These cameras worked very well, they would work with the 280px flash and some others for correctly exposing a scene, if you used a Minolta (or compatable MD lenses). They had an internal program mode, or you could use aperature or shutter priority...This one, and according to my camera repair guy, many of the X700's had a shutter button problem. The trouble was the part that gave the problem was way down inside the camera...and the only supplier you could buy it from was Minolta(who never changed the design). Basically the camera had to be rebuilt to fix this. I fixed it once, but at 110.00 for a part that WILL go out again, this camera is now inoperable...and unless I become independently wealthy (fat chance) will remain so. 04/25/07.. Some of what went wrong I think now, was my own fault (unknowingly). These camera like digital, have sensitive electronics inside...and I used a flash with very high trigger voltage with it...which led to it's temporary demise. I think now that I know what I've done wrong may someday get it fixed...was a great camera when it used to work.