Difference between revisions of "Minolta XD series"

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(Links: -- added review at emuu.net)
("donated" text from my own review -- mw.)
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<div class="floatright">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/89864432@N00/130977201/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/51/130977201_30af4091fe.jpg]</div>
  
In 1977 the '''[[Minolta]] XD''' SLR series did combine for the first time the most important automatic exposure modes in one [[SLR]] camera body, the aperture priority mode and the shutter priority mode. This versatility was supported by mode dependent informations visible through the camera's very bright and good viewfinder. The shutter is particularily silent and has an additional 1/100s mechanical backup speed operating independently of battery power (O). The Leica R4 is based on this camera body. A new series of [[Rokkor]] lenses had been offered by Minolta for this exciting new pioneer product, some of these were also made available and sold by Leica, like the 35-70mm/3.5 zoom.
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In 1977, Minolta was the first to combine both aperture-priority mode and shutter-priority mode in one [[SLR]] camera body, the '''[[Minolta]] XD'''. Use of these modes (along with fully-manual mode) is controlled by a switch by the manual film-speed dial. When selecting shutter-priority mode, the lens was placed into its minimum aperture setting so that the lens would accept the camera's control over aperture.
  
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'''viewfinder'''
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The versatility of having both automatic exposure modes is supported by the viewfinder, in which both shutter and aperture settings are prominently displayed. The presentation of this data depends on the exposure mode: when in aperture-priority, the aperture value appears at the bottom of the viewfinder and the shutter speed appears on the right, where a marker points to the derived value appropriate for correct exposure. When in shutter-priority mode, the film speed appears in a box in the lower-right corner of the viewfinder, and the aperture appears on the right -- again marked according to the correct exposure. The viewfinder image itself, meanwhile, is a beautifully crisp and large image thanks to the Minolta Acute-Matte focusing screen, the 94% view coverage, and 0.87 magnification.
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'''meter'''
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The camera also features a robust meter that covers EV 1 through EV 18, with off-the-film metering for precise measurement of the amount of light striking the film during exposure. This type of metering was one of the more sophisticated varieties available at the time of the camera's release, and remains extremely precise despite three decades of advances in film.
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'''shutter'''
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The shutter is of the vertical-travel Copal variety and is particularly quiet. The shutter has a 1/100s mechanical mode that operates independently of battery power (O).
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'''Leica tie-in'''
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The Leica R4 is based on this camera body. A new series of [[Rokkor]] lenses had been offered by Minolta for this exciting new pioneer product, some of these were also made available and sold by Leica, like the 35-70mm/3.5 zoom.
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'''variants'''
 
Several versions was produced:
 
Several versions was produced:
 
* the original '''XD''' model, which was named '''XD-11''' in USA and Canada and '''XD-7''' in Europe and elsewhere
 
* the original '''XD''' model, which was named '''XD-11''' in USA and Canada and '''XD-7''' in Europe and elsewhere
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* [http://rapidshare.com/files/47973615/manual_Minolta_XD11-XD7-XD.pdf XD11/XD/XD7 User Manual in English (Rapidshare download)] - Courtesy: acolla
 
* [http://rapidshare.com/files/47973615/manual_Minolta_XD11-XD7-XD.pdf XD11/XD/XD7 User Manual in English (Rapidshare download)] - Courtesy: acolla
 
* Michael Werneburg's [http://emuu.net/?0139 review]
 
* Michael Werneburg's [http://emuu.net/?0139 review]
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* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minolta_XD Wikipedia entry]
  
 
{{Minolta classic}}
 
{{Minolta classic}}

Revision as of 05:41, 26 February 2009

130977201_30af4091fe.jpg

In 1977, Minolta was the first to combine both aperture-priority mode and shutter-priority mode in one SLR camera body, the Minolta XD. Use of these modes (along with fully-manual mode) is controlled by a switch by the manual film-speed dial. When selecting shutter-priority mode, the lens was placed into its minimum aperture setting so that the lens would accept the camera's control over aperture.

viewfinder The versatility of having both automatic exposure modes is supported by the viewfinder, in which both shutter and aperture settings are prominently displayed. The presentation of this data depends on the exposure mode: when in aperture-priority, the aperture value appears at the bottom of the viewfinder and the shutter speed appears on the right, where a marker points to the derived value appropriate for correct exposure. When in shutter-priority mode, the film speed appears in a box in the lower-right corner of the viewfinder, and the aperture appears on the right -- again marked according to the correct exposure. The viewfinder image itself, meanwhile, is a beautifully crisp and large image thanks to the Minolta Acute-Matte focusing screen, the 94% view coverage, and 0.87 magnification.

meter The camera also features a robust meter that covers EV 1 through EV 18, with off-the-film metering for precise measurement of the amount of light striking the film during exposure. This type of metering was one of the more sophisticated varieties available at the time of the camera's release, and remains extremely precise despite three decades of advances in film.

shutter The shutter is of the vertical-travel Copal variety and is particularly quiet. The shutter has a 1/100s mechanical mode that operates independently of battery power (O).

Leica tie-in The Leica R4 is based on this camera body. A new series of Rokkor lenses had been offered by Minolta for this exciting new pioneer product, some of these were also made available and sold by Leica, like the 35-70mm/3.5 zoom.

variants Several versions was produced:

  • the original XD model, which was named XD-11 in USA and Canada and XD-7 in Europe and elsewhere
  • the export model XD-5 which lacked the pre-set aperture and pre-set shutter time info in the viewfinder and the eyepiece shutter
  • the Japan only XD-s which was a XD, where the eyepiece shutter was swapped against a diopter adjustment
  • a Medical model of XD and XD-s was available as a specialized body for scientific and medial applications. This camera was laid out for flash use with a microscope or alike. It lacked the shutter speeds, the automatic modes and the ASA setting. The shutter time was fixed to flash sync at 1/100s.


146265902_6c54ed0028_m.jpg

Pre-set aperture and shutter speed visible
below the viewfinder image. At the right side
the meter's LEDs showing chosen aperture
(in shutter priority mode S , in A mode the

LEDs show the chosen exposure time).

Links

Minolta Classic Cameras
Vest (or Best) | V2 | SR-2 | SRT 101 | XE | XD | CLE | 7000 | 9000 | 800 si