Another lifelong Minolta fan here. Cameras that were gifts from my parents XG-7, X700 and XK. All Christmas gifts starting in the 70's. Also inherited a Maxxum after my folks passed away and have used those lenses with my Sony DSLR.
The X1 / XK is an amazing rig 😮 there’s just something about it that always makes me want to shoot it… heck, even just looking at it and picking it up brings joy
At one time or another, I have owned a SRT-101, a XK, and a XD11. All were great. At some point, I moved to Nikon FM2s and loved it, too. LOVED the 250mm f/5.6 mirror lens ... wish I had kept it.
The Dynax 9 also has a grip sensor similar to the XK, the XK was 5 years ahead of it's time biggest problem was that there was no provision for a motordrive. The XK motor came later but was a fixed drive and by then the ship had sailed and Pro's investing in a system camera had gone to Canon and Nikon.
Agree on the XD11 - definitely my favorite manual focus camera body. Just love the feel, the shutter, and the viewfinder info. My wife's had an X-700 since the early '90s, and its OTF metering is great, of course, but it just doesn't touch the quality of the XD11.
Great video! I have an X-370, X-700, and an X-E5, among a bunch of other film bodies, but I've been craving an XD-11. I hear nothing but good things about them, so I kinda want to see what all the fuss is about.
I just bought one, it's currently getting serviced so it can last decades. I also have the xe (xe7, same camera), so far, it's my favorite one. I have an srt 202. I'm getting rid of my x700.
Minolta SRT-101 was my favourite, I still have three bodies of this rugged camera. Got my first back in 1969, and I stopped using it in 1999, when I switched to Leica R 6.2. I've travelled the World with my Minoltas and my set-up was a 55/1.7, a 28/2.8 and a 135/2.8. A great set for a press photographer. The Minolta lenses are a great performer, very close to Leica R lenses. The SRT-101 was a very fast camera. Lens change was just a few seconds and no fiddling like with the Nikon F. I had a XK for some time, but it was too heavy to carry around. Great video. I subscribed.
Nice video. I may add one of these to my small Minolta SLR collection. BTW: I kept watching the cameras thinking one was going to go flying out of your hand! Thankfully that didn't happen.
My XD-11 took a fall from a great height and broke beyond reasonable repair. I'm hoping to find another one at some point but for now I've still got my SRT 100x - It's simple but reliable, like a Honda Civic. It gets the job done.
I think the R6 is the exception to R4-7 using the XD as a base - that one was full mechanical and manual exposure only for some reason. The XD is electronic.
Great Video Zachary. I just ordered my SUV :) or should I say XE-7. I have owned an X700 and loved it but I thought I would try the XE-7. I’m really excited to test drive this beast.
I used Minolta XD-5/XD-11 and Contax RTS2, 137 and Nikon FM2,FE2 and F3. Probably most elite ones are Contax RTS-2 and 137 but most assuring one is F3. Please try Contax 137 and RTS-2. I wasnt able to use RTS-3 which might be an excellent one.
If you still have the XE-7 and want to sell it, let me know. I don’t know whether you know or not, but Minolta joined forces with Leica to produce that camera. That’s why it feels so smooth. The shutter mechanism is Leica. I had one back in 74’ when I went on a three month journey around the US. But, stupid me, I sold it shortly after the trip. I regret it still today. So, if you are willing to sell it, please let me know. Thanks.
Zachary, I have the Minolta XE-7 and was wondering where I could find a lens cap (MC Rokkor-X PF 1: 1.7 f/50mm 4138711 Minolta) for mine - similar to yours?
I have 5 Minolta bodies. XE tend to have problems w light meter. My 1st 35mm was an XE5 i got in 1975. Still have it. But after owning Minoltas, i am eyeing the Nikons since i have Nikon DSLRs and the lens interchange. Also have got into 645 med format since DSLRs are shooting at or above what 35mm resolution is at. You need med to large format cameras if you are serious about film.
assuming it works you got it for an absolute steal, even if it doesn't work it will be a great value at what is essentially just the cost of a CLA/repair. Its a great camera, one of minolta's best!
Minolta merged with Konica in 2003 to become Konica Minolta, then sold its camera business to Sony in 2006. There's not much continuity between Minolta cameras and Sony cameras today.
Another lifelong Minolta fan here. Cameras that were gifts from my parents XG-7, X700 and XK. All Christmas gifts starting in the 70's. Also inherited a Maxxum after my folks passed away and have used those lenses with my Sony DSLR.
The X1 / XK is an amazing rig 😮 there’s just something about it that always makes me want to shoot it… heck, even just looking at it and picking it up brings joy
Well done and a very good overview of the advanced Minoltas of the 70ies!
At one time or another, I have owned a SRT-101, a XK, and a XD11. All were great. At some point, I moved to Nikon FM2s and loved it, too. LOVED the 250mm f/5.6 mirror lens ... wish I had kept it.
