Capacitor problem?

[olroy2044]

The recent discussion of the Minolta X570 in another thread brings to mind a question I have regarding the later Minoltas. I have looked longingly at several X-series cameras locally that I could pick up cheap at my favorite thrift store. However, there are stories galore on the 'net about a "capacitor" problem on these cameras. Is there such a thing, and if so, how serious is it? What cameras are affected by it? I would really like to have one of these cameras, but the last thing I need is another project camera. Thanx

Ol-showin' my ignorance-Roy

[vintageslrs]

Roy

When you go to look at them...bring batteries with ya....and test the camera.

If they work now.....odds are they will keep working.

That has been my experience.

Bob

[olroy2044]

I take it that if the shutter fires, the caps are OK? Thanks Roy

[Randy]

I've had to replace some of the caps in mine. Not a job for the faint of heart for sure.

[Peter S.]

Hi there,

as a pretty big Minolta enthusiast I can assure, that the capacitor issue is over estimated. I bought about ten X-cameras over the time (sold some of them later), and only two or three of them went defective. I did exchange the capacitors for all of them - to find that the capacitor wasn't the cause of the trouble. Apart from the exchange of the capacitors (two of them are in a X-700) is straightforeward - if You got the correct size of the caps (pretty small ones are required).

Somewhere over the net there are series numbers, which are said to be susceptible to the capacitor problem. Both the latest and the most early ones seem to be OK. I would vouch for the older cameras here, as the seem offer better craftsmanship.

In the end it is a long time however that I loaded a film in an X-camera, as the XD-7 is soo sweet.

Best regards
Peter

PS: incredible bargains can be made in buying Rokkor glass. As there is no serious digital option, even excellent lenses go away for ridiculously low prices.

[Just Plain Curt]

While not an X series capacitor problem, my latest eBay find was a Minolta Maxxum 400 si with a supposedly broken door latch for $1. It arrived today and the door is fine just the battery door latch is broken. Luckily enough a neighbour gave me a 400si a few years back with bad electronics but a great door, lens etc. so I've kept it for parts. Who'd have guessed a few years apart I'd get the same camera needing the exact parts I already own? Fate is good, now if I can just make these old eyes focus long enough to swap the parts.

[drako]

I appreciate this thread. I received a XG-M new for my high school graduation in 1981. ~10 years later the shutter stopped firing although the meter illuminates in the finder. Is it a good assumption this is a capacitor issue?

[John Parry]

Completely on topic, but seriously deviating (if you know what I mean...)

When I worked in Saudi Arabia I was in charge of the maintenance of the fire alarms on Jeddah Airport (KAIA). Some of the fire alarm panels used to rely on capicitors to allow the system to change over from mains electricity to battery power, in the event of a supply glitch. But the capacitors relied on an internal liquid electrolyte to hold their charge, and in the high temperatures out there, the electrolyte used to dry out.

Normally this wouldn't cause a major problem, just a false alarm, but some of the systems were coupled to fire prevention systems, where a high-risk asset was deluged by high expansion foam.

On this occasion, I was talking to an engineer who worked in the building where the fault occurred. "My first concern was to get to the valve where the foam was coming from and shut it off. My second, and suddenly far more serious concern, was to get out of there before I drowned in the d*mned stuff!"

Regards - John

[Mark Vaughan]

Roy,

I have heard that the capacitor issue comes up in most cases with the XD- series Minoltas, if at all. They rarely fail. But you're right in your assumption: bring batteries, and if the shutter fires, your caps are good. The caps are there for that specific purpose. Incidentally, a cap replacement would be tough for the non-solderer / or one not trained in electronics. That, and you would want to be certain that you're replaced it with an equivalent part, etc. I am looking to buy an XD-11, XD-7, XD-5 etc... as the opportunity arises.

Regards,
Mark

[olroy2044]

Mark, thanks for the reply re: the Minolta caps. Unfortunately, when I went back to try the cameras, someone had beaten me to them!

Ah well, "ya snooze, ya looze!"

Roy