Minolta X-500 Film Camera

Minolta X-500 Film Camera fully film tested and all functions working as they should. Camera supplied (Serial 6019172) with a fully restored and refurbished MD 50mm f1.7 lens (Serial 9914221) and an original Minolta cap as would have been supplied when new. Plastic base protector still fitted from the factory.

The lens is silky smooth throughout its focus range after rebuild and has a snappy and reactive aperture. Viewfinder is clean and bright and the camera is in excellent condition both internally and externally.

Overall cosmetics are good but showing some wear from age.

Silky smooth and slick controls – a very nice example of the X-500.

The mid model from the Minolta X-x00 series manufactured by Minolta between 1983 and 1985.  The X-500 was caught between the premium X-700 and the baseline X-300.  With only a few dollars either side of its pricing it suffered an early demise and customers wither went for the baseline X-300 or the premium X-700 as a result the X-500 had a very short production run.

It is in many ways a nicer camera to work with in manual mode than the X-700 as viewfinder shows both the selected speed and the suggested speed.  The X-700 shows only the suggested speed.

Like all of the X series from Minolta the X-500 can suffer capacitor failure.

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.

This came to us with erratic shutter firing issues.  This was assumed to be the classic faulty capacitor common in many of the X series cameras from Minolta.  Capacitor replaced which improved the shutter firing but the camera had occasional winding stalls and jams.  An almost complete rebuild showed the shutter bearings had sustained some damage these have been replaced and the camera now runs completely reliably.

As with all of our cameras the light seals and mirror bumper have been replaced and the camera has undergone an extensive cleaning.  Viewfinder is clear and bright and just like with all of our cameras this one has been film tested with live film.

The lens has been completely rebuilt, cleaned and lubricated.  Like most MD series it was suffering dried out lubrication and oil haze.  This is common with MD lenses of this age.
Lens is now clear and bright with perfectly smooth focus and snappy aperture.

Lens and camera have been subjected to a UV bath to ensure any possible fungal spores are eliminated.

Shutter tested with Phocron XA Tester to ensure accuracy.

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