Minolta X-700 Review

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Minolta X-700
3.8 stars
Average rating for this product is: 3.8 out of 5

From 6 ratings and 19 reviews

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mrhoudini's Review of Minolta X-700 35mm SLR camera

Overall Rating

3.5 stars
  • Value for money
    3.5 stars
Good Points

Compatible with the many MC/MD lenses, many of which are available 2nd hand. The automatic mode with MD lenses. Feather touch shutter button, which will tell you shutter speeds just by touching the shutter button lightly. DofF preview, 1/2000 max shutter speed, being able to see the aperture set through the viewfinger and the camera grip.


Bad Points

Will tell you the recommended shutter speed, but *not* the shutter speed you have set. The other models in the X series tell you that!!

The annoying 'too slow' beeper, which thankfully can be turned off.


General Comments

I have read the other reviews. I bought my Minolta X-700 35mm SLR Camera second hand off Ebay, and it appeared to be well cared for. Since then, I have used it and it appears to be fine. I haven't had any problems so far. I know that the current X370 is now made in China, if possible make sure any manual Minolta camera you may buy is made in Japan, because they're made better.

There aren't many quality, manual cameras you can buy new anymore. New X700s are available but rare, and the don't forget new Nikon FM3As cost are listed around £500ish. Thus, X700s are actually quite cheap.

My one is well built, and as they used to be professional cameras, they are designed to withstand a reasonable amount of punishment. They have a fairly good feature set that includes a 1/2000s top shutter speed, DofF preview, PC flash socket, aperture priority and fully automatic modes.

Essentially, a X700 will do everything you want a manual camera to do. It's better built than the Centons (Minolta and Pentax replicas), but is cheaper than a brand new Nikon manual. There are also extras (eg MD1 motordrive, autowinders, backs etc) that can still be found. I have never needed them though.

Good all round camera.

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Members' Comments onmrhoudini's Review

  • joekelly Rank: Staff Sergeant on 23rd Nov 2007

    I owned a Minolta x 700 for ten years mid 80,s, I banged it about a bit to say the least, it was a great camera at the time, I had the md1 and 1.4 lens ,I used to take photos of local matches ,with a Tamron 70-210, ,great days, i just cant settle with these all singing dancing electronic wizards, when I seen one on ebay I had to have it,£35,just a nightmare getting the drive for it, someone always outbids on the last few seconds,Minolta md lenses are as good as any today,