2 Questions about 2 Minolota Film Slrs

[spyder2000]

One thing I didn't see any reference to above (not saying it isn't there, just that I missed it if it is) is that, in general, internal camera meters operate only within a specified range of exposure values. Meaning that after some seemingly arbitrary point in the range, the meter indicates it is 'out of range' - how it does so is camera-dependent. Modern electronics extended this considerably so many will correctly time a long exposure.

For a photo course, that is not what you want and I'd recommend against it. The SRT has all the features needed PLUS long exposures will not place any additional demands on your battery. In fact, the camera is not battery dependent: that shutter is mechanical and about as perfect as you can get. Between X models and SRT's, the glass is all interchangable, so use the SRT and some fine Rokkor optics.

As for batteries, there are acceptable subsititutes available, but buy a hand held light meter. Learn to use incident readings when possible and learn how to interpret the scene and your meter. Do not point a metered camera and blindly put the 'needle in the tennis racket'. Visualize what you seek and capture it with the tools available to you.

 

[Finder]

One thing I didn't see any reference to above (not saying it isn't there, just that I missed it if it is) is that, in general, internal camera meters operate only within a specified range of exposure values. Meaning that after some seemingly arbitrary point in the range, the meter indicates it is 'out of range' - how it does so is camera-dependent. Modern electronics extended this considerably so many will correctly time a long exposure.

All meters, whether handheld or in a camera no matter when they were manufactured, have a useable exposure range.

 

[IGMeanwell]

I agree. I would love to have a full-manual.

The thing is, Its really hard for me to find out details about these cameras because they are so old, but you guys are definately helping with that.

Here are the must-haves.

Depth Of Field Preview.
Full Manual Mode that is metered.
A good battery (I read something yesterday about Minoltas having Mercury batteries that are illegal now)
Self-Timer

Is it possible to get a Manual or AP mode that when set to a very small aperture in a dark situation, it will automatically use the correct shutter which may be up to 30 seconds long?

If not then I will have settle with buying a light-meter and stop-watch.

Honestly your best bet is the X-500 or X-570, or the step up X-700

http://www.rokkorfiles.com/X-570.htm

http://www.rokkorfiles.com/X-700.html

uses an alkaline or lithium batteries (2 1.5v or 1 3.0v), readily available

 

[like2fiddle]

I've had a SRT-201 since the 1970's, it was my very first "real" camera. It has never missed a beat. Yes, full manual, but that is the best way to learn. There are many excellent Rokkor lenses to choose from too - my favorite is a 45/2 Rokkor that is tack sharp and very, very small for a SLR lens. There's the battery issue, but for that there's wein cells. However, being a fully mechanical camera, and since you will need an external meter for those bulb exposures, why bother with the internal meter at all? Though I have to admit, I still prefer the match needle meter to a diode meter. Have fun with whatever you decide. I agree with what others before me have said regarding the build of 70's cameras in general - any of the major brands will do you well.

 

[John Noble]

Just a couple of points here:

That 201 has a self timer, mirror lock up, speeds from 1-1/1000s (not many from the 70s will have different), DOF preview, it is an excellent choice for a high school photography class.

To the best of my knowledge, MLU was discontinued with the introduction of the SRT-101(c) in 1971. I could be wrong, but with SRTs you always have to check the specific body to see if it has MLU since there were so many variants made with the same model number.

Regarding the X-700 and X-570, the 570 is better to use in manual mode, the 700 meter readout will suggest the correct aperture,

I believe you meant to say "shutter speed" not "aperture". Aperture setting is always visible in the finder.

 

[rover]

You are perhaps correct on in both points. MLU was a feature that came and went on the SRT cameras, even on like models. I have an SRT 101 with MLU, but there are 101s without it. I just noticed the photograph in the first post was "borrowed" from Karen Nakamura and not our poster's own photo (naughty naughty). At any rate, you can see the MLU on that camera on the right of the lens mount housing above the DOF preview button. I made my comment based on the photo without looking up the specs of the camera.

