Minolta XG-M First Impressions | May-nolta 2023

[@MarksPhoto]

Ummm... You missed the most Minolta feature on their cameras... The little window above the wind lever with the red bar, advances when the film is properly loaded and advancing. No red line, no photos. No other maker offered this.

[@AzrielKnight]

lol omfg. Amazing. Well....now I know.

[@thomasfeimer1706]

"No other maker offered this." Not quite. The Pentax ME and ME Super had a similar indicator window. It consisted of a set of orange bars on a black background. If film was properly wound and advancing, the bars would move back and forth when you cocked the film advance. If it was not, the bars would remain stationary.

[@davidbrighten2572]

I bought this camera as a teenager in the 1980s. I owned a Yashica TL and the Minolta XG-M was my dream camera. I kept brochures by my bedside while I saved the cash from my part-time job. Boy do I wish I still had that camera today.

[@giacintodamico1379]

The Minolta XD-11 was also a great camera and innovative for its time. I hope to see a review of it. Also the zoom lense 35-70 was affordable and rather sharp.

[@AzrielKnight]

Will keep my eyes peeled!

[@goldenhourkodak]

@@AzrielKnight I have one in Calgary if you want to borrow it for a review

[@shanelee4094]

I have a lot of Minoltas and the XD-11 is my favorite! Mine is all black and with the original box, super clean. Such a fun camera to shoot with its quiet and smooth shutter. Would be a great one to feature for May-Nolta!

[@thedondeluxe6941]

@@shanelee4094 Adding my support for the XD-11. Great camera.

[@reeve7929]

Adding more support for the XD11, it is the Leica of Minolta cameras... literally. Minolta produced this body for Leica for the R4 and used it themselves as well for the xd11, xd5 and the Japanese version the XD

[@Quiparounddreams1999]

I have this camera, its one of my favorites.

[@theoldunsshot1005]

My XG-M came with an MD 50/1.7 and it is a cracking lens. Nice review.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks!

[@Ayy_Zachh]

Just had a Minolta XG M given to me, love the synthwave vibe

[@cameraman655]

“Only from the mind of Minolta…”

[@cdl0]

Excellent video! A film loading tip for the type of camera in this video is to not only check that the rewind spindle is turning when advancing, but also temporarily flip out the crank and gently check the tension on the film.

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks!

[@btrdangerdan2010]

I have an XG-M too! Paired with an extra motor drive 1 and power grip 2.

[@QuickQuips]

I still keep the MD Minolta lenses around. They're fantastic for filming and absurdly good for the price.

[@AzrielKnight]

That's good to know!

[@musa7606]

There's a videographer on YT who compares the MD lenses to Leica SLR lenses.

[@barclayjb]

It just so happened that while I was watching this video, I got an email from the lab that my roll of film was done. I received scans of the first roll of film take with a Minolta 7000 that was gifted to me from a friend. What timing. I guess it is May-nolta.

[@AzrielKnight]

lol, awesome. The 7000 is a solid camera, even if it looks like a VCR. I did a history video on it if you're interested.

[@chrissybabyist]

Love Minolta. I just picked up a Minolta XG-M w/ a macro lens off of one of the auction sites.

[@AzrielKnight]

Fantastic. Probably my favourite so far this month.

[@chrissybabyist]

@@AzrielKnight I’ve heard a lot of good things about the XG-M. But I absolutely adore my XG7 & my X-570.

[@EdwardTMadrigal]

Have you tried the Minolta SRT-101? One of my faves! 😎

[@AzrielKnight]

Shot that one quite a bit back in the day. Sadly I sold it :(

[@btrdangerdan2010]

I love Minolta , I'm a total fanboi

[@tomislavmiletic_]

Here's an idea for may-nolta month: any of the Minolta srT series. If you aren't an idiot, those things are nearly indestructible. I still have my dad's Minolta srT303b (European version of the 202) that still works without any service and / or CLE ever done to it...

[@flyingo]

“SRT” - Super Rugged Tank! Excellent durability and design.

[@SinaFarhat]

Nice! Its been a while sonce I failed at loading a roll of film into my camera, but then I expect it to happen again at some point when I assume things and become forgetful!

[@shawnmcdonald2977]

I have this same camra with a ton of attachments i got it from this old lady we helped throw stuff away and this amd a Polaroid step up flash where in to lunch boxes i got home and opend them and was surprised

[@shawnmcdonald2977]

It came with a kalimar 175A automatic flash, jcpenny auto 2x tele-converter lenz,1473978 lenz, and a minolta md 75-15/4 49mm lenz

[@shawnmcdonald2977]

It came with a kalimar 175A automatic flash, jcpenny auto 2x tele-converter lenz,1473978 lenz, and a minolta md 75-15/4 49mm lenz

[@shawnmcdonald2977]

Is any of it good

[@hallo35mmfilm12]

I use Minolta X-70 (Japanese market), I replaced the lens with MC Rokkor PF 55mm 1:1.7

[@PerroCallejero]

Que buen video tengo una por aquí en casa guardada me dieron ganas de salir a tomar fotografias con ella, gracias por el aporte

[@donball9777]

Got a few Minolta's, find them great fun to use.

[@RussellMcNeil-g6o]

You mentioned you did not like the locking shutter in A (Automatic) mode. That is because the camera cannot find a speed that will expose properly. It will do this at both high and low shutter speeds. You can still over or under expose with exposure compensation - as long as the shutter speed needed is not less than 1/1000 sec. or more than 1 sec. This does not apply to M or Manual operation. The camera will fire with whatever shutter and aperture combination you set. In Manual mode you can over or under expose to your heart's content.

[@averydillman2661]

I just gotta say when you said. A for automatic. Its actually aperture priority

[@RussellMcNeil-g6o]

Yes A is aperture priority but the A - according to the manual (p.5) - stands for Automatic. The camera selects the shutter speed Automatically.

