The Top 10 Best and Worst Minolta Cameras Ever (HD Version)

This is an HD version of the video originally posted at Gary Friedman's blog: friedmanarchives.blogspot.com/...
People wanting to know "What about the X-700?" or "Where's the list of the worst Minoltas?" can find it on my blog at my April 2012 blog post: friedmanarchives.blogspot.com...
Cameras mentioned in this video:
SRT-101 / SRT-202
XK / XK Motor
XE-7 / Leica R3
XD-11 / Leica R4
Maxxum 9000 with Program Back Super 90 (also known as Alpha 9000 and Dynax 9000)
Maxxum 9 / Alpha 9 / Dynax 9
Maxxum 7 / Alpha 7 / Dynax 7
Maxxum 7D / Alpha 7D / Dynax 7D
A1 / Konica Minolta A2
Minolta CLE
RD175

[@lbyer123]

I worked for Minolta Camera Co from 1973 to 2005. Your wonderful video brought back a lot of fond memories. I sold all those cameras at one time or another during my history with Minolta. Thanks for putting this together.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Great to meet you, and thanks for helping to produce these wonderful instruments!

[@1stab]

Collecting is a sickness my friend. Thanks for "being there." I was able to point to this and tell my wife, "See, I'm not so bad." Be strong brother.

[@metocvideo]

1stab so many of us......

[@MyBelgianAzzy]

Lol! 🤣

[@fantasyfan9320]

lmao

[@FriedmanArchives]

Have you noticed how many "Likes" this comment got compared to most of the others? I think your comment resonated with many other old users. 🙂

[@juanmcmahon7765]

Even if I'm not a "Minolta Fan", I have to recognize that, when is time to choose a 35mm camera for a "photography trip", my x700 is usually my first choice (and believe me, I have a lot of 35mm to choose!). It have almost all the things I need in a small format film camera. So, considering the x700 phenomenal success and the awards it get (“European Camera of the Year” for instance) I'm wandering why didn't choose it for the top ten. Anyway, great video Gary. Keep on! :-)

[@skylane807]

Thank you for the great tour! I started with a new SR-T 101 with the 58mm ƒ/1.4 Rokkor. Life was so simple back then.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Tell me about it! Have you picked up the Sony A7S III lately? :-)

[@robertrosselit8241]

The SRT series are an amazing thing. They are a Rube Goldberg machine all crammed into a little metal package. But they worked well. If you ever take the top off of one, they are a thing of insane beauty inside. The metering was a complicated system of strings and pulleys, that moved the "lollipop" to match the needle, which involved multiple auxiliary prisms glued to the pentaprism. The gearing for the shutter is brass and steel, the slow-speed escapement is right there in plain sight. Ahh, and if you fire it at 1/30 or below, you can not only hear the slow speed escapement reset, but you can hear the multiple rebounds as it comes to rest. The thing is a madman's work of art. And it's heavy enough to drive a sixteen penny nail into oak.

[@morrisgentry8624]

The SRT 102 was my first good camera (purchased in 1975) and still my all time favorite.

[@n1k1george]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I have a certain affinity for the oldies but goodies like XD11 with its uniquely smooth shutter release. It's been nearly 4 decades since my first SLR and it has been an exciting time to watch the fantastic evolution of cameras and photography during that time. Thanks again for a great personal perspective on the history of a great brand name.

[@miniondave6314]

I love my Minolta X-700. It's my "go-to" manual camera.

[@maxp2100]

Have the same. Love it :)

[@robertcudlipp3832]

I only viewed this quickly. To my mind, the X700 was a game changer when released. Fabulous camera which took thousands of photos when I was holidaying in Europe and the United Kingdom in 1983-84. Still have the body and several lens.

[@miniondave6314]

​I like the fact that it takes modern batteries. Most of my older SLRs take the mercury batteries and I don't like the WeinCell replacements (I never had luck with those). There are lots of good lenses are out there and at a very reasonable price. The Pentax K1000 is most people's recommendation for a starter SLR, I point people towards the Minolta X-700.

[@michaelgrino708]

Just found this video, and I am glad that he still uploads! Pretty much enjoyed the whole video

[@TheAdiFans]

Massive respect for the old-school photographer like you sir! This video gave me - a millennial a lot of useful things about cameras.

[@TheComputec]

Excellent roundup! I am always in awe of people who are at the top of their game and can simply and enthusiastically pinpoint both the real benefits and real issues around any products, rather than just parroting the blurb from the manufacturer like a TV Shopping channel. Well done sir!

[@FriedmanArchives]

Thank you!

