Minolta X-700

Minolta X-700
Manufactured from 1982 to 2006 by Minolta Camera Co. of Osaka, Japan. Minolta�s �Multi-Program System� 35mm SLR camera (hence the �MPS� on the front). It�s longevity is related to it�s simple but useful design and it�s wide range of available accessories. It has an electronically controlled cloth focal plane shutter giving settable speeds of 1 sec to 1/1000 sec and program controlled speeds down to 30 seconds. The camera has a full Program auto exposure mode, Aperture priority auto exposure mode and full Manual. (Missing is a Shutter priority mode, but that never seemed to lesson the camera�s popularity!) It can use the Rokkor MC mount lenses all the way back from the 1960s in �A� and �M�, but requires the MD mount (same physical mount, extra lug and lock) for �P� mode. It offers a very bright, split-image focusing screen with mode and shutter speed electronic indicators and a �view� of the actual aperture dial on the lens in the viewfinder. It has a self timer, exposure compensation and a cable release socket that would use �traditional� mechanical cable release and also Minolta proprietary electronic cable releases. It is powered by two MS-76 silver oxide batteries.

This specific camera is one I bought new in the 80�s and have put over 1,000 rolls of film through. It is shown with an MD-1 3.5fps motor drive and a Minolta MD 35-70mm f/3.5 two ring zoom (a personal favorite).

As Minolta crossed into the autofocus market in 1985, they didn�t want to abandon the millions of MC/MD lenses owned by Minolta fans all over the globe. The X-700 stayed in limited production�and you could always buy a new one�up until they got out of the camera business in 2006. Some of the Rokkor lenses rival the glass of today in sharpness and color clarity. For a �serious� portrait work, I still will break out this camera and an Minolta MD 85mm f/2 lens for the session�

See also: www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/minoltax700