Minolta SRT's -- Gotta Love 'Em.

Wonderful Images

Wonderful Images

Like many here I first started with Minolta on the high school yearbook staff and, when I graduated, I bought a 101 of my own. I am still shooting with it. I move away for awhile but I always seem to come back. Now I have a 201 that I enjoy using as well.

I have been fortunate to pick up some pretty good Minolta and Vivitar glass over the years and both these cameras are responsible for some excellent images.

I enjoy using rangefinders as well and know that Minolta had some nice ones. One of these days I wouldn't be surprised if I end up attracting a Minolta rangefinder to the flock.
 
SRTs are not pro bodies because they arent system bodies.

Minolta has good glass and good focus screens.

BTW anyone know who I should talk to about getting a Rokkor lens overhauled?
 
redisburning said:
SRTs are not pro bodies because they arent system bodies.
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Agreed they aren't system bodies, but many knowledgeable professionals know these can be used for pro work without issue. In the SRT era, the motorized SR-M was the pro model (have one of those in great condition, presently looking for the SR-M 250 exposure back, and a few more of the original accessories for it).

And of course, in the late 70's, the XK was Minolta's answer to building the system SLR (also looking for one of these in good condition). To me, the XK looks exactly like an SRT that takes interchangable finders and screens, and I have the SR-M pro body for tough rugged motorized work, so I don't have much interest in the later very expensive motorized XK. In fact if I could have found a good motorized XK way back then, I might have never left Minolta, and gone on to original Canon F-1, Nikon F/F2, and so on and on.

Rokkor glass is some of the best available, at any price.


Any good repair shop should be able to fix a Rokkor lens, depending on what is specifically wrong with it. What's up with yours?
 
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Nokton48 said:
Any good repair shop should be able to fix a Rokkor lens, depending on what is specifically wrong with it. What's up with yours?
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The back half of the housing is loose on my 58/1.2 and I dont feel that poking around in there is such a great idea for me.

It also has some haze/condensation on one of the elements, which I would like cleaned if that is possible in a non-destructive way to the coatings, which Im not sure of. I have the very first metal grip ring version of the lens, so I had assumed it has single coating and may not stand up to being cleaned.
 
Nokton48 said:
I also prefer the build quality of the older vintage MC lenses. That is why I have have concentrated on getting the complete MC set. Still need the 800mm F8 RF mirror lens for my uses........
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In some cases such as the 50mm f/1.4 the MC version is slightly better than the MD version.

I have the complete lineup of MC lens except the mirror lens myself. Those mirror lens are currently out of my price range. I keep a few MD's around for the XD-11 when I need program mode..

Nokton48 said:
I also have the XE-7, and it is great to have an auto-exposure body, that works well with the MC lenses. A Friend recently pointed out to me, that the XE-7 (which he also owns) is identical to the Leica R-3. Not Bad :D
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Love the XE-7. The meter on mine is deadly accurate too.

The R3 was based on the XE-7 while the R4 was based on the XD-11.. Both use the Leitz Copal shutter..
 
That is a nice one. The 101 is my favorite. For me Minolta got it right at the start. True the SRT was refined over time, but I reach for my 101 first every time.
 
101... photo taken with an MC ROKKOR PF 58/1.4 @ 1.4.
file-25.jpg
 
Nokton48 said:
And here's a Minolta XK Mot with alot of character. Cool that it is an old Newspaper camera.
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It is cool, but it is a problem to. And this XK is a good sample (externally) of overused, probably abused camera. It looks like went to hell and back.
 
One of the reasons I enjoy RFF so much is because of how it, with threads like this one, promps me toget out and use other cameras in my collection. In this case a SR7. Another innovative piece of history. These older cameras weren't as easy to use as the "AUTO EVERYTHING" of today. When I get it right with a manual camera, luck aside, I feel like I've accomplished something. When I do it with one of these old gems I do wonder however "Are the planets aligned, or have I improved a little bit?" Not one to carry a camera to impress(I don't even own a Leica) I do enjoy the curious looks the old ones bring as some try to discern just "what kind of camera is that and where's the screen?" Usually backed up with" Film? Can you still buy film?
 
I'v got srt 101 with 50mm 1.8 minolta lens, I like it very much especially bookeh from 1.8, recently I bought Panagor 200mm f/3.5 for few pounds with SR mount, quite good lens
 
I am considering selling an SRT102. Just not enough room on my farm for all my stuff. It has taken me a few weeks to make this decision. My black 101 was at risk too, but I just have to keep that one.
 
I wish I had spotted this thread when if first started. I have long wondered why Minoltas don't get more respect. My first camera (1971) was an SRT 101. That was my only camera until sometime in the late 80's when I saw a used XK in a store window and just had to have it. The XK continues to be my most loved camera, even after 4 years of investigating and buying rangefinders and other SLR systems. Its a fantastic camera, bright viewfinder, well placed meter readings in the viewfinder, and a very convenient exposure control adjustment while shooting in aperture priority.
 
Wow, finally saw this thread. Yes! I have a Minolta SRT-101 in its box with 28mm and 58mm Rokkor lenses. Got this kit several years ago because this model was my first SLR camera (bought in 1975) and the one on which I learned the rudiments of photography. So nostalgia hit me and I found this fine example. And it remains a great design and a great tool...

Gee Dan, another camera make we share in common....



Nokton48 said:
Well I just picked up another Minolta SRT in the RFF classifieds (for $40!). It's the SRT-202, which was the last SRT, and had the most features of any SRT. Camera is in great condition, although I did re-do the foam seals, in the mirror return, and back door. Good as new, ready to use. It even came with an EPX625 battery in good shape :cool:

This got me thinking about how much I enjoy using my SRT's. Really great cameras, and not expensive, either. I started out using SRT's in the 70s for newspaper work, then moving to Canon F1s, Nikon F/F2s, Leica, etc. But I have returned to the SRT.
The Rokkor lenses also work just great on my two Nex3s.

On the left, is the SRT100 I bought new (at the local camera store) in 1973, now covered in Cameraleather Green Kangaroo. Attached is the 100mm f3.5 MC Rokkor. On the right is my new SRT202, with my 21mm F2.8 MC Rokkor.
Today I'm running some Efke 25 through the bodies, to shake 'em out.

What's not to like? Any other Minolta SRT users out there?
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