Minolta was a very reputed international company that primarily manufactured cameras of various types. It was a Japanese multinational and produced a range of optical products. The first known integrated auto focus was made by it, the 35 mm jewel in photography, the SLR camera. The name of its first brand of camera was ‘Nifcalette’. Japan’s first reflex camera that had a twin lens was manufactured by this company in the year of 1937. The company in its initial years mainly focused on importing the German technology that helped a great deal in making world class cameras which the world reminisces even so many years after the inception of its premier models many decades ago.

Cameras from the house of Minolta were used in space missions too, especially during the project of Apollo 8 in the year 1968. They were of extreme high quality with superior features and automatic focus. Often people struggle in manually setting the focus while taking photographs. But the vintage cameras from this company had provisions for making a focus in an automated manner, taking into account the lighting, the environment, and of course the subject and the angle. The aged people talk about their favorite cameras of this wonderful company even today.

If you are interested in buying such a camera at the present times, you will be disappointed by its non-availability in major shops. The best thing is to rigorously explore the second hand market for cameras and especially electronic gadgets. You have to do a bit of research in going to the different shops and asking people around in regard to good sellers dealing in old cameras. Once you are able to pin point a shop you can ask for varied ranges of Minolta cameras that were extremely popular many years ago. Although the company last produced its camera just about 3 years back, but most of its popular products originated in the sixties and the seventies, or even in the fifties, when it concentrated in manufacturing cameras only. In the eighties it broadened its platform and stressed on manufacturing other optical products.

You have guessed it right; the camera with this brand is pricey because it is a vintage optical product. Don’t forget to properly test its every detail before making a bargain. The seller may try to dupe you knowing people with genuine weakness for this brand would come to his shop.

The design of the Minolta cameras is predominantly conventional with the usual finishing. When you will buy one, you will understand in a better way how it feels to be owner of such a splendid camera.

More information on Minolta cameras can be found on my website at http://www.minoltadigitalcameras.org. I strongly suggest that you check it out if you are looking for Minolta digital cameras.

Minolta FAQ:

Question: How to turn a minolta film camera on?
My grandparents just gave me a minolta 35 mm camera. I’ve loaded it with film, but it won’t wind, and it says “off” right beside the shutter speed dial. How do i turn it on? I just put new watch batteries in it. Is there a button to press? What am I missing here?

Answer: What is the model of your Minolta 35mm camera? You should be able to advance the film without turning it on. The batteries are just for the meter and shutter operation. Turn it on, try activating the shutter button and then advancing. If the shutter does not actuate then you have a problem or the battery is low/wrong kind. You should at least see red LED lights in the viewfinder when the camera is on and you press the shutter button.

Question: Can you use Minolta camera lens on any other camera with an adapter?
I had a minolta X-g1 camera, which was destroyed, and I several different lenses. Can I use these lenses with any other camera?

Answer: You can buy adapters to use your MC/MD mount Minolta lenses on the Olympus DSLR cameras, the Canon DSLR cameras and of course the Sony DSLR cameras. Please note that you’ll have to use stop-down metering as there is no meter coupling/connection between the MC/MD lenses and the modern DSLR bodies listed.

Question: How do I get the film out of a minolta maxxum 430si rz?
I recently got a minolta maxxum to borrow from a friend and I used the last of the film and it won’t auto rewind. How do I get the film out?

Answer: There are three steps. First find the round indent on the bottom of the camera with a round release in the center, you push it in. Do not open the back yet. Look at the rewind knob, see the arrow, only go in that direction or you will unscrew the top. Go slow until you feel the pressure go very light, often with a bit of a pop like noise as the film lets go of the take up spool. Then, wind a few more times just to make sure the film is back in the film can. Then and only then do you open the back of the camera.

If you are unsure take it to an one hour film developer, which has people who use film cameras, to do it for you.

Question: What kind of battery should I buy for my old Minolta that used Mercury ones?
I have a 1969 Minolta Super Circuit 3 Hi-matic 11. It uses a small Mercury batter, and I want to make sure I have the right replacement. Originally it used one of these batteries: 1.35v mercury battery (Mallory PX-625, PX-12, Eveready EPX-625, or EPX-13).

Answer: The WEIN MRB625 battery is the one you want. It replaces the PX625 & PX13. Its the correct voltage – 1.35V. I use one in my Minolta SRT-202. Just remember that a Zinc-Air battery doesn’t have the life expectancy of the older mercury battery so keep a spare handy.

Question: Will old konica minolta external flashes work on sony digital slrs?
I have recently purchased a Sony A 200 digital slr camera and was wondering if I must purchase a new Sony external flash or can I use an older konica minolta flash? Or for that matter can I use a different brand external flash?

Answer: Maybe. As you know, Minolta had a proprietary shot shoe configuration which was adapted by Sony. Call the Sony help line 800.222.SONY and ask about your specific flash unit.

Question: What Minolta film camera is better?
I have two choices for which film camera to use for my black and white intro to photo class. Both are Minolta 35mm SLRs, one is the XG-1 and the other X-700. Which one is better? I think they both work.

Answer: The cameras are similar, though the X-700 had more features and a more robust build. The XG-1 had issues with the electronics, but if its working its unlikely to die during your class. If given the choice between those two, I’d have to go with the X-700 which has a better service record. Either one will produce wonderful pictures.

Question: I loaded film in my Minolta camera, and now the shutter curtain is off. What do I do?
I figured out how to load film in my Minolta, but now it won’t take pictures. I took the film out, and the black fabric curtain behind the lens has a plastic line down it. I’m wondering if this may be the problem. It looks like where the fabric is seamed together. I’m not sure what to do.

Answer: Your shutter sounds normal, those lines control the width of the slit of light at shutter speeds above 1/60th (flash synch speed). I take it you are using an x-300 or something similar. Check if you have wound on properly (there should be a safe load check on the frame counter – you need to wind the spool on a couple of frames during loading). If this doesn’t help and the batteries are good then it sounds like the capacitor near the battery has failed. This was a common problem. Not economic to fix.

Question: Will a lens I have for my Minolta 35mm fit the minolta digital cameras?
I purchased a Minolta 35 mm about 5 yrs back and paid a lot for a zoom lens for it. I heard if I get Minolta digital camera I can use this extra zoom lens on it too? Is this correct? Also how could I check to see if the lens would be interchangable with other brands?

Answer: If you bought a Minolta Maxxum AF 35mm camera then your lenses for it will work just fine on the current Sony A230, 330, 380, 500, 550, 700, 850 and 900 series DSLR cameras. You’ll have auto focus and metering.

If you bought an older manual focus Minolta 35mm camera then there is no current DSLR that you can use the lenses with unless you buy an adapter.

All camera manufacturers use a proprietary lens mount. The only way to use a lens from one manufacturer on a body from a different manufacturer is with an adapter. Of course no functions – auto focus or metering – will be supported.