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The Minolta X-370's are bargains. They are well balanced,have plain and simple to use controls, and are also very sturdy. They represent an era when the excitement was--the camera could actually control settings for you! With the X-370 you set the shutter speed and the camera with correctly coupled lenses sets the aperture for you! All this is too bad later on, because the electronics are the weak spot of the series. Minoltadoc explains it in great deal, and along with Rokkor files, is one of the sites you should really become familiar with before you buy. [Konica Minolta Photo Imaging ceased production of cameras March 31, 2006 and stopped making film a year later. You have to snoop around a little for them, but Konica Minolta still maintains manuals online for both digital and film cameras, including the X-370's, X-300/X7a, X-570-/X-500, X-700, XG-1,XG -7, XG-A, XG-M, as well as CLE, and SR-T 101, 102 and SR-T 202.] The X-370 also has manual options: you turn the shutter dial to manual and have full metering to work with, if you choose. The problem is: when the batteries are down, or the weak leak capacitor is off, the camera locks up. And that is just too darn bad. If this were a more mechanical camera with at least default shutter operation, it would represent a wonderful niche 35 mm film camera. The quick electronics check is: if it meters briefly when you turn it on, then shuts off, you probably have a completely useless piece until you get it fixed. If you turn one on, and it responds as you change the aperture, then you have a working one. I ask sellers to do this, if it is equipment they don't know, and they always seem to get it right. Minolta X-370's are plentiful, and since they were a mainline consumer item, they are often sold these days with complete photographic set ups: extra lenses, cases, flash, filters, a winder, all for under $75. As you learn more about the Minolta system you will discover the other bodies such as the XE, which is a version of -- surprise -- the Leica R 3. If you are into Minolta, X-370 is a great second camera, backup body or perfect for redundant systems when you want cameras loaded with different film available, and that is what happens to the X-370'a I buy.One is loaded with 400, one 200 and one 400 B&W. With the price of X-370's, it is an affordable luxury. It's easy to change lenses, but changing out the film in a 35 mm body is a challenge. Minolta was highly technically innovative. Products are well made and documented. Collectors prize camera literature, the correct shade for the lens, clean and correct shade case and even lenses, series by series. My intent here is not to launch you into that world, but to say if you get a working X-370, you have a real bargain. Numerous off-brand lenses are available as an economical alternative to the Minolta Rokkors, or as supplements to fill in your system. These sell for as little as $10. Expect to pay $65 to $125 for a better Rokkor lens, $300 or so for a super-wide 21 mm. A 17 mm sold recently on ebay for $410.Read full review
The Minolta X-370 (also known as the X-300, X-7a, X-370n, and the X-370s) was Minolta's lower end offering in the 80's and 90's, priced cheaper than the Minolta X-700 and X-570. It succeeded the XG series cameras and corrected some of their drawbacks. Here are some pros and cons relative to the other Minolta bodies out there: Pros: - Offers Metered manual and aperture priority operation. - Fewer durability/longevity problems than their predecessor the XG series (similar durability to the X-700's and X-570's). - Takes a modern, cheap battery (1.5v button cells) with no skewed light meter problems (unlike the SRT series). - Focusing screen is a very usable split image surrounded by a microprism ring (same as on the X-700 and X-570). Cons: - Unlike the X-570 and X-700, the camera offers no through the lens (TTL) flash metering, so you have to manually calculate flash exposures. - No depth of field (DOF) preview or mirror lockup. All in all, this is a good camera, but it has some notable drawbacks compared to the higher end Minolta models. TTL flash is an incredibly useful feature for most users and by itself presents a compelling reason to use the X-570 or X-700 bodies. Alternate models to consider: - X-700: Additionally offers Program mode, DOF preview and TTL flash metering. - X-570: Additionally offers DOF preview and TTL flash metering. - XG series: Less reliable but cheaper with many of the same features. - XD series: Additionally offering better build quality, DOF preview and Shutter priority mode. Note that almost any Minolta manual focus SLR you'll find on ebay will need its light seals and mirror bumper foam replaced if it hasn't been already. It's an easy job, but you should plan to do it before you lose your first couple rolls of film to light leaks rather than after. See my guide on Minolta manual focus cameras and lenses for more information and some helpful links.Read full review
I bought this camera from a co-worker about 20 years ago for about $300. It included 3 lenses, a tripod, several filters, auto flash and some film. I really wanted to get into a photography and was taking pictures all over San Diego. I had never used an SLR before, and this one was a breeze! My first shots were around La Jolla and the beaches, and the pictures were amazing! Well, digital cameras have been getting better and I just stopped bringing out the Minolta. So, I figured it's time to let someone else enjoy it. I would rate it "EXCELLENT", but that would be kind of self serving since I have it up for sale here on Ebay.
This is an extremely lightweight and uncluttered 25 year old SLR. Minolta took all the most popular refinements they had introduced through the XG series, got rid of whatever was unnecessary and kept what wasn't. As a result, you can take some high quality photos with this camera without a whole lot of experience or having to lug a lot of heavy equipment around. While some may miss the exposure adjustment dial that was a staple of the XG's any real photographer would be unfazed knowing that the same thing can be acheived just moving the film speed dial. Now about buying one on Ebay. I only bought one to round out my collection with something from Minolta that was non autofocus in the mid 1980's. Personally, I'd rather shoot with a slightly older XG-M, but I'd also rather use an older XD-11 or XE-7 than either of them. These slightly more expensive cameras are worth the extra money since you can pick one up for between $50 to $75 for a camera that was close to professional standard while the X370 is gonna cost between $20 - $50 for a decent one. If you ask me, the semi pro cameras are worth the extra $20 or $30 for their solid quality of construction and fabulous features and abilities. I picked mine up for $13 plus shipping so I'm not complaining. But it's really never gonna be my front-line camera. If somebody asks to borrow an SLR this would be at the top of my list to lend to them. If your goal is to buy a student camera you're really better off getting one of the excellent Minolta SRT's (101, 102, or 202) which are all excellent choices.Read full review
My very first camera was a Minolta X-370 SLR Film Camera. I had Always wanted a Good Quality camera, and Minolta was the top of the line in my price range. From the very first picture, I loved the camera and it's ease of use, quality, and Extra Sharp, Life Like photos. When digital cameras hit the market, I decided to trade my Minolta in, and went digital. THIS WAS A HUGE MISTAKE. Although many digital cameras are great for pictures, You Will Never Beat the Quality of a Film Camera. I decided to look for another Minolta X-370 after trying sevearl digital cameras. The digital cameras just aren't made to be as flexable as the old film cameras. You buy one that only has a certain amount of focus, zoom, flash and shutter speeds. With the Minolta and other film cameras, You chose the amount of shutter speed, the focus, flash amount in "Real Time", not automated as in digital, and You can change to a zoom lens to get longer range from your camera. You can also use different film speeds for your specific needs. For me, Film is the way to go if You want Life Like Pix, and Not Digitally Enhanced photos. Face it, when was the last time you saw a Professional Photographer such as for a Wedding or your Childs School pix use a digital camera??? They Use REAL FILM and REAL CAMERAS!!! In My Opinion, the Minolta X-370 is One of The Best SLR Film Camears of it's time. Remember, Modern Technology is Not Always the Best Technology.Read full review
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