- Tamron 28-75mm 1:2.8
- Canon EF 50mm 1:2.5 Compact-Macro
- Canon EF 28mm 1:2.8
- Tamron 17-50mm 1:2.8
- Canon EF 24mm 1:2.8
- Konica Hexar AF
- Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM
- Minolta MC W.Rokkor - NL 21mm 1:2.8
- Canon BG-ED3 Battery Grip
- Canon 10D
- Sigma EF-500 DG Super EO ETTL
- Minolta Dimage Scan Elite II
- Sears 55mm 1:1.4
- Minolta X-370
- Canon EF 28-90mm 1:4-5.6 III
- Canon 400D (Rebel XTi)
Minolta X-370
Date:
1/26/2010 Finding, using, and then reviewing a Minolta X-370 film camera was never part of the vision for this lens review site. Like so many quirks of life, the pieces of the puzzle presented themselves in such a way that I had no choice but to give this low end film camera, which the photographic world left behind a generation ago, some positive press. Those same forces of nature helped me rediscover just how enjoyable shooting an old film 35mm SLR still is.
Most of the Camerology gear is biased around Canon's EOS line of cameras. But I stumbled into a relatively rare MC W.Rokkor-NL 1:2.8 21mm Minolta mount lens. This lenses rarity made it a good candidate for inclusion here. Without a suitable digital camera the obvious choice was to review it on its original medium, 35mm film. A suitable body, this X-370, was located with little trouble or expense. With no previous experience with this, or any, Minolta X-370 it seemed wise to run a few rolls of film through it before attaching the 21mm W.Rokkor-NL.
Before loading any film I did some quick reading about this body. One online source claimed that the X-370 utilizes 1.3 volt Mercury batteries. It actually uses two common 1.5 volt batteries. The body does not function at all without battery power. I also learned that used Minolta film gear is well depreciated and inexpensive to acquire. And while running over the controls I found that the tiny 'grip-like-bump' isn't the same as a proper grip; this camera feels pretty square.
After fishing some film out of my expired film bag a cheap 28mm 2.8 lens was attached and the Minolta X-370 started following me around.
Our first stop was the local glass blowing workshop. Wide angles require the user to get up close. Which wasn't a great option in the presence of molten glass. The work area was relatively dark and this revealed one of my few complaints. The shutter speeds are shown in the viewfinder as back lit number cut outs with tiny LED lights to show which one is active. If the viewfinder is dim these shutter speeds are invisible (although the LED is quite visible). The top of the dial reveals these settings but that requires moving the camera away from the eye. I believe this issue was rectified in the X-370's replacement. Another annoyance is that the aperture settings are not visible in the viewfinder.
While the photographic opportunities at the glass blowing workshop turned out to be a bust, I did learn to appreciate a particular characteristic of this little camera. The X-370 has two exposure modes. Aperture priority, which is labeled 'Auto', and metered manual. The single control wheel, located just in front of the shutter release button, allows the user to spin out of aperture priority mode and into the manual shutter speeds. This wheel goes all the way around so that the user can continue to spin the wheel back to aperture priority from either end of the shutter speed range. The 'Auto' setting and the shutter speeds are visible (when properly lit) in the viewfinder so I never needed to look away from the viewfinder while changing back and forth from Auto to manual. This feature was well appreciated during my first day of shooting when many subjects were back lit and I needed to dial the shutter speed a little longer than the Auto mode suggested.
My next major outing was much better photographically. A mild January afternoon saw the X370 thrown over my shoulder as I cycled to the local park. The X-370 isn't a featherweight but it is compact compared to my modern EOS bodies. It carried well for a camera of its weight. On this outing the photos were easier to make and allowed a more relaxed pace. On this day, instead of moving into manual mode when I wanted to alter auto mode's exposure choice, I made use of the X-370's well placed auto exposure lock button. Labeled AEL and placed just under the middle finger of the grip hand, it allows the user convenient access to the only other exposure control offered by the X370. That same button, when pushed up, starts the electronically controlled self timer.
As I became familiar with the handling I also started to appreciate the old school feel and process of shooting a nearly all manual film camera. Sure, I relied on aperture priority much of the time. But after my tenure with the EOS line of cameras, the mostly manual aspect of this film X370 took me back in time. And the lack of features allowed me to concentrate more on the pleasure of making pictures and less on camera settings, chimping the LCD, etc, etc. The satisfying 'clunk' of the mirror. The ritual of manual film winding. The anticipation of receiving the developed images. It reminded me of my photographic beginnings. Hey, film is fun!
Too much fun in fact. With at least hundreds of images per Compact Flash card on my digital EOS bodies I seldom watch the 'exposure remaining' readout. The same was true while playing with film. Before I knew it the fun of biking around the park and shooting some old school film exposures saw me out of film. Out of film well before the best light of the day. OOPs! Despite my gaff I had a surprisingly good time with the X370 film body.
The X370 may not compare well to higher end cameras of its day. According to the used film gear market it is nearly valueless. Nobody took a second look while I was out shooting. And I identified a couple quirks in its short list of features. But I certainly enjoyed my time with this camera and will be looking for more excuses to shoot some film.
Image Gallery
Historic Eddon Boatyard in Gig Harbor
Expired Kodak Gold 200
MC W.Rokkor-NL 21mm 1:2.8, Minolta X370
The Eddon Boatyard and the related Gig Harbor BoatShop organization are staples of the boating history preservation movement under way in Gig Harbor. This image shows the not-so-boaty street side of the building.
Please interpret this image with reservations. This is a hasty scan of the original 35mm color negative on my new Minolta Dimage Scan Elite II 35mm film scanner.
Full size image.
Bicycle Concessions
Expired Kodak Gold 200
MC W.Rokkor-NL 21mm 1:2.8, Minolta X370
The revived Nishiki Century is my usual partner for the 'photo bike' excursions. This time it was the subject.
Please interpret this image with reservations. This is a hasty scan of the original 35mm color negative on a Minolta Dimage Scan Elite II 35mm film scanner.
Three Sinks
Expired Kodak Gold 200
MC W.Rokkor-NL 21mm 1:2.8, Minolta X370
This building may be turn of the century old. But the tiles were straight. The artistic 'waviness' was supplied by the 21mm Rokkor.
Please interpret this image with reservations. This is a hasty scan of the original 35mm color negative on a Minolta Dimage Scan Elite II 35mm film scanner.
