Minolta X-700 Review

Overall Rating

Cheap to buy

Unreliable, not durable

I had my X-700 freeze up on me after less than a year of use. This is when I began to read about others problems with the camera on photo.net, so I sold it with no regrets. Here's the reality:"My X700 also suddenly stopped working and had to have the electronics replaced. I had it repaired under warranty, and I ran only a few rolls through it and it died again. Same symptoms.." "I had it [X-700] about a year. Made in China. Was taking a timer picture of me. High humidity in the New England states, but the camera had been working perfect no problems. Set the timer posed heard the click. Came back to find the mirror was stuck in the picture mode. I could not wind.." "In my opinion, the minolta x700 is simply not a camera that can withstand alot of film. I put 10+ rolls a week and the advance lever always breaks, the circuitry eventually blows, or the shutter speeds do not remain precise. The circuitry recently blew.." "I've seen more than my fair share of tanked X-370s and X-700s broken from their somewhat overfragile plastic geared film transport mechanisms when rapidly advanced, or the magnets on the shutter rails starting to loose their kick, or spontaneous failure of the circuitry.." "the camera was fixed once for a shutter problem during that time (actually it was close to the end of the warrantee). Then in 98 the shutter stop working once again " "..the shutter is frozen again, almost same as happened before, I had to send it back to the store, the repair warranty had expired, I got an estimate two days ago for the cost of yet another X-700, stating the whole electrical circuit and shutter control circuit have to be replaced.."

Members' Comments oncamerabuff.'s Review

• Eamon on 3rd Jan 2004

  Very surprised to see this review as I've had an X-700 for about 8 years with no problems! In fact, it's so good I've recently bought a second body so that my wife and I can share the same set of lenses.
  The two really strong points for the X-700 are:
  i. full manual control, if you want it, or programme mode if you don't;
  ii. a very wide range of excellent quality but reasonably priced lenses and accessories readily available on the second hand market.

• teddy99 on 19th Jul 2004

  I agree entirely with your comments. My X700 has had little use, but up to last year behaved perfectly. I have always been pleased with the results.
  Now the camera is totally unreliable. Just over a year ago the shutter became sluggish and froze. It was sent to Minolta (UK) for repair. Half way through the FIRST film since repair, the same thing happened again! Camera sent back for repair under warranty, then at the end of the SECOND film since repair, the wind on mechanism has jammed. This happened after removing the film.
  Bear in mind that this camera is like new and has been very well looked after, now it appears to be a load of junk. I have loads of lenses and dedicated flash etc. Do I get it repaired again, or do I scrap it?

• rgrames on 2nd Aug 2004

  It occurs to me that the wide range of experiences described by users here may relate to the place of manufature of the camera. Mine was made in Japan over sixteen years ago, and has performed flawlessly. This one was made in China. Would be interesting to learn if that is the difference.

• vijjy on 31st Oct 2004

  I have been using Minolta X-700 since 1992. Fully satisfied. No problems till a week. The shutter release is not working. Could be due to non-use for a long time (more than 6 months I suppose) or some other problem. Learned from some web sites that this problem is be due to a bad capacitor. Trying to get it in India.

• jg on 1st Feb 2005

  Same sort of problems with the M 700. You load a roll of film and it will not wind. No led's are lit in the viewfinder and no shutter. My Two 700s have the same problem. DEAD