Minolta XD series

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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.

Several versions had been 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.


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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
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