[@northof-62]

Nice shots!

[@AzrielKnight]

Thank you :)

[@Ktimmerman26]

Do you have any experience replacing the mirror bumper foam on the xg-m? I’m terrified of ruining the focus screen.

[@hamishdavidson3368]

Have done the same. I first went to NY only for one day on a stop over. I had 1 day check Manhattan and the Empire State alot of shots changed film and kept shooting. That night caught a flight to London and then to my Cousins farm in Wales realised I hadn't wound on the film. It was 1992 and the camera was an OM-40 programme. It was a big downer big time.

[@Fat-totoro-cat]

I have one of these in my collection - not a bad camera.

[@jamesmorris8633]

The minolta 9xi is a great camera too. I would love to see you do a review of this one. If you have the data card you can see your meta data....very cool.

[@AzrielKnight]

Will keep it in mind!

[@NPJensen]

I must have missed last weeks video, but I'm not surprised, you didn't like the Dynax camera, neither do I - except, the DSLR Dynax cameras are great (I often use my Dynax 5D), and of course it's the start of the the Sony A-mount camera range. As far as the XG-M, I have one myself with the 50mm f1.7 kit lens, and I love it. It even came with the original blue and white Minolta camera strap - so retro and kitschy, it's almost cool, and I'm never detaching it from the camera. I do prefer fully mechanical SLR cameras of the era, but being a Minolta user since childhood, I never get tired of using Minolta cameras. The 45mm focal length works well for me. I have a Sigma A-mount 30mm f1.4 lens designed for APS-C, so 45mm full frame equivalent. Maybe it's that it's a faster lens, what ever the reason, I like shooting with it a lot - and it's a good fit on my Dynax 5D.

[@AzrielKnight]

If you sign up to my monthly newsletter you won't miss the videos. I send out all my content from there.

[@flyingo]

If you get around to trying out a Minolta X-570, I’m guessing that you might find that you found the perfect Minolta 35mm SLR. Even better (imo) than the X-700. If you don’t have an X-570, that’s too bad.. one of the best from Minolta.. again, in my opinion.

[@shanelee4094]

Agreed!!

[@footrotdog]

"Black & White Meat Groc." hehehe

[@AzrielKnight]

I know right! What a weird name.

[@RickJohnson]

That intro logo1 😍

[@AzrielKnight]

Thanks :)

[@map3384]

Correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think there is manual metering on this unit. Love the 80s music.

[@AzrielKnight]

I wasn't sure so I checked. When I set the shutter to manual, it still metered.

[@map3384]

@@AzrielKnight I’m sometimes incorrect. I’m hoping you do a video on the classic SRT bodies. Peace.

[@AzrielKnight]

I have a couple in my playlist.

[@doplinger1]

I think the whole XG line was underrated, great little cameras but you can't even give them away.

[@AzrielKnight]

Really? Hard to sell?

[@doplinger1]

@@AzrielKnight - yeah, I had probably 100 cameras and I sold most of them (4-5 years ago). Those Minoltas were the hardest to move unless you were willing to let them go for $15-20. Even at that price they didn't move very well. I may still have one or two of them collecting dust.

[@shanelee4094]

@@doplinger1 I’d say depends on where/how you’re selling them…I’ve sold 4-5 XG-Ms this year after a quick clean, test and fresh seals for $60-80 a piece quickly.

[@doplinger1]

@@shanelee4094 - definitely; plus this being several years ago. I think prices spiked even more after that. Most of my XGs sold for $15-20 (I never bothered to redo seals but they were all full functional). The XG-Ms I sold fared better that most, one sold for $50. But I really grew to like the whole line, I just think they were/are underappreciated for how good they were.

[@shanelee4094]

Awesome video as usual! As a diehard Minolta guy looking forward to the upcoming videos. An XG-9 or XG-11 would be a great addition 😀 otherwise the X-570 is a unique camera with its dual LED light meter compared to the x-700s single.

[@marcelocampoamor4761]

I have seen many of your videos including the Dynax 500Si (maxxum 400si in USA), and I miss your old videos where you really did a review with the history of the camera and the context, I remember for example the Canon T90 or the A1 and I They seemed excellent and entertaining, apart from also having real informational value. I understand that you are looking for a shorter format and with less production work but honestly this one may-nolta not seem very interesting to me. You give the first impression of a camera but without any depth and the photos you take are noticeable that you are going out for a walk and testing the camera, maybe you should do the other way around, choose a photographic project and use some cameras to see which ones and Why are they better suited? You would gain a lot aesthetically and your impressions would have more value. It is an opinion only, anyway I thank you for your videos.

[@AzrielKnight]

Let me be frank and not beat around the bush here, because I agree with your comment for the most part. I enjoy more in depth videos, and doing the research, but those videos take more time and money. KZbin and its algorithm doesn't care about that, and if I don't release regular videos, people won't see anything, including the history videos, and unless I get more funding, there are only so many I can produce. This video you're commenting on took 30 hours less to make, and is already beating the T90 in terms of initial views. KZbin will not reward me for the extra effort, the only way I can produce more of what you love is supporting the channel financially. Your suggestions about flipping things around has already been done here, a couple years ago and quite frankly, no one cared. The videos did poorly and the channel suffered. Again, if You Tube won't show it to anyone, what good is it? It's hard to consistently create superior content when feeling undervalued. I really mean no offence by this, but perhaps you should be asking why you only made your love for the content known after it went missing.

[@marcelocampoamor4761]

@@AzrielKnight Fair enough, thanks for your honest answer.

[@dakotadriggers8838]

no dude you gotta keep shitting on the minoltas so the prices stay down

[@AzrielKnight]

lol, gold.