This camera is extremely durable and reliable! I purchased it in 1982 to replace my stolen SR-T 101 and it does virtually everything I need. It is the perfect size and weight...not light and plasticy, but not heavy and cumbersome like my old SRT...Probably the best handling this side of the OM-1. I have a few Minolta lenses which are extremely sharp and of high quality, I don't have the need to stretch the limits of the Minolta system, much less the Nikon one.

The usual shortcomings; 1/1000 shutter speed, 1/60th flash sync., no mirror lock up.

This camera has no faults...only feature shortcomings. I could't ask for more from it. I do some sports photography that autofocus and faster shutter speeds would be helpful, but today's plastic bodies are a concern, and Minolta has a huge product gap between the XT-SI and the Maxxum 7. I hope they fill this gap with something that better competes with the N-80 and Elan 7 or if I step up to autofocus I may look that way

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

Minolta SRT-101, Konica Auto S2.

Build quality, price,reliability,deppth-of-field preview, cable release (shutter),

shutter speed (top end) 1/1000,costly extras for those who prefer the motor wind. Heck the MD-1 costs more($225+) than the camera, limited lens choices unless you buy third party.

A very reliable unit that will not run your pockets dry on expensive batteries. The mechanical nature of this unit forces the user to actually "THINK" aout what is happening and consequently makes me feel as if I have participateed in taking a photograph. Although you don't get the instantaneous and most often accurate 1/2 and 1/3 stops of an electronic shutter I seldom find the need and will adjust my aperture or exposure compensation. This camera is proof that great photographs are possible for a reasonable price.

Customer Service

Just used a factory authorized service center...waiting time for parts 6 weeks seems rediculous to me but the Nikon Service center was the same for the N4004s

Similar Products Used:

SRT-200, Nikon N4004s, N60, N70, N80, Canon T70

Simple to use,Depth-of-field preview, the P mode is great for when I want to just point and shoot. The meter is accurate as are the shutter speeds. Motor drive. Manual focusing. Data back.

No mirror lockup. No shutter priority. Flash sync is low at 1/60. No double exposure. Does not show f-stop through view>>In manual mode, the viewfinder displays only the recommended shutter speed, not what you have set, so you have take your eye away from the camera to double-check your speed (The X-370, cheaper than X-700, shows the f-stop through view).

I'm a dentist. I don't need AF SRL because to take photos of the teeth, macro lens AF becomes "crazy" and inefficient. I take very good slides of teeth, beyond beautiful photos of my family and excellent slides from the screen of the computer.A great camera for the price.

Customer Service

I have never needed to use it here in Brazil.

Similar Products Used:

Zenit DF 300, Minolta X 370n, SRT-101b and SRT 102,Yashica Dental Eye.

Stable as a tank. Two exposure programs plus manual gives you everything you really need. This camera provides simple point and shoot operation, while also giving you a tremendous amount of latitude to make adjustments.

Some lenses for this camera feel loose, spongy and cheap.

I've had this camera for 14 years. Back in the late 80's I was a photojournalist in Europe. The x-700 was my primary camera and withstood a lot of wear and tear. I've had it professionally cleaned twice in the all of these years, and it still works accurately and without a hitch.

Similar Products Used:

None

price, reliability, energy consumption, deapth-of-field preview, TTL flash metering

lack of Minolta MD lenses, no mirror lock, no spot meter, problems with the electronics

It is basically a good, solid camera that does all it is supposed to do. It offers point-and-shoot easiness in P-mode, but gives the photographer full controll over all parameters.

I used the camera a lot, for different types of photographical work from people through landscape/travel photography and also for press-photography. It almost always worked well.

By the way: the review that stated that you could not do double exposure is simply wrong: depress the rewind-lock button, advance the film and you can do double exposure.

