gavinlg
Veteran
Awesome information - thanks so much Murray. I'm actually really looking forward to using it - especially with the autowinder which I usually find rounds out the handling so nicely on small SLRs.
gavinlg
Veteran
Interesting - a lot of people seem to really like the x500/570/700 despite it being a bit plasticky compared to the XD. Any reason in particular?
btgc
Veteran
Still, any of SLRs will be bigger than little Mju. If size is an argument I would choose another compact with similar features, even if SLR is great tool. There are many decent compacts with nice lenses, maybe not SO small as mju but still much smaller and lighter than SLR, maybe shutter times and flash aren't as advanced on Mju.
Fraser
Well-known
Go for a Nikon or Olympus
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
I had both the XD-7 and the X-700. For me the XD was more refined and jewel-like camera. Felt good in my hand and had a greatly smooth winding stroke. More quiet in use too (but just). The viewfinder had all the information you need (it was switching depending on the mode a la OM-2 if you know what i mean)
The X-700 had a superior viewfinder, so crisp and bright you have to see it. Some of them were suffering from the 'dead capacitor' syndrome. The 'final check' delay mentioned somewhere above is negligibly short on the X-700 and of course it offers a programme mode and AE-lock (very useful).
Overall, the X-700 is just as functional if not more and costs less on the secondhand market.
I have reviews for both cameras on my blog.
Btw, if you are leaning towards the X-700, have a look on the X-300 too (it's youngest sibling). I have not come across a non-working example of them yet.
Here are two pics of them sharing the same lens:
David Hughes
David Hughes
And the X-300 is dirt cheap and an absolute bargain; means more money to spend on the lens and film...
Regards, David
Regards, David
CMur12
Veteran
The XD-series cameras had a vertical-traverse, metal-bladed focal plane shutter with a higher flash sync speed of 1/100 sec.
The X-series (X-700, X-500/570, and X-300/370) had the more common (at the time) horizontal-traverse, cloth focal plane shutter with flash sync at 1/60 sec.
Comparing the simpler X-300/370 with the X-500/570:
1. Same aperture-priority auto and improved manual mode.
2. No TTL flash.
3. No aperture readout in the finder.
4. No button to stop-down the aperture for DoF viewing.
5. Stainless steel lens mount is not lubricant-impregnated (the same as all Minolta SLRs previous to the X-700 and X-500/570).
6. No thumb grip on the right-rear.
7. Minolta says that the X-700 and X-500/570 have multi-coated mirrors, while the X-300/370 has a triple-coated mirror. I'm not sure if there is actually any difference between them, as Minolta claimed an 11% increase in light transmission for both.
Regardless of the above, Gavin, I applaud your purchase of an X-570 and winder.
- Murray
The X-series (X-700, X-500/570, and X-300/370) had the more common (at the time) horizontal-traverse, cloth focal plane shutter with flash sync at 1/60 sec.
Comparing the simpler X-300/370 with the X-500/570:
1. Same aperture-priority auto and improved manual mode.
2. No TTL flash.
3. No aperture readout in the finder.
4. No button to stop-down the aperture for DoF viewing.
5. Stainless steel lens mount is not lubricant-impregnated (the same as all Minolta SLRs previous to the X-700 and X-500/570).
6. No thumb grip on the right-rear.
7. Minolta says that the X-700 and X-500/570 have multi-coated mirrors, while the X-300/370 has a triple-coated mirror. I'm not sure if there is actually any difference between them, as Minolta claimed an 11% increase in light transmission for both.
Regardless of the above, Gavin, I applaud your purchase of an X-570 and winder.
- Murray
Johnmcd
Well-known
I have not used the cameras you mention but must put a vote in for the X700. Received one when I wasn't even looking for one. Came with a motor winder (with hand grip). With the winder on it feels very good in the hand and so easy to shoot.
The VF though is super bright and sharp. Brighter than my OM 1 (or 2) or Leica R8. In fact any other SLR I own. Maybe the multi-coated mirror mentioned by one poster.
The VF though is super bright and sharp. Brighter than my OM 1 (or 2) or Leica R8. In fact any other SLR I own. Maybe the multi-coated mirror mentioned by one poster.
CMur12
Veteran
John, I think the combination of multi-coated mirror and the acute-matte focusing screen made the exceptionally bright and contrasty finder possible. Minolta even licensed the acute-matte technology to Hasselblad.
John, I have a question for you about the motor drive for the X-series. I use the AEL (auto-exposure lock) a lot and it always looked to me like it would be difficult to reach it around the grip on the motor drive. In your experience, is the AEL button easily accessed when using the motor drive? Thanks.
