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Post by Dan Vincent on May 31, 2014 8:03:05 GMT -5
My first SLR was a Minolta XE-7 which I purchased in 1976. I don't know how may rolls of film I've put through it doing RC Model Airplane articles from 1977-2001 but it still works. I went to the Rokkor Files website and noticed they have no mention of the XE-7 or it's variants, or the less-expensive XE-5. At one time there were only a few 35mm cameras allowed in court rooms because of shutter noise. Minolta XE-7, Olympus OM-1, Fujica 705 and the Leica M2. A local camera shop owner was really taken with how smooth and quiet the XE-7 shutter release was and often asked me to let him click off a picture. I also have a XE-1 which is the same camera but different designation for the European market. Attachment Deleted
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Post by kodaker on May 31, 2014 18:32:00 GMT -5
I also have the XE-7, a very nice camera. It was made jointly with Leica who had a model similar to it. I suspect the innards were designed by Leica since it is so quiet. It gives one a feeling of quality workmanship.
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truls
Lifetime Member
Posts: 568
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Post by truls on Jun 2, 2014 12:48:21 GMT -5
I also think it is a very handsome camera. How are the electronic in the camera after all these years? I know Minolta electronics suffering from bad circuits, XGM, X-370 etc. The XE series are sold at relatively high prices at the auction, unless found in flea market.
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Post by philbirch on Jun 2, 2014 16:30:17 GMT -5
I'm waiting for one bought recently, Its supposed to be in good condition and working.
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Post by Dan Vincent on Jun 2, 2014 21:19:59 GMT -5
I operate the shutters and wind my Minolta SLR's about once a month. I also remove batteries to prevent leakage from ruining my cameras.
I also go through lenses and operate the rear pin to keep the iris limber.
As for electrical problems the XE, XK and XD series have never given me any trouble. My X700 finally failed and I need to replace the shutter release capacitor.
That X700 was a fun camera to use and I need to get it working again.
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Post by philbirch on Jun 8, 2014 12:26:51 GMT -5
I got the camera and it is a beast. All black and with a beautiful feel. Like a cross between my SRT101b and my X700. It has a problem with the finder, as if the silvering has come off part of the prism. Not unusable but this fault was not mentioned.
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Post by Dan Vincent on Jun 9, 2014 20:45:11 GMT -5
Sorry it didn't work out for you. A good Minolta XE-7 is an unforgettable experience for a true camera lover.
Soon after I bought my Minolta XE-7 I bought a Minlota XK which was their "Professional Camera" but I never cared for the bulkiness and used my XE-7 for quick, flawless results. I had absolute faith in my XE-7 and XD-11 cameras, they never let me down.
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Post by kodaker on Jun 10, 2014 19:46:05 GMT -5
I did a bunch of weddings with my XE-7 and my XD-11 back in the days.
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Post by philbirch on Jun 11, 2014 18:44:11 GMT -5
I got my XE-1 sorted out. There is a problem in the viewfinder which seems to be caused by silvering loss somewhere on the prism. Useable but annoying at times. The ebay seller gave me a partial refund which I'm happy with. The camera is in great shape, the black body has tiny amounts of brassing on the bottom. It works well. You can tell its related to the SRT series because of the body shape and its weight. here is my Minolta SLR family: SRT101, XE-1and X700 all work perfectly. And the XE-1 with my CZJ sonnar 135 f3.5. Note the serial number!
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hansz
Lifetime Member
Hans
Posts: 697
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Post by hansz on Jun 13, 2014 2:45:47 GMT -5
Hi Phil,
That IS a great production number! Please, do me a favor, send a crisp/sharp image from the lensfront to me to incorporate it (sometime) in my website.
Hans
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Post by Dan Vincent on Jun 27, 2014 20:10:14 GMT -5
Phil, nice find on that black XE-1. Mine is chrome and I don't want to part with it but from now on my attention will perk up if I see a black XE-1 for sale or trade.
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Post by philbirch on Jun 28, 2014 0:38:42 GMT -5
Thanks, it does look nice! Just look on ebay you do see them. Or look out for an XE7, they were all black
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Stan
Senior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by Stan on Jun 29, 2014 13:13:21 GMT -5
I'd say that between the XE-1/7 and the professional Nikons (F, F-2); they were the main cause for my black camera obsession! What GREAT looking cameras! The ASA dial under the rewind knob was the perfect control to balance out the two sides of the camera. I like many cameras with a winder/motor attached, but IMHO, this camera is perfect as it sits.
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Post by philbirch on Jun 29, 2014 16:57:11 GMT -5
I'd say that between the XE-1/7 and the professional Nikons (F, F-2); they were the main cause for my black camera obsession! What GREAT looking cameras! The ASA dial under the rewind knob was the perfect control to balance out the two sides of the camera. I like many cameras with a winder/motor attached, but IMHO, this camera is perfect as it sits. I find it a little big and hard to hold - but thats just my knackered wrist. I made a hand grip for my Nikkormat, I'll make one of those for it, it will be perfect then. I just had my first photos back, I'm a little disappointed with the sharpness - but I was photographing flowers on a windy day... The cheapo supermarket scan doesn't do it justice either. But i've got nicely exposed negatives. I need to take it out and do some proper photos.
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Stan
Senior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by Stan on Jul 4, 2014 12:28:01 GMT -5
One of the reasons I went with the MX/ME Super years ago was that it handled beautifully with the small/lightweight winder attached. I've always found that I was more comfortable holding cameras with a "grip" of some kind. Of course, that's standard now with the exception of Olympus E-4x0 and some of the mirrorless cameras. This contributed to my giving up the Panasonic GF-1 in favor of the D50/D40.
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