![]() Minolta X-1, with AE finder | |
Overview | |
---|---|
Maker | Minolta |
Type | 35mm SLR camera |
Released | 1972 |
Lens | |
Lens mount | Minolta SR-mount |
Sensor/medium | |
Film format | 135 film |
Film speed | ASA 12–6400 |
Focusing | |
Focus | manual |
Exposure/metering | |
Exposure | manual, aperture priority |
Flash | |
Flash synchronization | 1⁄100 sec. |
Shutter | |
Shutter speeds | 16–1⁄2000 sec. + B, X |
Viewfinder | |
Viewfinder | eye-level pentaprism |
Optional viewfinders | waist-level, high-magnification |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.8× |
Frame coverage | 98% |
General | |
Battery | 2×SR44 (S76) |
Dimensions | |
Weight |
|
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.
The X-1 was the first of the X-series, and debuted at Photokina '72; it was released in Japan in 1973; [3]: 31 the X-1 Motor, a variant with an integrated motordrive, followed in 1976. [4]: 12 By 1981, Minolta had discontinued the original XK in the United States, selling only the XK Motor. [5]
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.
Minolta released the XE (aka XE-7 in North America and XE-1 in Europe) in 1974 which incorporated many of the same features as the X-1, including an aperture-priority autoexposure mode. [3]: 33
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; [4]: 12 the feature was panned in an initial look, published in 1975 by Ivan Berger for Popular Mechanics. [6] There is an auxiliary power switch for the meter on the AE and AE-S metering viewfinders. [1]: 16 If the shutter is released while the camera is in autoexposure mode without the meter being switched on via the "Senswitch", the camera will open the shutter for 30 seconds; to close the shutter immediately, switch the shutter speed selector to X and then back to AUTO. [3]: 318
The focal plane shutter has horizontally-traveling titanium foil curtains, capable of manually selecting speeds in steps from 16 to 1⁄2000 sec., or continuously variable speeds between 4 and 1⁄2000 s in autoexposure mode with the AE Finder; [6] this was extended to 8 seconds with the AE-S finder. [3]: 33 There are two mechanically-timed speeds: labeled "X" for flash synchronization, 1⁄100 s, and "B" for "B"ulb or "B"utton, where the shutter stays open as long as the shutter release is depressed. [4]: 17 The shutter speed is selected on the viewfinder, rather than the body. [4]: 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. [4]: 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
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. [4]: 17 In addition, the X-1 Motor offers motorized film rewind. The X-1 Motor retains the manual film advance lever and rewind knob from the standard X-1, so film transport is still possible without power. [3]: 320–322
In addition to the standard battery pack, Minolta offered two other battery packs which also took 10 AA batteries: [7]: D2
It had interchangeable finders; the finder model number is written on a label just below the eyepiece:
The photographer has the choice of eleven interchangeable focusing screens; nine were available initially upon release, [1]: 14 [6] and two more (Types AP and L) were added later. [4]: 22–24 [7]: D4 The initial standard screen was the Type P, [1]: 14 which shifted later to the Type PM. [7]: D4
Type | Image | Field | Center focusing aid | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
P |
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Ground matte Fresnel | Split-image rangefinder, 4 mm diameter | Suitable for general photography. Early cameras were supplied with Type P as standard. [1] |
M |
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Ground matte Fresnel | Microprism, 4 mm diameter | Suitable for general photography, especially with focal lengths from 35 to 100 mm. |
PM |
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Ground matte Fresnel | Split-image rangefinder, 2.5 mm diameter + microprism collar, 1.5 mm wide | Suitable for general photography; standard screen shipped with cameras. |
G |
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Ground matte Fresnel | [none] | Suitable for general photography, especially for telephoto lenses. |
C1 / C2 / C3 |
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Clear Fresnel | Microprism, 6 mm diameter | Specific screen selected based on lens in use, suitable for low-light photography. In general, requires exposure compensation. |
AP |
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Fine-ground matte Fresnel | Diagonal split-image rangefinder | Suitable for slower lenses (with maximum aperture ≥ f/5.6); in general, requires exposure compensation. |
L |
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Ground matte Fresnel | [none] | Etched grid of horizontal and vertical lines at 6 mm intervals; suitable for use with Shift CA Rokkor lens. |
H |
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Ground matte Fresnel | Clear, 8 mm diameter, with double cross-hair | Uses dioptric / parallax focusing, for astrophotography, photomicrography, or other high-magnification uses. |
S |
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Clear Fresnel | Double cross-hair | Etched 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. [7]: D5 [8]
Minolta offered a 250-frame film back which took 33 ft (10 m) of bulk 135 film and used special film cartridges. [7]: 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. [7]: D3 [3]: 327
Flashes with a standard hot shoe could be mounted on the camera using a special adapter, which slips over the rewind crank. [7]: D3
This article was originally based on " Minolta X-1" in Camerapedia, retrieved on 4 August 2007 under the GNU Free Documentation License.
