Minolta XD7 Overview & Sample Photos
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- In this video, I provide an overview of the basic features of the Minolta XD7 (also known as XD-11 in North America and XD in Japan). I talk about the Minolta SR mount that gives you access to some legendary lenses and show some sample photos from of my portrait shoots.
Featured portrait shoot:
maxplusone.net/...
If you want to learn more about Minolta Rokkor lenses (which can also be adapted to modern Sony Alpha 7 cameras):
www.rokkorfiles...
Music featured in this video:
/ mothica-scared-anton-r...
An ex gf of mine had her Dad's X-370 sitting under her bed that she never used. She gave it to me in 2009 and it was all I needed to really jump start my interest in photography. Fast forward to 2017, I have a Canon 6D, but also an XD-11, X-570, and an SRT101 with an array of lenses. I've used them to take stunning photos and I always have a minolta with me when traveling. Minolta is one of the best and most underrated systems available. Thank you for sharing this video!
Thanks for your kind words and for sharing your story. I couldn't agree more. The Minolta system is amazing. :)
Now theres a man that loves his camera. I have the same story, but the camera was a Retina IIc that my father bought long ago and took all the family photos with it. Now he gave it to me and it is as precious to me as is yours to you. It came with a normal lens 50mm 2.8, a wide 35mm 5.6, and a telephoto 80mm f4. Schneider glass. I love the reverence you have for your dads camera and the way you handle it as if it were the holy grail. Im the same way.
The XD7 was a lovely camera and the first multi mode camera alas it was quickly overshadowed by the Canon A1 which added even more but felt cheaper in the hand. Used them both, the lasting impression of the Minolta is that of class.
Thanks for your comment. And yes, I also really appreciate the quality of the Minolta XD7 and still use it regularly to this day. :)
Exactly. Especially the black series, with the patented Leitz (Leica) color, which is very scratch-resistent. My XD7 would be on a journey with me all my life.
Hello Max. Thank you for this wonderful clip. I feel nostalgic cos the Minolta XD7 was my first camera which I bought in 1983. Back then, I considered a few cameras including the Canon AE1, Nikon FE2, Pentax ME Super but settled for the Minolta XD7. I also shot in B&W, mostly with Kodak Tri-X, sometimes with Ilford FP4 or HP5. I also experimented with different film developers - D76, HC110, ID11, Rodinal, et. I used this camera to shoot the wedding of my two older brothers. I later became a press photographer and used Nikon. I like the pictures you showed. Your narration is calm and steady and you are such a gentle guy!!
Thanks so much for your kind words. And I really appreciate that someone with your background and experience is dropping by at this little channel. Thanks! :)
Fe2 was a better camera. I retailed all camera brands in the 70s and 80s. From zenit e to sinars. And yes we were a hands on store. Nikon, leica, hasselblads and horsemen and a few fujis and olympus. Nikon had an edge. Minolta xm, pentaxlx were not sellers . Ahh the good old days. Sold 40 Leica m6 in 3 months when they were first isued. Allocations where a problem. Held a meeting with customers and the wild leitz salesmanager .. the damager was not exp3cting 30 customers un store asking for a date. Lol. Leitz was g3nerous and deliver3d.
Great camera I had this model and a XG-M incidentally the XD-7 had an early type and I believe the first basic programme type mode.
The reason why the 1/125 setting on the shutter dial is in green is because if you were to set this and have the mode dial set to shutter priority plus the lens locked to it's minimum f stop then you would have what Minolta called "cybernetic override " a type of programme mode.
I really miss my time as a shop assistant in a camera shop that was both a Minolta and a Ricoh main dealer here in Leeds uk shortly after leaving school.
Great review of a great camera!
I just found this camera in my parents house in an old cupboard - its beautiful ! You're the first YT video I found about this camera. Am super excited to try it. It has a 50mm 1.2 and a 35mm 1.8. Cant wait to try it. Tomorrow I will go have it serviced 🙂
Thanks for this nice video. I actually finished my first roll with a silver XD-7 I recently got from a collector.
I liked your story with your fathers camera, because it's the same with my Minolta X-700. My parents bought it in 1983 and I still remember how they were unboxing at during the endless train travel to Sciliy. Two years ago they passed it to me and it still works even without any CLA. But I wanted a second film camera, so I got the XD-7.
I am enjoying all your videos and still love film photography over digital. I agree with everything you said about the Minolta XD series of camera's. I began using Minolta in the mid 1960's and never looked back. I started with a SRT 101 and over the years I upgraded to newer models but always seem to go back to the mechanical SRT's. I have several XD's in my collection including one from each region in black plus a silver XD 11 that I use as a go anywhere camera. Love your videos and just started watching them all again. Thanks for the good quality informative information in your presentations. Thanks again, Stan.
