Minolta X-700
The X-700 was introduced in 1981 and immediately became European camera of the year. This probably is one of of the longest produced SLR's in history. Minolta produced this camera until 1999. For 18 years one could buy this camera new. This certainly shows this is a good camera.
New on this camera was the fully programmed exposure, besides automatic exposure with aperture priority and manual exposure. Other new features were TTL flash exposure and the ability to attach a real motordrive with a speed of 3.5 frames per second. Minolta claimed the X-700 to be the center of the Minolta Program System (MPS). All this of course was a lot of advertising baloney. What Minolta meant was that one could buy all kinds of accessories that matched the camera perfectly. Like flashlights, a motordrive, multifunction back and more. In fact nothing other brands couldn't do also.
Minolta tried to position this camera as a professional tool. Well don't get fooled, it might be a professional tool, in no way this is a camera for professional use. It's a decently built camera, but built quality is no way near that of a Canon F1 or Nikon F2/F3.
For todays use this probably is the best manual Minolta. And because it's produced until 1999 you can easy find a rather new version in mint quality. So if it's Minolta for you and you've still got the guts to go manual, you probably choose the X-700 best. Though to be honest if it were my choice, I'd choose the XE-1 or the XD 7. They 'feel' better to me.
New on this camera was the fully programmed exposure, besides automatic exposure with aperture priority and manual exposure. Other new features were TTL flash exposure and the ability to attach a real motordrive with a speed of 3.5 frames per second. Minolta claimed the X-700 to be the center of the Minolta Program System (MPS). All this of course was a lot of advertising baloney. What Minolta meant was that one could buy all kinds of accessories that matched the camera perfectly. Like flashlights, a motordrive, multifunction back and more. In fact nothing other brands couldn't do also.
Minolta tried to position this camera as a professional tool. Well don't get fooled, it might be a professional tool, in no way this is a camera for professional use. It's a decently built camera, but built quality is no way near that of a Canon F1 or Nikon F2/F3.
For todays use this probably is the best manual Minolta. And because it's produced until 1999 you can easy find a rather new version in mint quality. So if it's Minolta for you and you've still got the guts to go manual, you probably choose the X-700 best. Though to be honest if it were my choice, I'd choose the XE-1 or the XD 7. They 'feel' better to me.
| x-700manual-part1.pdf |
| x-700manual-part2.pdf |
