Minolta XG-M Film Camera

Minolta XG-M Film Camera fully film tested and all functions working as they should. Camera (Serial 1050092) supplied with a fully restored and refurbished MD 50mm f1.7 lens (Serial 9142618) 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 excellent and very close to mint

Silky smooth and slick controls – a very nice example of the XG-M.

The XG-M, launched in 1981, was the final model in the Minolta XG series.  Its biggest advantage over other XG series cameras was the meter being active is both manual and automatic (aperture priority) modes.  Other cameras in the XG series only had the meter active in auto mode. The body style of the XG-M became the standard body for all later Minolta manual focus 35mm SLRs so the camera strongly resembles most of the X-x00 Series.

The Minolta XG-M Film Camera laid the foundations for the hugely successful X-700 which became Minoltas biggest ever selling camera prior to the advent of the Auto-Focus 7000 series.

The X-700 is in fact a kind of hot-rodded XG-M with extra electronics to provide full program mode and TTL flash control.

The XG-M is a sweet camera to shoot with, its quite light, the controls are well placed and it can return excellent results. It uses standard SR44 batteries.

Many of these sold cheap on eBay will have issues – we always take greatest care with XG-Ms that they are fully running and reliable.

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 is a good example of what we do to bring these lovely cameras back to life.  This was found in a charity shop with numerous problems but has had a lot of love and time put in to bring her back to mint condition.

The body had suffered damage to the top cover close to the film speed setting.  Damage had extended to the film speed ring being chipped and a crack in the top cover plus damage to the door.

She has had a new top cover fitted from a scrapped camera (serial numbers have been retained so she remains completely authentic), film speed ASA ring changed for a spare and the film advance lever swapped from a scrapped unit providing this one with a near mint appearance.

Fully cleaned throughout with new light seals and mirror bumper.

Viewfinder, prism and mirror cleaned to provide a clean and bright view.

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