Nice to the point review of this camera. It's the kind of camera I like... solid, easy to use and only equipped with the necessary options.
I have the XD7 in black also. My favourite camera of all time.
Been watching your videos for a while and i am so impessed by you Max. Youre love for photography is pure and inspiring. i wish to you that you never lose that. Greets from Austria!
Tomislav Atanasovski Thanks a lot. This really means a lot to me. And yes, it’s a constant struggle to stay inspired and curious at the same time. ;)
Had xd7 and sold it for a "better" camera still regret it to this day, best camera I ever had. So easy to take good photos rarely took a bad one, if they made a digital version today with the same specs not the 100s of menu options now available on modern DSLRs I'd buy it immediately. Knew what the photo was going to look like before pressing the shutter button. Had Canon A1 not in the same league no regrets selling that one. The XD7 was a piece of craftsmanship almost tempted to buy one just to reminisce
Thanks for another wonderful review. An SRT-202 and 50mm 1.7 in '77 was my first 35mm camera and it blew me away. Most people were shooting Nikon's and Canon's but I saw no reason to change. It's time to dust off the old XK and Rokkor glass for some analog fun!
Hi Max.
A great video! I am just discovering your channel. Initially I allowed UA-cam to show them to me randomly but now I am going back and watching them in strict chronological order. Super-informative, super-enjoyable, and very calming. Thank you so much.
Martin Callahan
You did it well. I am collecting old cameras and I already have a lot of them. I want to take a few photos of each of them, but not all of them are operational. I buy all the cameras I am interested in and if they require repairs, I try to bring these cameras to use.
I liked this video very much. The Minolta XD7 is a beautiful camera.
I started photography about that days when your dad bought his XD7. Well, my first own camera was a Canon AE-1, which broke by accident. But these days I bought another AE-1 and also a Canon F1, those days the flagship. I happen to own one of my first lenses, a 28/2.8.
My favourite 35mm camera! So good. And the Rokkors you can find are great too.
Jai Seeber Thanks for your comment. Yes, I completely agree. :)
Nice pictures. I inherited my Grandfathers XE-7. Great camera. I went ahead and bought a adapter for my GH4 to use the lens on it also.
Would anyone believe if I said I own 3 New In Box XD11’s? They are NOS, all boxed up just as if they traveled into the future! I have two Silver and one black I was able to buy from a seller! Only $425 for all three! 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
I also bought a XD7 in complete unused condition on eBay two years ago. Even the plastic inlet was inside of it which says: Remove before first usage. Also the package included a new x700 and x300 with an autowinder for both the XD7 and X700. I felt it was an auction by a daughter from a dead camera collector. 130 Euros for all of it...
Where do you find stuff like that? :))
Don't forget to mention that this camera was developed together with Leica.
I would say... this is one of THE MOST beautiful SLR film cameras ever designed or produced. Others include: Nikon F3HP / Pentax LX, ME Super / Olympus OM-3, OM-4 / Fujica AX-3, AX-5 / Canon A-1.
Yes, especially into black Color, but the silver XD/XD7/XD11 (all the same, different Markets) look also way classy. It was the last all-metal built Minolta, before the X700 (all plasticky - albeit no Slouch, my #2 Minolta Choice after the XD7) came out.
Very Nice convinced me to buy one......
A precious heirloom that you can cherish,your a good son,Max as well as a fine photographer.
Thanks so much. I really appreciate your comments. :)
Nice review..nice photos..and a very nice story about your father's camera..
Another fine video; thanks Max. I have an XD5 the slightly simpler version of this camera and found myself nodding with all the points you make. I have an SR-3, an SR-7, and an SRT 303b in my collection. Their quality makes it unnecessary to upgrade to a Leicaflex!
My XD7 is also Black, 2nd Gen, and looks like new. I think, i would l keep it forever...until the bitter End. Photography is a Life Time Hobby, it looks like your Sample, Max, which is 2nd Gen also. It's my B&W prefered SLR, together with some Contax SLRs. My 35/2.8 MD is always glued onto the XD7. The pneumatic damped Shutter Release Sound is lovely.
Love it! Same story! Also inherited the XD7 from my dad! ♥
I have one set of XD-S cameras with MD 50mm f/1.4 standard lenses, they are fairly well made and smoothly operation.
