The Minolta XM Motor is an SLR camera. It was built in a factory in Japan in the 1970s and sold to photographers in Europe. The model was sold as the Minolta X-1 Motor in Japan. In the USA it could be bought as Minolta XK Motor. In terms of features, it is very similar to the Minolta XM. As the name suggests, this model comes with a motor for the transport of the film.
The lenses of the camera can be changed. For this purpose, a Minolta SR bayonet was installed. There are a lot of suitable lenses to choose from for this mount. The 35mm camera does not have an autofocus. Therefore, you have to focus by hand.
The Minolta XM Motor is equipped with a built-in light meter. It can be used with films with a sensitivity of ISO 12 to ISO 6400. The correct exposure is metered through the lens. The exposure time can be set manually. The aperture is also freely selectable. However, there is also an aperture priority mode. In this mode, the aperture is selected and the camera technology selects the correct shutter speed.
There is a choice of shutter speeds from 1/2000 second to 16 seconds. The camera comes with a bulb mode. For clear shots at long exposure times, the 35mm photo camera has a tripod thread. There is also a connection for a cable release. The self-timer of the XM is missing, though. A flash can be used via the hot shoe or the PC flash port. A multiple exposure function is available on this model.
Measuring 17.1 x 14.7 x 8.3 cm, the body weighs 1450 grams. The power source of the Minolta XM Motor is two S76 batteries (eBay / Amazon*). The camera’s motor requires an additional ten AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*).
Films for the Minolta XM Motor
The camera comes with a motor for transporting the film. Per second, you can take about 3.5 pictures with the camera. However, there are also modes with a lower speed. On the top of the body is the indicator for the number of photos taken.
What kind of film does the Minolta XM Motor use? Films of the 35mm format are used. These films are still manufactured and can be specified at almost any developing vendor. Nice 35mm films for color or black and white images are the Kodak Portra 400* and the Ilford XP2 Super*. Both photo films can convince in professional tests and guarantee reliable results in everyday life. Films from other manufacturers can of course also be used with the camera.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Single lens reflex camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Pictures per second | 3,5 |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens mount | Minolta SR mount |
| Focus | Manual |
| Viewfinder | Pentaprism finder |
| Exposure times | 1/2000 second to 16 seconds, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 12 to 6400 |
| Exposure modes | Aperture priority, Manual mode |
| Exposure compensation | ± 2EV |
| Double and/or multiple exposure function | Yes |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | Hot Shoe, PC-Flash |
| Flash sync speed | 1/100 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | 2x S76 batteries |
| Size | 17,1 x 14,7 x 8,3 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 6.73 x 5.79 x 3.27 inches |
| Weight | 1450 Grams |
| Names in other markets | Japan: Minolta X-1 Motor, USA: Minolta XK Motor |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 149,91 Euro 244,33221,19146,481164,90129,1025128,751753,17161,68 Estimate based on used prices of 11 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of 13.5.2024 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 154,31 Euro (166.69 US-Dollar) |