Minolta X-700 | Maxxmum 7000 | Dynax 7000i

1. From : jamie (jamieerskine@yahoo.co.uk)
Url : http://
Date : 10:58 PM Tuesday 15 November, 2005

I have owned a minolta x-700 for several years but am now looking into doing some astrophotography. I'm not sure if this camera has some of the many requirements for this kind of work.
could anyone help me?
does the x-700 have a mirror lock-up?
does it have a removable prism?
changeable focusing screens?
cable release socket? and if so, is it particular or satndard fitting?
and can i attach a t-ring to the cameras t-thread?
overly complicated i know so any kind of info or advice would help even if your not sure of it all
thanks

2. From : Jackie (jajajackieisfromjajajersey@yahoo.com)
Url : http://
Date : 02:46 AM Tuesday 15 November, 2005

Thanks Tonia, I forgot that my email is a lil misleading. I am originally from Jersey, but live in Florida now. Whoopsies.

Thank you for the quick response though!!!!

3. From : Tonia (towinn@hartr.org)
Url : http://
Date : 11:36 PM Monday 14 November, 2005

Jackie, did you read down one post, Ron has posted information on problems with this camera model for you. If you need repairs, try Essex Camera in NJ:

Essex Camera Services, Inc.
100 Amor Avenue Carlstadt, New Jersey 07072
Phone: (201)-933-7272 Fax: (201)-933-7647
email: info@essexcamera.com

4. From : Jackie (jajajackieisfromjajajersey@yahoo.com)
Url : http://
Date : 10:41 PM Monday 14 November, 2005

Please help this young girl!

I borrowed my older sister's beloved XL-700 and she's cherished this camera for about 10-15 years.
I begged her to borrow it for a few months til I saw her again and used it for photography class projects.
One day, after taking rolls and rolls of pictures, the screen goes BLACK! I tried changing the battery, nothing. I realized that the shutter was stuck then.
I feel absolutely horrible and guilty and my sister is very upset with me, of course. I do not want to spend hundreds to get it fixed, because I do not have this amount of money, but I feel so awful and know I should start saving up to get it done.

What are my options? Is there ANY magical way that I can fix it? I'm really in a bind here. :(

Anyone I should try to take it to? Anyone I should stay away from?

Any input and help is greatly appreciated, please email me? :)

- Jackie

5. From : Ron (rgbisco@hot.net)
Url : http://
Date : 09:05 AM Monday 14 November, 2005

RE: X-series bodies & Malfunction Issues

The X-300/370/570/700 were designed for amateur use, were built with average quality components, and at this point are beginning to show their age. Note that internal components were further cheapened over the years, especially after production was offshored outside of Japan. I do not recommend buying them off ebay unless they have been proven to be recently serviced and guaranteed to work.

IF you have installed fresh, correct batteries and are still experiencing problems, there may be other gremlins.

These cameras have a real problem with poor-quality electrolytic capacitors that generally begin to leak and fail after a few years. If your camera shutter/mirror have locked, fresh batteries won't operate the mechanism, the capacitors probably need replacing. Often the nearby circuit board will need cleaning/replacement as well as leaked electrolyte may have damaged the circuits, sometimes the circuit board is cracked also. You may be able to find the capacitors on ebay or from some online suppliers, but you will need to be good with a soldering iron and not intimidated by electronic camera disassembly.

Film advance problems on the X-series may come from bits of film jamming advance, the previously mentioned electronic or shutter module problems, or a damaged film transport mechanism, which on these cameras is fairly light duty (plastic components).. You can replace with plastic gears from another parts camera.

Shutter malfunctions and shutter sticking (partial frame photos) on the these cameras may result from oil migrating onto the shutter magnets, combined with dirt, it gunks up the mechanism. A good CLA by a repair shop should fix this problem, clean out all the old dried lubricant, and lubricate dry components to reduce wear. Shutter magnets can usually be cleaned but sometimes lose their kick and must be replaced. Sometimes the fabric shutter curtains can stick the shutter in high humidity conditions. Later X-700s and X-370s made outside Japan may suffer from adhesive failure resulting in loose cloth curtains that jam the shutter - these need re-gluing. Also, the shutter on the X-370s are known for jumping off-track.

The X-700/X-570/X-370 can also have flash problems. This is usually repaired by a new circuit board robbed off a donor body. Do NOT ever use an older high trigger voltage electronic flash unit on one of these bodies as may fry the circuitry.

HTH, Ron.

6. From : Leslie N. Taliaferro (leswil@arkansas.net)
Url : http://
Date : 03:38 AM Monday 14 November, 2005

I have recently purchased a Minolta X-700 at an auction,whose estate I know very well and actually know the person who owned the camera. It had only a zoom lens attached (someone swiped the wide angle at the auction site). I cannot get the thing to work, even though I am very familiar to cameras. Will the camera work only when the film is loaded? Where can I obtain a manual covering the complete operation in concise terms. Les

7. From : Sean (serron@bestdyn.org)
Url : http://
Date : 02:10 AM Sunday 13 November, 2005

Gordon: Although an exceptional camera in it's day the 7000 is some pretty old equipment, Minolta discontinued parts support years ago (and is now discontinuing all film cameras). The 7000's are now failing more than just about any other camera bodies I see coming in for repair. First, there is the extra complication of autofocus, autofocus cameras and old age do not go together very well. With the 7000, a main weakness lies in the aperture stop down solenoid which just dies and is expensive to repair, parts no longer available.

8. From : gordon (gdthmps2@hotmail.com)
Url : http://
Date : 05:49 AM Saturday 12 November, 2005

Like Christina I purchased a 7000 on ebay(in fact I purchased two bodies with lenses). Neither worked although I was assured they took perfect pictures. They both had exposure problems and I took the first to a camera shop, replaced the lithium battery, etc.. The only way to solve this problems was buying a new camera so I bought a Maxxum 70QD so I could use the 3 lens I had also purchased. At least they work.

I would advise not purchasing on Ebay used Maxxum 7000s.

9. From : Sean (serron@bestdyn.org)
Url : http://
Date : 03:48 AM Tuesday 08 November, 2005

Peter: If all batteries including the coin lithium battery are fresh, then the autofocus IC on your 7000 Maxxum may be dead, requiring professional repair and replacement with circuitry from a parts 7000.

Kim: the film counter on the X-700 is either jammed or broken. After removing the top plate, check to see if dirt/grease is interfering with the counter wheel movement or spring. If not, the plastic stop may have broken off the counter wheel which can be fixed by drilling a hole and replacing with a metal pin if you're handy with tools. Please note the X-700 has lots of other potential repair issues with its electronics, shutter and other parts, so I wouldn't invest a lot of money in an expensive repair job.

Christina: you need to clean all corrosion from the battery compartment, and make certain the contacts are clean (a little emery paper will do that job). Also check the soldered wires to the battery contacts to make sure corrosion hasn't migrated up the wiring as well. You may have to replace some of the wiring and resolder the connections.

10. From : Scott (jscottcarr@yahoo.com)
Url : http://
Date : 08:02 AM Monday 07 November, 2005

I've got two X-700 bodies (as well as a set of older Minolta SLRs). These are the cameras I grew up shooting, and as a result, I have a full set of lens and accessories.

Looking now to migrate to digital. Is there an adaptor available to marry the MD / MC lens system to the A-type mount on the new Konica-Minolta digital cameras, provided I'm OK with manual focus?

Any hints appreciated.

Responding by e-mail would be very helpful.

-- S

PAGE | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80