XE-5

(1976) The XE-7 of 1974 was a marvelous cameras but it was expensive, so Minolta opted to produce a less expensive version, as soon as possible -- the XE-5. It maintained the major feature of the XE-7, which was automatic exposure control, but dropped several features that Minolta saw as less important.  For example, while the viewfinder of the XE-7 showed the manually-set shutter speed and the manually-set f-stop, the viewfinder on the XE-5 did not.  Think of the XE-5 as an SRT101 with auto-exposure capability. In automatic exposure mode, the automatically set speed is displayed, and in manual mode the recommended speed is shown.  That's it, but that's enough for most people.

Other features that were removed were the film tab holder, the film advance window, and multiple exposure capability.  Another difference is that the eyepiece shutter of the XE-7 is replaced with a plastic cap attached to the shoulder strap.  Last, but not least, the XE-5 only has X flash synch for electronic flash;  the FP synch for flash bulbs was dropped. Unfortunately, these minor changes didn't change the cost of the XE-5 significantly.  In addition, just like the XK, since the shutter in the XE-7 is electronic, it is dependent on the battery, and if the battery dies, you are in trouble.  But the XE-5 has some features to help you along as your batteries die.  Not only does it have an easy to use battery check, if you forget to use it and the battery gets too weak, the XE-5 will lock-up the mirror rather than give you incorrect exposures.  And in the event that you didn't bring a spare, you can switch to the B or X (1/60) setting, which are mechanical speeds, and contiue to take picutres.  Sure, you'll have to guesstimate the exposure since the meter won't work, but you can still walk home with exposed film if you remember the f-16 rule.  

There were actually two versions of the XE-5, depending on where you bought the camera.

• XE-5 -- (1975)
  
  The  XE-5 came in a mix of black and chrome.

• XEb -- (1975)
  
  Minolta sold the XE-5 in Japan as the XEb.  It had all of the same features as the XE-5, but with the added convenience of multiple exposure capability.  

The XE-5 was manufactured from 1975 to 1977.  Like its older sister, the XE-7, the XE-5 was destined to have a short run.  Other companies were producing smaller, lighter automatic-exposure cameras, such as the Olympus OM-2 and the Pentax ME. Minolta knew it had to keep up with the times.  So it replaced the XE-7 with the XD-11 and the XE-5 with the XG-7, a less expensive alternative to the XD-11.  Still, the XE-5 is the perfect camera for anyone who wants auto-exposure in a camera that feels like the older manaul cameras. For a comparative look at the major features of the XE-5 models, check out MINMAN's SLR table -- the world's most complete!

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