Minolta SRT's -- Gotta Love 'Em.

[Nokton48]

Here is my new XK Body, with the new AE-S Prism Finder.

I really like my 200mm F3.5 MC Rokkor, which I bought for $30 recently. The lenshade section was very loose, and would not stay extended, which I found very annoying. I found another 200mm F3,5 MC Rokkor in my parts box, which had severe chromatic abberations (purple fringing). I discovered that the entire front casing of the lens just unscrews (left threaded) and in five minutes, I replaced the bad front end with a good one, from the other lens. So now I have an Excellent 200mm F3.5 MC that works great, and is as good as it can possibly be.

Glad this stuff is so easy to work on.

[clayne]

Well to be more accurate, the front casing of the 100mm+ telephotos only unscrew if the hidden set screw (visible when lens is at close focus) is removed.

[eric rose]

I lost my SLR virginity to an Exacta many moons ago, but my first love was a Minolta SRT-101.

[Tom33]

I have been collecting Maxxums for a while, but I just started in on the XD11/X700/X570 manual focus bodies and MC/MD lenses. No SRT body yet but I am loving the MF bodies and Rokkor lenses I have gathered so far. They seem so petite next to the Maxxum AF bodies and my A700 DSLR, I like how these cameras handle!

The XD11 bodies as I bought them:


And some results (no cla yet, just unboxed, loaded, switched lenses and go):

XD11 MD 50mm f1.4 Wide Open, Kodak UltraColor 100 exp. 03/2006

So it is safe to say I am getting Minolta MF GAS really bad!

[Nokton48]

XD-11's are very cool, especially with the Auto Winders attached. I sold hundreds of them when I worked at one of the local Minolta dealers here in town. You will need an MD lens, if you want to use shutter priority. The shutter release button is pretty neat, too, works like an elevator button.

Aperture priority, Shutter Priority, or Manual. Great cameras.

[Field]

It isn't heat sensitive. It is electrical contact. You bridge the gap between the two metal spots.

[Tom33]

Was schlepping around on line for a black XD11 and came across a real nice XE-7. I am pretty sure the XE is a bit bigger and heavier, but it looks like it could also be a sweet 135 SLR also. I have not held or used an XE-7 though.

Is there anyone here that can comment on the two bodies compared?

Thanks!

Tom

[colyn]

Originally Posted by Tom33

Is there anyone here that can comment on the two bodies compared?

Thanks!

Tom

The XE-7 is both bigger and heavier. The only thing you need to know about the XE-7 is to check the meter needle to make sure it is not jumpy..

[Tom33]

Howdy Colyn, I'm right up the road from you, across I-20 over by Lakeside...

What would a jumpy meter needle indicate on the XE-7? I would assume issues with the metering system, but I hate assumptions - I guess it's an engineer thing.

Of course I don't need an XE-7, I'm just having GAS for MD Minoltas!

Tom

[Field]

It is bigger. But it is also a great camera. You won't find a smoother film advance.

[Nokton48]

At one time, the XE-7 was Minolta's midrange camera. I have one myself, and it is also a great camera. I had mine overhauled in 2005, and the technician said he had to be extra careful cleaning the interior viewing system, due to the circuit board. It does tend to eat batteries, if you forget to turn it off.

The XK was the top-of-the-line at the time, and the XD-5 was the economy model.

[Tom33]

So, not to dis' anyone's SLR, do you guys think the XD-11 is a better body than the XE-7? I have held and used an XK, and it was very cool but not easy for me like the XD-11 seems to be. OTOH, the XE looks very similar in control layout to the XD and it is only a little more mass.

I guess I gotta pay to know, really... but are there any known weak areas in the XE design and build?

Thanks for your info!

Tom

[colyn]

Originally Posted by Tom33

Howdy Colyn, I'm right up the road from you, across I-20 over by Lakeside...

What would a jumpy meter needle indicate on the XE-7? I would assume issues with the metering system, but I hate assumptions - I guess it's an engineer thing.

Of course I don't need an XE-7, I'm just having GAS for MD Minoltas!

Tom

I can almost throw a rock at ya from here in West Fort Worth..

A jumpy meter neddle usually indicates a dirty contact which can be cleaned during service. If it isn't too bad readings should be fairly accurate but if the neddle won't settle down you could have inaccurate readings..

The MD and MC Rokkor lens are some of the finest made..

[redisburning]

either of you guys going to go to the Art of Photography meetup on saturday? If there are going to be some Rokkor guys there I might be convinced to bring my Minolta rather than my Leica.