Lovely informative video, Max. While a long-time film shooter, I came rather late to Minolta SLRs, but could not be more pleased with the one I selected. Same basic functions and compact yet solid form factor. Mine, which arrived from a Japanese eBay seller in very clean, like-new condition is the XD-S, which I understand to be the home market equivalent of the XD-11, but it does incorporate a diopter adjustment knob to left of VF, which is most useful. I've enjoyed using the XD-S so much with the two lenses bought at same time that I've since added a few more MD and MC Rokkors. Also the motor drive, which makes the camera very responsive. It would have been nice if the motor drive incorporated a grip going up the right side of the camera, like the Nikons or Leica R5/R6 types, but camera is so compact, even with drive attached that I don't consider that absence a major drawback.
Always look forward to your videos.
I did not know Minolta can take pictures like those!. Great video Max!.
Thanks a lot for your kind comment. Glad you liked the video, Albert. :)
Another good video, and an excellent introduction to this camera.
I just bought one a couple days ago. Thanks for putting up this video. Hope to see more from you Max. Def. Subbed
Greets from Berlin
Thanks for your comment and cool that you've bought one. I hope you enjoy shooting it. :)
i just mentioned to my GF that i wish you would do a vid on the XD7 & you have !!! i have a entire kit with tilt shift lens etc ..... ! more vids on this please if you could
I'll use it for a shoot today that will be featured here. Let's see what I can do. :)
Talk about coincidences eh !! i ll eagerly be waiting for your video :) ....... all the very best & have a great weekend ahead !
I wish you will show the viewfinder in your film camera reviews.They seems incomplete without it.
Nice review. 100 Euros? A body in very good condition (light meter working) and no leather shrinkage is about $200--$300. Looks like you got a great price on yours.
Philip Krayna Thanks for your comment. As mentioned in the video, this is my father's old camera. So I didn't have to purchase it. The prices have significantly increased (as is the case for many good film cameras) since this video was published over a year ago. By now, I'm always pointing out that I'm talking about a current price and that "prices are bound to change" (see our Contax RTS review).
What about that 50mm 1.4? :)
Thanks for your comment. I’m actually working on a little video about this lens.
@@AnalogInsights oh yes that would be great. I got a XD7 and X-700 for a dime and I am not sure if it is woth going for the 1,4 MC or 1,7 MC
glad to found this video! cheers~
sentimental value bro
Hey. What is the difference between Minolta x700 and xd7? And which one is better? Sorry I’m just want to buy my first 35mm film camera and I don’t know nothing about film cameras. By the way those black and white pictures are amazing what you did with this camera, huge respect 🙂
Hi, apart from body materials can you tell me the difference between this and the x700?
I still use Minolta srT303b MY dad passed on to me :D I even remember the day he purchased it.
Tomislav Miletić That's great. :)
what type of battery goes into this one?
2x SR44/LR44 Cells, which are dirt cheap from Discounters.
How do you upload the pictures to digital if this is a film camera??
Luison Rodriguez The images are scanned from the negatives which is also called the “hybrid process”, so half analog, half digital. You can find all sorts of videos about film scanning here on UA-cam. Hope this helps. ;)
still have one ...:)
Fp4+ I knew it haha, i really love that film!
anyways, nice video man! and wesome shots!
But i kust don´t get the idea of showing sample pictures while talking about the body.
Those depend on the lens rather than the body.
thank you (:
Thanks for your kind comment. I really appreciate it. :)
Of course, I am aware that the sample photos depend on the lens. Nevertheless I consider it important to provide an idea of the kinds of results you can get with a camera body, also in terms of handling and access to lenses it provide). I therefore always try to include some sample images and usually also talk a bit more about the lens(es) I use. :)
very nice video ! i've checkked your website which is nice too ! i've got an XD7 but i haven't tested it yet :p i'll hope too see others videos of your job soon ! (sorry for the english i'm french ^^)
Thanks a lot! I really appreciate your comment. I'll try to post some videos focusing on actual shoots soon. :)
You should really go out and try your XD7. It is a wonderful camera.
Really nice review.Do you find the meter accurate?
Yes, definitely. I only need to compensate manually in backlit situations.
I may buy this camera 2nd hand off a gentlemen this week and he's hasn't used it in years. Can you explain the C L A process in a short video or even response on here? Thank you.. Great video... [ i liked already ]
32ndFoto Cool, glad to see you're interested in this camera. Unfortunately, I can't explain the CLA process as I didn't do it myself. All I know is that it is important to replace the seal inside the film transport chamber to avoid light leaks. That appears to be a common problem. Besides that, I have no clue. Sorry!
