MINOLTA X-300
1984

Serial Nr.9307983
Minolta Code 2025-100

Characteristics and functions
Device type: 35mm SLR SLR with aperture priority automatic exposure or manualexposure with active independent exposure meter and electronic quartz control.
Exposure control modes: aperture priority automatism (A), manual with independent
active exposure meter and LED overlay (M).
Exposure control with low voltage and low current circuit that varies the shutter speed
in continuous progression according to the aperture set, in Auto mode, to provide thecorrect exposure according to the sensitivity of the film used.
Lens attachment: self-lubricating steel bayonet coupling. All objectives of the MC andMD series are allowed. Optics release button on the left side of the optics union. Red
indicator placed in the upper part of the union for the correct coupling of the bayonet.
The complete locking of the bayonet occurs after a clockwise rotation of 54 °.

Sensitivity range allowed from 12 to 3200 Asa (12 to 36 Din). The sensitivity can be set
using the large knurled ring coaxial to the crank for film recovery: to set the correct
sensitivity, press the black button located in the rear position between the main switch
and the film recovery crank, and rotate the knurled ring; the values in Asa appear in therear window, have 1/3 subdivisions represented by two white dots between the integer
values and refer to a small white dash engraved on the upper casing at the base of thewindow.
Shutter: on the focal plane of mechanical type with horizontally sliding rubber cloth
curtains and electromagnetic shutter release. Shutter speeds from 4" to 1/1000" and B.
Sincroflash at 1/60".
Working range: from VL 1 to VL 18 (from 1" with f/1.4 to 1/1000" with f/16) with 100Asa
film and f/1.4 lens.
Automatic exposure: aperture priority with the selector in the [AUTO] position. Once anaperture is set on the lens, the camera adjusts the time from 4" to 1/1000" seamlessly.
The simultaneous lighting of two LEDs indicates that the camera is working with anintermediate time between the two speeds highlighted by the LEDs themselves.
Manual exposure: by means of the ribbed wheel that protrudes from the front and is ina coaxial position with the shutter button, the selector is turned to shutter speeds,values are set from 1" to 1/1000" with snap-stop positions, and exposure B. The set
speed is indicated in the viewfinder by the flashing of the reference led. The light meterremains active and suggests the correct exposure with the lighting of 1 LED, or 2 if thesuggested speed is an intermediate value. The difference between the suggested
exposure speed and that actually set on the shutter selector highlights the under / overexposure value. Times that can be set using the selector located to the right of thepentaprism from 1” to 1/1000” with full increments and exposure (B).
Syncroflash at 1/60” or longer.
Measurement: Full aperture TTL with integrated average reading via a silicon cellmounted in the rear of the pentaprism.
Mirror: with triple coating, quick return, oversized, mounted on a system that allows toabsorb vibrations during the movement of the mirror.
Viewfinder: pentaprism fixed at eye level. Focusing Fresnel screen with horizontal
image split center and microprism circular crown. The focusing screen is worked with
the Acute Matte system (Minolta patent) which allows exceptional sharpness. Thereare 2,500,000 microscopic cells of regular shape. The viewfinder provides 95% view ofthe 24x36mm. format and 0.9x magnification with 50mm lens. focused on infinity. On
the right side of the viewfinder you can see the shutter speeds from [1000] to [1] andthe corresponding 11 red bar-shaped LEDs. Two triangular-shaped LEDs placed
beyond the shutter speeds indicate over / under exposure. In the lower part a [B]
indicates the setting of the prolonged exposure function. And at the top a red [A] lights
up in aperture priority mode or a red [M] when manual exposure is set. When using theflash, with Minolta dedicated flashes (eg: AUTO 360PX, AUTO 280PX, Auto 132PX,Auto 80PX), the red led of the [60] flashes at low frequency (2 Hz.) To indicate the"flash ready”, While blinking with a faster frequency (8 Hz.) After shooting to indicate
the correct exposure.
Shutter button: located in the center of the shutter speed dial. Double function
electromagnetic: by simply touching the light meter is activated, which remains active
for 15 seconds even after removing your finger from the button, while lowering it by
about one millimeter the shutter is released.
Main switch This is located to the left of the pentaprism on the top cover. It is made up
of a slider in striped black plastic; if backward there is [Off], if advanced it is [On].
Advancement of the film: by means of the loading lever located on the upper carter atthe extreme right between the speed selector and the exposure counter. The
advancement of the film is obtained with a rotation of the loading lever of about 130°with a dead stroke of about 30°. The complete advancement of the film also involves
arming the shutter and increasing the numbering of the exposure counter. The AUTO

