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Post by Dan Vincent on Jul 26, 2006 9:16:38 GMT -5
Uncle Bill, The XE-7 is a wonderful camera. I got mine in 1976 (Used) and it still works today. The shutter is so quiet it was one of only four cameras that were approved for court-room use. The others were Olympus OM-1, Fujica 705 and Leica. My local camera dealer used to ask me to let him click the shutter as he loved the smooth action. Back in the '70's Minolta decided to sell cameras through discount stores like K-Mart and there was a lot of bad press on Minoltas put out by dealers who couldn't mark up their prices like they could on other brands. Some other brand name cameras had a shutter that was so loud they sounded like someone dropped a piece of plate glass. Others felt like they wanted to jump out of your hand. The XD-11 is lighter and more compact than the XE-7 but the biggest upgrade is in viewfinder brightness. You can also add a motor drive to the XD-11. I never use the shutter priority mode of the XD-11 so I could have also been happy with the XD-5. I'm fond of both the XE-7 and the XD-11. Just get both of them and you'll be a happy camper.
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Post by unclebill on Jul 26, 2006 13:56:50 GMT -5
Well, the XE-7 has landed and I test fired the shutter speeds and everything seems ok. I am running a test roll through it to test for light leaks.
I do have a question will I have challenges with using MD lenses on the XE-7. I know the mount is the same but...there are differences. It will be a matter of time before I get an MD-11 but I am going to enjoy the XE-7 for now.
Very interesting that the XE-7 was approved for courtroom use. Pity they got trashed in the US for selling through K-mart and Sears. People forgett the collabaration with Leica on the CL and the R-3,4,5,6.
Bill
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Post by Dan Vincent on Jul 26, 2006 18:42:00 GMT -5
Bill,
Don't worry about the extra do-dad on the MD lens, it will work fine on the XE-7. I can use any piece of glass ever made for a Minolta manual focus lens mount from 1958 and up.
I think Canon changed their lens mount three times in the '70's and Nikon had a couple of different types.
Yes, it is interesting that Leica used a Minolta XE-7 and XD-11 for their basic SLR building block. Hey, if it's good enough for Leica it's good enough for me. The CLE was another little gem.
The XE and XD cameras used Leitz-Seiko and Copal-Leitz vertical shutters. Made like a fine watch.
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Post by kamera on Jul 26, 2006 21:09:34 GMT -5
That they are...a fine, meticulous, detailed piece of equipment. I love my XE7 and wish I would have bought one years ago, rather than just 2 years ago.
Ron Head Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by unclebill on Jul 31, 2006 20:06:51 GMT -5
What was the high point for Minolta glass?
Bill
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Post by Dan Vincent on Jul 31, 2006 22:59:13 GMT -5
Bill,
I saw an article on "Landmark" lenses and Minolta had several that made the list.
Minolta wide-angles are highly respected.
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Post by unclebill on Aug 1, 2006 7:45:12 GMT -5
I think I am going to look for early MD lenses to keep my options open if I decide to get an XD-11 down the road.
Bill
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Post by unclebill on Aug 4, 2006 6:45:17 GMT -5
I ran two rolls of film through the XE-7 and what a nice camera! I can see the Leica connection with the R3 though in my case I think I got a bargin.
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rover
Lifetime Member
Dad with a Camera, or two, or...
Posts: 101
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Post by rover on Aug 11, 2006 21:44:12 GMT -5
I have an XE-7 and an XD-5 (like an XD-11) and both are great cameras and both use the SR44/LR44 batteries. The SRTs are excellent cameras also, I have 20 of them, but they use the 1.3 volt mercury battery that is not available. I had my SRTs recalibrated to use a 1.5v battery, the XE-7 takes one too though, I didn't know that.
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