[@metocvideo]

Great video. Finally a decent review of cameras from one of the very best Japanese camera makers. Top notch cameras, not so great marketing. You can see why Leica snuggled up to them, I use a Leica CL, which was a Minolta design mostly, and it sold so well it scared Leica and they discontinued it because it was hurting sales of the big cameras. Some of the Leica R zooms were designed and made by Minolta.

[@SENTINELREPORT]

Thank you Gary for this excellent video presentation.... Damn ! I think I have to partly blame you for now I have Minolta 7000i, 7000, x300, x700, sr, and I hope to get some of the ones you show us here !

[@KenzieKuu]

I just found a Minolta Maxxum 5000, with the flash for $30! So excited to get my pics developed!

[@st3vieuk]

I watched this short film a few years a go and I loved it then. I've watched it today and after my photography skills have progressed I really appreciate your words of wisdom and take on how Minolta have progressed through it's life. Thats some collection you have there ... keep up the good work and hope you are well. Well wishes from the UK - Stevie

[@jagerbolt90]

Hi Gary, film photographer born in the 90's, here! I gotta say, learning film has been so much fun and very fulfilling! There's just a certain feeling you get when you get film right that you just don't get with digital, and that's to say nothing of the feel and look of the film itself in the right hands! Thanks for sharing this video because I'm thinking of getting a Minolta of some kind! This will help inform my decision! Thank you for sharing!

[@FriedmanArchives]

There is definitely a resurgence in using film (I know because I wrote an article about it for Cameracraft magazine :-) . If you're interested in a classic Minolta, check out my other youtube video showing how to use the SR-T series of manual bodies: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHqQhYh5rK6jrM0si=-GFx2ncL7cFIucg5

[@danhall4206]

What a wonderful video, very informative. Keep us informed! Many thanks

[@rizkiyoist]

I just got SRT-101 in 2021 despite owning several mirrorless cameras, loved it so far!

[@cool2rule2]

Proud owner of an SRT-201, X-700 and I have a Maxxum 7 on the way. They’re all amazing, but it’s great to see the evolution of the brand over the decades. Too bad they’re not around anymore.

[@hansa3580]

Mr. Friedman, I have enjoy buying/selling/trading cameras and accessories for years. In the late 1990s, I worked in the photo retail industry in Chicago. It was a fun time for me; I miss the tactile experience of loading film, and, as you have described, the process and the gear; sometimes, that was more enjoyable than the actual images! Thanks for this post!

[@johncameron6976]

Wonderful Video Gary! Stated in the early 70's with the SRT 202 and now use my KM 7D and although I would love to get an Alpha 99 I am still happy with what my D7 gives me! Keep up the great Work!

[@BondStphotostudiorental]

How informative was that?! Thank you Gary!! As a professional, I recently switched to Sony A900 digital and Minolta A9 (Dynax 9) film bodies with legacy Minolta glass from my Canon EOS 7D with L series lenses for still photography. The difference is unmistakeable from both a sharpness and more convincingly, Minolta color aspect. I absolutely love the A9! I recently purchased a 35 to 70mm f4 Minolta zoom for 70 bucks and compared the images with the 24-70mm 2.8 (Sony) Zeiss ($2,000 lens) that I rented. The Zeiss images were amazing and so were the images from this little 70 dollar Minolta zoom. Since then I have purchased 3 more Minolta legacy lenses. No, they don't focus as fast as the canon lenses, but the image quality is well worth the wait, After all, that's what's really important isn't it?

[@FriedmanArchives]

Minolta lenses had a reputation of great color consistency from lens to lens - important when shooting transparencies - and for some reason never got enough respect. Glad you could appreciate these old classics!

[@icecru2]

This was quite informational! I was just given a Minolta SR-T 100 with a 50mm, 55mm, telephoto, and macro lenses with 3 filters by a cow worker. i do graphic design work but like photography on the side. I'm am just 22 years old so the camera's were around when my dad was 10 hahaha. But i'd like to get to know it better, my other camera is a fujifilm finepix s8200 bought it in a bind for a class. so i've enver had an SLR camera until now, and I was planning on buying one. Anyways, i'm looking around to getcomfortable with this camera for fun, i'm still gushing with excitement over it though!!

