Minolta XD-11

[Randy]

Well, I took a look in my Project Bag and decided to start a new project. About 4 years ago, I bought a camera lot on Evilbay. One of the cameras was a Minolta XD-11 that was supposed to be broken. The top was smashed in at the prism, and it had that shrunken leatheritus so prevalent with the XDs. At the time, I took off the top cover and tried to do the best bodywork that I could. I put it back together and it worked! The Auto and Program functions worked just fine, so I put it in the Project Bag and pretty much forgot about it until today. I have 2 other Minolta XD-11s that are like new, one is black and the other chrome, and I had installed Peanut Brittle Lizard Skin from Cameraleather.com on them and the D-Winder. Today being my birthday, I took them out to admire my handiwork again. Freda and I just sat and talked about how nice they looked when she asked, "don't you have another in your project bag?"

So, out of mothballs the project came, and it still works just fine. I purchased a Seal Grain black kit from Morgan at Cameraleather for 14.50 and also bought a new top cover for it.

I'll post some pics when the parts get here.

[nikkortorokkor]

Randy, you prompted me to go on our own local opposition to evilbay to check for an XD 11 to compliment my XE. Found one too, not clicking looking like a bargain. I've made a generous (IMO) bid, but notice that someone is bidding on every single manual SLR of a certain age and price. I'm prepared to be sniped. We'll see how things run!

Good luck with your project.

MT.

[Randy]

I know it's not easy, but sometimes you have to be the one to snipe at the last minute. My new leatherette and top cover arrived today, all I need now is a little ambition.

[Randy]

Okay, here's the camera before I started. You can see it's lived hard.

[Randy]

Here's the new top cover and leatherette kit.



And here it is after removal of the old leather and seals, I've already taken it apart in preparation of the new parts.

[Randy]

Here it is all back together.

[Randy]

Here's the 3 XD-11s together.

[PeterW]

Nice set of pictures, Randy, and a very worthwhile result.

You've made my fingers itch to get started on some of the cameras I've got in my "pending" box, but I've got to wait until my den's redecorated and I can get some shelves up. Otherwise the cameras will just be wrapped up in bubble-wrap and go back into boxes again.

The builders have finished putting in the new double-glazed window but their quote for redecorating read like a telephone number so, with John's help, I shall have to tackle it myself.

Time was when I wouldn't dream of using outside labour for jobs around the house, but getting up stepladders is becoming a mite difficult. Getting down even more so. I can tackle the lower parts, but I shall have to get John to do the ceiling ... when he's finished the entrance hall and staircase.

It's also a matter of when funds permit. Decorating materials have shot up in price over the past couple of years, and in January VAT on them goes up from 17.5% to 21%.

Never mind, we'll get there eventually.

PeterW

[Randy]

Thanks Peter. It was one of those jobs I had to get done so the parts wouldn't be laying about.

[PeterW]

It was one of those jobs I had to get done so the parts wouldn't be laying about.

Know how you feel, Randy. When I moved my den downstairs everything was packed in boxes, including the parts from the top of a 1930s Welta I was restoring. I've found the camera, but do you think I can find the parts?

They'll turn up some time when I'm looking something else.

PeterW

[melek]

When I was younger-ish(!), I was considering the XD 11. I bought a Pentax MX and then later jumped into Nikon. But I've never forgotten the little Minolta.

A few years back, I bought one and restored it and then gave it to a family friend. He had grown up sort of poor and always wanted one but couldn't afford it. I was more than happy to give it to him.

About two years ago, I bought another but this one seemed well worn. Turns out, it was really grimy more than anything else. So another restoration.

The leatherette seems to shrink on many of these. I bought a replacement covering from Aki-Asahi, and I've been very pleased with it.

[Randy]

Oh yeah! Mike that looks nice. The cover you have is the one I was going to buy from Aki, but his website was down.

I'm really surprised one of the old timers here didn't tease me because I put a black cover on my camera. ;D

[PeterW]

Randy,
They're your cameras, so you go ahead and recover them in any material or pattern you fancy. Have to say, though, black is a little unusual for you

I recall you once said you fix new coverings down with double-sided sticky tape. I tried this, but the only tape I could buy locally was very thin and didn't hold all that well. What brand did you use?

Mike,
Out of curiosity, what adhesive did you use on the cover of your XD11? It looks a nice, snug and well-held-down job.

PeterW

[Randy]

The cover on the XD-11 was pre-glued. I can get you some of the tape if you want, but the shipping would be more than the tape costs. It's made by DUCK.
www.duckbrand.com/Products/duck-tape/specialty-duck-tapes/double-sided-duck-tape.aspx

[mickeyobe]

Randy,

Far be it from me to tease you but I would like to issue a challenge.

How about Tartan. You pick the clan.

Mickey