Post by lesdmess on Mar 9, 2015 11:41:19 GMT -5
A recent question about Minoltas suggests revisiting these models: XE-7, XD-11 and X-700. Of course there were other X models like the XK and the XG and all of these are covered on Rokkorfiles except for one - the XE series. Photography in Malaysia also covers the XD-11, XK and X-700 but not the XE series either.
Since the XE-7 is not covered by either, we can start of with it.
First, here is a PDF brochure of the -> XE-7 brochure.
Second, here is a PDF review of the -> XE-7 review.
First thing that is evident in the picture above is how much bigger the XE-7 is compared to the other two. The XE-7 was released in 1974 following the Olympus OM-1 and before the OM-2 and was the typical size - and weight, for cameras then.
The XD-11 was released in 1977 and the X-700 in 1981 and were designed to be smaller following the OM releases.
The significant development of the XE-7 was the joint venture between Minolta and Leitz and the incorporation of the Copal Square shutter system. Minolta had been using the horizontal travelling shutter prior to this. This gives the XE-7 a much higher sync speed than the XK and all other models to date. Although Minolta cameras have been pretty smooth operators up to this point, the smoothness of the XE-7's shutter advance has to be experienced to be believed. The Photography in Malaysia Nikon F3 shutter review states, "Through the use of eleven ball bearings in its shutter and film winding assemblies (most cameras use only one or two) the F3 represents a big advance in smooth and quiet operation." Well I have 3 Nikon F3's and while they are all smooth with minimum force required, there is a hitch near the end of the full stroke. The XE-7 is effortless and smooth all the way through. I wonder if having the shutter button separate from the shutter selector contributes to this smoothness? Between the three X bodies, the XE-7 is tops followed by the XD-11 then the X-700 but there is no gear grinder between them.
Since the XE-7 is not covered by either, we can start of with it.
First, here is a PDF brochure of the -> XE-7 brochure.
Second, here is a PDF review of the -> XE-7 review.
First thing that is evident in the picture above is how much bigger the XE-7 is compared to the other two. The XE-7 was released in 1974 following the Olympus OM-1 and before the OM-2 and was the typical size - and weight, for cameras then.
The XD-11 was released in 1977 and the X-700 in 1981 and were designed to be smaller following the OM releases.
The significant development of the XE-7 was the joint venture between Minolta and Leitz and the incorporation of the Copal Square shutter system. Minolta had been using the horizontal travelling shutter prior to this. This gives the XE-7 a much higher sync speed than the XK and all other models to date. Although Minolta cameras have been pretty smooth operators up to this point, the smoothness of the XE-7's shutter advance has to be experienced to be believed. The Photography in Malaysia Nikon F3 shutter review states, "Through the use of eleven ball bearings in its shutter and film winding assemblies (most cameras use only one or two) the F3 represents a big advance in smooth and quiet operation." Well I have 3 Nikon F3's and while they are all smooth with minimum force required, there is a hitch near the end of the full stroke. The XE-7 is effortless and smooth all the way through. I wonder if having the shutter button separate from the shutter selector contributes to this smoothness? Between the three X bodies, the XE-7 is tops followed by the XD-11 then the X-700 but there is no gear grinder between them.