[@FriedmanArchives]

I made a youtube video showing how to use the Minolta SRT series cameras. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHqQhYh5rK6jrM0si=FC4EKGVTsB64TWCM

[@zastavia]

Great video I love the way you explain things without becoming TOO technical. I love the old Minolta stuff, beautifully made. I have two older Minolta AF lenses which are very good, a 50mm f1.7 and a 28-105 xi which work beautifully on my a57 (and soon to be on my a77 mkii) though the xi is prone to serious lens flare. It's a shame that many modern digital bodies dont have the chunky manual controls and buttons which are relegated to menus instead. Sometimes its nice just to lift these old Minolta cameras and feel them in your hands and operate the controls and buttons.

[@FriedmanArchives]

I completely agree, which is why I loved the Maxxum 7 and 9 cameras so much.

[@SuperStareGry]

This video has been incredibly interesting and informative at the same time. Thank you.

[@Falamangoshinto]

This was so interesting. I really enjoyed listening to this.

[@paulfrakes4149]

Ok, I've watched your video several times over the last year. But, just yesterday I watched it again, and realized that my Dynax 9 is the finest camera I have ever owned--and I have owned a Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, Nikon F4, Nikon F5 among others. I also still have a Minolta XK which I like better than my Nikon F3hp or Canon F1. My point--my Dynax 9 is my camera of choice. (I also have a Dynax 7 which is really good but not a 9.) Thank you for reminding me what a fine camera it is. And, digital is going to take a back seat to my 9. Thanks again. Paul, from 85 miles north of the frozen tundra of Green Bay, WI.

[@hansa3580]

Neat video! And, neat to see so many of Minolta' rarest Rokkor optics!

[@yumenolala]

Thank you for this video. I loved the stories and the history of these great cameras. Your behind the scene blog was really good too! I bought my first SR lens 12 years ago to use with M43. I never had a Minolta SR mount camera until last month. I now have the X700, XD7 and waiting for the XE1 to be delivered. Maybe I also want the SRT 303/B too but my wife already giving me the evil stare.

[@FriedmanArchives]

That's quite a collection! Give your wife a hug. 🙂

[@nastyashman]

I recently purchased from a local charity shop a Minolta Maxxum 8000i. It came with some programme cards, a Sigma 35-70mm lens and a Sigma 70-210mm lens; all in good condition for £15. Damn good bargain and a lucky find.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Those cards were an interesting experiment. They tried to turn the camera into a Apple Macintosh - that is, allow people to make interesting pictures without knowing anything about photography. I remember another camera at the time had you scan a barcode to take a certain kind of picture.

[@shashinkan99]

Man I can see the Passion on your eyes You really Love these Cameras I love them too although I have not that many

[@wildbill9919]

Thanks for posting. I recently got a SRT 102 and SRT 202. They both have quirks and issues but the 102 is usable as is. The 202 needs more attention so I'm sending it to a shop next week.

[@samsen201]

This was one the best YT clips I have seen in a while. A total History lesson. Dearly appreciate what you did and enjoyed profoundly. What a shame Sony's ego and grandiosity killed this wonderful line of legendary photography machine, then now kills the DSLR line just because they don't know the market and can't figure out how to sell... Way to go and wish you a long life to give us such wonderful insight at such a quality presentation rate. You are a STAR.

[@LennyCooke636]

Fantastic video ! I started out with a Minolta SRT 202 back in the late 70's. My second Minolta was a Used Maxuumm 7000i. This was a great camera as far as exposure s concerned but it had that dreaded 1st blank film problem, meaning the first frame on the film would blank out for some reason. I wanted to stick with Minolta, but then they went out of business... Now there is Sony but I haven't sweetened up to them yet. I always wanted an XD11.

[@garyfriedman2005]

My advice: Sony will never produce an XD-11. But you can pick one up on the used market quite readily. It's one of the nicest cameras ever made.

[@mogden]

Thanks for this video! I would love to see a video like this for minolta lenses, as I shoot manual minolta lenses on a Sony A7

[@zelluloidAT]

Great video! My dad and granddad were shooting Minoltas (manual focus) since I can remember. I'm mainly a Canon (film!) shooter, but I love taking my X-700 and X-300 out every once in a while. Very pleasant experience shooting both and I've got a XD5 on the way.

[@yarivdrory1313]

Great article. One small thing is that the 7D did have an anti-shake mechanism.

[@ronaldkearn3322]

Gary I feel just like you do! I save my cameras and lens's for sentimental reasons. I even take photos with them from time to time. :-) My favorite Minolta was the set 101 that I bought in 1968.

[@TonyLopezArts]

Crazy. I found a Minolta Maxxum 7000 in working condition for $30!

[@DanielMelzerPhotography]

nice find!

[@Wingsaberrules]

I ordered one a few days ago for the same price aswell- was cheaper to buy the kit than the lense on its own!

