Minolta SRT's -- Gotta Love 'Em.

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That's the rarest Minolta lens I have... Rokkor 35/1.8 MC-W
Now that I think about it, that's the only one I have left :)
 
I have the earlier MC version of the 35mm F1.8 Rokkor. Another great SRT vintage lens.

My short term goal is to get these bodies and lenses up and dusted off/running, and start burning film with them again. Each body gets a CRIS battery adapter, SRT Eyecup (the real Minolta one) a TomA Softie (black or chrome), and a Domke Gripper strap, so they all nicely match each other. Oh, and a black nylon hairtie. I hate taking photos of the inside of my scruffy F2 Domke bag! :bang:

I also calibrated the individual camera meters, against my Minolta Incident Autometer II, on a key (cloudless) day in direct sunlight, so I was absolutely sure of the actual exposure. A piece of masking tape on the back of each body shows the adjustment factor in EV's. Now I know for sure that all my bodies read real close, except for my SRT100, which was an extra 1/3 stop hot. Now, I know exactly where I am. Interestingly, my motorized SRM does not have an in-camera meter.
 
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Nokton48 said:
...but at CCG I found a 135mm F2.8 MC Rokkor (one I was looking for!) in Mint condition, perfect glass, nice and in absolutely original condition, for $15. Not bad.
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Are they a good thing? I know next to nothing about Minolta lenses. A 135mm f/2.8 MC was in the job lot of lenses I acquired for free, that I passed on to my son.
Regards,
Brett
 
The 135 2.8 MC and the 3.5 MC are great lenses. Most rokkor tele's I've used were great performers. And for the price you pay, you can never complain.
 
Made some good progress today. My CRIS adapters (3 of them) arrived, as well as the Domke Gripper strap I needed to finish my new SRT202. Tested my 200mm F4.5 MC Rokkor against my 200mm F3.5 MC Rokkor (which I know has had optical problems). Although I was able to tighten up the looseness in the front of the F3.5, the severe chromatic abberations have not gone away. So that lens is also being tossed into the parts box.

In case you are wondering why I have so many camera bodies, the goal is to have two cameras always loaded with high-speed/Delta 3200, Neopan 1600, two loaded with medium-speed/Eastman XX, Tri-X, and two loaded with slow-speed B&W film/Ilford Pan F, Efke 25, Panatomic-X. That way, I am ready for any type of photographic situation, all the time. About as good as it gets.
 
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You guys have me shopping again. I have 4 SRTs currently, a 102, 201, and a pair of 101s, a black and chrome set. I went looking for a clean 58/1.4 and I don't currently have a Rokkor X 50/1.4 which is my favorite SLR 50.

I may have to close this thread if the GAS gets too bad.
 
Nokton48 said:
Made some good progress today. My CRIS adapters (3 of them) arrived, as well as the Domke Gripper strap I needed to finish my new SRT202. Tested my 200mm F4.5 MC Rokkor against my 200mm F3.5 MC Rokkor (which I know has had optical problems). Although I was able to tighten up the looseness in the front of the F3.5, the severe chromatic abberations have not gone away. So that lens is also being tossed into the parts box.

Called KEH today and placed another order. A nice 200mm F3.5 MC Rokkor for $30, and while I was at it, I grabbed a 30cm F4.5 MC Rokkor (to replace the one I sold off a few years ago). This is a great lens, very sharp in the center, but a -bit- soft in the corners. But, sharper than the 300mm F5.6 MD Rokkor in the center, and it has a tripod socket (a necessity for me). KEH has a return priviledge, so I will be fine with these lenses.

In case you are wondering why I have so many camera bodies, the goal is to have two cameras always loaded with high-speed/Delta 3200, Neopan 1600, two loaded with medium-speed/Eastman XX, Tri-X, and two loaded with slow-speed B&W film/Ilford Pan F, Efke 25, Panatomic-X. That way, I am ready for any type of photographic situation, all the time. About as good as it gets.
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Thanks for your information, too.
Regards,
Brett
 
Hey Rover,
If you have four SRTs, then getting a couple of normal MD 1.4s is a really good goal. KEH will have them, if one dosen't turn up on Ebay or at a garage sale. I've been offered Minolta lenses for $5 at camera swap meets.

