Vintage Camera Review: Minolta X 700

In this video i talk about the minolta X-700 and my new found love for this minolta system.

For 35mm Film processing and high quality scans visit:

[christinecurtis]

Years ago (80's) my husband bought me a Minolta X700 camera. Takes the most beautiful pictures. You can see bees inside the flowers from yards away. The best pictures ever of our family are with this camera. I never even used most of the features this camera has. Because I now have a little digital camera (actually have not graduated to the phone camera yet), I brought this camera to Hunt's Camera in Maine seeing what they may buy it from me. No way, according to the clerk Apparently there are many more cameras that are far superior and they would not be able to sell mine. So, now I'm thinking maybe I should save the moments that are special for just this camera. The nice thing about the digital camera is if the picture doesn't come out as planned, you can see it right away. But, all in all, most pictures taken with the Minolta always came out great. I really enjoyed your comments and instructional video. There is so much more to this camera than I realized. Thank you.

[derektucker]

Awesome video. After watching this I dug out my x-700 that I bought in 1985 (I was 15). I found the original receipt for $350 Canadian. Have no idea where I got the money but still have the camera after all these years!

[StreetGrain]

You forgot to mention another neat little feature. Above the lens on the prism itself is a little window. So when you look through the viewfinder, you can see what aperture you are on without having to bring the camera down to look. Very quick camera to use when shooting action. Love this camera to death!

[ShahShaha]

This is the very first camera I used when I started film photography. Don't have to think too much when using it now, pretty much another extension of my body.

[marcossantana]

I picked my X700 two months ago and have loved everything about it so far. Love the fact that it meters in manual mode unlike another minolta i own. You can also view the shutter speed in the view finder. This is my second minolta camera. Great review video!

[dond]

I picked up a Minolta x700 2 years ago... I still haven’t used it! After watching your videos, I’m gonna finally take it for a whirl !

[harveyhall]

Yes, I agree the X-700 is a great camera, and I think you missed one of the features. The button on the front near the " X-700" has two functions. If you press is down. A light will come on to show you that our camera battery is ok. If you snap the button up. You just turn on the self timer, After you push the shutter button the light on the front will start blinking faster and faster. You can also buy a "multifunction programmable data back". For example, You can program the X-700 to turn itself on at 5 a.m.and take 5 pictures at 5 minute intervals. But they are hard to find. You can also get a huge flash for the camera, like a Sunpak 544 with an integrated module for the TTL ( through the lens ) metering the range is about 50 feet, with ASA 100 film, etc.. You did a great review, Later.

[HoLeeChit]

Probably one of the best consumer SLR made by any manufacturer. I love my minoltas .

[StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

Superb introduction to this camera!

I actually bought one about six years ago in Vancouver via Craigslist. The guy wanted $120,

He opened the bag he had the camera (with leather case) in and showed me a showroom mind camera and case. He explained that he had shot one roll of film with it and then put it aside in a closet! It sat since around the mid-80's totally unused in a smoke-free environment (and yes as I asked!).

Not wanting to piss him off in the least (as I normally will lowball/counter-bid the price) I gave him his $120 and walked away feeling like I had bought a Rolex for $120!

Fantastic camera and ironically it was the first film camera that I had bought (I've shot digital since the late 90's).

[careycarson]

Love the black and white presentation.

[MusicMinisterJP]

This was quite the refreshing review of this Minolta. I pulled the case out of Storage bcuz I got the feel to shoot 35mm film again. Bought my X700 in the early 80's. Standard lens along with a 135mm and the auto winder. Flash was by Soligor but now that you have explained the communication between that 280PX flash and x700, I will buy one. I've been also intrigued by the now films. I will be trying for the first time, the Portra 400. I am also activating the Canon AE-1 and try the Ektar 100 on this one. Purchased new batteries for both slrs. Has been decades since my days of photography in weddings, birthdays, graduations and all kinds of celebrations. I hope I will enjoy the results.

[cameraman]

My buddy in College in the 80s was a user of this rig and tried to convince me to move from my Canon AE-1, but stuck with Canon and did so until 2017 when I switched to Fuji. That said, the X-700 was a really nice rig, I borrowed a few times as it had a Motor Drive and shot a few Basketball games with it I was impressed.

[Jerry]

I got one back in the late 80s then I worked as an Army photographer for 3rd Armored Division Public Affairs Office, where they also used the X-700 for their official camera. I loved the camera and took many great photos with it. my only complaint was the batteries had a habit of dying in cold weather, Which meant I would miss my shot. I brought a backup camera the Pentax K1000 because it only used the battery for the light meter. Otherwise the X-700 did a great job. I don't have one now but would get another one.

[ThatShadowHand]

I shoot digital, my wife gave me her old x700 just a few days ago. She used it in college in 1999-2001, and didn’t touch it since,

I love it.

[phillipdonnelly]

Great video. Loved it and the B&W was absolutely fine.We get so carried away, B&W is just perfect in so many situations, we're almost obsessed with colour but I'm seeing a lot more B&W. I started a Photographic career back in the 70's working mainly in B&W because so much news paper and magazine stuff was B&W. I got re routed into IT at some point, which I regret but I've never given up on my photography and now it's my only interest. Though I can code. But, I bought an X-700 about 4 months ago, then I've just bought the Rokkor 58mm 1.4f lens and a 28mm lens. I LOVE the feel of the camera, the features, which you've explained well, and the opportunity for some great photos, mainly B&W for me. I've got to say, I've worked with Nikon and Canon in the past so I've missed the X-700, I even worked for Nikon at one point. There should be an X-700 club. But most of all I've missed working with Film. Happy to be back in the frame!

[cammiller]

Nice work on the review of this camera. Something that I learned is that it will not advance at all unless the batteries are good, and the camera electronics are getting power. Different than other earlier film cameras.

[JoeLopez]

well done. I really like my x-700. grabbed two last summer to compliment the XG-1 I bought new in the late 70s. Keep up the informative videos.

[jocole]

thank you for sharing, Minolta X-700 was my very first camera back in the 80ty's I started into photography, thank you for reminding me of how much I missed using Minolta, when digital cameras came out I was a bit sad, tried them out but didn't give me the passion I was missing, so, yes I am going back to Minolta. I am so excited. Thank you thank you thank you. Look forward to learn more from your show.

[andytheghosthunter]

Got mine recently from a customer and it is Mint! It has a 50mm f/1.7 lens which is awesome! Need a 35mm so on the lookout for one of those. The best things about the camera are
1: Weight - Nice and light
2: Size - Not thick like a SLR, More like a range finder
3 The shutter - Oh that SO nice!! Best shutter sound so far!

Thanks for the great video. I learnt a lot.

[jerryrichards]

Fine video on a fantastic camera. I have been useing my consistently since the 80s just now upgraded to a minolta a9 waiting a few more days for lenses.
Like to see your take on one.
Black and white sets you off different.