[@akatheshort1]

I found one for $8 at a thrift store with a case

[@yassinerizzani4600]

Just so you know, i also stumbled upon a minolta sr-t 303 selling for 7$, And got another xd-7 and four excellent lenses for 100$, But even though they were acceptable they both had some working issues, like the light-meter being sometimes tricky due to the fungus in the ovf, etc Those who sell slr's with mint condition for about 150$ especially from japan tend to service those cameras entirely before buying them.

[@Keith195573]

Bought one a couple of years back for $25 at a flea market and it works fine

[@dumptonpark]

Thanks that was a great review. I just bought a Dimage A200 for £10 uk. The auto mode takes nice clear pics. Thanks for sharing.

[@zimmee]

Great review Gary. My first SLR was a Minolta 5000. I shot 5 weddings and a funeral with it as an amateur. Loved it. I bought a Minolta 7000 body second hand and by the time I got around to using it, found it didn't work. I still have them in a drawer and hope maybe some day my old lenses could be used on DSLR's. Thanks again Gary. You're not harming anyone by holding on to your beloved cameras which you have so much knowledge for, to give us. 🤗👍

[@FriedmanArchives]

So glad you enjoyed it!!

[@FriedmanArchives]

There are plenty of Minolta and Sony A-mount cameras that can use those lenses...

[@stmbaah]

still waiting for the "10 worst" video

[@FriedmanArchives]

Read the entire description of the video - it points to a blog post where you can find it.

[@FriedmanArchives]

friedmanarchives.blogspot.com/2012/04/are-kit-lenses-worthless.html And scroll halfway down.

[@comounrayo]

@Jao Pim You're an idiot

[@reedmelicher8658]

I'd love to hear more about the Minolta lenses!

[@djakkdjakkd]

Nice walkthrough Friedman! Enjoyed it!

[@robertuskoppies444]

Gary, this is excellent, a joy to watch - thanks for sharing! Plus I agree with you on the most of them....;o)....

[@gregforeman8274]

XD-11 is still one of my favorite cameras.

[@jomarmachado7546]

Thank you!!! I`m very fond of my Minolta 101. It`s a pity it doesn't exist in the digital world of nowadays...

[@helisoma]

Great overview and very informative. But any reason why the X-700 was not included? I used an X-700 for over 10 years and the camera still works fine today with no problems.

[@FriedmanArchives]

It wasn't included because (in my opinion) it wasn't in their 10 best, despite its immense popularity. (I still own one). There was only room for 10 though.

[@Jambivids]

Wow , great video . I love the personal comments , they are very interesting !

[@thesaltycodger]

I have an old "A", the 101, a 102, and an XE-7.

[@Unitedfitco176]

Hi Gary, I was wondering what you think about the x-700 and how it compares to these beautiful cameras. Thanks! Great video

[@yassinerizzani4600]

The x-700 is a good beginner manual focus camera, but it has reliability issues, because it relies entirely on capacitors.

[@sethmacdonald5725]

@@yassinerizzani4600 it depends which generation x700 you get, the first generation models still work really well, but the second and third generations were made in Malaysia (i think) and china. And suffered huge blows to quality.

[@RobMoses]

Awesome video man. Lots of good info, thanks for making it.

[@drewhanks0]

Great video! I picked up an x-700 off Craigslist with 5 lenses for only $30, looking to flip it for a profit. Tried it out and instantly fell in love, and even bought a nicer lens for it. Film is expensive for a college student on a budget, so I just got a cheap Sony NEX-5 off eBay the other day, and for $100 and a $15 converter, it takes some amazing photos with the old Minolta lenses. I love my x700, but it sure is hard to put the Sony down, especially when I can still use all my favorite lenses.

[@Enid2Sacramento]

My first 35mm camera was the 101, and I wish I'd never sold it. What a mechanical beauty. Thanks for the vid.

[@buddah610]

I am new to photography but at the age of 48,I remember seeing my father and step father using some of these cameras so it brought back memories. Also, I have been using DSLR'S but about a month ago, I stumbled across a video about a Canon AE-1 and I loved the IQ So, I decided to go on ebay and price these cameras. I was shocked at how cheap they are! I did not buy one because I started reading, rather devouring everything I could on rivals of that model and a Minolta was one of them. I don't have my list in front of me so I don't remember the model but I heard quite a few people say the Minolta or Olympus was a better choice. Thanks do much for this video. I can't wait to get my 35mm, whatever one I choose.

