XE1 and XE5 minolta

[belgiumreporter]

Last week i came across this minolta XE5, the price was such that i could't resist it.

I thought i already had one, but when i came home i saw the one i had was a XE1, at first sight they are the same. Closer inspection shows some five diffrences, no double exposure, no apperture and no chosen manual speed info in the viewfinder, no FP sync and no viewfinder blinds.The XE5 was clearly the low(er) cost version of the XE1. Further research learned the XE1 was the most expensive camera in its segment, pentax ES,nikkormat EL,canon EF,all were cheaper ( only leica R3 was twice as expensive but that shouldn't be no surprice)

Anyhow in retrospect i don't think it was such a good idea from minolta to market the camera as such as it seems like just another attempt to become a player in the higher end of the market, but it couldn't convince canon or nikon buyers to switch brands. ( a bit like what happened with the XM) I'll keep the XE5 though as it still is a lovely full size heavy metal SLR worthy of display alongside my (ever growing collection of) other minoltas.

[Dan Vincent]

The XE-7 was an all black version of the XE-1 for the American market.

I used an XE-7 for quite a few articles I wrote on RC model airplanes and boats.

It has a very smooth shutter and still works today.

Back in the 1970's the XE-7 was one of only four cameras quiet enough to be allowed in courtrooms. The others were the Olympus OM-1, Fujica 705 and Leica M2.

[Randy]

I have an XE-5 and XE-7.

[mikeg]

I have an XE which is the same spec as the XE-1 and XE-7 my ideal landscape camera. I have an XD (Japanese model of XD-7) which I prefer as a walk around with the 45mm f2 or 35-70 f3.5.

[fredinperran]

My XE1 is my favourite camera. Using it with the with the 35-70 3.5 gives superb results. Only problem is the sheer weight when taking other lenses out with me.

[Mark Vaughan]

If you really want to boost your XE collection, seek out an XEb - it was a Japan-market-only version of 'something between an XE-5 and an XE-7. Very cool rig, and I sold it to someone on this forum. Bob, maybe?

Mark