Minolta SRT's -- Gotta Love 'Em.

Hatch said:
If it's working i'd have it CLA'd as fast as is possible. Mine was overhaled recently and many solder joints had to be redone as they were failing.
Click to expand...

Hello Hatch,

I am curious, who did the work for you on your XK? So far, the only ones I have found that will work on it, are Essex Camera Repair, who I have had really good luck with in recent years. They charge $180 for an XK CLA. The metering head does have a small dent in the front of it, hopefully that has not affected the circuit board.

Who else out there can do a reliable CLA on an XK? Anybody with recent experience? Thnx!
 
I glad to see some appreciation for the XK. For a long time it was never given the respect it deserved. I love my XK's.

My first one was a gift back in 1984. It was dropped by a customs agent in Hawaii and they paid my friend full value. He replaced it with a Nikon EM and gave me the XK because about every third frame the advance would hang and you had to jiggle it. That never bothered me.

About ten years ago bought a spare and use it almost daily. I've never sent either off for CLA. I installed new seals and that's about it.
 
In 1974 I was a Sophomore in High School, shooting photojournalism for the school paper, and stringing for the local weekly papers. I bought my Minolta SRT-100 brand new from the local camera store, and that camera generated alot of National Scholastic Press Association award-winning photographs for me and my school paper. And owning a new Minolta entitled me to free copies of the "Minolta Contact Sheet", which was their official newsletter and was always enjoyable reading.

Anyway in 1974 Minolta began to start the "buzz" on the XK, and of course, I lusted for one. Never actually saw one, the local shops didn't stock 'em, I guess B&H had some, and probably also select stores in Toronto.

Here is what started my XK lust back in 1974:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINOLTA-CLU...403?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ed71d33b

Working in local camera stores, and Columbus Camera Group while in College, I never saw an XK, as I can recall. They have always been rare and elusive.
 
Nokton48, as I read your post, I was thinking back to my days working at a camera store in Burlingame Ca....I didn't recall the Minolta XK either. I guessed it was just my memory, but maybe not. Then again, I don't recall any Minolta products at that store. Minolta was always at the end of the line when it came to cameras back then. We sold Olympus, Bronica, Hasselblad, Canon, and of course, Nikon.
 
Well, I've gone and done it... picked up a black SRT-101 from goodwill. It has the 58mm 1.4 PF which doesn't have even the slightest mark on it and the body is probably KEH BGN grade at worst. Stuck a fresh battery in and everything seems to be working perfectly but I've yet to run film through it. Guess I'm back in the SRT club after selling the only other one I've owned.
 
Due to reading this thread, I've retrieved my SRT101 and SRT201 from the shelf above my desk. The 101 is missing the lever on the rewind knob, but that probably isn't a big deal. The SRT201...I need to figure why I removed the ASA knob and dial...years ago...and try to remember how it goes back together. It took some digging around, but I found the parts in a drawer.

It's all the fault of you people.
 
jwc57 said:
Due to reading this thread, I've retrieved my SRT101 and SRT201 from the shelf above my desk. The 101 is missing the lever on the rewind knob, but that probably isn't a big deal. The SRT201...I need to figure why I removed the ASA knob and dial...years ago...and try to remember how it goes back together. It took some digging around, but I found the parts in a drawer.

It's all the fault of you people.
Click to expand...

Probably because you were planning on taking off the top cover for whatever reason. The parts a pretty simple and if I remember correctly they actually only fit in one way even though it looks possible to offset them. Don't forget the spring that goes under the ASA cover.


jwc57 said:
Nokton48, as I read your post, I was thinking back to my days working at a camera store in Burlingame Ca....I didn't recall the Minolta XK either. I guessed it was just my memory, but maybe not. Then again, I don't recall any Minolta products at that store. Minolta was always at the end of the line when it came to cameras back then. We sold Olympus, Bronica, Hasselblad, Canon, and of course, Nikon.
Click to expand...