WINDER G and MOTOR DRIVE 1 are available as optional accessories which allow
the advancement of the film respectively with a maximum cadence of 2 and 3.5 frames
per second.
Self-timer: by moving the dual-function switch that is present, on the front, above thered self-timer LED, in the ST [Self Timer] position, the self-timer setting is activatedwhich is activated by pressing the shutter button. The delay is 10" and is highlighted by
the switching on of the large rectangular red LED located on the front to the right of theoptics union. The LED flashes in 3 different phases: with a frequency of 1/2 second forthe first 5 seconds to become faster in the following 3 and remain lit in the last 2 before
the shot. The self-timer can be canceled by lowering the ST / AEL switch back to its
rest position or repositioning the main switch in the [Off] position. After shooting withST, to return to normal mode, the ST / AEL switch must be lowered back to the rest
position.
Accessories The dual function switch located at the front to the right of the optics union
allows, by lowering it, the exposure lock function (AEL). To maintain exposure lock, youmust keep it pressed even during shooting. The accessory rail with hot contact andadditional contact for the use of dedicated MINOLTA flashes is placed above the uppercasing, above the pentaprism; the crank for rewinding the film, located on the left of theupper casing, also has the function of unlocking and opening the back, pulling it up tothe end of its travel; the automatic exposure counter, with additive counting andautomatic reset when the back is opened, is located next to the loading lever in arectangular window with a triangular red reference; The smooth sliding of the film canbe seen by observing a red tab appear in the special window that is located on theupper side of the camera, just above the loading lever; the selector (in black plastic) for
coupling "MC" with the light meter is placed around the lens union, it moves aroundand above it. On the left side of the optics filler there are from top to bottom the lensrelease button and the threaded socket for flexible release. A black plastic handle
worked like small pyramids allows a firmer grip even by holding the camera with one
hand. The attachment of the film to the receiving spool is facilitated by the presence of
4 gray plastic supports for anchoring the tail of the film. The shoulder strap attachment
system consists of two triangular-shaped rings placed in the chromed supports locatedat the end of the front. The memo pocket, with Asa / Din conversion table is located on
the back. The tripod mount and the screw cap for the battery compartment (2x 1.5v
silver oxide batteries) in metal, are placed on the back together with the coupling for
the MOTOR DRIVE 1 and the AUTO WINDER G, the guide and the electrical contacts
for them and the release button of the clutch for the recovery of the film. The eyepieceframe, made of plastic, allows the adaptation of a rubber lens hood (EH-7) to beinserted into the special lateral grooves; inside the eyepiece frame there is space forcorrective lenses, which must be placed under pressure. The viewfinder eyepiece cap
is available which is inserted into the grooves of the viewfinder to replace the EH-7 lens
hood. Electric remote control cables are available: CABLE RELEASE 50L and 50S witha length of 5 meters respectively. and 50cm. and the mechanical flexible release, withlock, CABLE RELEASE II. The IR-1 wireless remote control unit is also available. The
position of the film surface is highlighted by the special symbol, which is colorless andin relief, and which is located on the upper casing hidden under the loading lever whenthis is brought to the rest position. There are 4 MINOLTA electronic flashes from theAuto X series: the AUTO 200X, the AUTO 132X, the AUTO 118PX. The 200X flash canoperate at 2 frames / second when used with the winder thanks to the fast energy
recycling thyristor circuit. The presence of two shutter buttons on the Motor Drive 1
allow an easy grip even with vertical shots. There is no system for checking theefficiency of the batteries, but the camera locks up when the voltage is not sufficient forcorrect operation. With batteries running low, there is a partial functionality: the camera
works but the LEDs in the viewfinder do not light up.
Power supply: by means of 2x 1.5v silver oxide batteries. type S-76 or EPX-76. Acontainer for 2 spare batteries to be slipped into the camera strap is supplied. It ispossible to use the 3v CR-1 / 3N lithium battery.
The Minolta X-300 is also available in a chrome / black leather version.
Dimensions and weight: length 137mm.; height 90mm.; width 51.5mm.
Body weight only, without battery: 483g.