Minolta X-1

Last updated
Minolta X-1
Minolta X1 01 kln.jpg
Minolta X-1, with AE finder
Overview
Maker Minolta
Type35mm SLR camera
Released1972
Lens
Lens mount Minolta SR-mount
Sensor/medium
Film format 135 film
Film speed ASA 12–6400
Focusing
Focusmanual
Exposure/metering
Exposure manual, aperture priority
Flash
Flash synchronization 1100 sec.
Shutter
Shutter speeds 16–12000 sec. + B, X
Viewfinder
Viewfinder eye-level pentaprism
Optional viewfinderswaist-level, high-magnification
Viewfinder magnification0.8×
Frame coverage98%
General
Battery2×SR44 (S76)
Dimensions
    • 109.5 mm × 48 mm × 147.5 mm (4.3 in × 1.9 in × 5.8 in) X-1 [1]
    • 171 mm × 83 mm × 147.5 mm (6.7 in × 3.3 in × 5.8 in) X-1 Motor [2]
Weight
    • 895 g (31.6 oz) X-1, w/out lens
    • 1,445 g (51.0 oz) X-1 Motor, w/out lens

The Minolta X-1 (XK in North America, XM in Europe and elsewhere) was the professional model in the Minolta SR-mount line of single-lens reflex cameras (SLR), released in 1972 after ten years of development, which was the first X-series camera in the Minolta SLR system; prior to the X-1, specific Minolta SLR models were branded SR-T, and afterward, they included X in the name. The X-1 was the first SLR to combine an electronically-controlled shutter with interchangeable viewfinders.

Contents

History

The X-1 was the first of the X-series, released in Japan in 1972; the X-1 Motor, a variant with an integrated motordrive, followed in 1976. [3] :12 By 1981, Minolta had discontinued the original XK in the United States, selling only the XK Motor. [4]

A completely new designed lens line was introduced and labelled with 'MC Rokkor-X' in the North American market (the rest of the world kept the plain 'MC Rokkor' designation). The most striking attribute was the new waffled rubber coating of the focus grip.

The X-1 and its export descendants were available in black finish only.

Design

The X-1 has a pressure-sensitive "Senswitch" on the front panel, which switches the camera shutter and viewfinder meter on automatically when held in a shooting position; [3] :12 the feature was panned in an initial look, published in 1975 by Ivan Berger for Popular Mechanics . [5] There is an auxiliary power switch for the meter on the AE and AE-S metering viewfinders. [1] :16

The focal plane shutter has horizontally-traveling titanium foil curtains, capable of manually selecting speeds in steps from 16 to 12000 sec., or continuously variable speeds between 4 and 12000 s in autoexposure mode. [5] There are two mechanically-timed speeds: labeled "X" for flash synchronization, 1100 s, and "B" for "B"ulb or "B"utton, where the shutter stays open as long as the shutter release is depressed. [3] :17 The shutter speed is selected on the viewfinder, rather than the body. [3] :16

Power for the shutter and metering viewfinders is supplied by two SR44/S76 1.5 silver-oxide button cell batteries, housed in the body. [3] :20 On the X-1, these are in a small chamber accessed on the baseplate of the camera. [1] :17

The camera further has both a flash contact (next to the rewind crank) and a PC socket (on the side of the lens mount escutcheon) for flash synchronisation. [1] :16–17 The lens mount also has a button which combined the mirror lock-up feature and stop down lever for depth of field preview. [1] :16 Multi-exposure capability was provided by depressing the film advance release button on the base of the camera. [1] :17

X-1 Motor

The X-1 Motor offers the same features as the original X-1, but has an integrated motor that provides automatic film advance at 1, 2, 3, or 3.5 ("H") frames per second, or a "S"ingle frame advance setting. It draws power from the Standard Battery Pack, which screws into the tripod socket on the bottom of the handgrip and takes 10 AA batteries. [3] :17

In addition to the standard battery pack, Minolta offered two other battery packs which also took 10 AA batteries: [6] :D2

Accessories

Viewfinders

Minolta XM with finders (L-R): AE, W, P, H, AE-S Minolta XM Finders DxO 01 kln web.jpg
Minolta XM with finders (L–R): AE, W, P, H, AE-S

