X-9

The X-9 was Minolta's last, new SLR.  It used a body that was similar to the popular X-370 camera, but there were several stylish changes.  For example, the pentaprism has a sleeker, curved top instead on the older angled top, and the hand grip is smaller and sports a new, smooth covering.  These changes make the camera much more attractive than the X-370.  

But while Minolta may have smoothed some corners on the X-9, it did not cut any.  For example, the X-9 has a DOF preview button, unlike the X-370.  The DOF button is now square, but it's in the same place. The viewfinder displays the automatically selected shutter speed in auto-exposure mode, and both the recommended shutter speed as well as the manually set shutter speed in manual-exposure mode (one blinks and the other doesn't).  In either mode, the viewfinder also has the manually set aperture -- unlike the X-370.  The hot-contact, "touch-switch" shutter release button of the X-370 is gone, but the camera retains the safe-load signal for correct film loading.  It has an Auto-exposure (AE) lock and Depth-of-field button, and it accepts the Winder G as well as the Motor Drive 1.  Perhaps the most unusual feature is the focusing screen -- it has a diagonal, split-image rangefinder with a microprism collar inside the fresnel screen.  The screen is removeable, but it is not interchangeable with any other Minolta screens, unfortunately.

It takes a little getting used to if you are experienced with the horizontal type split, but it's actually an improvement.  This is the only Minolta camera that used this focusing screen.  It has other features as well, such as a film window, on-off switch and a self-timer -- just like an X-370n.  It was only available in an all black body.  

There were actually two versions of the X-9.

• X-9 -- (1990)
  
  Only available in black.
  
• X-300s -- (1990)
  
  Sold in the European market. Despite the name, it in not an X-300, but an X-9 with a couple of differences.  First, the X-300s lacks the diagonal split-image screen of the X-9.  It has the standard horizontally-orientated screen.  Secondly, the X-300s lacks a DOF button.

One important quality control issue pertains to the two capacitors in the X-9 (and the X-570 and X-300 cameras, as well). They tend to leak, and in the process malfunction. You can usually spot a bad capacitor easily. Turn the camera on, using good batteries. Touching the shutter release button will turn on the LED meter for a second, but then it goes out. Some contend that the problem stems from the move to China and cheaper capacitors. There may be some truth to this as the earliest X-700 cameras have fewer capacitor problems. Others contend that the capacitors leak with time, use and humidy. In any case, it's an expensive repair and one reason some people avoid the last models that Minolta made.

The X-9 was the last, new manual-focusing 35mm SLR camera that Minolta would make.  It is a very competent camera -- designed for automatic exposure or manual control.  Production stopped before the final production of the X-700, so it is not Minolta's last manual-focusing 35mm SLR, but the X-9 has a definite place in Minolta's history.  Because of the name, the X-9 is often confused with the XG-9, but they are very different. For a comparative look at the major features of the X-9, check out MINMAN's SLR table -- the world's most complete!

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