[@clintjohnson2460]

Gary,, just watched this video and can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. I worked in camera stores from 1977 until about 1996,,and have been a pro/amateur the whole time as well. Although in my earlier days I will have to admit to being a " Nikon snob" , I always was surprised by Minolta's innovation and , in some cases, superb quality. The old fixed prime lenses were very good. By '93 I had even sold off the Nikon F4 and a great set of glass to go Mamiya645 Super,, BUT,,when I started missing the size and convenience of a good 35mm after a couple of years I went to a Minolta release party for the 700 si and saw the miraculous innovations of the fastest follow focus--(NOBODY had anything like it) as well the twin metering modes and what made me write a check that night was the remote ,,,off camera TTL multi flash system,, That just blew my doors off!! That another camera that deserves at least an honorable mention in your Hall of Fame. BTW,, The reason that pro camera with the pop-up flash was so reviled was that the photo press NEVER understood the value and capabilities of that remote flash system,, it was phenomenal,, And I totally agree with your comments about the XD-11,, It just crushed the A-1 Canon ..build quality was the best,,, and the old 9000?? I bought a used one as a back up body to my 700si just because it was so versatile. Anyway--great trip down memory lane---thanks.

[@clintjohnson2460]

@@garyfriedman2005 oh I wholeheartedly agree that Minolta never really got what was due from the photo press... I was at photokina several times and was just amazed that they spent so much time slamming things like the xg7 and the xg1...(which admittedly were bottom feeder consumer cameras anyway..).. but they never got credit for wonderful things in their booth.. especially stuff like the light meters.

[@dolinick]

12:40 I got my 7D today! Had a memory card issue I think I resolved. It is beautiful! Clean and looks brand New! We took a few test shots with it today. Still waiting to pick up my Sony A850. All the digital cameras i've owned since my first DSLR a Sony A100 are Sony A300, Nex-3 and the emount Sony A3000. My daughter so was excited to use the 7D. She is eight years old! Most of the time I am using manual focus with my cameras. Autofocus and an optical viewfinder again is so nice.

[@chpq2000]

My first SLR was a Dynax-5. It's a very cute and capable camera. It's very small and light, but have 1/4000 shutter speed and very fast auto-focusing. Some years later when I was tempted by the heavy and mechanical beasts, I sold it. I miss it very much. There are some other Minolta cameras that also have very good reputation, such as the TC-1, Autocord and the Himatics.

[@vladimirivanov6353]

i sell this camera .....

[@edthesecond]

Been through seven SRTs, two still work, and one of the SRTs died when I got hit by a car and it hit the pavement the same time as my head. Gave away a Minolta rangefinder because it only weighed a ton and a half. Got two X-700 Minoltas for the right price-Free! Just bought a beautiful 'right out of the box' X-570, black, Tokina 28-85 lens, but haven't been able to use it yet because of quarantine. Meters are no big deal, since I use manual settings for B&W, 1/100 at f8 for ASA 100, 1/250 at f8 for ASA 400, and the trusty hand held meter for the tricky stuff. Minolta builds cameras as good as Subaru builds cars.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Wow. You've got quite a history!

[@andrewford80]

Great video dude. My first slr was a dynax 500si. Something went wrong with it tho so it's in a box somewhere. I reckon it shot less than 50 rolls. They're cheap on ebay now so maybe I'll replace it for lolz. It was supposed to compete with the eos 500 but pretty much failed miserably on all counts... Maybe you cover that in the next video!

[@joelanning7354]

great video, really enjoyed just listening to someone passionate about minoltas :)

[@jam63112]

My first DSLR was the 5D (a cheap version of the 7D) I found it was quite good, even in low light. Has a flash, a stabilizer a very good AF Very easy to use. Good simple and logical user interface

[@rikich15]

Quite nice and enjoyable! I own the dynax 7 (and a SRT-100), and I must say I almost prefer it to my A99

[@DTS__]

I really like your style, Happy I stumbled across you, Nice, informative, funny and entertaining :)

[@bosscat4379]

Can't believe I have now watched this in its entirety for the 2nd time and I dont shoot Minolta . 😂

[@FriedmanArchives]

The X-570 was essentially the X-700 but without shutter priority mode (and, therefore, not program mode). It was a nice enough camera (lots of cameras on my list were aperture-priority mode), but since the X700 didn't make either of my lists (despite its popularity), the X-570 doesn't hold a place in my heart. That having been said, it's a well-designed and robust camera, and will serve you well (and take great pictures!) for many years to come. Whatever you paid, you got your money's worth.

[@mkshffr4936]

My 35mm kit is the 570 and has been since I first got in to photography almost 50 years ago. Never let me down.