 

[John Noble]

I agree. I would love to have a full-manual.

The thing is, Its really hard for me to find out details about these cameras because they are so old, but you guys are definately helping with that.

Here are the must-haves.

Depth Of Field Preview.

SRT series (some are locking, later models are not), X-700, and X-570.

Full Manual Mode that is metered.

The X-700 will do this, as will (I think) the X-370: in manual mode, the meter's recommended shutter speed appears in the finder. The X-570 shows both the manually set shutter speed and the meter's recommendation, which is why X-570s are more valuable on the used market.

A good battery (I read something yesterday about Minoltas having Mercury batteries that are illegal now)

This rules out most (all?) SRTs unless you have the meter re-calibrated for modern batteries. Later SRTs may not need a re-calibration, but you'll need to research the exact model (and version of that model!) to be sure.

Self-Timer

Most SRT bodies and all X bodies have it.

Is it possible to get a Manual or AP mode that when set to a very small aperture in a dark situation, it will automatically use the correct shutter which may be up to 30 seconds long?

30 seconds? No. Even if the meter worked that far down, the film doesn't work the same as it does with shorter exposures. You're better off using a wristwatch or counting one-potato, two-potato...

If not then I will have settle with buying a light-meter and stop-watch.

Light meters are good to have, but not essential. You seem to be worried about extremely long exposures -- are you planning on doing astrophotography?

 

[IGMeanwell]

Just a couple of points here:



To the best of my knowledge, MLU was discontinued with the introduction of the SRT-101(c) in 1971. I could be wrong, but with SRTs you always have to check the specific body to see if it has MLU since there were so many variants made with the same model number.



I believe you meant to say "shutter speed" not "aperture". Aperture setting is always visible in the finder.

Correct on the suggestion of shutter speed not aperture ...

The viewfinder on those models are truly excellent, very easy to read and use

DOF preview is on both the X-570 and X-700 ... its not on the X-370

not sure on the SRTs

 

[John Noble]

You are perhaps correct on in both points. MLU was a feature that came and went on the SRT cameras, even on like models. I have an SRT 101 with MLU, but there are 101s without it. I just noticed the photograph in the first post was "borrowed" from Karen Nakamura and not our poster's own photo (naughty naughty). At any rate, you can see the MLU on that camera on the right of the lens mount housing above the DOF preview button. I made my comment based on the photo without looking up the specs of the camera.

The "borrowed" photo is of Karen's SRT-101, see her page on the 101/201. 🙂

 

[rover]

This table is a little "busy" for my eyes, but it has the info our poster is looking for.

http://www.subclub.org/minman/slrtable.php

 

[JeremyLangford]

Ok. I have an available camera that I can buy on ebay. It is an srt 101

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320146400519&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011


I really need these questions answered before I consider buying it.


1)Is this camera a metered full manual camera?
2) Does this camera have DOF preview?
3) Does this camera have a self-timer?
4) Does this camera have an old mercury battery that I would need to replace?
5) Does this camera have multiple expusures?
Thanx

 

[shadowfox]

Jeremy, most of your questions are already answered in the above-mentioned, very comprehensive Minolta fan site.

I just have a couple of points.

- Don't be intimidated by the lack of meter. Especially if you're taking photography class. You will pay attention and learn much more by "ignoring" the meter when you're learning. If your teacher can't even teach you how to meter using Sunny-16 rule, well, find another teacher 🙂 (I am assuming that you really like photography and would like to pursue it).

- Don't worry about cameras requiring old mercury battery, solutions abound. One of the better ones are camera adapters. There used to be only one or two expensive options, but now there is a new option. Contact Jon Goodman (JGood21967@aol.com) and ask him about the battery adapter he just come out with, and tell him Will sent you 🙂

- I have a Minolta XE-7, very robust, excellent camera, has everything you wanted and more, if you can get one of these for a bargain, don't pass it up. As for your original choice, I'd go with the SRT series rather than the XG series.

