Minolta SRT's -- Gotta Love 'Em.

racoll said:
This is one of my favorite manual cameras and the one pictured here is identical to the rig I'm using at present. It's a beautiful camera, simple, straightforward, and most efficient, and this lens is one of my favorite 50/1.4 lenses from any manufacturer.

Andy
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Agree. I love the quality of this 50/1.4 wide open, and stopped down it is really sharp. The way it render colour is superb, too.
 
I've finally capitulated, partly because of this thread. Bought a SRT101 body on line last night. I have a 101b that seems to be working perfectly, but I wanted the mirror lockup of the original. The purchase comes from a reliable seller I've used before so should be good, hopefully. I have around a dozen Minolta lenses that fell into my lap for free some time back, and people generally talk well of the glass, so I thought I should see for myself. I still think they're an ugly design on the inside (what the hell is a string pulley doing under the top cover? Yuck!). But they seem to keep on working (mostly) and are attractive enough on the outside.
Cheers,
Brett
 
racoll said:
This is one of my favorite manual cameras and the one pictured here is identical to the rig I'm using at present. It's a beautiful camera, simple, straightforward, and most efficient, and this lens is one of my favorite 50/1.4 lenses from any manufacturer.

Andy
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I also have the 50mm Rokkor-X PG ƒ1.4 lens. I remember being amazed at just how good that lens is when I saw my first pictures taken with it. The guy that developed and printed the film actually asked me what kind of camera and lens had I used. He also noted that the exposures were very consistent and dead on the money throughout the roll. Not only did they have great glass, but Minolta's CLC metering was quite good as well. Definitely better than the meter in the Nikon F2A I had in the Navy. If I had realized just how good Minolta was back then, I would have bought a 101 or an XE-7 and Rokkor glass instead of the Nikon.
 
My Stash of 250 Exposure SR-M Film Cartridges.

My Stash of 250 Exposure SR-M Film Cartridges.

Sometimes you accumulate accessories before you get your primary photographic item. I have been searching for a Minolta 250 Exposure SR-M Film Back for a good while, and not many are available. Same with the original accessories for it.

But, here are six Minolta 250 exposure Film Cartridges, just waiting for the day I find the back 😉

One of the film cartridges came fully loaded, with 250 exposures of some unknown film. $5 in a junk box at a camera show last year.
 

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Black SRT102. Question about it: How dark is viewfinder in 102 ? I have one sitting on my desk, but a viewfinder compared to later model of SRT SC-II is about 2 stops darker, with lens or without lens on them. Is this mirror going bad ? The other thing, the pentaprism has a window above the lens for aperture number display in the viewfinder, but I cannot see that numbers in viewfinder. Anyone one would have an idea what's wrong with that piece I have ?
 
Minolta XK Sales Manual.

Minolta XK Sales Manual.

Something for the Minolta XK Collector.

The original "Minolta XK Sales Manual" written in 1973. No doubt meant as a reference for Minolta salespersons in camera stores. Impressive size and presentation. Well worth having.
 

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Just acquired my first SRT 101. Nice camera but I'll need to have a look at the slow speeds as on 1/8 down to one second the shutter sticks open. All other speeds seem fine. Came with an MC 50/1.7.

Ronnie
 
Nokton48 said:
Mike, a question---

What equipment do you use to get all those lovely birding photos on your Flikr site? Those are amazing! As good as any I have seen 😎
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This is the kit I use for my bird photos: a D200 w/80x400AFD
There seems to be some negative opinions of this lens but as you
can clearly see, I do all right with this combo.



D200 w/80-400 by mikebrsm, on Flickr
 
My restored Minolta XG-7.

My restored Minolta XG-7.

Went to the local OCCS Camera Show two weeks ago, and left with a Minolta XG-7 with 50mm MD F1.7 Rokkor-X, for Five Dollars. Asked the dealer if he had an original Minolta Winder-G, and he offered me one in very nice condition (with fresh Alkaline Batteries) for Ten Dollars. It functions as it should, I carefully inspected it, as did a friend of mine. We both agreed it was worth the money, especially considering the new batteries.

I sold hundreds of these when I worked in local camera stores, but I am re-learning this one. Should work well with all my MC lenses, I do also have a few MD's.

Here is my new camera, I have been running film through it, and I like it. Morgan at Cameraleather provided the new black Griptac skin for the body and winder, as the original vinyl does not hold up well. Shown with the 35mm F1.8 MC Rokkor, one of my favorite lenses. This camera is interesting to me, because it was available at the end of the SRT-era (the late 70's).
 

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I may have the Minolta bug. Visited a recycling shop today and pored through the usual assortment of film cameras. Found a good condition Paterson tank so that was a plus. Near the end I noticed a black never ready case with "Minolta" on the front. Expecting to encounter some 1980s vintage Minolta SLR, I opened it and was surprised to find an immaculate SRT101 with a MC Rokkor 58mm f/1.4 attached. The skylight filter on the front of the lens has kept the glass mint. I walked out with both the Paterson tank and Minolta for AUD$60. The SLR works perfectly, bar the meter, which has no sign of life whatsoever, so I will investigate that. I'm hoping for a simple to fix continuity fault. I have a spare parts 101 already, which might be a help.
Cheers,
Brett
 
BTW, almost all unoverhauled 58/1.4s will have had some portion of their grease evaporate onto the inward facing elements of the front and rear groups by this point. It's very easy to fix by separating the groups from the iris frame and cleaning with pec-pad+naphtha but you need to buy a few tools (spanner, mini screwdrivers, micro-tools.com) and commit to taking it on. It's a 15 minute job (for the experienced) and requires no actual removal of glass from the other elements so it's not rocket science just process. Said haze of this age actually will lower contrast. Don't mess with the helical until one has done a few lenses. 🙂
 
clayne said:
BTW, almost all unoverhauled 58/1.4s will have had some portion of their grease evaporate onto the inward facing elements of the front and rear groups by this point. It's very easy to fix by separating the groups from the iris frame and cleaning with pec-pad+naphtha but you need to buy a few tools (spanner, mini screwdrivers, micro-tools.com) and commit to taking it on. It's a 15 minute job (for the experienced) and requires no actual removal of glass from the other elements so it's not rocket science just process. Said haze of this age actually will lower contrast. Don't mess with the helical until one has done a few lenses. 🙂
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Thanks for that. I'm OK for tools, and if it needs a clean I'll be able to get it sorted.
Cheers
Brett
 
Sarcophilus Harrisii said:
Thanks for that. I'm OK for tools, and if it needs a clean I'll be able to get it sorted.
Cheers
Brett
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Hold up to a flashlight. If you see what looks like a bloom of finely dried droplets then that's grease haze. Every single one I have cleaned with this has left a pec pad with visible grey deposits and a very clear lens afterward.
 
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