[@FriedmanArchives]

@@mkshffr4936 You're lucky... Minolta models from that era (including the X700) are known for capacitor failures on the main circuit board over time.

[@mkshffr4936]

@@FriedmanArchives Good to know. I was never a daily user so that may have helped. I will have to look into it because being made before the surface mount era replacing a cap shouldn't be that difficult if it ever occurs. I suspect getting to it would be the most difficult part. Of course all my lenses should work on an SRT body. In anycase, now that I am getting ready to get back into the hobby I am moving more in the MF direction but there is definitely some good memories associated with the old girl. P.S. I just found the instructions for the replacement. Dead simple. Thanks for the heads up.

[@ghw7192]

I've been using Minolta's since my father gave me the Minolta 35 he brought back from Japan in the early 50's and I collected quite a few of them during the 16 years I managed a camera store. My 2 faves are the XD-11 and the X-570. .For years, my daily carry camera has been an X-570 with a 50.1.4 Rokkor and the Motor Drive 1. Exciting, no, but extremely reliable and a very competent camera. Excellent Video! Thanks!

[@MartysWhiteSuit]

My First SLR was a Minolta SRT100X, bought in 1981. Pretty happy with it. Towed it around with me for 25 years, including when I lived in London. Served me well. I still have it.

[@tkarlmann]

I shot Wedding professionally with two Maxxum 9's and I contend that the "9" is THE best film camera ever made -- with a stainless steel body! And you are correct, it got nothing but bad press because of the (handy to have in an emergency) pop-up flash. I also note that Sony never put a flash on the a99II probably due to that undeserved legacy. In a Wedding, I never had time to look at LCD screens on the "7", I had to KNOW that the exposure was correct -- and shoot negative film.

[@Arys6084]

I had the Minolta XD5 the one before the XD7 and XD11. The XD5 has the aperture and shutter speed priorities. (1983)

[@skeletoninadress]

The first camera I ever shot with was a Minolta, it was my Mother's as she had been a photography enthusiast. I believe it was a Maxxum 3xi. I swear it was the loudest camera in the history of ever but I was very fond of it. I'm wanting to get back into film now and am trying to decide on the best manual 35mm for my budget. While I'm lusting after the Olympus OM-1, the Minolta SRT series tends to be more affordable, and I think it would be fittingly sentimental to go back to shooting a Minolta, just like when I first started. Thanks for the fun video. :)

[@skeletoninadress]

Gary Friedman Haha, thanks for the reply. It was the film advance/rewind motor that I remember being so loud, you would reach the end of a roll and the motor would kick in with it's scream and everyone around would stop and look at you. :D

[@JoeXu]

big fan of your guides, would love to see more videos here as well

[@userkc73]

greetings from Siberia, I have a Zenit TTL (I use 25 years) and Minolta 400si (take 3 years)

[@paulhancock7860]

Loved my Maxxum 9...my favourite pro body I ever owned and I've owned all the Canon and Nikon ones!

[@alfredcauchi8837]

This was very informative video. My first 35mm camera was a Zenit-E and was a cheep introduction to SLR for me. The second new 35mm camera was a Minolta Maxxum 7000 which I was very happy with. During the years I have started to collect different format cameras. How did you manage to keep the rubber in good shape on Minolta Maxxum 9000, 7000, 5000 and there data baks? Mine are always turning in a powder like state. Most of them, the rubber cracked and started to fall off.

[@FriedmanArchives]

My 9000 has had similar polymer breakdown. It happened after I shot that video. 😞

[@playsets]

Hi, this is a great video! It is very informative, and wow, nice collection! :)

[@Zampano691]

XD7 - most beautiful camera ever made

[@socratescafe2004]

This video is really a treasure! Thank you Sir!

[@fingling8567]

Very knowledgeably done. I was not surprised my X-570 was not among the great. Bought a floor model in 1983 or so (the kit lens always a bit rattly), it's been okay but never reliably great. It does have a nice, bright viewfinder that offers plenty of information.

[@delldragon7429]

Thanks for your helpful overview. I do love Minolta cameras and the Zenit too.

[@UpcomingJedi]

The earliest memories of me disliking a 35 mm camera is when they came out with th e Maxum series. Having the camera auto focus without allowing ME to focus on what I wanted the photo to look like just didn't sit well. An overpriced plastic disposable camera. Here I sit all broken hearted wondering how I can manipulate this phone to be more like a manual camera. Time lapse photos just don't come out right when the camera attempts to average out the scene and it turns out over or under exposing the ground in favor of the amount of light in the sky. An x370 would 'suggest'the correct exposure but not cram it down your throat.