[Tom33]

Originally Posted by redisburning

either of you guys going to go to the Art of Photography meetup on saturday? If there are going to be some Rokkor guys there I might be convinced to bring my Minolta rather than my Leica.

Don't know about this meet, but would like to hear more so maybe I can get there. Where and when and who?

Tom

[redisburning]

Originally Posted by Tom33

Don't know about this meet, but would like to hear more so maybe I can get there. Where and when and who?

Tom

Saturday morning, 10am at the Dallas farmer's market.

search up art of photography podcast on youtube.

[Tom33]

This sounds pretty cool. I think I will try to get there if I don't get snared (SNAFUed) at work... I will bring Rokkor glass... on an XD-11 I think! Has an exact meetup location at the market been determined? Not announced at the AOP FLICKr group.

Tom

[Tom33]

This GAS is getting BAD, then KEH sends email about the big weekend sale...

So I go to the website and the EX+ XE-7 is still waiting for me, only now they have an MD Rokkor-X 85mm lens - both marked down.

So I snagged 'em! Now the wait begins, Christmas is on Wednesday next!

Cheers,

Tom

[clayne]

XE-7 is better than XD-11 in my opinion. Or atleast I prefer the size/feel/approach of the XE-7 vs the XD-11. I have both, I can shoot good photographs with either but if you put a gun to my head, I'd keep the XE-7.

XE-7 advance is very smooth, but my preference for best film advance is still the Nikon F2.

[Nokton48]

Found this original "Copy Stand II" with the original box, instructions, plastic cover, etc. Looks like it has never been used. Truly useful to have this.

And the TR-1 Minolta Mini-Tripod, from the SRT-202 era. Also useful and very usuable.

[Tom33]

Santa (FEDEX) came today and delivered my XE-7 and MD 85mm/f4 lens. These were at KEH graded EX+, and let me just say these both look new, I cannot find any cosmetic or functional issue with either. Also dropped me off a late MD Rokkor-X 200mm/f4 New In Box!!! that I stumbled on. I am pumped!!! Got the 85 on an XD-11 body and my MC 58mm/f1.4 on the XE-7 and Portra loaded in both, film test upcoming. I am ready for the weekend, and I feel better as my GAS pain has subsided, for now anyway.

WOO HOO!!!

Best, Tom

[Nokton48]

About a month ago, I made the decision to sell my Canon rangefinder collection (all one big sale to one party), and build up, completely, my Minolta SRT collection. I am enjoying my SRT's (old friends) and the extra money (quite a bit) has gone into our "emergency fund".

Now I am getting certain Minolta items overhauled. My new XK body, AE & AE-S Finders, are now at Essex Camera Repair, in New Jersey, for a complete CLA. My second black SRT101 (with ringneck lizard from Cameraleather), my very brassed SRT101B, my 58mm F1.2 MC Rokkor, and my Minolta 2X Apochromatic Tele-Converter, are visiting Greg Stelz's spa out in Durango, Colorado, for CLA and total-body rebuilds. And seven of my Minolta Rokkor lenses, the 35/1.8, 28/3.5, 35/2.8, (2) 50/1.4's, 85/1.7, and 100/2.5 are now on their way to John Titterington in Kansas, for complete CLA's.

The Minoltas do a fine job for me and do everything that I require at this time.

[Tom33]

Schweet. You have a nice set of Minolta kit there!

I have been corresponding with Mr. Titterington about a CLA/overhaul on one of my black XD-11 bodies that isn't quite ready for prime time, and I will have him replace the shrunken leatherette with brown croc leather I have just received from Aki-Asahi at the same time. Just have to get middle daughter moved in to her dorm room and tuition paid up first!

Have you had Mr. Titterington work on your equipment before? I bought a X-700 body from him that works very well, but I might just send a Rokkor along with the XD-11... he has a very good reputation as best I can determine.

I am lovin' the XE-7 this weekend! It is verrrrry smooth!

Best,

Tom

[Nokton48]

Originally Posted by Tom33

Have you had Mr. Titterington work on your equipment before? Tom

Nope, but I see he has a solid, 25-year track record. Figured I might as well get everything fixed that needs fixing, all at once, and be done with it.

He quoted me $30-$40 per Rokkor lens, pending examination (of course!)

A deal I can hardly refuse.

Enjoy your XE-7. Love mine. Post some photos with it

[Tom33]

I can testify that John Titterington did a great job on the X-700 body I bought, and that he is very responsive to the email inquiry I sent about the XD-11 CLA. I will mail the XD to him next week. His quoted charges are very reasonable, and he seems like one of the good guys!

I will post images from the XE-7 as soon as I finish the roll and get it processed, should be in the next day or three.