XD-11 XD-7 fans?

[freeranger]

Do any of you knowledgeable fellows have experience of this camera? Do you like it?
Is the shutter lag normal (I've searched the web and opinion is varied on the subject) and, if it's something that can be fixed, can anyone recommend an experienced camera tech in Europe who is up to the task?

Thanks in advance 🙂

 

[shadowfox]

I have an XD-11. As far as my experiences with it, no shutter lag I can detect. What do people say on the 'net? sticky mirror bumper maybe?

 

[BillBingham2]

Leica used them for the base of many models of the R if I remember right.

B2 (;->

 

[ZeissFan]

I've had two XD-11s and one XG-7 and have another XD-11 on the way.

The one XD-11, which I gave to someone for Christmas, had no shutter lag.

The other two cameras did.

What I found in the XG-7 is a small circuit board under the shutter speed dial. Most of its circuit markings had worn away, which explained the inconsistent firing of the shutter. Sometimes it fired correctly. Sometimes not at all. It is not repairable.

I haven't opened the other XD-11 to see what's under the hood, as this one is in poor condition.

I'm hoping the other XD-11 is in good condition -- third time's a charm, right?

 

[freeranger]

I have an XD-11. As far as my experiences with it, no shutter lag I can detect. What do people say on the 'net? sticky mirror bumper maybe?

The pneumatic mirror damper, if soiled, can create the delay in firing

 

[TWoK]

I've wanted one as it looks like the only decent MD mount camera, even then though it isn't as well featured as any competing systems.

 

[Austintatious]

I have an XE-7, no shutter lag. Meter is right on. All the features you want,none U don't.
Was used as the base for the Leica R3. Great camera!

 

[rogue_designer]

XD-11 was the first 35mm slr I owned (back in 1986 or so). Great great camera. One of the nicest viewfinders in its class, as I recall.

No idea about tech's working on them now. But if you can get it fixed, it's absolutely worth it.

 

[ZeissFan]

Let me clarify what I wrote earlier. The XG-7 uses a printed circuit board, and the "printed" markings had worn away -- making it very difficult to complete the circuit for shutter speed selection and, hence, shutter actuation.

 

[amateriat]

I recommended the XD-11 to a friend when it first came out (I was shooting Canon F-1s and EFs/A-1st the time, so that's saying something). A very cool compact SLR, nicer than the AE-1/AE-1 Program, IMO.

My buying into Minolta wasn't until the Maxxum 9000 ("An interesting miss" was my ultimate call), then later with the 9xi, which I stuck with until I moved from SLRs to RFs with my Hexars. (The fact that Minolta was effectively bought out by Konica is something I've long found "interesting." Sad that they both left the photo biz).


- Barrett

 

[kuzano]

XD, XD-7, XD-11... all same camera....

XD, XD-7, XD-11... all same camera....

You probably know that by now. Each model designation was for a different market... Home, European and US. The 11 was US. The XD and the XD-7 were usually all black, while the XD-11 was chrome with black covering. The worst part of the XD series was the horrible covering they used. By now, most of the leatherette is curling on the edges due to a double sided glue base used. Cameraleather has a nice recovering kit for about $24. My user XD-11 has no covering. It will never get stolen, but it works well.

These cameras generally bring good prices when sold. I've never had a problem with any of the three.

However, there is a sleeper that is essentially the same, with a little less information in the viewfinder. That's the XD-5. Usually sells for about half the model you asked about. I have a couple of XD-5's and they are great user shooters.

 

[amateriat]

Kuzano: Dirty little secret abou the XD-5: it shares the shutter, and some of its electronics, with the CL-E. Which is why working XD-5 bodies might be a tad more rare than you might expect, not to mention pricier...


- Barrett

 

[freeranger]

Let me clarify what I wrote earlier. The XG-7 uses a printed circuit board, and the "printed" markings had worn away -- making it very difficult to complete the circuit for shutter speed selection and, hence, shutter actuation.

Thanks for this - I subconsciously ignored it the first time - I can't handle bad news very well 😱

My XD-7 is not inconsistent with its firing, though ... just noticeably slow.

 

[kuzano]

Now that's really interesting AND a secret....

Now that's really interesting AND a secret....

Kuzano: Dirty little secret abou the XD-5: it shares the shutter, and some of its electronics, with the CL-E. Which is why working XD-5 bodies might be a tad more rare than you might expect, not to mention pricier...

- Barrett

I knew there was some heritage of the XD 11 in the Leica R, or so I've been told. However, I did not know about the XD 5 connection to the CLE. In my experience, I've found the XD 5 camera's, when they surface to sell for less than the more expensive XD models.

Thanks for the information.

 

[shadowfox]

I have an XE-7, no shutter lag. Meter is right on. All the features you want,none U don't.
Was used as the base for the Leica R3. Great camera!

The only thing I didn't like on the XE-7 is the weight. That's why I pick up the XD-11 most of the time.

 

[shadowfox]

The pneumatic mirror damper, if soiled, can create the delay in firing

Sticky mirror bumpers can be replaced, I've done it to my other cameras, but not the XD-11. Contact Jon Goodman, he's the expert and should be able to walk you through.

 

[bean_counter]

My father gave me an XD-5 for my high school graduation in 1981. Great camera, favorite SLR I ever used. I was pretty sure it was simply a "poor man's XD-11".

Alas, quit working a few years ago, bad circuit board, and was unrepairable; my understanding is that once the board goes on the XD series, it's a paperweight.

I have an SRT-102 and a X-570, so I can still use my old glass. No need to buy a new system for the little I shoot SLR.

Sure miss the XD-5, though.

 

[freeranger]

Well, from my test roll it seems that the camera works fine in every other respect. After trying the camera "in the field" for a day, the shutter lag is something that I think I can live with - for now. Maybe I'll try some other examples to see how they compare, before deciding if I will fork out for a professional CLA or not. (I still would like to know If anyone knows of a good technician in Europe who has experience with this camera). Thanks for your responses.

 

[freeranger]

It turned out that that I could not live with the shutter lag - the thought of it tormented me throughout the night, distracted my thoughts through the day and nibbled at the edge of my consciousness in the evenings.

Luckily, there is a wonderful gentleman named John Titterington, who resides in the USofA and devotes himself to the fixing of wayward Minoltas. I got mine back today - it has had a full CLA and is now fantastic in every way. I can confirm that there should be no lag. If you have lag, call John: JTCamera@aol.com

 

[flatulent1]

Freeranger, thanks for the follow-up. One of my XD-11 has the shutter lag issue and I'd rather have it repaired, they're such nice cameras!