Minolta XDs

[rolleistef]

...hence quite a high price now! They seem to the more electronic equivalent for the SRTs, do they really desserve their "tank" nickname?

Sometimes I noticed with the XD as well as the X700 is their "clac" noise when used in shutter prio/programme mode, and more of a "shloof" when used on aperture priority. Does anyone know of a mechanical answer for such difference?

 

[Bingley]

"I now understand the "RF" feeling of the camera...."

The Minolta XD body is almost exactly the same width and length as a Bessa R* body, and only fractionally taller b/c of the mirror housing. Put a pancake lens on the XD, and it's still RF-like in its proportions. I haven't compared the XD or X700 to the OM series SLRs, but I imagine they're pretty close in size.

 

[Clovis]

...hence quite a high price now! They seem to the more electronic equivalent for the SRTs, do they really desserve their "tank" nickname?

Yes, the XE-7 is extremely solid and heavy, giving it a very "tank" like feel. .The shutter release and advance crank is also much smoother and responsive than the XD series. That said, the viewfinder is smaller and dimmer than that found in the XD.

 

[rolleistef]

That's right, the Acute-Matte screen hadn't been invented back then.

From what I remember, my dad's OM2n was slightly more petite. In any case it's notably smaller and sleeker than a Hi-Matic 9, even though slighly heavier with a 50/1.7 lens. Well, the HM9 isn't the smallest RF you can find, and is of course way bigger than a HM-E/F/7sII but since its shape is very simple (a brick with a big tube) than that of a reflex, it seems somewhat, less impressive.

However, considering how sturdily the it is built, it's easy to imagine an SLR counterpart with the XE7! Closer to the Leica spirit then?

 

[racoll]

"I now understand the "RF" feeling of the camera...."

The Minolta XD body is almost exactly the same width and length as a Bessa R* body, and only fractionally taller b/c of the mirror housing. Put a pancake lens on the XD, and it's still RF-like in its proportions. I haven't compared the XD or X700 to the OM series SLRs, but I imagine they're pretty close in size.

The Xd11 and OM-1 are almost identical in size.

 

[Fujitsu]

The SRT 101 is the gem of the Minolta fully manual camera. Like Landshark says, there are no electronics in it, match needle metering, easily serviced.

100% spot on! Love the SRT series.

 

[le vrai rdu]

I have a minolta SR7 , 2 SRT 101 , one SRT 100 and one SRT303

I thought it was time to try an XD and bought an XD7, very nice and light camera 🙂

I will have to sell gear I think 😀

I like them all; the SR7 is so beautifull and funny with it's strange lightmeter, the SRT bcause it feel so rough and reliable, the XD for it's aperture and shutter modes, and it's compactness

I am getting used to the SRT and know how to fix current issues 🙂 it is quite rewarding to do it on your own 🙂

 

[Naumoski]

I would warmly reccomend a SRT 101. I am using mine for several months, it works very gently, the meter is very accurate (i rate Portra VC160 at 100, and they are even a little overexposed in scans but great on prints), i use mostly Rokkor 58mm 1.4, and this lens are amazing to me, the lenght is very good for framing, portraits especially, the bokeh is lovely, it loosing contrast and sharpnes at f/1.4 but at f/2 is enough good. Also i rarely use MC 35mm 2.8 a little for landscapes and city stuff, not much of a great lens but they are OK.

I would like to add that first 2-3 rolls the shutter wasn't opening always but i haven't that problem now.
It's a little heavy, but i cosider that the other Minolta SLR'S are heavy too, maybe the newer are a little lighter.
My viewfinder it's a little dirty but it's enough bright for focusing.

I hope this help 🙂