They actually got a bit of a bum rap - probably some of the best optics ever made next to Leica and Nikon's finest.


eurekaiv said:
Guess I'm back in the SRT club after selling the only other one I've owned.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about it, remember I still have that black SRT you sold. 🙂
 
mynikonf2 said:
Congrats on finding a XK, it looks to be in excellent condition. If you get the time I'd like to see some more photos of it. You do not get to see these very often, in fact I can not remember ever seeing one of these being used, only photos of them on the web. 🙁 Anyway, I'm happy for you for finding your new camera. 🙂
Click to expand...

Here is another view of my new XK, with the 85mm F1.7 MC Rokkor and Minolta 450 Electroflash, which was specifically designed for the XK. Also black TomA Softie and Domke Gripper Strap, with black hairtie. This camera is in good shape but still needs an overhaul, mainly due to it's age plus autoexposure issues. The seals have been recently replaced, which is a good thing. Dsitinct odor of contact cement when you open the back.
 

Attachments

  • 002.jpg
    002.jpg
    82.3 KB · Views: 0
Nokton48 said:
Hello Hatch,

I am curious, who did the work for you on your XK? So far, the only ones I have found that will work on it, are Essex Camera Repair, who I have had really good luck with in recent years. They charge $180 for an XK CLA. The metering head does have a small dent in the front of it, hopefully that has not affected the circuit board.

Who else out there can do a reliable CLA on an XK? Anybody with recent experience? Thnx!
Click to expand...

I don't know his name, someone else passed it on to him.
It seems he is starting up a shop, but nothing is sure yet.

I'll find out how he can be reached.
He works quick and isn't very expensive.

Now a more sad tale:
In my quest to have mine fixed, I called a repair shop over here in the Netherlands only to hear they'd thrown away all MF Minolta spare parts includig those for the XM during a recent move :bang::bang:

But that's usually the way we do it over here.
Throw away everything as soon as you can buy something new and then after 20 or 30 years import it at great cost from somewhere else for that nostalgic feeling. 🙄

LOL
 
Fawley said:
I did buy a new AE finder for my XK because I found that the aperture window in the viewfinder wasn't well illuminated in my old one. That may be something to watch out for.
Click to expand...

Mine had the same problem. it seems the little mirror that directs the light gets dislodged quite easily.
Mine's stuck back in the correct spot and it's as back to spec.
 
I love my SR-T 201 and it doesn't even have a functioning light meter. When I got it from ebay I was disappointed I couldn't use the light meter, but then I thought that maybe I could just use it without one. That's when I started learning the sunny 16 rule and surprisingly it's been mostly successful. Actually, I'm kind of glad because now I can estimate exposure pretty well without it and I couldn't even imagine doing that before I got it. Rokker 55mm 1.7 lens is just beautiful.

Here is one that I took with it.

7205436932_1cba9e2aca_b.jpg
 
Nermi9 said:
I love my SR-T 201 and it doesn't even have a functioning light meter. When I got it from ebay I was disappointed I couldn't use the light meter, but then I thought that maybe I could just use it without one. That's when I started learning the sunny 16 rule and surprisingly it's been mostly successful. Actually, I'm kind of glad because now I can estimate exposure pretty well without it and I couldn't even imagine doing that before I got it. Rokker 55mm 1.7 lens is just beautiful.

Here is one that I took with it.
Click to expand...
outstanding keep doing what you are doing
 
Nermi9 said:
I love my SR-T 201 and it doesn't even have a functioning light meter. When I got it from ebay I was disappointed I couldn't use the light meter, but then I thought that maybe I could just use it without one. That's when I started learning the sunny 16 rule and surprisingly it's been mostly successful. Actually, I'm kind of glad because now I can estimate exposure pretty well without it and I couldn't even imagine doing that before I got it. Rokker 55mm 1.7 lens is just beautiful.

Here is one that I took with it.
Click to expand...

