Minolta Motor Drive 1 Power Winder Grip for X-700 X-500 X-300 SLR Tested Very Good

Description

The Minolta Motor Drive 1 is a professional high-speed power film advance unit engineered specifically for Minolta MPS (Minolta Program System) 35mm SLR cameras, including the X-700, X-500, and X-300. Capable of motorized film advance speeds up to 3.5 frames per second (fps) in high-speed continuous (Hi) mode, as well as low-speed continuous (Lo) and single-frame (S) operation. Designed with an ergonomic vertical battery handgrip, dual shutter release buttons for comfortable shooting in both horizontal and vertical orientations, remote control socket, LED activity indicator, and direct electronic contacts that mount securely to the baseplate of X-series bodies. Uses an internal quick-release battery tray powered by eight standard AA batteries.

Condition

Overall Condition: Very Good

The black composite and metal chassis is in clean condition with minor light cosmetic surface scuffs and handling marks on the bottom baseplate consistent with normal camera mounting. Textured rubber handgrip covering is tight, complete, and fully intact. Top mounting plate, guide pins, drive coupling, tripod screw wheel, and electronic contact pins are clean and unblemished. Battery tray spring contacts are bright and completely free of corrosion or oxidation. Fully tested and operational: motor winds smoothly and powerfully across Single, Low, and High continuous modes, shutter release buttons operate crisply, and red LED indicator illuminates properly. Fully tested and working.

Included

• Minolta Motor Drive 1 Power Unit
• Original Minolta 8 x AA Battery Tray Cartridge

Key Features

• Rapid motorized film advance up to 3.5 frames per second (fps)
• Mode selector switch featuring Single (S), Low Continuous (Lo), High Continuous (Hi), and Power OFF
• Dual shutter release buttons for ergonomic operation in landscape and portrait orientations
• Ergonomic handgrip improving overall camera handling and balance with longer telephoto lenses
• Integrated tripod socket and 3-pin remote control sync port
• Powered by 8 x standard AA batteries housed in a removable cartridge tray

Collector's Notes

The Motor Drive 1 was the flagship accessory for the Minolta X-700 system, providing significantly faster film winding than the smaller Auto Winder G (which maxed out at 2 fps). Finding units with clean battery trays, uncorroded internal contacts, and functional dual release buttons is increasingly difficult, making a tested working example a desirable upgrade for film shooters looking to complete an X-series kit.

Keywords

Minolta Motor Drive 1, Minolta X-700 Motor Drive, Minolta Power Winder, Minolta X-500 Motor Drive, Minolta X-300 Winder Grip, Vintage Minolta SLR Accessory