Once I discovered the Minolta X-1 Camera it fell into the category of my ‘dream cameras’. Frantic Googling and research followed and no sooner had I clicked the ‘buy now’ button, it arrived from Japan. Unfortunately, it arrived with a minor defect, that I only noticed due to the hours spent reading the instruction manual front to back; given it was my dream camera, I sent it back. I knew though that I would come to own one again one day.

Introduced in 1973, the Minolta X-1 joined the lineup of brands offering the utmost capable 35mm Single Lens Reflex cameras to date, the Nikon F2 and Canon F-1. Interchangeable focus screens, prisms, a top speed of 1/2000 sec and brilliant optics available to each respective brand, were features these three cameras boasted. Released two years after both the Nikon and Canon, Minolta was on the back foot when it came to entering the competitive market with the X-1 (XK in North America and XM in Europe). However, the X-1 was doing the splits, as it also had one foot forward due to its electronically governed auto-exposure system which was the first of its kind. This allowed for aperture priority which meant anyone with a basic photographic understanding could load a film, choose an aperture, shoot away and the camera would choose the required shutter speed.

Important overall features and specifications are as follows:

• Shutter speeds: 1 to 1/2000 sec electronic speeds, with two mechanical speeds of B and X (1/100 sec)
• Battery compartment for 2 x SR44 batteries or equivalent, released by turning 90 degrees anti-clockwise. Batteries are required for the use of electronic shutter speeds.
• Mirror lock-up and stop-down metering (Depth of Field preview) integrated into a multi-use button.
• Exposure compensation incorporated into AE/AE-S prisms, ±2 stops in ‘Auto’ mode.
• Lens mount: SR bayonet, allowing for the use of all MC/MD lenses. The earlier Minolta Rokkor lenses that require stop-down metering can be used.
• Multiple-exposure: No designated lever or button, film rewind button has to be depressed whilst manually advancing the film lever.
• Self-timer: Lever actuation for a maximum of 10 seconds.
• Flash sync.: At X, an accessory shoe mount is required for the use of an electronic flash.
• Shutter type: Focal plane, titanium horizontally travelling curtains.
• Viewfinders: six finders are available, most notably the AE (standard), P (professional), H (chimney/high magnification), W (waist-level), and AE-S.
• Focusing screens: Standard is P, with 10 other scenes available.

Having been based on the Minolta SRT model chassis, there was an inherent ruggedness in the X-1. However, there were a few quirks including the ‘Senswitch’. This switch is located on the front of the camera, to the left of the self-timer lever. The Senswitch requires very little pressure to depress, and its purpose is to complete the electrical circuit to provide power for the operation of the light meter. If using the standard AE prism, the user can choose to override the Senswitch by turning the prism dial to ‘ON’, thus no longer requiring the use of the Senswitch. Battery drain can result as the meter is constantly metering in this ‘ON’ position.

A problem for users arose, whereby using the ‘Auto’ mode available on AE and AE-S prisms with the meter switched ‘ON’, without depressing the Senswitch, the mirror locked up and the shutter remained open, exposing the film for 16 seconds. Lowering the mirror on a fully working example involved switching the shutter speed to ‘X’, or releasing the battery compartment cover slightly. When other finders were fitted such as the waist-level (W) finder, the Senswitch does not need to be pressed, but batteries are still needed to operate the electronic shutter speeds.

According to The Rokkor Files, Minolta offered a procedure to remove faulty Senswitches from the camera body, with the ‘ON/OFF’ switch located on the prisms to be the method of activating the light meter. This, along with the failure to introduce what users demanded, namely a motorised version for press and journalism photographers alike, led to the end of production in 1981. When Minolta finally did produce a motorised version in 1986, the XK Motor, it was non-detachable and took ten AA batteries, meaning the weight always had to be lugged around. The Minolta X-700 was released in 1981, however after the X-1, Minolta would never again produce a “professional” specification manual focus camera.

A Rant – My User Experience

I currently own four X-1/XM/XK camera bodies, my go-to pair being sourced from Shutteroo, one broken one from Gumtree and one semi-working example from America via eBay. Having owned this model camera for two years now, there is plenty to comment on. They have travelled as my right-hand man across Tasmania, experiencing freezing minimum temperatures, and more humid and warm weather in my home state of New South Wales.

Well, the list of qualities of the X-1 that appeals to me is quite long. If your first camera was a Minolta SRT model, like many of ours were, this camera will feel like a luxury model. It retains the smooth and tensioned film advance found in the SRT cameras, offering a delightful tactile experience, and the familiar DOF preview button. Subtle luxuries include an ergonomically positioned lens-mount release button with a larger surface area. Although I never used it, the spring-loaded exposure compensation switch is very easy to use and resets after each shot. It offered many features including the glorious interchangeable waist-level prism and still had all the Rokkor glass to choose from.

Additionally, it is the easiest battery compartment to access, especially compared to the often difficult SRT which when mistakenly done up too tight, will result in frustration.

I have never had an issue with the ASA/ISO dial on the top of the AE prism getting accidentally changed whilst retrieving it from my camera bag or from around my neck. The weight doesn’t bother me either, especially when fitted with my go-to W finder and carrying it in a backpack. A few hundred grams won’t stop you from capturing the scene after an exhausting hike.

There are a few issues with this camera that most likely are not exclusive to me. The Senswitch can have issues, and is an important thing to confirm with the seller before purchasing. An intermittent Senswitch such as my semi-working model can result in the mirror locking up after every exposure, and can only be remedied by releasing the compartment as stated earlier. There is nothing more annoying than having to reset the battery compartment after every shot. Other issues can include the mirror locking up at certain shutter speeds, often below 1/60 sec. As I wrote this article, the X-1 camera decided to shed a chip of a mirror, most likely the AE prism which has a series of mirrors that reflect light to illuminate the selected aperture and shutter speed in the viewfinder readout.

I was told they are almost unrepairable here in Australia by a man who had regular exchanges with a Minolta collector in Europe, “the camera had to be taken back to basics of electricity to address any metering and electronic issues.” Whether or not he was pulling my leg I am unsure, but I’m inclined to believe him given my experience with them.

Final Thoughts

Is it worth the asking price? I cannot neglect to mention the high prices these cameras go for on eBay, with most originating from Japan. However they are priced similarly to a Nikon F2, Canon F-1 or Pentax LX for a good condition body. If you are brand loyal you might just turn a blind eye to the unreliable nature of the X-1, and opt for it over other options out there.

Ownership has led me to believe that all of these will break in some way; before most Nikons or Canons might. It is for this reason that every time I load a roll of film into a 35mm SLR, if it’s not into an X-1, then I am doing something wrong. It taught me that the photographic interface that I wanted was within this camera; that every time I looked at buying a new camera, I needn’t do that, because so long as my X-1 was working, nothing could offer more.

If you would like more reviews of other cameras, feel free to leave a comment of any models that you would like reviewed, and chances are I might happen to own one.