[@UpcomingJedi]

Second bad thing of the Maxxum is the inability to change to different focal length lenses.

[@bucksellers5364]

Cant change focal length lenses ???.....Um.......That is VERY strange..... That's kinda like Elephant tranquilizer strange???.....lol

[@janbielikowski]

10:32 pure happiness.

[@robertspeicher5047]

Great video. I still have my 202...It was all the camera I needed. I shoot landscape don't recall ever having to hurry on a photo....Never saw a landscape doing 60 mph...MY PET LENS...MINOLTA 35-70.

[@mike969696]

Thanks for this video. I'm enjoying it very much and wish I had seen it sooner! I just took a short break from it because I wanted to point out that the XK/XM professional camera came out in 1973. You seemed to say it was 1978. And now, back to enjoy the rest! I used most of these myself and am eager to see your views of them. Thanks again!

[@mike969696]

Oops. Minolta 9000 was launched in 1985, not 1988!

[@mike969696]

Olympus OM4 was not a "70's era camera"!

[@FriedmanArchives]

Hey, Mike! Thank you for your astute observations. My official excuse is my advancing age. :-)

[@mike969696]

Ah yes! Advancing age also seems to be bringing out my latent tendency towards pedantry, Gary! :)

[@mike969696]

And this seems as good as place as any to say that I'm still enjoying using a few of my Minolta AF lenses from the 1980's on an inexpensive Sony A37 camera. I was amazed to find just how well they work and how fast the camera is able to focus them

[@MrTnicodeme]

9000 for ever... though the 9Xi gave me a look into "confortable" photography

[@garyfriedman4001]

I agree it was very comfortable and the metering system nailed it every time. Still didn't like it. :-(

[@MasticinaAkicta]

Oooh neat Got my hands on an SRT 101 with a 50mm 1.4. can't wait to get some decent film in it and go out "hunting"

[@MickeyKodak]

Tears in my Eyes, as I see my old XM and XM Motor.... also the D7 and the great srt...... nice Memory about Minoltas U done for us

[@CGphotoOp]

Awesome video. Now all we need is a video about minolta lenses. Us a7 shooters would greatly appreciate it.

[@truerushblast]

i dont see the minolta xg-1

[@DanielMelzerPhotography]

yes!

[@truerushblast]

Sold mine anyway

[@cure865]

CEO of heaven did it suck

[@religiondoctor5198]

Mvca Ruiz no i liked it sold it because I needed money

[@victorca8400]

CEO of heaven I have one from the grampa of my mom

[@DinoDiLabio]

I still Believe that Canon stole everything from Minolta

[@Noeman2009]

Care to elaborate?

[@alberthernandez5316]

you have a beautiful collection of cameras, thank you for the presentation :)

[@Topnutter]

Dear Gary, would be in need of assistance again. I have the Minolta 9. But when I have Eye Start ON I cannot change my Shutter speed or Aperture, it is locked. When I have eye start Off, I can adjust both shutterspeed and aperture. This is the same for M, S, A modes. Is there a problem with the camera?

[@bucksellers5364]

No X-700?.....C'mon !!! .....Yeah its plastic...But to me its still the best Minolta ever made....lol...Ok maybe not the best...But I never had access to everything Minolta made....But honestly the Minolta X-700 to me was and still is a truly GREAT manual film camera....Its 2016 and I don't go anywhere without my Canon 50D digital camera & my Minolta X-700 film camera...I also have a Minolta XE-5 that I wouldn't part with for anything....I don't like it as well as the Minolta X-700 but probably only because I've used the X-700 a LOT ....And I only recently (about 3 or 4 months ago) acquired the XE-5 ...To me the X-700 is just so easy to use and makes GREAT images with the 50mm prime lens without costing an arm and a leg....I also have a 300mm for wildlife shooting...... I just love it the X-700!!! ....Obsolete?.....Not to me....I love shooting film.....Why ?...I really cant answer that...I don't know why....But I can tell you one thing for sure....Shooting film made me a MUCH better digital photographer.....No joke....To me one NEVER truly understands photography without learning to use a manual film camera....In the beginning I think what drew me to film photography was that it was a challenge...But after I learned to use the vintage manual film cameras I still continued to use them.....I honestly don't go anywhere without My Canon 50D and the Minolta X-700 ....So see I don't have to have the latest , greatest digital.... To me the Canon 50D is STILL a wonderful camera! ....I don't make a living with a camera either....I'm just a shutter bug....Who the hail needs 50 megapixels?.....Ridiculus !!! .....15 megapixels is a gracious plenty!....My photos shot with the Canon 50D are nothing short of amazing!.... I want to see someone look at my photos without a magnifying glass and show me something wrong with them....They are beautiful !! ..Sharp !! Nobody needs anything more !! ....Long live film !! ...Long live my Minolta X-700 !!! ... You cant beat those photos either!! ... I own 3 X-700's ....Just in case my Minolta X-700 usefulness doesn't live as long as my usefulness .....lol....I seriously doubt that is going to happen....But I have back-ups just in case......

