Konica Minolta X-700 35mm SLRs

Konica Minolta X-700 35mm SLRs 

DESCRIPTION

Minolta's X-700 is a perfect combination of sophistication and simplicity. In P mode, the camera selects both the shutter and aperture for the correct exposure, so all you have to do is focus and shoot. But if you want to take over, there's aperture-priority exposure control and full metered manual exposure control right at your fingertips.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 130  
[Sep 16, 2022]
joeanderson


Strength:

It is surprisingly tough and reliable. Our cement installer is very satisfied with his purchase!

Weakness:

None so far.

Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Sep 12, 2022]
stussy


Strength:

you'll need someone who would think ahead. bathroom remodel aurora

Weakness:

none so far

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Sep 12, 2022]
jackslesly19


Strength:

Superbe :) This is the only word I can say about X-700. See samples at www.goterasytejadosegovia.com

Weakness:

None as of the moment.. Will let you know

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Aug 29, 2022]
Kyzer


Strength:

One of the great cameras of Konika. sound system dayton oh

Weakness:

I love this.

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Dec 01, 2021]
Janwil


Strength:

You have a great deals. fence company Savannah

Weakness:

none so far

OVERALL
RATING
4
[May 04, 2021]
Toddclo


Strength:

Good ergonomics. Surprisingly tough and reliable. Really nice lenses. AE lock really easy to use. Bright viewfinder. Depth of field preview. Been using this for a few years by Carlsbad Concrete Contractor

Weakness:

Over exposure not shown in viewfinder in metered manual mode.

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Feb 27, 2015]
tommie hoff
Beginner

Strength:

I didn't know a lot about cameras back when I got this for Christmas in 1985 it was a great camera the Minolta x-700 came with 35-70mm lense &80-200mm lense zoom together as a kit came with bag and accesserires filters etc

Weakness:

I wasn't very good with this camera so I cant rate it.

overall ill have to say this camera was great il want to get something like but in the digital format same accessory but with a canon DSLR

Customer Service

OK!

Similar Products Used:

NONE

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 16, 2013]
Frits Seubring
Intermediate

Strength:

Just a perfect film camera

Weakness:

No digital back available

It was a perfect camera until digital photography came along.
Minolta lenses are still far better than most lenses you can buy today!
If I could buy a digital back a would consider it.

Similar Products Used:

XD-7

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 15, 2012]
Francis
Intermediate

Strength:

Well made,bright viewfinder,good value now,quality prime lenses,easy to use,positive feel to controls,long production run,so they must have got something right!

Weakness:

Reputation for poor low light metering and shutter release capacitor failures,the latter more likely on later models,it has been suggested. Perhaps a metal focal plane shutter would have been better? Probably cheaper and easier to buy two decent bodies,than hope to repair one broken one! Not always easy to obtain Minolta MD w/a and tele lenses,in UK anyway,especially in good clean condition.

Best manual SLR produced by Minolta. Get a good one(essential),stick a Fuji color negative film in it - and get back to some classic photography!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Nov 21, 2011]
richard hale
Intermediate

Strength:

Good ergonomics. Surprisingly tough and reliable. Really nice lenses. AE lock really easy to use. Bright viewfinder. Depth of field preview. Good range of accessaries. Currently cheap s/h

Weakness:

Under/Over exposure not shown in viewfinder in metered manual mode. Maximum shutter speed s/1000. 80's styling!

A great film camera. Better than the sum of its parts. Cheap now and accessaries also very reasonably priced. Good for beginners and those with medium to large hands.

I bought my first X700 in Janaury 1985 new with a 35mm 2.8 lens, using a Minolta XG1 as PX (a camera I did not get on with). The X700 was my only camera for several years until finances allowed me to indulge a passion for collecting all those models I could not afford in my youth. I used it regulary for all manner of subjects and climates for 15 years until it was vandalised. When the insurance money came through I tried various newer cameras, which were very good but just did not feel right for me. So after a few years I got another X700 s/h together with the excellent motor drive. This set up lasted me another few years until I sold the system in a rash act of generosity to a colleague who wanted to try film.

There are a wide variety of lenses which will fit this camera, not as easily available as nikon or pentax but still not too hard to find. I recommend getting Minolta's 50mm f1.4 or 1.7 lens then a tamron 24mm or 28mm f2.5 together with a Tamron 70 - 210mm with adaptable 2 mount. If you can get one Tamrons sp2 90mm lens is a cracking macro/portait lens. With the macro or zoom lense use the motorwinder. This is an excellent accessary. It provides good grip and balance with heavy lenses and provides a shutter release for portrait format shot.

In a couple respects the X700 seems a bit backward even by the standards of the time it was introduced. The lack of fully metered manual mode together with its s/1000 top shutter speed and cloth shutter. However, I found that if I wanted to use manual, a separate light meter was the best way to go, as it offered a more considered approach to picture taking. When just out for a stroll the brilliant AE lock was all that was needed. Put the camera in aperture priority, meter,hold down AE lock and adjust aperture ring at the same time, to over or under expose your shot.

There are a number of good accessaries available other than the motor drive such as ttl flash guns, ring flash, extention tubes and belows, eyepiece dioptre adjustment lenses, anglefinder and even interchangable viewfinder screens, but you had to get the camera sent away to Minolta uk for the alternative screens to be fitted. I don't know if there is any one who will do this nowadays.

If you can track them down Minolta's MD lenses are great and feel really nice. They are also reasonably priced s/h as they don't fit any digital cameras to my knowledge.

Where the X700 really scores in my opinion is in its handling. Despite is frankly dated 80's look (I loved this in 1985, thinking it looked cool!), It fits medium and large hands beautifully. The shutter release is really nice, even though it does not have the feel of a mechanical one and the film advance is super smooth. As mentioned before the motor drive improves the feel with heavy lenses attached. If a camera feels right, you are far more likley to use it than one that does not. The viewfinder is nice and bright.

Would I buy one again? I am going to, if only because I am still in love with the X. Would I recommend one to someone else? Definitely. However, if you have small hands I would look at a Pentax ME Super or MX, or Olympus OM1n first.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta Xk. Minolta XE1. Minolta SR1, Minolta SRT101, Minolta XG1. Nikon FM2. Nikon F4. Nikon F3. Pentax ME Super. Pentax MX. Pentax Super A. Pentax Mz5n. Pentax ist. Pentax Kx digital. Olympus OM1n.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 130  

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