Minolta X-7A
Loading a fresh roll of Ilford XP2 Super into the Minolta X-7A is a straightforward, mechanical process. With a fresh roll of Ilford XP2 in hand, I popped open the hinged back, positioned the canister, drew the leader onto the take up spool, advanced a couple of frames until the sprockets bit and closed the door. The advance lever was smooth yet firm, exactly the kind of tactile feedback you’d expect from a camera built with care. The film counter sets automatically and with the film loaded, I was ready to shoot.
The X-7A, released in the early 1980s, was Minolta’s North American version of the X-300, aimed at enthusiasts who wanted manual control with the convenience of aperture priority. It is a robust yet approachable 35mm SLR, with a bright viewfinder and intuitive controls. Paired with the Minolta MD Rokkor 45mm f2, results in a kit that is small, lightweight and optically excellent. This particular pairing was in very good condition, it operated fantastically on the day I tested it… smooth advance, crisp shutter, clean optics. This is an extremely capable kit that feels far more premium than its “student camera” label suggests.
The built in through the lens meter made shooting effortless and exposure decisions quick and accurate. Just select your aperture, watch the clear LED readout in the right hand side of the viewfinder and adjust your shutter speed accordingly. The X-7A is light enough for all day carry and sits comfortably in the hand, with controls falling exactly where you expect them. Focusing was smooth and positive thanks to Minolta’s well damped focusing rings.
The 45mm f2 Rokkor is a highly desired lens for good reason. Its focal length sits in that sweet spot between the traditional 50mm and a slightly wider 40mm, giving a natural perspective with just a touch more scene in the frame. It is sharp wide open, with smooth bokeh and excellent contrast, making it versatile for everything from landscapes to portraits.
This roll was shot while exploring the Coverack and Porthleven coasts in Cornwall. The X-7A and Rokkor lens paired together captured the coastal towns with crisp detail. Ilford XP2 Super is a unique black and white film that can be processed in standard C-41 chemistry. I don’t normally shoot black and white film, so it was a refreshing change that made me think more carefully about how each scene would translate into tones and contrast rather than colour. XP2 delivers a wide tonal range, from inky blacks in the shadows to delicate highlights in the sea foam, with fine grain and a forgiving exposure latitude that handled bright skies and deep shadows with ease.
Overall, shooting the Minolta X-7A with the 45mm f2 Rokkor was a pleasure from start to finish. The combination of reliable build, intuitive metering and a fantastic Rokkor lens, makes this pairing a highly capable travel companion. The X-7A deserves a place on every film shooter’s list, it is a sturdy, elegant SLR that proves that a “budget” SLR can still deliver premium results. As for the film, I may try black and white again!
