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The
magnificent XD11 in black chrome finish. This finish used a special anodizing
process that was licensed from Leitz, which results in a harder-wearing
finish than black paint. This particular camera has the original soft
leatherette, which is inclined to shrink and peel, although on this example
the leatherette is still in very good condition. |
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The Minolta XD11 is a magnificent manual
focus camera, and a tribute to what engineers were able to create prior
to the start of the “disposable plastic” era. The camera was
released as the XD11 in the North American market, but as with many of
the Minolta models it had different designations in other markets, being
known as the XD7 in Europe and the XD in Japan.
The
camera was developed by Minolta in conjunction with Leica, and the body
became the basis for the Leica R4, and later, as the chassis for the the
Leica R5, R6 and R7. Leica introduced a more advanced metering system
into the body (including spot metering), but most of the other features
of the camera are evident in both bodies.
When
the XD11 was released in 1977 it was the top of the line Minolta camera
of its era, with the exception of the XK Motor, a motorised version of
the 1972 XK camera. The XK Motor was a professional model released in
1976, and was only sold in very small numbers. The XD11 was highly praised
by critics of the time, and is still regarded by many to be the best manual
focus body made by Minolta. |
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The
XD11 (or in this case XD7) with original black leatherette is still a very
attractive looking camera, and can be purchased for between US$70 and $150
on ebay, depending upon condition. From a camera store, expect to pay a
little more. |
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So
why was the XD11 so applauded? Well here's the reason - the XD11 was the
world's first camera with aperture priority and shutter priority, as well
as a fully metered manual mode. The availability of both aperture and
shutter priority gives the photographer unprecedented creative control,
as well as ease and convenience of operation. |
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Picture
Copyright Minolta |
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But
that is not all, some of the other features of the XD11 are as follows:
-
Electronically
controlled stepless shutter speeds from 1/1000 to 1 second for automatic
modes plus stepped speeds from 1/1000 to 1 second plus “B”
in metered manual mode. “X” sync setting for 1/100 sec,
plus fully mechanical operation at “O” (1/100 sec) and
“B”.
-
Completely
electronic automatic aperture control in shutter priority mode.
-
Final
check metering system (after stopping the lens down the camera performs
a final check to ensure that the exposure will be correct). This was
later also used in the Minolta X-700.
-
Very
bright acute-matte viewfinder screen with details of selected aperture
and shutter speed, so no need to take the eye from the viewfinder,
even in metered manual mode.
- A
range of interchangeable screens was available (see here).
-
Vertical traverse metal blade focus plane shutter for quiet operation,
and also enabling a fast 1/100 sec flash sync speed. This sync was
the fastest of the Minolta Manual focus bodies, and was nearly twice
as fast as the later X-700.
-
Silicon photocell TTL centre weighted meter, measuring at full aperture
for display then at taking aperture for exposure. Automatic exposure
range EV1 to EV18.
-
Can be used without batteries in fully mechanical mode at B for long
exposures, or at “O” for 1/100 sec. This feature was included
because photographers had traditionally been used to mechanical cameras,
and there was still some hesitation at relying on a battery. What
it means now is that for extremely long exposures the battery can
be removed, resulting in zero current drain. Later models, such as
the X-700 had a maximum long exposure time of about 2 hours, due to
the fact that battery power was required to keep the mirror up.
-
Remote
shutter release that will accept both electronic and manual shutter
releases.
-
Unlike later cameras like the X-700, the XD7 uses a full metal body
construction.
-
Can
be used with the Autowinder D for motor driven sequences of up to
2 frames per second.
-
Exposure
adjustment lever for up to two stops over or under exposure from the
metered setting.
-
Depth
of field preview button.
-
Built-in
eyepiece shutter for tripod use (won't mess up your metering).
-
PC connection for studio flash use.
-
Film
“safe-load” indicator.
-
Self timer (adjustable from 2 to 10 seconds).
As
can be seen, the XD11 has all of the features you would expect from a
pro camera, and in fact has some advantages over later minolta cameras
like the X-700. For example, the XD11 has a sturdier body, and the shutter
priority mode is considered by many Minolta enthusiasts to be far superior
to the X-700's program mode. Also, the XD11 has a facility for the taking
of multiple exposures, which is very difficult to do with the X-700. |
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Several
changes were made to the XD Series bodies during the course of production.
The first models came with an outward facing exposure adjustment lever,
made of bare metal. This lever was later given a black plastic tip, and
in the last period of production, this lever was moved to point inward.
Also, part of the way through the production of the XD Series, Minolta
started painting the 125 number on the shutter scale green. This was designed
to assist with the use of the shutter priority exposure control for inexperienced
users, as if all settings were set at “green” (ie. minimum
aperture, “S” on mode setting and 1/125 of a second), good
shots should result. It is noted that the shutter priority setting on
the XD11 is quite advanced, and that if the selected speed is insufficient
at the widest aperture, it will reduce the speed until a correct exposure
ensues. |
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In
the pictures at right you can see the early positioning of the exposure
adjustment lever (left) and the later position (right). I find the earlier
design easier to use, particularly when adjusting exposure while looking
through the viewfinder. |
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In
these images you can see the early shutter speed dial (right) and the
later version (left). It is important to remember that the green 125 is
NOT the flash sync speed position. For flash photography with non-dedicated
flash units the shutter speed dial should be set to the red “X”
which gives a speed of 1/100 sec. |
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Other
changes introduced by Minolta during the life of the body included changing
the leatherette from a soft feel finish to a harder leatherette. It is
noted that this early softer leatherette is subject to shrinkage, so this
change may have resulted from feedback received from users. Minolta also
changed the shutter blades at some stage during production, putting dimples
on the later models to avoid sticking if the blades were slightly covered
in oil (albeit the likelihood of this occuring must have been remote).
Finally, very late in production the old style minolta logo on the front
of the pentaprism was changed to the new Minolta logo. There were additionally
other less obvious changes implemented throughout the model lfe, but these
were generally unnoticeable except to service technicians (different screw
types etc.). |
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This
XD-7 had leatherette which had suffered badly from shrinkage. The leatherette
has been replaced with this lovely and tactile black and red lizardskin
from www.cameraleather.com
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Basically,
for creative photography, you can't go past the XD11. The XD11 was more
expensive than the X-700 when both were available from Minolta, a fact
which is attributable to the higher quality and better construction of
the camera. In fact, the XD11 is now recognised by many to be the best
manual focus camera made by Minolta, a tribute to quality before the start
of the “disposable plastic” era. |
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