- Murray
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
How do you like that Sigma mini-wide?
kpembo
Member
Canon A1
Canon A1
I have not extensively used the Minolta (only used other people's). I do have a Canon A1 that was overhauled before I bought it. It has the smoothest shutter release and lack of vibration of any SLR I have ever used. My shots with my A1 rival my rangefinder shots for handholdability. FD lenses are very reasonably priced.
The ergonomics and location of controls are very different from most cameras. I find that to be a minor inconvenience compared to being able to routinely get good shots at 1/15 second.
Also, I actually like the red LED readout - you can see it when the edges of the VF are "looking" at dark objects - something that blacks out many match needle or through the lens backlit readouts.
Canon A1
I have not extensively used the Minolta (only used other people's). I do have a Canon A1 that was overhauled before I bought it. It has the smoothest shutter release and lack of vibration of any SLR I have ever used. My shots with my A1 rival my rangefinder shots for handholdability. FD lenses are very reasonably priced.
The ergonomics and location of controls are very different from most cameras. I find that to be a minor inconvenience compared to being able to routinely get good shots at 1/15 second.
Also, I actually like the red LED readout - you can see it when the edges of the VF are "looking" at dark objects - something that blacks out many match needle or through the lens backlit readouts.
MiniMoke
Well-known
Go for a Nikon or Olympus
Right, but the prices for lenses is substantially steeper than for Minolta or Canon FD glass.
That's why I have an AE-1 and A-1.... and a T90
p.giannakis
Pan Giannakis
Have a look on my blog. I have a post with some of the lenses i use. I prefer it over its wider sibling (24 f/2.8, mentioned there also).
https://pansfilmcameras.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/the-lenses-i-use.html
Uncle Bill
Well-known
I've handled the Canon A-1, always loved FD glass and own a few bodies (couple of FTb's and F-1's). I just never warmed up to the A-1, just don't get it.
I have shot with the Minolta XD-11 in the past and I really should pick one up but I have an XE-7 that needs a CLA), priorites I guess. I love how the XD-11 felt in my hand and Minolta lenses are really nice and reasonably priced. You'll find the XD more intuitive.
I have shot with the Minolta XD-11 in the past and I really should pick one up but I have an XE-7 that needs a CLA), priorites I guess. I love how the XD-11 felt in my hand and Minolta lenses are really nice and reasonably priced. You'll find the XD more intuitive.
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Very informative, thanks!
gavinlg
Veteran
Go for a Nikon or Olympus
I really like some of the nikon bodies (f3hp is one of my favorite SLR bodies ever) but I don't get along with nikkor lenses of any age. Modern ones are all plastic and chinese built, most of the old ones I find both harsh and soft in rendering at the same time. Personally I think canon FD glass clobbers nikon ai/s glass.
Love Olympus OM stuff, would love a mint OM1n but at the price of one that's truly mint or rebuilt, I'd rather just get a pentax LX.
The only minolta lens I've used has been a 28mm MD f2.8, on an adapter on a canon 5d - and I loved it. Really lovely little lens. Hoping the rest of the lens range lives up to that!
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Nikon did cater to the press more successfully than Canon by tuning aberrations towards edge amplification to create artificially high contrast (a optical equivalent of unsharp masking, which also creates the generally unpopular "donut bokeh") - it made Nikkors look better in newsprint, which was deficient in contrast and dynamic range.
Where large size photographic prints and projections are concerned, Canon FD lenses (which did not use similar tricks) have a edge on Nikon (AI and pre-AI) where f/1.4 and faster are concerned. But I would not generalise that - for one, slower Nikkors are fairly neutral by design as well, for the other, it is a very aperture-dependent effect. By f/5.6 these effects are so small that it takes a subject that brings out the worst (or best) of a lens to spot them. I have both Nikon and Canon lenses, and generally cannot determine whether a given picture was taken with a FL/FD or a Nikkor, unless I happen to remember.
Fraser
Well-known
Why do you need it mint or rebuilt, the last om I bought was an om4 that cost me £35 fully working its not mint but works as good as a mint one. Try finding a mint pentax LX thats going to set you back £350ish. A canon a1 will only cost you around £50, if you are thinking of spending more why not just go for a New F1 which will only cost around £150-200 for a good one.
gavinlg
Veteran
That's really interesting information - it does make sense at least on a theoretical level. I do mainly have experience with the faster nikkors, not so much the slower more neutral ones.
Johnmcd
Well-known
Hi Murray,
Just tried the AEL button for the first time. It's quirky to use the middle finger as shown in the manual. The same technique works fine (at least with my fingers) with the drive on but you have to use the camera shutter button not the motor drive button. If you are used to using the middle finger without the drive it should be fine with the drive.
