Minolta X-700 with Motor-drive

Minolta X-700 with Motor-drive

A fully working and 100% serviced  X-700 (serial 1600295). Genuine MIJ Model. This is an early X-700 dating from May 1983 and like most early X-700s has Tantalum capacitors model so more reliable that later models which can suffer capacitor issues.

Camera is supplied with a mint fully serviced MD 50mm f1.7 lens (Serial 8268728).

The lens is silky smooth throughout its focus range after rebuild and has a snappy and reactive aperture and flawless optics.

Also included is the Minolta Motor Drive 1 (Serial 3068009) which is near mint condition, clean and fully running with no battery corrosion issues.

This is one of our own cameras which has seen extensive use and the camera body shows some slight brassing on its shoulders and winder trim. It has been 100% serviced prior to sale and has been tested to Minolta factory standards on our professional class test equipment.
Naturally all light-seals have been changed together with the mirror bumper. The light seal replacement was done using the Jon Goodman seals (now out of production). These will provide perfect light-tight sealing and will outlast any foam type seals.

Camera will be supplied with its original European Camera of the Year lens cap.

About
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.

Restoration

Camera acquired as a non-runner with a stuck shutter caused by poor lubrication. Shutter times were off by up to 2 stops.

When we acquired the camera it was given a standard CLA to get the camera to running condition and it has been used extensively for the past 5 years.
Prior to sale the camera has been given a complete service which has included internal lubrication and cleaning, all new seals and the lens has been serviced and cleaned.

The camera now runs perfectly to Minolta specification and has a smooth and light winder action – X-700s rarely gets serviced properly and often have a ‘gummy’ feel to the winder. This one is as good as you will ever get having been given a complete service and test.

Early stage of disassembly

Shutter removed for cleaning

Shutter removed for lubrication

During rebuild after shutter servicing

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Test pics are thumbnails please click for high definition version.

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