Minolta Trouble? Help...

Question

i am trying to take pictures with my Minolta x-700 and ive already added film and a new battery but it wont allow me to take the pictures. What do i do? How do i know if the camera took the picture already?

Answer 1

I too have an x-700 and I agree that it will serve you very well. I still have my first one that I bought back in the early 80's! However, it does have it's flaws. I must ask a simple- albeit dumb- question: Are you hearing the shutter fire? It is a noticeable click. That is definite feedback!

While you advance the film another indication is the k**b on the take-up reel. It will turn counter-clockwise as you advance.

If it is not letting you fire then it can be any number of things. Does the metering system still work? Are the indicators lighting up inside the viewfinder? If not, then the battery could be bad or it's not making good contact. My X-700 was a notorious battery hog. I would go through batteries like hotcakes! Since you put in new batteries this may not be the case.

Inspect the battery compartment. Give the battery contacts in the battery compartment a good scrubbing with a pencil tip eraser. If there is white crusty buildup then I would recommend taking it to get it serviced. If the crusties aren't too bad you can give them a very VERY light scrubbing with a baking soda paste. I must emphasize that I would discourage doing it yourself. Too many things can go wrong. The pencil eraser is harmless.

Answer 2

Maybe the memory card is full?

Edit: Steve,  What - you can still actually BUY film cameras?

Answer 3

I'm not that familiar with Minoltas, but a couple things came to mind.  Did you make sure the film caught on the take-up reel?  Is the shutter button locked?  Was there a sound when you pushed the shutter button?  Did you wind the film afterward?

There should be an indicator on the camera that tells which frame number you are on.  Push the shutter button, wind the film, and it should move up a number.

If you don't have a manual for it, this might help:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/har...

Answer 4

I have a Minolta X700. It is a very good camera and should serve you well. The advice Terisu gave is correct. (By the way DAWG, we are not talking digital now). All I can add is that you must keep advancing the film wind lever and firing the shutter when you first put in film. You must keep doing this until the number 1 appears in the frame count window. Putting the camera in full manual mode and setting a high shutter speed will make this process go faster. Remember to return the camera to the P mode, or whatever setting you prefer to use, once you have the film at the number one frame.

Are you advancing the film wind lever after EACH photo? After pressing the shutter button, the shutter will not recock again until you advance the film with the lever. This is really the only way you have to know that the photo has been taken. My camera has a motor drive attached to the bottom. You may still be able to find one used at places such as KEH on line. This winds the film automatically and makes the camera much easier and faster to use.

steve