Minolta X-370 light meter

Hey all.

I bould a used Minolta X-370 on eBay. The owner assured me that the camera
is in exc. working condition. I just got it and put in fresh batteries. All
seems to be working except the light meter readout stays at constant
shutter speed no matter which f-stop position the lens is set to.

Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks,

Eugene.

 

I'm not familiar with your model, however it is probably similar to the
typical classic SLR. Sounds like it is in manual mode meaning you have to
set the shutter speed and the aperture. If you set it to A or AUTO, it
should adjust the shutter speed as you adjust the aperture for proper
exposure.
John

 

John,

I know. X-370 has the aperture priority feature. However. When shutter
speed is in Auto Mode, and camera is fixed unto a certain position with
a fixed lighting the selected shutter speed does not change regardless
of which f-stop is chosen.

When the camera is in manula mode, the SUGGESTED shutter speed does not
change egardless of which f-stop is chosen.

Does this all point to a broken ligth meter?

Thanks,

Eugene.

 

John,

I know. Ny X-370 has the aperture priority feature. However. When shutter
speed is in Auto Mode, and the camera is fixed unto a certain position with
a fixed lighting the selected shutter speed does not change regardless of
which f-stop is chosen.

When the camera is in manula mode, the SUGGESTED shutter speed does not
change regardless of which f-stop is chosen.

Does this all point to a broken ligth meter?

Thanks,

Eugene.

 

Yes, Something sounds amiss. Some of these cameras have a microcomputer
controller. It may have "latched up". try removing the batteries for several
minutes and reinstall. You may want to try new batteries and be sure the
contacts are clean.

Someone with better knowledge of that camera model should chime in here if
they know what's going on. It is sounding like you got a bum deal though.
John

 

I have a X-370 somewhere, I loaned to a friend a long while ago... So I'm
going from memory here.

In AUTO mode the LED should show the shutter speed changing when you rotate
the f-stop ring or point the camera towards or away from the light. If the
LED doesn't change when you point the camera towards or away from a light
source then there is likley a serious meter problem and the camera is not
worth repairing.

In MANUAL mode the LED shows the suggested shutter speed, which should
change the same as the above.

Is the lens an MC or MD type? It has to have a small protrusion on the f-
stop ring that will touch a small silver pin on the camera body. This pin
is attached to a silver metal ring that encircles the lens mount and lies
in between the camera body and the lens mount. Very early Minolta lens do
not have this f-stop ring protrusion and will not couple with the camera's
meter.

Looking down at the camera and from behind, as you would when shooting a
picture you should be able to see the f-stop ring at the 2 or 3 o'clock
position. The silver pin should be touching the f-stop ring protrusion on
the left side (silver pin on the left and protrusion on the right). As you
close down the lens (go towards f16) the protrusion on the f-stop ring
should push the silver pin and rotate the ring on the camera towards the
left. When you open the lens (f-stop ring turning clockwise) the pin should
stay in contact and the silver ring should rotate clockwise.

If you remove the lens you rotate the silver ring by moving the silver pin
clockwise (from the front of the camera). It should come all the way back
(counter clockwise) when you let go of it. If it doesn't move or the
internal spring doesn't pull it back (counter clockwise) then your problem
is with the camera not "reading" the lens f-stop properly. I would see if
you can get your money back - it probably wouldn't be worth repairing a X-
370 with this problem.

Hope this helps. If you report back with what you observe after trying my
suggestions I'll do what I can to help.

JB

 

I don't know this camera, and am probably grasping at straws here,
but...some cameras with autoexposure keep the shutter speed fixed while you
wind on a new roll of film, e.g., the Nikon F3 and FG keep the shutter speed
at 1/80 until the exposure counter gets to "1". I once thought that my FG
meter wasn't working - until I wound the film ;-)