![]() Minolta X-1, with AE finder | |
Overview | |
---|---|
Maker | Minolta |
Type | 35mm SLR camera |
Released | 1972 |
Lens | |
Lens mount | Minolta SR-mount |
Sensor/medium | |
Film format | 135 film |
Film speed | ASA 12–6400 |
Focusing | |
Focus | manual |
Exposure/metering | |
Exposure | manual, aperture priority |
Flash | |
Flash synchronization | 1⁄100 sec. |
Shutter | |
Shutter speeds | 16–1⁄2000 sec. + B, X |
Viewfinder | |
Viewfinder | eye-level pentaprism |
Optional viewfinders | waist-level, high-magnification |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.8× |
Frame coverage | 98% |
General | |
Battery | 2×SR44 (S76) |
Dimensions | |
Weight |
|
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.
The X-1 was the first of the X-series, and debuted at Photokina '72; it was released in Japan in 1973; [3]: 31 the X-1 Motor, a variant with an integrated motordrive, followed in 1976. [4]: 12 By 1981, Minolta had discontinued the original XK in the United States, selling only the XK Motor. [5]
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.
Minolta released the XE (aka XE-7 in North America and XE-1 in Europe) in 1974 which incorporated many of the same features as the X-1, including an aperture-priority autoexposure mode. [3]: 33
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; [4]: 12 the feature was panned in an initial look, published in 1975 by Ivan Berger for Popular Mechanics. [6] There is an auxiliary power switch for the meter on the AE and AE-S metering viewfinders. [1]: 16 If the shutter is released while the camera is in autoexposure mode without the meter being switched on via the "Senswitch", the camera will open the shutter for 30 seconds; to close the shutter immediately, switch the shutter speed selector to X and then back to AUTO. [3]: 318
The focal plane shutter has horizontally-traveling titanium foil curtains, capable of manually selecting speeds in steps from 16 to 1⁄2000 sec., or continuously variable speeds between 4 and 1⁄2000 s in autoexposure mode with the AE Finder; [6] this was extended to 8 seconds with the AE-S finder. [3]: 33 There are two mechanically-timed speeds: labeled "X" for flash synchronization, 1⁄100 s, and "B" for "B"ulb or "B"utton, where the shutter stays open as long as the shutter release is depressed. [4]: 17 The shutter speed is selected on the viewfinder, rather than the body. [4]: 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. [4]: 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
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. [4]: 17 In addition, the X-1 Motor offers motorized film rewind. The X-1 Motor retains the manual film advance lever and rewind knob from the standard X-1, so film transport is still possible without power. [3]: 320–322
In addition to the standard battery pack, Minolta offered two other battery packs which also took 10 AA batteries: [7]: D2
It had interchangeable finders; the finder model number is written on a label just below the eyepiece:
The photographer has the choice of eleven interchangeable focusing screens; nine were available initially upon release, [1]: 14 [6] and two more (Types AP and L) were added later. [4]: 22–24 [7]: D4 The initial standard screen was the Type P, [1]: 14 which shifted later to the Type PM. [7]: D4
Type | Image | Field | Center focusing aid | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
P |
![]() |
Ground matte Fresnel | Split-image rangefinder, 4 mm diameter | Suitable for general photography. Early cameras were supplied with Type P as standard. [1] |
M |
![]() |
Ground matte Fresnel | Microprism, 4 mm diameter | Suitable for general photography, especially with focal lengths from 35 to 100 mm. |
PM |
![]() |
Ground matte Fresnel | Split-image rangefinder, 2.5 mm diameter + microprism collar, 1.5 mm wide | Suitable for general photography; standard screen shipped with cameras. |
G |
![]() |
Ground matte Fresnel | [none] | Suitable for general photography, especially for telephoto lenses. |
C1 / C2 / C3 |
![]() |
Clear Fresnel | Microprism, 6 mm diameter | Specific screen selected based on lens in use, suitable for low-light photography. In general, requires exposure compensation. |
AP |
![]() |
Fine-ground matte Fresnel | Diagonal split-image rangefinder | Suitable for slower lenses (with maximum aperture ≥ f/5.6); in general, requires exposure compensation. |
L |
![]() |
Ground matte Fresnel | [none] | Etched grid of horizontal and vertical lines at 6 mm intervals; suitable for use with Shift CA Rokkor lens. |
H |
![]() |
Ground matte Fresnel | Clear, 8 mm diameter, with double cross-hair | Uses dioptric / parallax focusing, for astrophotography, photomicrography, or other high-magnification uses. |
S |
![]() |
Clear Fresnel | Double cross-hair | Etched 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. [7]: D5 [8]
Minolta offered a 250-frame film back which took 33 ft (10 m) of bulk 135 film and used special film cartridges. [7]: 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. [7]: D3 [3]: 327
Flashes with a standard hot shoe could be mounted on the camera using a special adapter, which slips over the rewind crank. [7]: D3
This article was originally based on " Minolta X-1" in Camerapedia, retrieved on 4 August 2007 under the GNU Free Documentation License.