The Dynax 9 also has a grip sensor similar to the XK, the XK was 5 years ahead of it's time biggest problem was that there was no provision for a motordrive. The XK motor came later but was a fixed drive and by then the ship had sailed and Pro's investing in a system camera had gone to Canon and Nikon.
Agree on the XD11 - definitely my favorite manual focus camera body. Just love the feel, the shutter, and the viewfinder info. My wife's had an X-700 since the early '90s, and its OTF metering is great, of course, but it just doesn't touch the quality of the XD11.
Great video! I have an X-370, X-700, and an X-E5, among a bunch of other film bodies, but I've been craving an XD-11. I hear nothing but good things about them, so I kinda want to see what all the fuss is about.
The XD7/11 is literally the perfect SLR camera.
I just bought one, it's currently getting serviced so it can last decades. I also have the xe (xe7, same camera), so far, it's my favorite one. I have an srt 202. I'm getting rid of my x700.
Minolta SRT-101 was my favourite, I still have three bodies of this rugged camera. Got my first back in 1969, and I stopped using it in 1999, when I switched to Leica R 6.2. I've travelled the World with my Minoltas and my set-up was a 55/1.7, a 28/2.8 and a 135/2.8. A great set for a press photographer. The Minolta lenses are a great performer, very close to Leica R lenses. The SRT-101 was a very fast camera. Lens change was just a few seconds and no fiddling like with the Nikon F. I had a XK for some time, but it was too heavy to carry around. Great video. I subscribed.
Thanks so much for the support!
Do you still have your old gear, and do you still use them?
@@brodybunter4453 I still use my Leica R-lenses via an adaptor on my M cameras. The Minoltas are in a cabinet togeher with my Leica R cameras.
Nice video. I may add one of these to my small Minolta SLR collection. BTW: I kept watching the cameras thinking one was going to go flying out of your hand! Thankfully that didn't happen.
Well done!
I have my original XG1 and shoot a X-570 and XD, the 45mm f2 is my go to!
The x-570(500) is a very good camera too ( better than the x-700 for shooting in manual mode)
My XD-11 took a fall from a great height and broke beyond reasonable repair. I'm hoping to find another one at some point but for now I've still got my SRT 100x - It's simple but reliable, like a Honda Civic. It gets the job done.
I think the R6 is the exception to R4-7 using the XD as a base - that one was full mechanical and manual exposure only for some reason. The XD is electronic.
Great Video Zachary. I just ordered my SUV :) or should I say XE-7. I have owned an X700 and loved it but I thought I would try the XE-7. I’m really excited to test drive this beast.
How do you like it?
Thank you
It’s a super solid camera
@@islandbyfilm Is it better than the X700? I'm trying to decide between the two. Thank you
The XK with a waist-level viewfinder is loads of fun. Finding one is mostly a matter of luck, though.
Don't own a xk, but own a xd5 and xd5. Both fantastic. Butter smooth.
Two xd5s? Or did you mean xd-7 and xd-5?
I used Minolta XD-5/XD-11 and Contax RTS2, 137 and Nikon FM2,FE2 and F3. Probably most elite ones are Contax RTS-2 and 137 but most assuring one is F3. Please try Contax 137 and RTS-2. I wasnt able to use RTS-3 which might be an excellent one.
If you still have the XE-7 and want to sell it, let me know. I don’t know whether you know or not, but Minolta joined forces with Leica to produce that camera. That’s why it feels so smooth. The shutter mechanism is Leica. I had one back in 74’ when I went on a three month journey around the US. But, stupid me, I sold it shortly after the trip. I regret it still today. So, if you are willing to sell it, please let me know. Thanks.
Where do you get your cameras repaired?
I would like to know as well please.
@@justindavisphotographytwo years later and he never answered.
Zachary, I have the Minolta XE-7 and was wondering where I could find a lens cap (MC Rokkor-X PF 1: 1.7 f/50mm 4138711 Minolta) for mine - similar to yours?
I have 5 Minolta bodies. XE tend to have problems w light meter. My 1st 35mm was an XE5 i got in 1975. Still have it. But after owning Minoltas, i am eyeing the Nikons since i have Nikon DSLRs and the lens interchange. Also have got into 645 med format since DSLRs are shooting at or above what 35mm resolution is at. You need med to large format cameras if you are serious about film.
I bought an xd11 today for $2.99 with an auto 200x flash. Don't know anything about it. Good starter still?
assuming it works you got it for an absolute steal, even if it doesn't work it will be a great value at what is essentially just the cost of a CLA/repair. Its a great camera, one of minolta's best!
@@zachpav1 The little treasures you find at Goodwill.. Lol
Weight of a camera has never been an issue for me.
What do you think of the xg-7
The DX 11 is great, I have 2... thank you
Minolta would be Sony today?
Minolta merged with Konica in 2003 to become Konica Minolta, then sold its camera business to Sony in 2006. There's not much continuity between Minolta cameras and Sony cameras today.
xd7 and xd11 its the same camera one was for europe another for us
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