It had interchangeable finders; the finder model number is written on a label just below the eyepiece:

Focusing screens

The photographer has the choice of eleven interchangeable focusing screens; nine were available initially upon release, [1] :14 [5] and two more (Types AP and L) were added later. [3] :22–24 [6] :D4 The initial standard screen was the Type P, [1] :14 which shifted later to the Type PM. [6] :D4

Minolta focusing screens for X-1/XK/XM [3] :22–24 [7]
TypeImageFieldCenter focusing aidNotes
P Minolta Type P.svg Ground matte FresnelSplit-image rangefinder, 4 mm diameterSuitable for general photography. Early cameras were supplied with Type P as standard. [1]
M Minolta Type M.svg Ground matte FresnelMicroprism, 4 mm diameterSuitable for general photography, especially with focal lengths from 35 to 100 mm.
PM Minolta Type PM.svg Ground matte FresnelSplit-image rangefinder, 2.5 mm diameter + microprism collar, 1.5 mm wideSuitable for general photography; standard screen shipped with cameras.
G Minolta Type G.svg Ground matte Fresnel[none]Suitable for general photography, especially for telephoto lenses.
C1 / C2 / C3 Minolta Type Cx.svg Clear FresnelMicroprism, 6 mm diameterSpecific screen selected based on lens in use, suitable for low-light photography. In general, requires exposure compensation.
AP Minolta Type AP.svg Fine-ground matte FresnelDiagonal split-image rangefinderSuitable for slower lenses (with maximum aperture ≥ f/5.6); in general, requires exposure compensation.
L Minolta Type L.svg Ground matte Fresnel[none]Etched grid of horizontal and vertical lines at 6 mm intervals; suitable for use with Shift CA Rokkor lens.
H Minolta Type H.svg Ground matte FresnelClear, 8 mm diameter, with double cross-hairUses dioptric / parallax focusing, for astrophotography, photomicrography, or other high-magnification uses.
S Minolta Type S.svg Clear FresnelDouble cross-hairEtched measuring scales, used only with H-finder. Uses dioptric / parallax focusing, for astrophotography, photomicrography, or other high-magnification uses.

Screen C1 can be used with most lenses which have focal lengths ≤ 100 mm, with the exceptions of the 16 mm full-frame fisheye lens and the 17 mm ultra wide angle lens. Screen C2 covers a similar range (≤ 135 mm), including the two exceptions (FL=16 and 17 mm). Screen C3 can be used with most lenses with focal lengths between 50 and 300 mm, and is suitable for some focal lengths less than 85 mm. [6] :D5 [7]

Other accessories

Minolta offered a 250-frame film back which took 33 ft (10 m) of bulk 135 film and used special film cartridges. [6] :D2 In addition, Minolta offered the Intervalometer PM for the X-1 Motor, which took five AA batteries and took photographs at intervals that could be set between 0.5 and 60 seconds. [6] :D3

Flashes with a standard hot shoe could be mounted on the camera using a special adapter, which slips over the rewind crank. [6] :D3

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Minolta XK: Electronic, automatic exposure SLR" (PDF). Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. 1974. Retrieved 17 July 2024 via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  2. "Minolta Dealer Notebook, Part 12 (Specifications)" (PDF). Minolta Corporation. March 1981. Retrieved 17 July 2024 via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wolf, John C (1978). The Minolta guide . Amphoto. ISBN   0-8174-2453-9.
  4. "Minolta Dealer Notebook, Part 2 (X Series SLR and CLE)" (PDF). Minolta Corporation. March 1981. Retrieved 17 July 2024 via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Berger, Ivan (February 1975). "Electronic XK: Minolta's first 'convertible'". Popular Mechanics. p. 87. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Minolta Dealer Notebook, Part 5 (Accessories)" (PDF). Minolta Corporation. March 1981. Retrieved 17 July 2024 via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  7. 1 2 "Interchangeable focusing screens for Minolta interchangeable-finder SLR cameras" (PDF). Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Retrieved 17 July 2024 via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.

This article was originally based on "Minolta X-1" in Camerapedia, retrieved on 4 August 2007 under the GNU Free Documentation License.