Jörg Krüger
Minolta XE-5
Minolta XE-5 with W.Rokkor 2.8/35 MC
In 1972 Minolta introduced the professional 35mm SLR XM with interchangeable viewfinders, it was Minoltas first SLR with an electronic shutter, besides that it was Minoltas first SLR with an "X". With that electronic know-how, Minoltas first SLR with built-in aperture priority AE followed in 1975, the XE-1, it was also a joint venture with the German company Leitz. Leitz designed the vertically traveling shutter with metal blades, it was produced by Copal and supported by Minolta; it's called CLS, Copal-Leitz-Shutter. So, it's no accident, that the Leica R3 looks very similar to the XE-1 . Enough background, to come to the XE-5: it's the reduced version of the XE-1. The following things were omitted: eyepiece blind, multi exposure lever, PC-socket for FP-sync, control of the film transport (little window over the frame counter) and the displays for the f-stop and the set shutter speed in the viewer. What remains is a big, heavy and massive camera from excellent quality.
Some more specifications:
* Shutter speeds from 4 s to 1/1000 s and B
* X-sync shutter speed: 1/90 s
* X and B run without batteries.
* PC-socket
* Lever for battery check
* DOF-preview button, which clicks-in like a ballpoint
* 2 CdS photo cells arranged vertically in the prism (CLC-principle) to deal with high contrasts.
* ISO range: 12 to 3200
* Exposure correction: +- 2 EV
* On/off-switch for exposure meter on the back, locks also shutter button
* Size 148 x 97 x 96 mm
* Two button cells 1.5 V LR44 are required
The XE-1 was available in black and in silver with black prism housing, but with silver "Minolta"-front. The XE-5 was only available in silver with a entirely black prism housing. Actually the top cover consists of three single parts: both shoulders and the prism housing. On the XE-5 you can easily remove the prism housing by unscrewing 4 screws, then you can admire some 70ies electronics. Though the housing is thin and plastic made, mine has no cracks or dents. On the XE-1 the disassembly could be difficult, you'll have to deal with the eyepiece blind then.
Another story I read: if you are tinkering with old SLRs, you certainly know those super thin copper-made washers, which are used to adjust the exact distance between bayonet flange and film. Minolta found a way to avoid them and introduced a new method with the XE-1. After the camera was assembled (inclusive bayonet mount), the shutter in the film chamber was covered. Then the film track was milled to the exact size and polished. What effort!
Another item is the huge mirror of the camera, which is one reason for the brilliant viewfinder. On many SLRs the mirror is just hinged like a flap. Since the SR-7 from 1962 Minolta used a sophisticated method for the mirror movement. When the mirror moves up, the hinge joint is moving simultaneously into the camera. So a larger mirror can be used, which lower edge won't collide with the lens.
About some CLA: when I purchased my exemplar, the shutter button was pressed in and did not move. After some examination I found out, that it was the shutter button itself which jammed utterly. After removing a thick layer of copper rust it works fine again; you can see the brown stains in the chrome in the picture.
It is always a good idea to clean the aperture coupling ring around the bayonet. It is unbelievable how much sticky dirt gets there over the decades. You have access to the ring after removing the bayonet mount, but be careful: the ring is connected with the exposure meter via a thread, the thread has a knot at its end which is hold by a slot. So, if the thread slips off and vanishes into the camera you'll have some extra work.
One flaw remains: the front part of the prism is borne in a stripe of foam, and that foam destroyed the reflecting coating. If you hold your eye very near to the eyepiece you might notice a light shadow at the lower border. If you are looking into the viewer from a distance it looks horrible, like a big bar of foam is blocking the viewer.
Minolta XE-5
Minolta XE-5 with W.Rokkor 2.8/35 MC
In 1972 Minolta introduced the professional 35mm SLR XM with interchangeable viewfinders, it was Minoltas first SLR with an electronic shutter, besides that it was Minoltas first SLR with an "X". With that electronic know-how, Minoltas first SLR with built-in aperture priority AE followed in 1975, the XE-1, it was also a joint venture with the German company Leitz. Leitz designed the vertically traveling shutter with metal blades, it was produced by Copal and supported by Minolta; it's called CLS, Copal-Leitz-Shutter. So, it's no accident, that the Leica R3 looks very similar to the XE-1 . Enough background, to come to the XE-5: it's the reduced version of the XE-1. The following things were omitted: eyepiece blind, multi exposure lever, PC-socket for FP-sync, control of the film transport (little window over the frame counter) and the displays for the f-stop and the set shutter speed in the viewer. What remains is a big, heavy and massive camera from excellent quality.
Some more specifications:
* Shutter speeds from 4 s to 1/1000 s and B
* X-sync shutter speed: 1/90 s
* X and B run without batteries.
* PC-socket
* Lever for battery check
* DOF-preview button, which clicks-in like a ballpoint
* 2 CdS photo cells arranged vertically in the prism (CLC-principle) to deal with high contrasts.
* ISO range: 12 to 3200
* Exposure correction: +- 2 EV
* On/off-switch for exposure meter on the back, locks also shutter button
* Size 148 x 97 x 96 mm
* Two button cells 1.5 V LR44 are required
The XE-1 was available in black and in silver with black prism housing, but with silver "Minolta"-front. The XE-5 was only available in silver with a entirely black prism housing. Actually the top cover consists of three single parts: both shoulders and the prism housing. On the XE-5 you can easily remove the prism housing by unscrewing 4 screws, then you can admire some 70ies electronics. Though the housing is thin and plastic made, mine has no cracks or dents. On the XE-1 the disassembly could be difficult, you'll have to deal with the eyepiece blind then.
Another story I read: if you are tinkering with old SLRs, you certainly know those super thin copper-made washers, which are used to adjust the exact distance between bayonet flange and film. Minolta found a way to avoid them and introduced a new method with the XE-1. After the camera was assembled (inclusive bayonet mount), the shutter in the film chamber was covered. Then the film track was milled to the exact size and polished. What effort!
Another item is the huge mirror of the camera, which is one reason for the brilliant viewfinder. On many SLRs the mirror is just hinged like a flap. Since the SR-7 from 1962 Minolta used a sophisticated method for the mirror movement. When the mirror moves up, the hinge joint is moving simultaneously into the camera. So a larger mirror can be used, which lower edge won't collide with the lens.
About some CLA: when I purchased my exemplar, the shutter button was pressed in and did not move. After some examination I found out, that it was the shutter button itself which jammed utterly. After removing a thick layer of copper rust it works fine again; you can see the brown stains in the chrome in the picture.
It is always a good idea to clean the aperture coupling ring around the bayonet. It is unbelievable how much sticky dirt gets there over the decades. You have access to the ring after removing the bayonet mount, but be careful: the ring is connected with the exposure meter via a thread, the thread has a knot at its end which is hold by a slot. So, if the thread slips off and vanishes into the camera you'll have some extra work.
One flaw remains: the front part of the prism is borne in a stripe of foam, and that foam destroyed the reflecting coating. If you hold your eye very near to the eyepiece you might notice a light shadow at the lower border. If you are looking into the viewer from a distance it looks horrible, like a big bar of foam is blocking the viewer.