The Minolta XG-9 Camera is an electronic 35mm SLR film camera with automatic and manual exposure control. It’s also known as the XG-S in Japan. By providing automatic exposure photography at a reasonable cost, the Minolta XG-9 camera was designed to be used in aperture priority auto-exposure mode. It reflects the advances in electronics and miniaturization resulting in a much smaller body than the SR-T cameras. And, the XG-9 also accepts an auto winder, the Minolta Auto Winder G, that provides motorised frame advance at up to two frames per second.
The XG-9 included many improvements over its predecessors. The new Acute-matte screen results in easier focusing and improved light transmission. When set to auto-exposure mode, it provides a full information viewfinder. It also includes a depth-of-field preview button and is available in both chrome and black.
The Minolta XG-9 was in production between March 1979-1981. List price for a new Minolta XG-9 Camera in 1981 was approximately $250 (app. $657 USD in 2016 dollars). Today, used price for a camera in very good condition runs around $100 USD including several lenses.
For a story about using the Minolta XG-9 Camera along with images, see Minolta XG-9 to Maui | a 7 Image Story.
Minolta XG-9 Specifications
- Type: Electronic 35mm SLR with automatic and manual exposure control
- Focusing Method: Acute-Matte Fresnel screen with a split-image rangefinder inside a micro-prism collar
- Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level pentaprism displays include manual f-stop, auto shutter speed, +/- exposure
- Focusing: Matte Fresnel microprism focusing screen with split-image spot & manual
- Shutter: Fully electronic, horizontal, cloth, focal plane shutter
- Speeds: Mechanical: none Electronic: 1 – 1,000; B Automatic (stepless): 1 – 1,000 Manual: 1 – 1,000; B
- Meter: TTL , full-aperture, center-weighted meter, coupled to aperture & film speed
- Meter Sensitivity: CdS type from EV 2 to EV 17 at ASA 100
- Exposure Modes: Unmetered manual mode & Aperture preferred mode
- Automatic Exposure Compensation: +/- 2EV dial
- Battery: Two A76 (or equivalent) Built-in battery check
- Flash: Built-in, hot shoe auto sets shutter speed to 1/60 with X-type flash units X and FP PC contacts
- Flash Synch: X: B; 1 – 1/60 FP: B; 1 – 1/15 M: B; 1 – 1/15 MF: B; 1 – 1/15
- Film: 35mm Film-speed Range: ASA 25-1600
- Film Advance: Lever type or optional Autowinder G
- Lens Mount: Minolta Bayonet Mount (MC/MD)
- Mirror: Over-sized, instant return mirror
- Self Timer: Electronic, non-adjustable 10 seconds
- Dimensions: 2″ x 3.5″ x 5.5″ (52 x 88 x 138mm) Weight: 1 lb. 2 oz. (500g)
- Construction: Single stroke lever film advance, drum-type loading, and exposure counter
- Depth of field preview button, automatic reset film counter, tripod threads
- Film safe-load window, cable release connection
Minolta Rokkor-X 50mm f1.7
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Lens: 6 elements in 5 groups with achromatic coating Filter Thread: 55mm
- Aperture: f1.7 – f16 Angle of View: 47°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.45 meters / 1.5 feet
- Dimensions: 2.5″ x 1.6″ (64x40mm) Weight: 6.9oz (195g)
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