Minolta Auto Electroflash 200X

The Minolta Auto 200X is a compact vintage flash made for Minolta’s 35mm film cameras.

It keeps things refreshingly straightforward. There are two automatic settings for everyday shooting, manual Hi and Lo power when you want more control, and a large calculator dial on the back that helps you match your film speed, aperture and shooting distance.

It was designed during the Minolta X-series era, so it feels right at home sitting on cameras like the XG and XD series. There’s also a Winder Sync setting for use with compatible Minolta equipment.

A good choice if you actually want to use your vintage Minolta rather than just admire it on the shelf, and a much nicer match for an original film setup than a modern speedlight.

Best for

Minolta film cameras, everyday 35mm flash photography, low-light shooting and anyone putting together a period-correct Minolta setup.

What to expect

This is an older, simpler flash rather than a modern TTL speedlight.

The automatic modes take care of much of the work for everyday shooting, while the rear calculator gives you an easy visual reference for film speed, aperture and distance. If you want more control, manual Hi and Lo settings are available too.

It runs on four standard AA batteries, which makes keeping it going nice and easy.