...where was this taken????? It looks like Dr's Lake in Orange Park, Florida.
 
I've been out shooting with my new XK, with 21mm F2.8 MC Rokkor (legendary lens), Stovepipe High Magnification Viewfinder, and C2 (Coarse Microprism) XK Focusing screen. Also my Minolta Autometer II clipped to the Domke Gripper strap.

It reminds me alot of my Nikon F2's, when I had them, I often used to use them with the Nikon Stovepipe Finders. Great for viewing, high eyepoint, shooting alot from lower angles (as you might expect). I am delighted with XK and the way it handles. I do need to find a better example of the AE Finder, this one needs some calibration. I recently shot alot of flash pictures with the camera, and of course, it makes no difference to have an auto exposure finder for that.

The C2 screen is great with the 21mm Rokkor, very easy to see the focus changing as you dial it in. A benefit of the stovepipe, is no metering with that C2 screen. According to the XK instruction book, you have to dial in the EV compensation, as you change just about every focal length of lens. That's a lot of bother, which is avoided with the meterless High Magnification stovepipe finder.

This XK is definately a keeper.
 

Attachments

  • 002.jpg
    002.jpg
    54.1 KB · Views: 0
As much as I have been enjoying using my XK with the High Magnification Finder, I know there will be times when I will want to use an eyelevel finder. The AE Finder which came with this body needs some calibration, although it is very clean looking. I have been considering sending it to Essex Camera in New Jersey, but then, a Minolta XK AE-S Finder popped up at KEH for $189, so I grabbed it, along with another XK focusing screen. I can't imagine I will want to use the AE finder, with the AE-S now soon to arrive.

I know it has silicon blue cells, for great low light response, and is very quick responding to light level changes. And LED's in the viewfinder, rather than a needle, much like the Nikon F2AS Finder on the F2. According to The Rokkor Files, Minolta XK owners liked the AE-S Finder so much, that it became the standard finder at the very end of the XK run. Anybody out there liking the AE-S XK Finder?
 
I just joined the SRT club with today's thrift store find. Very clean kit with 3 SR lenses and just found the Hi-Matic G at a different thrift store.

*Clean SRT-101(ASA dial) with minor battery compartment corrosion. Now cleaned and test battery confirms working meter 🙂
*35mm MC W Rokkor HG 2.8 - oil on blades
*58mm MC Rokkor PF 1.4 - clean with caps
*135mm MC Tele Rokkor PF 2.8 - clean with caps
*oddball M42 mount 28mm Bushnell 2.8 - nicely built lens
*3x Kenko tele converter
*manuals, case, strap, JC Penny 4-way bounce flash

The camera body does have an issue with the mirror not returning to the viewing position after releasing the shutter though . . . will give the camera a try with a test roll. It feels like a very robust camera.


DSC01310 by Mike McGarty, on Flickr
 
funny, my 101 does that sometimes too.

I just crank it and go on shooting. If it gives out, a replacement would be all of 20 dollars.

the 58/1.4 is a nice lens from what I've seen. It would be interesting to compare it with my 1.2 version.
 
Mirror not returning is the mirror kick return gear in the bottom (it's yellow) not fully rotating back around. Use a very light oil on the shaft and this will resolve itself. Search out on the web, it's out there somewhere.

Oil in the 35/2.8 is pretty standard for that lens. If you have a spanner, naphtha, and prior experience, it's not a big deal to clean. Most 58/1.4-PFs also have to have their iris-facing glass surfaces cleaned to remove haze. Look with a flashlight, you'll see very fine mist-like haze, that's evaporated helical grease. Use naphtha and pec-pad to remove it from the glass.
 
redisburning, you're correct on replacement cost. That's the beauty of the SR system. For the purchase price of everything, I'm considering the body as "free".

Thanks to clayne for the kick return gear tip - sounds like an easy thing to do. I'm going to look at that 58mm a little closer now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom