Curious, why so many people like Minolta X-700?

whoelse · 7th July 2004

Why huh? Why leh? It's must be special right? Why ah?

edwgoh · 7th July 2004

I think during that period other brands like Nikon & Canon are more ex, X-700 is not that heavy and it comes with all the necessary function and "P" mode too, thus quite popular with student. That should be about 15 yrs ago.

Astin · 7th July 2004

It won some kind of award in 1987, I think it is the Best Camera Award in Europe or something like that.
At that time, the popular cameras for students are Minolta X700, Canon A1 and Nikon FM, and some Pentax I cannot remember.
The Minolta was the first with P mode, and the Minolta lenses were cheaper.....

samforce · 22nd September 2004

Use to have and use x700 & x300.

Cannot really explain, but when you hold it and look thru the viewfinder, focus and press the shutter, everything feel so right and sure. That feeling of getting the shot without doubt, that is why I think.

Just beg/borrow/buy one and try, no regrets.

I am one who kinda missing it already.

jbma · 22nd September 2004

I used to own one long time ago. It was indeed a very good and reliable camera. Come to think of it I do regret selling it. It has a nice feel and gives pretty sharp pictures.

tsjcsl · 22nd September 2004

The X-700 was my first "real" camera. Choose it because I could not afford the Nikons. I could not even afford the MD lense then.

But it felt right in my hands. The electronics were quite advance at that time for a its range. The winding's smooth, so was the shutter.

Unfortunately, my brother dropped it, big crack at the side. Showed that it is not built to withstand such abuses (which camera is - the Nikon F4???). Still have it though, after patching it up with glue, somewhere in the electric cabinet.

Good camera if you are sure about staying with the manual focus, as the lenses cannot be used with Dynax. I am always tempted when it shows up for sale....

Feinwerkbau · 24th September 2004

Hmm...I was 'forced' to borrow an X-700 with a modest 35-70 Rokkor lens once. All my other cameras were somewhere else at that moment and I had to deliver a set of presentation slides super urgently.

Had no choice. Phoned my AD friend and borrowed his X-700. Normally I would NEVER shoot a set of Copy work slides with a zoom, but I had no choice.

Guess what?

The slides had very little distortion (shot at 70mm), was very sharp and the camera was a real pleasure to work with (ah...Minolta's electro-megnatic shuter release!)! More importantly, my client was pleased!

I would have bought a few if it wern't for the fact that I was working with other systems then.

tsjcsl · 30th September 2004

I read somewhere that the 35-70 was one of the less outstanding performer in the Rokkor range. Good that your client was happy with the results.

Saw a FS ad at Yahoo for the X700. Wah so cheap...

jjch_sg · 2nd October 2004

I own a Minolta XD-s before, a close cousin with X300/X700. In those days, I wish I have enough money to buy a Canon A1 or Nikon F2, but really don't have the money. Kind of settle on a good, reliable camera like Minolta XDs. Good enough for beginners to learn photography. I especially encourage people who really want to learn photography use a manual camera with a single 50mm or 35mm lens, no Zoom please. Without the zoom, it force you to move around to find the right angle. With today's zoom lens, people just stand there and zoom in and out, very lazy to move around.

darkavgr · 4th October 2004

My brother had one which he gace me in 1986 when I went overseas to study.
Sold it before when I came back to Sg.
Had many fond memories of it.
Last year I found a mint condition one & bought it for $200.
I use it off n on now together with Russian lenses.
Its great to handle & super reliable, lens in X-700 easier to use than the Nikons (can't really see/match the needle in Nikons)

highly recommended & its really cheap in the 2nd hand market.
I saw one in Sungei Rd before going for $50 but pretty dirty & will need servicing.

Darkavgr

Minilux99 · 9th October 2004

X-700 is really a classic manual SLR. Ever borrowed to use from one of my friends. Really like it. May get one once meet it with suitable condition and price.

7th July 2004	#1
whoelse Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,227	Curious, why so many people like Minolta X-700? Why huh? Why leh? It's must be special right? Why ah?

22nd September 2004	#4
samforce Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Toa Payoh Posts: 169	Once upon a time Use to have and use x700 & x300. Cannot really explain, but when you hold it and look thru the viewfinder, focus and press the shutter, everything feel so right and sure. That feeling of getting the shot without doubt, that is why I think. Just beg/borrow/buy one and try, no regrets. I am one who kinda missing it already.

4th October 2004	#10
darkavgr Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 254	X-700 My brother had one which he gace me in 1986 when I went overseas to study. Sold it before when I came back to Sg. Had many fond memories of it. Last year I found a mint condition one & bought it for $200. I use it off n on now together with Russian lenses. Its great to handle & super reliable, lens in X-700 easier to use than the Nikons (can't really see/match the needle in Nikons) highly recommended & its really cheap in the 2nd hand market. I saw one in Sungei Rd before going for $50 but pretty dirty & will need servicing. Darkavgr

7th July 2004	#2
edwgoh Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 221	I think during that period other brands like Nikon & Canon are more ex, X-700 is not that heavy and it comes with all the necessary function and "P" mode too, thus quite popular with student. That should be about 15 yrs ago.

7th July 2004	#3
Astin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Astin Studio Posts: 4,724	It won some kind of award in 1987, I think it is the Best Camera Award in Europe or something like that. At that time, the popular cameras for students are Minolta X700, Canon A1 and Nikon FM, and some Pentax I cannot remember. The Minolta was the first with P mode, and the Minolta lenses were cheaper.....

22nd September 2004	#5
jbma Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tampines Posts: 3,315	I used to own one long time ago. It was indeed a very good and reliable camera. Come to think of it I do regret selling it. It has a nice feel and gives pretty sharp pictures.

22nd September 2004	#6
tsjcsl Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Simei Posts: 227	The X-700 was my first "real" camera. Choose it because I could not afford the Nikons. I could not even afford the MD lense then. But it felt right in my hands. The electronics were quite advance at that time for a its range. The winding's smooth, so was the shutter. Unfortunately, my brother dropped it, big crack at the side. Showed that it is not built to withstand such abuses (which camera is - the Nikon F4???). Still have it though, after patching it up with glue, somewhere in the electric cabinet. Good camera if you are sure about staying with the manual focus, as the lenses cannot be used with Dynax. I am always tempted when it shows up for sale....

24th September 2004	#7
Feinwerkbau Deregistered Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 836	Hmm...I was 'forced' to borrow an X-700 with a modest 35-70 Rokkor lens once. All my other cameras were somewhere else at that moment and I had to deliver a set of presentation slides super urgently. Had no choice. Phoned my AD friend and borrowed his X-700. Normally I would NEVER shoot a set of Copy work slides with a zoom, but I had no choice. Guess what? The slides had very little distortion (shot at 70mm), was very sharp and the camera was a real pleasure to work with (ah...Minolta's electro-megnatic shuter release!)! More importantly, my client was pleased! I would have bought a few if it wern't for the fact that I was working with other systems then.

30th September 2004	#8
tsjcsl Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Simei Posts: 227	I read somewhere that the 35-70 was one of the less outstanding performer in the Rokkor range. Good that your client was happy with the results. Saw a FS ad at Yahoo for the X700. Wah so cheap...

2nd October 2004	#9
jjch_sg Deregistered Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 172	I own a Minolta XD-s before, a close cousin with X300/X700. In those days, I wish I have enough money to buy a Canon A1 or Nikon F2, but really don't have the money. Kind of settle on a good, reliable camera like Minolta XDs. Good enough for beginners to learn photography. I especially encourage people who really want to learn photography use a manual camera with a single 50mm or 35mm lens, no Zoom please. Without the zoom, it force you to move around to find the right angle. With today's zoom lens, people just stand there and zoom in and out, very lazy to move around.

9th October 2004	#11
Minilux99 New Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 9	X-700 is really a classic manual SLR. Ever borrowed to use from one of my friends. Really like it. May get one once meet it with suitable condition and price.