Minolta XD-11

[Randy]

My Grandmother was a Hamilton. Soooooo.....

[nikkortorokkor]

Very nice results Randy. I'm using your successful projects as inspiration - I've won that auction for the non-clicking XD11, complete with shrunken skin syndrome. I hope that I can get it going, as it'll make a nice comparison with the XE-1.

The XE is a lovely, solid, competent camera, featuring (typically Minolta) advanced features for its age. Yet I've never quite "got on" with it. Probably a CLA would help, and to be honest, I'm just not putting the films through it to develop familiarity in the manner that I did with my "old favourite" Nikon F3. But I still feel that the XE plays second fiddle to the (admittedly 10 years younger) F3 as the ultimate expression of the all-metal, manual focus, electronic shutter, 35mm SLR (whew!).

So, as I said, I'll be intrigued to see the much-vaunted and allegedly-refined younger sibling. Fingers crossed.

Here are the vendor's pics of the XD. Hopefully the "after" will be posted soon:

[Randy]

That's gonna be a challenge. Look at that mirror...yikes!

[nikkortorokkor]

Yup - it inspires a poem:

Mirror mirror in thy box,
Thou seems to've caught a case of pox.

Fungus, dust, dirt and grime,
Have all arrived with passing time.

You once were someone's pride and joy,
Now you're but a cast-off toy.

Will I ever get you clean,
Your silvered glass to brightly gleam?

Or will you make me grim and sad,
Having thrown good money after bad?

My wife is sure I'm mentally unfit,
But I'm determined to make you click.

An XE, XG and SRT
Will soon be joined in their bag by thee.

I'll then be in Minolta heaven,
Proud owner of an XD-11



Cordially Yours,

Dr Frankenkamera (already eyeing up a hapless donor on the shelf).

[Randy]

I just turned down another XD-11. Money is tight, and heck...I already have 3 of them.

[grenouille]

Hi Randy

Seeing your great work, I'm prompted to restore my Pentax S1a, never done a thing like this before. First will have to go and search for the top plate, the bottom plate, the back locking catch and the leatherette. Come to think about it a red lizard skin looks great; Regards

grenouille

[Randy]

I'm sure cameraleather.com has leather for that model.

[mickeyobe]

Randy,

Someday your beautiful work is going to push me over the edge.

I will murder a snake or a lizard. Strip it naked and see what I can do with an Argus C3.

Mickey

Perhaps I'll wait till I find a road kill.

[Randy]

LOL!

[grenouille]

Thanks Randy for the info.

grenouille

[Randy]

You are welcome. Do you have a first name? We pretty much go by first names here. Most members put their first name in their signature.

[Doug T.]

Hi Randy!

I love the snakeskin coverings. They also have a B & W snakeskin leather that I think is cool.
I've got an old Ricoh KR-10 that's a prime candidate for a rebuild.
Maybe I'll go that route

Doug

[Randy]

The Cobra? I've always wanted to do one in Cobra. Right now I'm financially embarrassed. lol

[grenouille]

Hi Randy,

My given name is Tat Hye, and Hye for short, Regards

Hye

[melek]

I just chanced on this thread again, and I'm glad that I did. The XD-11 is one of those camers that I really wanted in the 1970s, but it was out of my price range. Plus, I was a bit concerned about the battery-dependency. I believed everything the magazines said, and back then, that was a big deal.

First, to answer the long-ago question posed in this thread. The new material is pre-cut and is self-adhesive. You just have to be careful when applying, because it really sticks. Plus, make sure you remove all of the old covering and adhesive. It's simple on the XD-11, because it's like a rubber sheet that comes off cleanly.

Back to the camera. I ended up with a Pentax MX. Fine camera, but it's almost too small. The XD-11, although in the same category of smaller cameras from that era, seems slightly larger and feels really nice in your hands.

I've had a great time with this camera. Since buying the original camera, I picked up an f/1.4 "standard" lens, a nice 28mm wide angle and the usual 135mm telephoto, which I haven't used. I also picked up the autowinder. A nice little kit, and when I finally agree to downsize my camera hoard, this will be one that I keep.

It's a great camera, because it was the first (not sure) to offer both aperture- and shutter-priority autoexposure and full manual, as well. It has a very nice film advance with a short throw.

The viewfinder is excellent with a full display of information. I just think that a lot of thought went into design and usability.

I had some pink leather covering for another spare body, but the then-puppy chewed it into an unrecognizable mass.