Minolta X-700 Film Camera

A fully working and professionally CLA’d Minolta X-700 Film Camera (serial 2020087). Early MIJ model with the long lasting tantalum capacitors so unlikely to ever suffer the classic capacitor-itis which often afflicts X-700s. Brand new seals and mirror bumper.

Fully film tested and all functions working as they should. Camera supplied with a fully restored and refurbished MD 50mm f1.7 lens (Serial 9677767) and original Miniolta lens cap as it would have been sold originally. 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 with minimal small scuff right hand top case and minor brassing on film winder. A very clean example of one of the last manual focus cameras from Minolta.

The top of the range model from the Minolta X-x00 series – the last manual focus cameras manufactured by Minolta before the debut of the revolutionary Maxxum 7000 series auto focus camera.

The X-700 used the basic body of the XG-M (the top range camera from the XG series with electronically controlled stepless shutter speeds, but added full program auto exposure in addition to the XG-M’s aperture priority and metered manual modes. This program mode was referred to as “MPS” or Minolta Program System.

The X-700 was very much Minoltas response to the Canon AE-1 and is in our opinion a much nicer camera to work with being slicker in all regards.

Minolta sold more of these than any other camera they produced exceeding even the spectacularly successful SRT series.
The X-700 was in production for almost 18 years.

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 we always take great care with our X series for sale that they are fully A1 condition.

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.

Camera fully cleaned and serviced, viewfinder cleaned of old decayed light seals and viewfinder is now clean and bright. Aperture readout mirror replaced as this was missing when it came to us.

New light seals and mirror bumper fitted.

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