XG-9

(1979) In 1978, Minolta realized that they had a hole in their system of automatic cameras. The XD-11 was a fabulous piece of equipment, but it was too expensive and offered too many features for a large portion of the potential market. The XG-7, on the other hand, was priced right, but lacked some features that many photographers had gotten used to with the SRT cameras and the XE-7. In 1978, Minolta attempted to fill the gap with the XG-SE. It was an improved version of the XG-7 with the focusing screen from the XD-11 and a few other changes. In 1979, Minolta made improvements to the XG-SE and marketed the XG-9.

The XG-9 had the same basic viewfinder as the XG-SE, which was a change from that of the XG-7. What separated the XG-9 from the XG-SE was the manually set f-stop to the viewfinder -- the first XG camera to have this feature. And just like the XG-SE, the XG-9 borrowed the Acute Matte focusing screen from the XD-11 for a brighter view.

The XG-9 introduced a slightly modified body style to the XG series, as well. It's hard to notice the difference, but the top plate on the earlier XG cameras tilted inward slightly. On the XG-9, and later XG cameras, the top plate is much straighter. In addition, the XG-9 has a DOF button which the XG-SE lacked. It is of the non-locking type.

There were actually two versions of the XG-9, depending on the market.

XG-9 -- (1979)

The XG-9 was available in chrome or black.
XG-S -- (1979)

Sold in the Japanese market. All of the camera features are the same.

The XG-9 filled an important gap in the Minolta line of SLR cameras. But it only lasted two years. In 1981, the XG-9 was replaced by the high-end XG-M, which had all of the features of the XG-9, plus a few more. And Minolta threw in a new body style, to boot. Because of the name, the XG-9 is often confused with the X-9, but they are very different. For a comparative look at the major features of the XG-9, check out MINMAN's SLR table -- the world's most complete!

CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS
Camera Minolta XG-9

Years made 1979-1981

Type Electronic 35mm SLR with automatic and manual exposure control

Shutter Fully electronic, horizontal, cloth, focal plane shutter

Metering TTL (through-the-lens), full-aperture, center-weighted meter, coupled to aperture and film speed
Activated by "Touch-Switch"

Meter sensitivity CDS type from EV 2 to EV 17 at ASA 100

Exposure modes Unmetered manual mode (Set the aperture and shutter speed manually without a meter reading)
Aperture preferred mode (Select an f-stop and the meter sets the shutter speed automatically)

Automatic exposure
compensation +/- 2EV dial

Viewfinder Fixed eye-level pentaprism displays:
Manually-set f-stop
Automatically set shutter speed on LED grid
Over & under exposure marks

Focusing screen Acute-Matte Fresnel-field screen with a split-image rangefinder surrounded by a micro-prism collar
Interchangeable

Lens mount Minolta SLR bayonet
Button for DOF preview

Lenses Optimum: MC Rokkor-X, MD Rokkor-X, MD Minolta, MC Celtic, MD Celtic
Usable: Auto-Rokkor, Rokkor

Mirror Over-sized, instant return mirror

Film speeds ASA 25-1600

Shutter speeds Mechanical: none
Electronic: 1 - 1,000; B
Automatic (stepless): 1 - 1,000
Manual: 1 - 1,000; B

Flash synch X: B; 1 - 1/60
FP: B; 1 - 1/15
M: B; 1 - 1/15
MF: B; 1 - 1/15

Flash connection Built-in, dedicated hot shoe automatically sets shutter speed to 1/60 with X-type flash units
X and FP PC contacts

Film counter Automatically resetting type counting upward
Film safe-load window

Battery Two A76 (or equivalent)
Built-in battery check
On/Off switch

DOF/Stop-down button Non-locking type, used for depth-of-field viewing

Film Back Interchangeable

Multiple exposures No

Film advance Lever type or optional Autowinder G

Self-timer Electronic, non-adjustable 10 seconds
Cancellable

Film reminder memo holder

Other Cable release connection, tripod socket

Body size 2 x 3 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches

Body weight One pound two ounces

CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS
Camera	Minolta XG-9
Years made	1979-1981
Type	Electronic 35mm SLR with automatic and manual exposure control
Shutter	Fully electronic, horizontal, cloth, focal plane shutter
Metering	TTL (through-the-lens), full-aperture, center-weighted meter, coupled to aperture and film speed Activated by "Touch-Switch"
Meter sensitivity	CDS type from EV 2 to EV 17 at ASA 100
Exposure modes	Unmetered manual mode (Set the aperture and shutter speed manually without a meter reading) Aperture preferred mode (Select an f-stop and the meter sets the shutter speed automatically)
Automatic exposure compensation	+/- 2EV dial
Viewfinder	Fixed eye-level pentaprism displays: Manually-set f-stop Automatically set shutter speed on LED grid Over & under exposure marks
Focusing screen	Acute-Matte Fresnel-field screen with a split-image rangefinder surrounded by a micro-prism collar Interchangeable
Lens mount	Minolta SLR bayonet Button for DOF preview
Lenses	Optimum: MC Rokkor-X, MD Rokkor-X, MD Minolta, MC Celtic, MD Celtic Usable: Auto-Rokkor, Rokkor
Mirror	Over-sized, instant return mirror
Film speeds	ASA 25-1600
Shutter speeds	Mechanical: none Electronic: 1 - 1,000; B Automatic (stepless): 1 - 1,000 Manual: 1 - 1,000; B
Flash synch	X: B; 1 - 1/60 FP: B; 1 - 1/15 M: B; 1 - 1/15 MF: B; 1 - 1/15
Flash connection	Built-in, dedicated hot shoe automatically sets shutter speed to 1/60 with X-type flash units X and FP PC contacts
Film counter	Automatically resetting type counting upward Film safe-load window
Battery	Two A76 (or equivalent) Built-in battery check On/Off switch
DOF/Stop-down button	Non-locking type, used for depth-of-field viewing
Film Back	Interchangeable
Multiple exposures	No
Film advance	Lever type or optional Autowinder G
Self-timer	Electronic, non-adjustable 10 seconds Cancellable
Film reminder	memo holder
Other	Cable release connection, tripod socket
Body size	2 x 3 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches
Body weight	One pound two ounces

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