To those thinking of getting the camera, I do have some reservations:

The electronics have given up on me twice, so that the meter would sometimes work properly, but sometimes deliver completely useless information. Having that problem fixed always cost a lot of money, and the problem reappeared after a few years. At the moment a new problem has developed: the shutter-release is simply dead. All metering functions work (so there is enough power), but the shutter just won't work. I don't think I will have the camera fixed again.

The second problem concernes all Minolta manual focus cameras: There just aren't any good new lenses developed any more. Like most manufacturers, Minolta changed its mount for the AF bodies, and as far as I know they only develop new lenses for the AF mount. Even worse, the company discontinued producing some of their fine MD lenses, so there are not too many Minolta lenses you can actually use on the X-700. Of course there are plenty of MD lenses to be had second hand, but new developments will not reach the MD mount (like APO teles).

If you are thinking of getting a camera for manual focus photography, I would not necessarily recommend a Minolta (or a Canon, for that matter). It hurts to say so, but Nikon would be an obvious choice, since they did not change the mount, and while Nikon does only produce their new lenses as AF lenses, the focusing-ring is large enough to use them on non-AF bodies. (If you really want to spend money - and get top-quality - you'd think of Contax or Leica.)

So the bottom line is:

If you want a decent camera at a good price/value ratio with a large selection of used bodies and lenses around, and if you don't think you'll want to expand and expand on your equipment - go for the X-700. You'll have lots of fun with it, and lots of money left over for film and other things.

If you are just starting out, and have the feeling that photography might turn out to be your major interest, don't buy Minolta or Canon manual focus bodies. There just isn't much of a future for these cameras.

Customer Service

not used

Similar Products Used:

Minolta XD-7, Minolta X-300

Easy to use. Easy to set controls

Motor drive and Data back are rare and expensive.

If you want a manual focus camera. There is no other choice then a X-700

Customer Service

Never used, never a problem.

Similar Products Used:

X-370 X-370n X-GM

Lightweight, feature-packed, can be adapted to point-and-shoot or full manual applications, bright viewfinder, manual focus

Electronics failures on newer vintage, older vintage model seemed bulletproof

This is a good manual-focus SLR, but my experience with X700 models is that the newer ones (Chinese built) aren't as good as the older ones. The X700 can automate some of the tasks that a manual mode photographer does every time he/she picks up a SLR, but automating is not necessarily better. If program or aperature priority are important enough to demand an electronic exposure control SLR, then I recommend the X700. If you can live with full manual, I recommedn the older SR and SRT series for durability.

Customer Service

Repair through authorized shop was fair, but nothing exciting

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Program A, Pentax ME Super, Minolta SR-7, Minolta SRT-201

Very good metering system,bright viewfinder and easy operations

considering the functionality, no weaknesses really.

X700 is a very simple to use and at the same time reliable, durable camera one can start photography with. I really loved this one. However, it doesnot accept autofocus lenses hence I moved to Nikon N90s

Customer Service

Never

Similar Products Used:

Minolta SRT 303,
Nikon N90s

Simple controls, reliable camera

Syncho-speed of only 1/60 but I hate flash photos and work outside...so

I have been using this camera for nearly 7 years by now. I have purchased a Nikon F80 lately...but still WONDER if I should sell that WONDER.

Customer Service

What.?

Similar Products Used:

Minolta XG-1

Easy to use. Easy to learn with.

Wish it had a manual over ride for when the batteries die suddenly

I currently own two X-700 bodies with numerous lenses 28, 50, 135, 80-200, 2X converter. With the Minolta 360PX flash(as well as a Black's Photography TDZ-120), and an MD-1 motordrive. Awesome system. I also have a Nikon F3 with MD-4, 50AF, 28-70AF, and SB-16 flash. I am trying to unload all of the Nikon stuff.

This camera is great for students, Very easy to work with and easy to learn on.

I have used the camera under all kinds of conditions and have never had a problem with it. From extreme heat to extreme cold.

Customer Service

Have not had any problems.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F3(sorry don't like it).