Description
Minolta X-300 MD Lens 50mm f1.7
General
Minolta X-300 SLR 35mm Film Camera (serial 1079202) made in Japan model and manufactured in July 1984. Camera supplied with a fully refurbished MD3 50mm f1.7 lens (Serial 9380924).
Camera body shows some small wear marks and the cover on the rewind lever was missing. We have replaced this with a leatherette matching the camera.
The lens is silky smooth throughout its focus range after rebuild and has a snappy and reactive aperture.
Camera and lens have been completely serviced. See details in the Restoration section.
Overall cosmetics are excellent and the camera has been tested and shown to be operating inside the original factory specification.
Camera will be supplied with good quality non-original lens cap
About
The base model from the Minolta X-x00 series manufactured by Minolta between 1984 and 1990 – and the last manual focus camera in production. After Minolta ceased production the camera was licensed to other manufacturers and often appears with Centon, Vivitar or Seagull badges. The X-300 would be a contender for the longest production run of ANY 35mm SLR camera. Like all of the X series from Minolta the X-300 can suffer capacitor failure. For a full guide to the X series check out our article HERE
Many of the X series sold on eBay will suffer failure from blown capacitors and various other ills related to poor storage or lack of servicing.
The camera is powered from two SR44 button cells which are readily available.
WARNING – like all Minolta electronic cameras and many other electronic cameras of this period you should NEVER use off brand flashguns. The very high trigger voltages (over 300volts ) in some off-brand guns like the Vivitar 273/283 is high enough to destroy the electronics in these cameras. Only use a dedicated Minolta flash gun with these for safety.
Restoration
Camera was cleaned, new seals fitted and the capacitor replaced with a modern capacitor.
Subsequent testing showed a possible shutter issue arising. As we like all of our cameras to be 100% for our customers we opted for a rebuild to make sure the camera would be reliable. Trouble was traced to failing electromagnet and we opted to replace the entire shutter mechanism from spares stock.
Tested with our professional tester and found to be operating well inside original factory specifications. A live shoot with film confirmed no issues were remaining.
Lens was serviced, cleaned and re-lubricated.
Please be aware that the cameras and lenses for sale can be up to 50 years old. They have been serviced and/or checked and are always as good as they can be made, but please don’t expect them to be flawless as if they were made yesterday.
All lenses of this age exhibit some small particles of dust and coatings are not up to modern standards. Cameras will exhibit some wear signs and likewise may have small dust specks in their viewfinders or focus screens. These do not affect the picture in any way.
ANY problems or issues will be described in the main text which you are advised to read carefully.If you are unfamiliar with film cameras we suggest you do some online research and read the manuals which are freely available from online resources.
We are enthusiastic film fans and spend our time hunting cameras and lenses that have been or are being unloved. We then spend hours to bring them back to fully working and clean condition, ready for a new lease of life with you We always change the film seals, give the camera a clean/service and make sure its fully working before we sell it on to you.
Most lenses are cleaned, re-lubricated and all of their functions checked prior to sale so you know they will work, full details will always be in the text. All items are packed safely for transit using proper packing material NOT something the cat was sick in. Having been stung both on eBay and by dealers alike who often know very little about film cameras we decided to offer people a chance to experience film using a camera that will last for many years and which we can say for sure works reliably
Mel & Claire
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