Minolta XD-7 Meter/Shutter Speed/Viewfinder issue

[joe175]

Hello,

I've just bought a Minolta XD7 seemingly in great condition, however it has one major fault:

Light coming in through the viewfinder severely affects the shutter speed. i.e. when the viewfinder is covered (simply by holding the camera up to your eye), although metering correctly, the shutter will remain open upwards of a second. When the viewfinder isn't covered and light is allowed through, the shutter will fire quickly.

Note that the meter is reading correctly, when shutter speed is manually set the shutter operates accurately (as far as I can judge).
I'm pretty sure the XD7 has a "final check" system where light is metered off of the film during the exposure - I suppose the issue could relate to this somehow.

Any ideas would be much appreciated!

Joe

p.s. yes I have changed the batteries!

 

[vincent17]

Hi Joe, did you find out what was going on with your camera? I just got an otherwise mint condition xd-7 today, and it does exactly what your describing. However, it seems like it's only happening at 1/30 or slower? Haven't tested it outside with plenty of light (winter, short dark days...)

 

[Roger S]

I've just bought a Minolta XD7 seemingly in great condition, however it has one major fault:

I just got an otherwise mint condition xd-7 today, and it does exactly what your describing.

Hello gentlemen and welcome to the forum. Also, welcome to the world of computerised shutter control in a film camera. As you have both found out, Minolta XD-7 is a finicky lady and requires very gentle handling. In fact, if your subject is in the shade, but the viewfinder is in the sun, you are in big trouble.

Instead of rewriting the complete novel here, I'll just leave you guys the instruction manual. It's really quite an interesting read, what with being translated from Malaysian.

Basic Camera Operations - Part III - Minolta XD-7 | XD-11

 

[vincent17]

Hello gentlemen and welcome to the forum. Also, welcome to the world of computerised shutter control in a film camera. As you have both found out, Minolta XD-7 is a finicky lady and requires very gentle handling. In fact, if your subject is in the shade, but the viewfinder is in the sun, you are in big trouble.

Instead of rewriting the complete novel here, I'll just leave you guys the instruction manual. It's really quite an interesting read, what with being translated from Malaysian.

Basic Camera Operations - Part III - Minolta XD-7 | XD-11

Hi Roger! Thanks for the manual. It sure mentions the viewfinder/meter issue, but the thing is: it affects my shutter speed while I'm shooting in manual mode... Is she really that finicky that her "final check" system is overriding my manually selected shutter speed and aperture? That's overly diva-like.
Oh, and it's happening while I/the camera is in shade and the subject I'm "photographing" is bright (sitting in the dark end of my room shooting towards my desk and lamp) = the problematic metering situation turned on it's head. I don't know about this lady...