube videos it seems that the aperture priority mode with its shutter speed dial acting as the aperture control really would not work for me. I wouldn't have picked that up if it weren't for the comments here!

It was a bit hard finding an XD for a reasonable price in good condition, so I ended up with an X570 in ex+ condition from KEH with a 50mm MD f2 and an autowinder for less than the XD body alone would have cost me. I figure the newer x570 in KEH ex+ condition should give me more mileage, and the 50mm f2 seems to be a pretty nice little lens.

Later I'll be picking up some 28mm and 35mm MD or MC variants, and possibly down the track a 100mm or 85mm!
 
I have used an XD11 for almost twenty years. It is a great camera and the Minolta glass is good as any Nikon, Canon or Leica at a fraction of the price. The XD11 is an old electronic body that is subject to all the things that happen to old cameras. If you can get one in good working order (look at KEH.com) you will have a fine useable instrument.
 
I will add my support for the XD7/11/s. Excellent cameras and lenses. I have a late XDs which is pretty close in build and function to an SLR analogue of the M7 (and about 1/20th of the cost...).

If buying an XD check that there is no substantial lag from pressing the shutter button to the shutter opening. The camera uses a neumatic mechanism (air piston) to coordinate relative timing of the mirror and shutter, and these can get gunked up and need cleaning.

The only downside of the XD is the lack of an exposure lock. If you find this useful, the later X300/500/700 may be more practical cameras, although beware of failing electronics in the X700.
 
The X-570 is my favorite of the manual-focus electronic Minoltas. It has metered manual and aperture-priority automation, which are the modes I use, so I don't miss the shutter-priority auto. It doesn't have the programmed auto-exposure of the X-700, which I don't miss, either. (I have two X-570s with autowinders and three SR-Ts.)

What the X-700 and the X-570 have over previous models:

1. AEL (auto-exposure lock, a must for me)
2. Quart-timed shutter speeds
3. TTL flash metering
4. Lubricant-impregnated stainless steel lens mount
5. Multi-coated mirror
6. Programmed auto-exposure on the X-700

What the X-570 has over the X-700:

1. Improved manual metering (shows both the recommended shutter speed and the currently set shutter speed in the finder. The X-700 shows only the recommended shutter speed)
2. Low-sync shutter speed with TTL flash. (If you press down on the AEL button when using TTL flash, it will choose a shutter speed lower than 1/60 sec if that will better match the background illumination to the flash illumination.)

The X-570 doesn't have an exposure compensation dial. I have never missed this, as I have never found it useful. It's quicker for me to meter in manual than to dial in exposure compensation when using exposure automation. I figured that if I ever actually needed it, I could accomplish exactly the same thing with with the ISO dial. I never felt the need to do that either, however.

I really like this camera and I hope you enjoy yours, too!

- Murray
 
mabelsound said:
I though the R4 was the Minolta-based body? Anyway, I can't speak to the Canon but I love the XD! Very nice build and handling and maybe the best value vintage lenses out there.
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Hi,

I picked the R5 rather than the R4 because I think/thought it was a nice development of the R4/XD-7/XD-11/XD. Also I've not used the R4 but have owned and used both the XD-7 and R5's.

Regards, David
 
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