Minolta X-9 SLR

Personally, I love Minolta film cameras and the glass that goes with them. At least those prior to the 2000s, when they decided to compete with cheap point-and-shoots and abandoned their long, rich legacy of SLRs. The SRT line of cameras, along with the XD and its added electronics, was probably them at their very best. The large number of these cameras still in existence today is proof of that. It was their beginning journey down the rabbit hole of auto-focus cameras, new lens lines, and budget bodies that began their demise.

The MD and MC lenses, used by Minolta in the 1970s and 1980s, still compete as some of the best lenses available today. As 1990 approached, they released the Minolta X-9. This was a modernized version of the X-370 that did not include the “Program” mode of the X-700. It was this rush, by all camera companies, to make shooting film a totally automated process, that led many manufacturers down the same path. 

The X-9 would be Minolta’s last camera body that would use their famous MD and MC lenses because the new auto-focus bodies would require a new line of lenses. Specifically, they would use cheaper, plastic-housed lenses that were made with shortcuts, which would take them into the budget realm of photography. While the body of the X-9 contains its share of plastic, it is still a long way from those budget cameras that the competition would force them to produce as they chased the common consumer.

The X-9 was Minolta’s last manually focused SLR, and it retained the ability to use glass that had already been around for decades. While not made of all metal like the SRT line, its ability to use the proven vintage lenses makes it worth owning. Released in the early 1990’s, it is also the most recently manufactured camera body from them that we are able to access today that uses those lenses. 

There is only one common flaw with this camera’s electronics, which I will touch on later, but in general, this camera can still be found as new-old stock or open-box condition. If you have a collection of Minolta glass from the older camera lines and want the newest, most recent camera body you can get to attach them to, the X-9 is your camera.

Price-wise, this camera is wayyyyyyy under-valued. Whether it is the potential for a capacitor failure or simply the undervaluation of the MC and MD lenses, this is a great time to pick up one or even two of these before the market realizes its mistake. I own two of them in open-box condition and paid about $100.00 for each.

The flaw with this camera, which I alluded to, is that they have a tendency to suffer from capacitor failure. Primarily, the lower one, under the base plate. This is a common failure and an easy fix, with a soldering iron, but the camera will not function without the electronics. It is for this reason that when I travel with it, I also carry one of my SRT’s as a backup. I have never had the capacitor fail on me, but I am aware that it is possible. The lower capacitor can be easily accessed and replaced by simply removing the bottom cover plate.

The X-9 reminds me of a lighter, smaller Minolta XD (their first attempt to begin automating exposure following the SRT line). The body feels good in the hands and is very lightweight and compact. The case, though some type of carbon or plastic, does not feel fragile or ‘cheap’. It is very comfortable for my average-sized hands. 

The X-9 offers an “Auto” mode that is selected from a small wheel, which also controls the shutter speed. In this case, “Auto” means Aperture-Priority. The other options are the usual shutter speeds up to 1/1000s that immediately place you in Manual mode. 

The X-9 viewfinder is everything that a manual focus viewfinder should be. Bright, large, and (new at the time), it contains a diagonal split-image rangefinder. There is also a Depth of Field preview button that lets you see what part of the frame is in focus. As mentioned, it uses the Minolta SR mount for lenses and is compatible with MC and MD Rokkor lenses.

The X-9 viewfinder displays full information and then some. It displays both aperture settings and shutter speeds and goes even further. If the camera is in Manual mode, it will blink at your selected shutter speed, while simultaneously illuminating the ‘recommended’ shutter speed. 

The camera also has an AE lock on the front of the body that can be held down to ‘lock in’ the exposure while you recompose. In theory, you can do this with the index finger of the right hand, but that leaves you with the other fingers to manipulate the lens while recomposing. Not a great solution, but at least it’s there.

It’s worth noting that, unlike the X-700, the X-9 does not use TTL flash metering. So if ease of flash is important to you, you may want to look at the X-700 instead.  I carry a Minolta 200X flash with mine (that I got new for $20.00), but it does not use TTL metering. It will also use the 220X, 132X, and 118X. Whichever you use, the camera will automatically switch to 1/60s sync speed, with the exception of the “B” for Bulb, when you attach one of these. If you use a third-party flash, you will likely need to put the camera at 1/60s manually.

Minolta also made an auto-wind drive, if that is important to you, and although I have not explored the options, I’m certain they can still be located. 

There are some small things that I appreciate about this camera, which have nothing to do with the photograph that it takes, but make taking them feel a little more ‘modern’. There is a window in the back door that shows you your actual film roll. This is great as a reminder that there is film in the camera, but it is hit or miss as to whether your roll aligns with the window well enough to see what kind of film.  

Similar to the Nikon FE, the film wind lever has a position that leaves it sticking slightly out from the body so that your thumb can find it easily. Unlike the FE, this does not have to be used to turn the camera on and off; there is a slider switch on the top plate that does that, but it is easy to wind to the next frame without taking the camera from your eye.

The on-off slider switch totally disables the camera (good or bad with electronic cameras, depending on your viewpoint), so you do not have to worry about accidentally pressing the shutter button and getting a blurry photo of your shoes. I usually do not advance the film lever until I am committed to taking the next image, but the slider switch allows you to prepare for the next shot and simply turn everything off. 

The feel of the camera is perfect. The carbon shell is molded to fit your fingers, and it is a small advancement in comfort that the SRT line lacks. The film advance lever is smooth and short, and it’s a very easy camera to use, especially in the “Auto” mode. 

In “Manual” mode, which is not an actual setting but simply obtained by moving the shutter speed from the “Auto”, there is a small wheel at the back of the top plate that is used for shutter adjustments. This takes some learning if you are accustomed to using a top plate dial. Still, it turns easily, and there is a window on top that makes squinting at a dial unnecessary. A fair trade-off.

For all intensive purposes, the X-9 is a modern camera with one foot still in the land of vintage lenses and quality glass. Even the flash, assuming you are using one of the native units, is easy to use, and the only guessing you have to do is your distance from the subject, based on the setting on the flash. As long as you are within the distance range shown on the back of the unit, the unit will adjust the flash intensity for you, within that range. The days of setting your flash to an intensity (manually) were gone for good with the X-9.

                                                        

THE SNAP;

I can honestly say this is one of my favorite cameras that I own. I paired it with a Minolta 45mm lens for these photos, and the small ‘pancake’ design fits perfectly with the body. The flash is easy to use, so I don’t hesitate to use it indoors as needed or even as a filler flash. On “Auto,” the exposure and the flash take care of themselves.

I am a fan of the Nikon FE for the very same reasons I love this camera, but this camera is much cheaper on the market and works with all of my vintage Minolta lenses. It also works with M42 lenses, with an adapter, but many of those lenses are made for stop-down metering, and your view will get lighter or darker depending on your aperture setting. Native Minolta glass will not aggravate you with this.

If I were just starting into the world of film photography or just re-entering it, this would be my choice above all others. It’s robust enough that it doesn’t feel fragile (the feeling is more like that of a modern digital camera) while at the same time being small and lightweight. Other than the capacitor issue mentioned, there truly is no downside to owning this camera.