Minolta SRT's -- Gotta Love 'Em.

002 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Shown with 100mm F2.5 MC Rokkor, AE Prism, High Magnification Viewfinder, C1, C2, and C3 Focusing Screens, and Hotshoe Adapter. Only brassing is on bottom plate of camera. Two small dents, one on AE Prism, one on body. Not as bad as some I have seen. Does eat batteries so carry spares.
 
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Hey PentaxPete!

Great SRT-100 my first good SLR bought new with 55mm F1.9 rubber ring. Lost it long ago but replaced it recently, mine has green kangaroo skin from Morgan Sparks Cameraleather. My fave SRT
 
For some reason I haven't paid much attention to this evergreen thread. I need to work my way through it. Forgive me if I'm repeating what others have said before.

I have several SRTs, and at least one needs John T's attention. But I wanted to put in a word for the very last of the line, the SRT SC-II, sold through Sears stores. I figure these "store models" (including the MCs, sold through K-Mart and JC Penney in the US, and the first versions of the SC and MC) are of rather second class status in the SRT line.

However, it has one feature that's not remarked on, as far as I can tell, and not available in the 100 and 200 models -- the stop-down plunger works regardless of whether the shutter is charged or not. In this way, it's reminiscent of other cameras like Nikons and Canons, and I think it's a lot more convenient. It doesn't stay locked down the way the earlier SRTs do, but I'll take it. Also, I like the fact it has a proper coin slot to unscrew the batter compartment. The other cameras' textured battery door can be more convenient, but if your thumb is sweaty, or the door is stubborn, it's a pain.

I got my SC-II from my brother in law some years ago -- he's the opposite of a packrat. His mother (my mother in law) worked at Sears, so I'm sure the family discount was put to good use. The case is very tatty -- a far cry from the really good genuine leather cases the 100s and 200s have, but at least it's intact. The plastic advance lever tip had disappeared long ago. Still usable without it, but looks offensive to me. I had actually bought a replacement tip years ago, and installed that last night. More serious is that somehow the lens in front of the eyepiece must have sustained a blow -- it's cracked across the middle. (Maybe John Titterington can replace it?) But actually I can look past it and focus pretty easily -- the focus screen has the microprism and split screen. The camera works fine in all respects otherwise -- but the proof will be in the results on film!
 
KoNickon said:
I figure these "store models" (including the MCs, sold through K-Mart and JC Penney in the US, and the first versions of the SC and MC) are of rather second class status in the SRT line.
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No, not really. Having opened up a couple of SRTs (101, 500, 303) there are some changes from model to model but nothing that, at the end of the day, will make one model inferior to another. Just like other camera manufacturers Minolta was redesigning the cameras thouring their production life. The SR-T SC-II has the split screen from the 303 (very useful) but lacks the mirror lockup (my 303 doen't have either) and the lack of self-timer is a blessing in my opinion (cause too many jammed shutters).

101 on top - 303 on bottom

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I agree -- I didn't mean mechanically, though they, like the other SRTs of the time, maybe were de-contented a bit. I just meant they maybe didn't have the cachet of the 100/200 lines. And you're right about the self-timer.
 
I have very limited experience with using old lenses on digital cameras (i have used only Zuikos and M42s) and my overall feeling is that on digital they display abberations that i don't see them on film (especially with Zuikos which look horrendous on my 10D). Film appears to be more forgiving.

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I don’t know when Minolta made the change, but my SRT-101 requires the shutter to be cocked in order to check DOF, my SRT-201 does not.
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Pál_K said:
I don’t know when Minolta made the change, but my SRT-101 requires the shutter to be cocked in order to check DOF, my SRT-201 does not.
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Check the production code stamped on the chassis under the bottom plate. Maybe it will give you an idea.
On the pictures i posted bove you can see a "1B" and "4J" underneath the bottom plate.
"1B" = 197(1) Feb (B=second month)
"4J" = 197(4) Oct (J=tenth month)
 
Yes, this is something I discovered only recently -- the later SRTs don't require the shutter to be cocked for the DOF button to work. I have a 201 and an SC-II that work this way; I don't know what other models have this as well. The downside is that you have to keep the DOF button depressed in order for the lens to remain stopped down. I think on the whole I prefer the later version since I tend to not like to cock the shutter (on any camera) until I know I'm taking a picture.
 
Searching The Rokkor Files,


I found this:

”The depth of field preview feature in all of the post 1977 SR-Ts was changed from that offered previously. Prior to 1977, most SR-Ts had a locking depth of field preview button (eg. press once to engage, then again to release). After 1977, all models had a depress and hold, non-locking button.”
 
And the XE-5 has maybe the best of all worlds -- locking DOF button that operates regardless of whether the shutter is cocked.
 
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