Minolta SRT-101/102?

[v_roma]

Hello,

I'm not sure exactly how this happened but all of my cameras (film and digital) are fixed-lens, from 28mm to 35mm. In the interest of expanding my focal length range and also try a film SLR without committing to an expensive (or even moderately-priced) system, I've been looking into the Minolta SRT-101/102 cameras typically with the 50mm f2 MD lens.

Any words of advice/warning regarding the cameras and lthe ens?

Thanks!
Vasco

 

[eurekaiv]

Yeah, one word of advice... once you get a film SLR, be prepared to start collecting lenses to go with it. 😀

The SRT is a really nice camera. I had a very nice looking one for a short period and passed it along since I already had extensive Nikon and M42 kit at hand. It has one of my favorite meter displays of anything comparable and it handles very well. The 50mm 1.7 PF I had with it seemed to perform very well also. But that's pretty much par for the course when it comes to lenses of that focal length.

 

[ornate_wrasse]

My former husband used to own an SR-T 101 and, as I recall, it was very highly regarded. In case you haven't seen it, here's a link to a good article about the camera

http://camerapedia.wikia.com/wiki/Minolta_SR-T_101

Unfortunately, the camera was stolen one day and he was really bummed about it as he loved using that camera.

Ellen

 

[donkee]

They are great cameras and built to last. If you do get one I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[redisburning]

rokkors are great.

Im not so in love with my SRT-101. At the very least, it's a nice, simple and robust camera. It's just big, heavy and the viewfinder is kind of small. Good focus screen though.

Minolta made some cameras after the SRT series which are also inexpensive. I bet you could get an XD for not much more, might be worth looking into.

I highly recommend the 24/2.8 and 58/1.2. The former isn't even particularly pricey.

 

[nikon_sam]

Pretty sure they use the no longer made Mercury batteries...
Anyone please chime in if another battery can be used with correct meter readings...

Other than that good camera, nice lenses...basic cameras...

 

[whitecat]

My first REAL slr.

 

[KoNickon]

The 675 hearing aid batteries will work fine -- I forget whether a washer is also needed in order to make the proper contact. These are great cameras.

 

[bean_counter]

I bought a 102 as a back-up to my XD-5, glad I did as my XD died with an unrepairable, no longer available circuit board. Used one of the "air" hearing aid batteries in the 102, seemed to work fine but I usually hand meter anyway.

Still a back-up, main SLR now is an X-700. Rokkors are very nice, and a relative bargain.

 

[eurekaiv]

I used a Wein 675 in the SRT when I ran a test roll through and the exposures seemed very good. Here's the lot if anyone cares to look. Personally, I forgot how much I liked the pics I took with it... just might have to buy another. 😱

 

[colyn]

Pretty sure they use the no longer made Mercury batteries...
Anyone please chime in if another battery can be used with correct meter readings...

The srT's did in fact use the mercury 625 battery but for my srT's I fixed the problems per my page at http://colynsfotografs.com/srt.html

 

[Spavinaw]

Google "Minolta SRT 102". Then click on "The Rokkor Files-The Minolta SR Series". This points out some significant improvements of the SRT 102 over the SRT 101. For me personally, I much prefer the split image focusing aid found in the SRT 102. Your preference may vary.

 

[ornate_wrasse]

Regarding batteries for the SR-T 101, I took the following from the link I posted earlier in this discussion:

The metering circuit is dependent on an obsolete mercury battery. It may be replaced using a zinc-air hearing aid 1.4-volt battery, which usually comes in a six-pack and is not very expensive.

So, there you go, metering should be OK using the hearing aid 1.4 volt battery.

Ellen

 

[filmfan]

Great cameras.

 

[v_roma]

Thanks everyone very, very much for the feedback. Pulled the trigger on a SRT 102 that looks to be in great cosmetic shape and recently refurbished. Also, it's already been modified to accept 1.5v batteries. Zinc air batteries run out quickly so this is a definite plus.

 

[Trius]

I highly recommend the 24/2.8 and 58/1.2. The former isn't even particularly pricey.

The prices I saw recently for the 1.2 on the evil site were pretty evil. :bang:

 

[Trius]

And what about the SRT-201s?

 

[steveyork]

Good, solid camera. The one I looked through had a dim viewfinder. Love the needle metering.

 

[KoNickon]

The 201s are a little "de-contented" from the 101 -- no mirror lockup, for instance. But that's actually pretty minor.

 

[Speedfreak]

Any words of advice/warning regarding the cameras and lthe ens?

Make sure to get one that had a recent service because most SRTs of that era are likely to be off in one or more ways (mirror/prism-alignment, check infinity focus, lightmeter, shutter times).