Minolta X-300

The story will sound familiar as it has been reported time after time on this blog but it applies to this camera too. I spent a considerate amount of time, back in the very early 90's trying to buy, what I thought, my dream camera that I could afford and there were many cameras that temporarily fitted this role before I ended up buying that Practika BMS. The Minolta X-300 and its “S” variant was one of them – broken-hearted after I realised I could not afford it (second hand market was not that big back on those days in Greece) I settled down with the Practika. I few months ago, I found this X-300 in a charity shop for lunch money so I went ahead and bought it for old time's shake.

Minolta was always making beautiful cameras, even the budget models like this one, are well made and with good fit and finish. The plastic top cover could easily pass for metal and despite being the X-700's small brother, it has everything you need: Manual and aperture priority and even AE lock button – Very useful. Shutter speeds are the sort of typical 80's range, 1-1/1000 plus B. Viewfinder is pretty decent, bright and gives quite good magnification. What I liked especially about this camera, is the fact that noise levels and vibrations are kept to minimum.

The X-300 uses the Minolta SR mount, which means that loads of excellent quality optics can be used. This camera came with the MD 50 f/1.7, a lens no stranger to me. Seriously, this lens represent

excellent value for money when you compare it to the Nikon/Canon equivalents.

Pictures from the test roll came out well exposed – no complains about this camera's performance.

Conclusion

I suppose the aim of this small post it to make a point that this is a very good camera to own and use. I see plenty going around and I haven't come across any ones that do not work well. Sure, these cameras were not owned by professionals but still they are very reliable units – possible more reliable than their bigger brother -the X700- that suffers the dead capacitor syndrome.

The problem is that this camera will struggle for attention on the used market. There are other models out there that hold the limelight and the X-300 has to compete with them. As it is now, the X-300 will survive mainly due to its low price and decent set of features that can offer. Usually it comes together with some quality Minolta lens that makes the offer even more tempting. Grab it when you can.

Lasting impressions 

Fast forward 10 years from this review and the X-300 is my main go-to Minolta together with the mechanical SRT-303. One thing not mentioned in the review, is the capacitor issue which is very common but fortunately very easy to solve. 

Once my X-300 started playing up, I ordered a new capacitor online and replaced it. Interestingly, this did not resolve the problem. Puzzled by this odd behaviour, I took it to the internet, only to discover that corrosion on the battery cap threads can actually cause the same issues.

I ended up thoroughly cleaning the metal cap in warm vinegar (left it in the overnight) and cleaned the threads on the bottom base. The camera sprung back to life and never gave me a headache since.

Personally, I would recommend the X-300 over the X-700 on the basis of being a less problematic model (no issues with the frame counter and only one capacitor needing chance as opposed to two for the X-700) and much cheaper. No doubt though - the X-700 is a very good camera too.

Minolta X-300 and Rokkor MC-ii 58f/1.4