32ndFoto, how did you get on a year later, did you buy it, I would love your thoughts, I have one and it is brilliant.
Do you use the camera's metering system or something like a sekonic light meter?
Thanks for your comment. In this case, I often rely on the built-in metering and only correct it manually in backlit situations.
Hi,
Nice review this camera must have sentimental value for you. I own the XD11 a US version and it works quite well. I find the Minolta 35mm is much harder to find and some of the better 50mm are also more expensive, maybe I try to search for the 85mm f1.7. Lately I been shooting with mainly Nikon film bodies with much more available lenses. When Nikon comes with a compact digital full frame I can use these lenses.
Nice portrait images you show us on this video, may want to share with us how you get the look from those images or is it a trade secret. If not you may want to do a video how you do it. Now I am a subscriber now.
Thanks for your kind comment. Yes, the camera does have some sentimental value to me. :)
I happen to own a 35mm f1.8 Minolta MD Rokkor that I can highly recommend. I have read a bit about the 50mm f1.2 and 58mm f1.2 lenses. Based on what I read, the 58mm versions feature a much better Bokeh and overall rendering, so you might want to take a look at these as well. Take a look here if you are interested:
www.rokkorfiles.com/Battle%20of%2050s1.htm
With respect to the portraits:
As I am providing information about the camera, lens, and film already, there is not so much of a secret anymore. The rest is determined by light, composition, exposure, development & scanning. I almost never retouch my analog images in Lightroom. Hope this helps!
Do you always use the exposure indicated by the camera or hand held light or add/ substract 1/3 or 1/2 stop depending on the light situation at that moment.
I usually control my exposure manually or have at least a close eye on what the camera is suggesting/doing. I also regularly push film if necessary. But, overall, I'm still in the process of learning a lot about exposure and how to control it perfectly. I haven't mastered exposing slide film absolutely correctly (manually) for instance and occasionally simply make mistakes. :)
im thinking to buy old second hand minolta x700 or xd7 , which one do you prefer ?
I would go with the XD7, but you can't really go wrong with either one.
Hi, can you advise were you had CLA done? thanks
Yes, sure. At Foto Wiener in Munich: goo.gl/maps/w2wYu3TnwwA2
Thank you very much, do they speak english? i'm an expat living in Spain and have several Minolta cameras that will need CLA, may I ask what the fees are? Cheers
Yes, he should speak some English, French and German. Good luck!
My dad also have this camera. I was trying to open it’s back(the part where reel is insert) idk how to open it lol😂😂😂
What are the batteries that it officially uses?
Minolta X300 or Minolta XD7/11
Hi, Newbie here
i want to buy my first film camera... AE1 is not available or is overpriced as many recommended but Minolta XD7/11 or Minolta X 300 (700 not available) and are within my price range
Which one is better for a newbie? i know it might be somewhat of a vague question but will appreciate any help you can give a newbie like me
Thanks
Minolta XD7/11 is a much better choice than X-300. It’s one of the last all metal Minolta cameras, features three shooting modes and just a better camera overall. Just make sure to buy one that is fully functional
Check out Harry Benson he used this camera for most of his life.
where can i buy one??
eBay, Craiglist or your local camera store should be good places to start. :)
If you want to get into film photography I would suggest going to flee markets and not to eBay. I got the XD7+50mm f/1.4 and 70-200mm f4 for 15€!
Thanks for your comment. That is certainly a good option as well. In both cases, it helps to do some research in order to know what to look for on a used camera. :)
Glad to hear you got such a good deal. :)
i just mentioned to my GF that i wish you would do a vid on the XD7 & you have !!! i have a entire kit with tilt shift lens etc ..... ! more vids on this please if you could
please review more 35mm cameras!! pleassse?? (crying emoji)
We will. I promise. :)
I should have got this instead of a minolta maxxum 7000 lol
Haha. :) You can always sell your existing gear and get something else. :)
I got my Maxxum 7000 because it shares the same mount as my digital sony camera, So it means I can use my lenses for both digitial and film photography
Abdo Hadid Ah, I see. That's cool, of course. But there are also adapters for using Minolta MD/MC lenses on Sony A mounts. :)
Слощавый ты какой-то, сладенький ..
They are goes bad quality
Im camera seller from US
Have bunch of them non working condition what I cant say about nikon cameras!!!
Nikon is winer !!!
What Battery does it use???
Well, let me google that for you: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minolta_XD-7
Battery: 2x LR44; 2x SR44 or equivalents; or one CR1/3N.
Common film camera batteries.
MAX+ONE Portrait Photography Well thank you for googling it for me.