Minolta XD7 Incorrect A-priority LED info

[LeReilly]

Hi Everyone,

Finally got my hands on a Minolta XD7.
Almost everything works fine, manual mode, shutter speed, A and S mode.

Except that when in A mode, inside the viewfinder, the LED keeps in the 15 - 1 range and won't go higher than that, won't register when I change aperture (stays at the same value). But when I fire, it fires at the correct speed (if I change aperture the LED won't move but the effective correct speed will be used).

I don't have that issue in S mode, the LED goes all the way up when I move the camera, indicated each possible f stop.

I really have no clue what's going on. But I need to be able to use A mode.

Ideas ? :/

 

[retinax]

Mine had something similar, although I don't recall if it also affected the shutter speeds actually used. In any case I managed to cure it by cleaning and bending into shape the contacts of the variable resistor around the lens mount. It's not too hard to access once you've taken off the lens mount, although getting the lens mount back on is a PITA because of that spring, you'll see... You will need to make sure that each of the metal thingies that slide along the resistor track (I'll just name it that) when the aperture is changed only touch their respective track, and do that consistently.

 

[LeReilly]

Alright. I've never opened a SLR before so this sounds kinda daunting. I guess I can find a repair manual to try to understand which part you're talking about. But I'd really love to have it working.

 

[retinax]

You just need to remove the four screws that hold the lens mounting flange and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[LeReilly]

Alright, I removed the lense, and fiddle around the lens mount, I'm not sure but I think I unlocked a pin (lots of dust) and it's now working (?!?).
I guess the whole things needs a bit of dusting and some light alcohol rubbing.

One last thing I don't get: I can't see my aperture in the finder.
From what I understand it's juste a window that I have to clean?

(thanks for the help!)

 

[wolves3012]

One last thing I don't get: I can't see my aperture in the finder.
From what I understand it's juste a window that I have to clean?

(thanks for the help!)

The aperture window is an 'optical periscope' and the viewing lens sits under the overhang of the pentaprism housing. Hold the camera upside down and look just above the lens mount. Are you sure it's not an XD-5, since that didn't have the periscope? Hard to believe the window would be so dirty as to block the display completely but it might just be that. Enjoy the camera anyway, they are excellent tools.

 

[wolves3012]

Alright, I removed the lense, and fiddle around the lens mount, I'm not sure but I think I unlocked a pin (lots of dust) and it's now working (?!?).
I guess the whole things needs a bit of dusting and some light alcohol rubbing.

(thanks for the help!)

Just had a thought - you said you think you unlocked a pin. The MD lenses have a lock that holds the aperture on minimum setting and that should normally be used for 'S' mode. If you set the aperture to less than minimum, the camera cannot use the full range of apertures, only the ones up to what you set and wider. Sometimes called 'abbreviated shutter-priority mode'. That could explain your original problem of not having the full range of LEDs working.

EDIT: I've also realised that that wasn't your original problem! Please ignore.

 

[retinax]

Alright, I removed the lense, and fiddle around the lens mount, I'm not sure but I think I unlocked a pin (lots of dust) and it's now working (?!?).
I guess the whole things needs a bit of dusting and some light alcohol rubbing.

One last thing I don't get: I can't see my aperture in the finder.
From what I understand it's juste a window that I have to clean?

(thanks for the help!)

Congrats if this was it, if not, the repair I suggested is very doable for a beginner who doesn't have two left hands.
Regarding seeing the aperture in the finder, are you sure you didn't have a finger between the little window and the aperture scale on the lens?
I've learned to abstain from alcohol for external camera use, some paints and plastics (acrylic!) don't like it.

 

[LeReilly]

Alright, so, seems the LED are still working fine. Guess that was it.

But regarding the window, it's fine :

My guess is that the small panel that is supposed to open that small window when I switch mode is stuck in the off position. Could that be it? If yes, is it worth fixing?

(next and final step would be replacing the leather which has shrunk dramaticaly)

 

[retinax]

Alright, so, seems the LED are still working fine. Guess that was it.

But regarding the window, it's fine :

My guess is that the small panel that is supposed to open that small window when I switch mode is stuck in the off position. Could that be it? If yes, is it worth fixing?

(next and final step would be replacing the leather which has shrunk dramaticaly)

The window is open in every mode on mine, the shutter speed readout next to it isn't. In your picture I can't see if the window glass is actually there, it's supposed to be nearly flush with the body. In any case I wouldn't worry too much about that, the camera is very usable without aperture readout in the finder.

 

[LeReilly]

Alright now S mode is acting up. Only the top and bottom LED arrows are lighting up.
And A mode still works fine.

Guess I'll have to open. Everything's weird and I need to trust the camera to use it.

 

[LeReilly]

After further testing, seems the minimum aperture lever is at fault. When I move it a little and keep it that way with my fingers, the LEDS are lighting back on (tried using a MD lense that interacts with it at f22 but still not working either).

Unfortunately, and even with 70 precision tools head, for the life of me I can't unscrew the four screws holding the lense mount.

Maybe I'll have to make do with A mode. (or keep using my x700)