Good luck with your class,
Will

 

[Steve Bellayr]

1. yes
2. yes
3. yes
4. yes...varta v 625 u or go to criscam.com buy their insert will provide more accurate reading
5. I don't think so.

One avoidable problem on that camera. Keep the meter turned off when not in use as it supposedly drains batteries. (I have always kept mine turned off so I can't advise further.)

 

[irq506]

i sell a ton of SRT's every summer to all the schools in the Seattle and Eastern WA areas, plainly because these things are solid no messing around great manually controllable cameras with little reliance on batteries.
Similar machines in other brands and price range would be Nikkormat, OM1, K1000, FTb etc.
Stay with the SRT if you want a reliable camera over time. Minolta had terrible electronics which are all failing or have failed and are no longer replaceable.

 

[Kin Lau]

Ok. I have an available camera that I can buy on ebay. It is an srt 101

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320146400519&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011


I really need these questions answered before I consider buying it.


1)Is this camera a metered full manual camera?
2) Does this camera have DOF preview?
3) Does this camera have a self-timer?
4) Does this camera have an old mercury battery that I would need to replace?
5) Does this camera have multiple expusures?
Thanx

1-4 is yes, #5 is not-really... but there's a workaround.

I just use a regular alkaline replacement battery. With colour or B&W neg film, it's not enough of a difference to worry about.

I find that the SRT series does not have an accurate enough meter to use in dimly lit areas.

 

[rover]

An ebay option, go with a very well respected seller and repair person. The reserve for his current SRT is probably about $125, the camera is fully serviced though and you will have nothing but pleasant surprises.

He lists cameras every week, normally there is an SRT and X-700 in his sales.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ50QQsassZtitterington

Note, I have sent my SRTs to him for service, he really is a very good person to deal with.

 

[JeremyLangford]

1. yes
2. yes
3. yes
4. yes...varta v 625 u or go to criscam.com buy their insert will provide more accurate reading
5. I don't think so.

Well thank you guys a lot. I think I will try to buy the one I linked to on ebay.

All I have to do is replace the battery and maybe look into a way to work-around being able to do a multiple exposure. Does anyone have a tip on how to do this?

 

[JeremyLangford]

Well thank you guys a lot. I think I will try to buy the one I linked to on ebay.

All I have to do is replace the battery and maybe look into a way to work-around being able to do a multiple exposure. Does anyone have a tip on how to do this?

Couldnt you just take a picture, then advance the film. Then press the rewind button and rewind the film back one full turn so that its on the previous picture and then take the second exposure?

 

[Nokton48]

Hi Jeremy,

I've got six Minolta SRT's, including the Minolta SR-M, the motorized model. You cannot go wrong with these cameras, but the last ones, like the SRT-201/202, offer modern conveniences, like brighter (accute-matte) screens, and double-exposure capabilities, by pushing in the rewind button.

The SRT-101 (early) is my personal preference. And I bought a SRT-100 new in the box in 1973. So these cameras are really old friends. Rokkor lenses were particularly cutting-edge at the time. Consider the 21mm f2.8 MC Rokkor, it's an absolute killer.

Regarding the long exposures, buy a cheapo generic cable release. The film will see little difference between 20 and 30 seconds. I used to count "a thousand one, a thousand two" and it's really not critical at all.

Most Minolta meters work just fine with a six-dollar 1.35Vv Wein cell.

 

[JeremyLangford]

Hi Jeremy,

I've got six Minolta SRT's, including the Minolta SR-M, the motorized model. You cannot go wrong with these cameras, but the last ones, like the SRT-201/202, offer modern conveniences, like brighter (accute-matte) screens, and double-exposure capabilities, by pushing in the rewind button.

So can I not do a manual multiple exposure by pressing the rewind button with the SRT-101 in this link?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320146400519&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=011