[@DanielMelzerPhotography]

i love the x-700!

[@bucksellers5364]

Great video by the way...don't know how I forgot to mention that...even if you didn't mention the X-700...lol..

[@mike969696]

The X-700 was a great seller, but only a good camera. Its technical basis was in the relatively mundane XG line rather than the more interesting - and more upmarket - XD cameras which were also built to a higher standard.

[@bucksellers5364]

mike969696..Well as I mentioned...I never owned a lot of Minoltas...But at one time I was just learning to shoot film manually...I was not doing well at it....In other words I was ready to give up...I live in the middle of nowhere so a film class was out of the question...The Minolta X-700 literally saved me from giving up on analogue.....I acquired one in a huge box of cameras (seventeen cameras) that I bought from a salvation army store...In that lot was a Minolta X-700....I learned to shoot manual by shooting the X-700 in aperture priority mode and taking notes of the shutter speed the camera selected for me and the light available at the time...I was shooting manual in no time....Now , whenever a student asks me what camera they should learn to shoot film with I always suggest the Minolta X-700...There are millions of them out there in good condition and at a low cost....plus they are MUCH more reliable than the old Canon cameras from the same era... I now own a LOT of film cameras...But the Minolta X-700 is and will always be one of my favorites....Matter of fact I own 3 X-700's right now...I am selling one of them on ebay....If anyone out there is interested my username on ebay is douglasmilloutfitters....I am thinning down on my collection of film cameras....I don't have a clue how many I have...But it is a LOT...I have basically a closet filled with cameras....I have been collecting film cameras for around 11 -- 12 years...I cant possibly use all of the cameras I own...I started out collecting rangefinders....then switched to SLR's...I have a lot of both ...I plan to keep maybe 10 to 12 cameras.....give or take...Just a more manageable number ....Nobody needs a couple hundred cameras....Or that's what the other half tells me anyways....I think she just wants the money I'll get from selling the vintage film cameras...

[@mike969696]

At one stage I used a couple of X-700's. They are OK, but, as I say, in retrospect didn't really offer that much on top of the XG cameras they were based on (P mode and TTL flash, basically), and a few of the controls (the dof preview button comes to mind) felt cheaper than on the earlier cameras. I ended up slightly preferring the very similar XG-M camera myself.

[@FoxtrotBravo90]

my wife wonders the same thing!! ahahah

[@willyamsosorio]

Amazing explanetion and review of all the cameras, i have mi minolta x-700 and i've been enjoing it a lot, im looking to upgrade for other minolta any suggest ?

[@FriedmanArchives]

Any camera in this video! :-)

[@howardtowler6146]

Great video, I had the excellent X700 only problem it got damp while at brands hatch and didn't work for a week were as the the Xe-1 was a monster in weight but never stopped working every even when I dropped it down some stone stairs.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Stone stairs? Ouch!!

[@amirahtaylor175]

I love the video. I was given a Minolta 570 for my birthday last year but I can't seem to find much information on it. Is it a good camera? If so, what film should I get for it because I want to actually use it.

[@machia0705]

SRT 101 w/ a Rokker 58mm f1.4 lens, sweet photos and memories...Was given to me in 1972 and still using it today.

[@MatthewRodney33]

Hi Gary can you help me please? I have a Minolta 9000 & an MD-90 drive but the drive won't work, it works if i manually wind the film on but doesn't autowind, I have cleaned the heads, is it anything to do with the batteries? or do I have to move a button on the camera for it to auto fire? cheers

[@racebearstv]

Enjoyable video,Gary,which I’ve watched several times!By the way,I still have my dad’s SRT 101,but even with the correct replacement 675 battery the meter won’t work - a common issue with these I believe.Do you happen to know how to fix this?Best wishes from another Minolta collector in the UK.

[@FriedmanArchives]

Regretfully, I don't know how to fix a broken meter. 😞

[@Texas_Cuh]

Great educational video of Minolta’s slr series 👌🏻