Minolta X-700 35mm Film Camera

A fully working and professionally CLA’d X-700 (serial 2760435). Genuine MIJ Model. Capacitors replaced and perfectly working. Fully film tested and all functions working as they should. Camera supplied with a fully restored and refurbished MD 50mm f1.7 lens (Serial 9978727).

The lens is silky smooth throughout its focus range after rebuild and has a snappy and reactive aperture. A few small marks on the baseplate are visible as this one is missing its protective plastic base, these were applied by the factory and are only a thin film of plastic. In part these were applied to disguise the fact the camera externals are of mostly plastic construction. Viewfinder is clean and bright and the camera is in excellent condition both internally and externally.

Overall cosmetics are excellent. 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 Minolta X-700 35mm Film Camera used the basic body of the XG-M (the top range camera from the XG series with electronically controlled step less 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 Minolta X-700 35mm Film Camera 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.

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 one came to us with blown capacitors and a rogue electronics issue. Late version X-700s are prone to capacitor issues due to Minolta swapping the reliable but expensive tantalum bead capacitors with cheap electrolytic types. This one has had both of its capacitors replaced with high quality modern capacitors which should keep it running another 20 years. The camera was professionally repaired and CLA’d before having new light seals and mirror bumpers added and a full deep cleaning including a UV bath to ensure fungal killing of the camera and lens.

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. Like the camera it has been subjected to a UV bath to ensure any possible fungal spores are eliminated.

This Minolta X-700 35mm Film Camera was 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