I bought an SRT/50 1.4/135 2.8/F2 Domke Bag for both of my sons, when they were taking high school photography classes. My younger son wanted an SRT100 (Same camera as Dad:cool:) and wanted it covered in Cameraleather Brown Alligator. Older son went for the SRT202, no recovering.

Get 'em going and take 'em out.


rover said:
You guys have me shopping again. I have 4 SRTs currently, a 102, 201, and a pair of 101s, a black and chrome set. I went looking for a clean 58/1.4 and I don't currently have a Rokkor X 50/1.4 which is my favorite SLR 50.

I may have to close this thread if the GAS gets too bad.
Click to expand...
 
I took inventory this morning. I have a beat up 50/1.7 and I even found a nice 58/1.4. I didn't think I had one of those. The chrome 101 and 201 are the cameras my father bought in the late 70s which I learned photography on. I had both serviced a few years back and they are fully operational. I picked up the 102 fully serviced, and the black 101, probably can use a tune up and meter adjustment, but it operating well as is. I have trimmed back my lens kit, keeping the W Rokkor MD 35/1.8 and 24/2.8, as well as my soup cans, MC 58/1.2 and 85/1.7. I also have a Tele Rokkor MC 100 and 135. Sold my longer lenses. Then there are a bunch of other stragglers, MC 28/3.5, a beat up 55/1.7 and 45/2. It is a great line of cameras to collect and use. Great stuff.
 
Two New MC Rokkor -Long- Lenses.

Two New MC Rokkor -Long- Lenses.

I'm finding uses for longer lenses again.

Just arrived from KEH this week, (on the left) the 200mm F3.5 MC Rokkor, which I picked up for $30. The front end was very loose, but tightened up with jewelers screwdriver. Nice sharp lens, tested it on my Nex3, and it's as good as it can be. I am pleased.

Also from KEH, the 30cm F4.5 MC Rokkor (on the right), shown on my motorized SR-M camera body. It's basically in like-new condition, even came with the original case. It's interestingly marked <EP> so it's a military PX lens.

Both of these "Long Toms" will be getting use this weekend by me.
 

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Minolta Auto Spot 1 Degree.

Minolta Auto Spot 1 Degree.

Cleaning the studio today, I uncovered this SRT-vintage Minolta Auto Spot 1 Degree. Works like new, kinda big and heavy but built like a tank, but WOW does it make a FUNKY noise when the dials oscillate. And as a meter it's deadly accurate.

The perfect compliment to my vintage incident-reading Minolta Autometer.

Need to run to the hardware store, and pick up another chrome metal snap ring, for the Autometer. Best way to carry these around, just clip and unclip to your beltloop. That's a trick I learned back in the 70's, from Bill Pierce, in Camera35 Magazine.
 

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That will soon be classified as a WMD from an alien life form by the Dept of Homeland Security.

Time to go to Threat Level Ecru.
 
It's the SRT 201 with the 58 mm Rokkor PF /1.4, and 135mm Celtic MC/3.5 given me that got me started back into film photography.

More often than not, I was told, "it won't turn out...", and then to have the picture come out to proof the doubtful wrong.

It's a great tool for learning and for solid reliability.
 
I cannot believe how cheaply some of the Minolta lenses are going for on ebay lately. A day or two ago I saw an SRT101 described as "mint" (Yeah; sure...but it was pretty tidy) finish for a single Swiss franc. And a couple of hours ago, a 50mm f/2 MD went for AUD$1. OK; just an f/2 lens. But what can you buy these days, for a dollar?

I really don't need another 35mm system, but, with a stash of lenses on hand, at these prices, they're really not worth selling. Maybe I should just buy myself a nice 101 after all? I do like mirror lock and the original seems to me the one to go for in some ways...
Regards,
Brett
 
I won an auction for the 58mm f/1.4 Rokkor-PF lens today. I've never used this particular lens focal length so I hope t is a good lens.

Any comments on the quality?
 
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