Says:I'm curious to know what the difference is between the two models. I believe the the XD-11 was released back in 1977, later than the XE-11. Both I believe have similar features and functions and were developed in partnership with Leica (R3 and R4 respectively). I have come accross articles that state the XE11 is heavier and has a CdS meter, which apparently is not as good as silicon version that came out on the X-700. Other than that, I cannot find much difference.
The Minolta kit is readily available for £14, which is I would imagine, a fraction of the price of a genuine R4 kit, assuming Paepke even have one available. I am told that the R4-MOT that is on the way to me, at least needs new seals, apart from any other faults it may have.
Anyone out there own both?1:59PM, 15 September 2012 PDTsays:Do you mean Minolta XE-1 (or XE-7)?85 months agosays:The XE also known as the XE-1 or XE-7 which first came out in 1974 (don't know of any XE-11s) and the XD also known as XD-7 or XD-11 which first came out in 1977 are different in many ways. The XE is much heavier at 775 grams (body only) as opposed to 560 grams for the XD, the XD is also smaller. Though the XE does have aperture priority automatic as well as manual exposure control the XD goes one better with shutter priority automatic as well (the XD was the first multi-mode SLR) but only with MD lenses, the earlier MC lenses don't work in shutter priority and finally the XD can take a 2 FPS (frames per second) winder the XE can't.85 months agosays:Typo.that would be correct. The XE-7 (or XE-1, depending which market you are in). I'm asking because I have recently purchased an XE-7, and am looking into getting a XD-7.Originally posted 85 months ago.MrFizzbin edited this topic 85 months ago.says:The XD has an LED meter. The XE has a match needle system which I find very difficult to read in low light (my same problem the the SRT).Overall, the XD is my favorite of the Minolta Manual Focus line up.85 months agosays:Check out rokkorfiles.com. It will tell you everything you need to know.85 months agosays:Overall, the XE is my favorite of the Minolta Manual Focus line up.85 months agosays:The differences are size, weight, color, sound, viewfinder, metering, motor drive capability, controls, etc.The XE series is larger/heavier and the US model XE-7 was only available in black while the XE-5 has a black prism housing with silver body.
It uses a needle to indicate the shutter speed and CdS cells using Minolta's CLC bottom-center weighted pattern. It feels a lot like an aperture-priority SRT.The XD series is smaller, lighter, can take a two FPS-winder. It has shutter priority as well as aperture priority and manual.
The metering is pure center-weighted using SBC cells. (The silicon cells react faster to changes in light and the XD uses this to perform the final exposure calculation after the lens stops down.