So, If you could spend a day with an old classic...

[Corto]

And you had to choose between these two, Which one would you take with you?

 

[Bobble]

For me it would be the K1000, but the either would make a change.

 

[Chris101]

K1000. My sister had one back in the day. For possibly irrational reasons, I have always hated Minolta SLR cameras. They see unnecessarily boxy and large, they make too much noise, and the controls seem scratchy. Besides my ex-wife had one.

 

[lam]

I started originally with a K1000 so i'm biased toward that, but when I came back into film, it was from a really really cheap thrift store find SRT-101. So either will do it for me.

 

[nikon_sam]

I can use a Pentax any time I want...I'd go for the Minolta...

 

[Doug]

With a pair of well-loved CLE's I have nothing against Minolta, but I'm a Pentax guy when it comes to film SLR's. Of the two I'd pick the K1000, though I'd be even happier with one of its up-scale siblings; in fact I do have a K2 and a K2DMD... 🙂

But I'm not familiar with that particular Minolta model; what are its distinguishing features?

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I ran a roll through a K1000 I fell into cheaply and, although it doesn't do anything wrong (except the meters tendency to work only intermittently with my example), personally, I've found it possibly the blandest camera I've ever used. No self timer means a cable always in your pocket for tripod work. No depth of field preview function; bayonet mount, so affordable screw mount lenses are off the menu (there is an adapter, though--?). Granted, it has open aperture metering, which is a plus, but to me it was a step sideways, not a step forwards. A working Spotmatic, on the other hand, now that's a camera I could become fond of using I think.

The Minolta Fairy turned up last week with: two SRT101b models in their worn soft cases (both tidy, one with a working meter, one not); an original Minolta brown carry bag with gold coloured locking clasp; a couple of electronic flashes; a minolta fit zoom lens; 2x 50mm f/1.7 MDs; a reverse mounting adapter for the filter ring of some of the lenses for close up work; ND filters all round; a couple of cable releases; a really tidt Kodak Instamatic stowing away with really cute little leather carry bag; and several 1.35 volt cells of various ages. I'm not certain what will become of the SRTs yet. In some ways, I would not mind an original SRT101 with the mirror locking option. I don't much care for focal plane shutters and given a choice usually take a lens shutter, so, if I'm going to use a FP shutter, I like to be able to lock the mirror up because, compared to a Compur, they're generally clunkier than I'd prefer in the first place. Along with the 500mm mirror lens I have, the 28mm, 135mm f/2.8 and another zoom or two, I've now got a fairly decent SRT system now so I guess I'd better give the one with a working meter a chance to impress me. If it doesn't they will likely find a home with a couple of my young friends who're developing a growing interest in film photography.
Regards,
Brett

 

[Kent]

The Pentax. I like Pentax cams better than Minoltas.

 

[Gareth Rees]

The Pentax for me too

 

[ChrisPlatt]

After 20 years using Canon then Nikon SLRs I tried a Minolta SRT. I sold it.
Then I tried a Pentax. I kept it, and have been using Pentax for 15+ years.

Chris

 

[timor]

Both cameras will do fine but this Pentax setup is a bit more classic then Minolta as Minolta is paired with lens from later X series of cameras.

 

[john neal]

My choice would have to be David Bailey 😉

 

[timor]

My choice would have to be David Bailey 😉

And that was ...? (Forgive me my ignorance...)

 

[dee]

No contest -
In 1974 I swapped an OM1 [ bought new ] for a used Minolta SRT 202 and never looked back - I loved it , and still do ... unless my Kontax II is waiting ... LOL

 

[KoNickon]

Definitely the Minolta -- it has DOF preview, which is most handy. And you can actually turn off the meter.

 

[it'sawhat?]

the k1000 but then my 2 main cameras are a kx - a k100 with dof and self timer and a pentax 645.

 

[KenD]

I'll take a day with the Pentax... but if you really want to entice me how about a Spotmatic (my first SLR) or an MX (my current - and rather ignored in favor of RFs - SLR).

 

[zuiko85]

The Minolta. I don't own either camera but I think the mystique associated with the K1000 and the resulting high prices are not borne out in use. Just a very ordinary camera with not even DOF preview. You can buy a nicer camera for much less money. So, if given the choice I take any SRT model, even a SRT100.

 

[johannielscom]

My first serious camera ever was a Minolta SRT-101b and I would love to relive the feeling of my college years for a day.

I've never shot a K1000 before so I don't know what I might be missing and I'm fine with that 😛

 

[Corto]

And that was ...? (Forgive me my ignorance...)

Famous Vogue photog that worked with a Pentax S3.

Old Pentax ad: