Minolta SRT's -- Gotta Love 'Em.

Lovely; Nokton are you using the replenisher for Microdol-x? This looks a bit more 'textured' than I recall using MDX Replenished. I'v not used 5222 so perhaps the grain is more noticeable.
I am eagerly awaiting a good usable body to try some MC glass with black and white film. I'll see if I can dust off a bottle of MDX replenisher to try as well while I'm at it.
 
Lovely; Nokton are you using the replenisher for Microdol-x? This looks a bit more 'textured' than I recall using MDX Replenished. I've not used 5222 so perhaps the grain is more noticeable.
I am eagerly awaiting a good usable body to try some MC glass with black and white film. I'll see if I can dust off a bottle of MDX replenisher to try as well while I'm at it.


Thanks. Yes Eastman 5222 Double-X is inherently grainy. But I like the rendering it gives. I'm using Legacy Mic-X from Freestyle Photo. It's ten bucks for a gallon, and I've been using the same stock solution for three years! It gets better with age; getting ready to run another eight rolls, they are loaded in the big Nikor tank.

You can make Mic-X Replenisher with Mic-X, there is Kodak Data on the internet. Basically you use 3/4 gallon of water (instead of a gallon), and add some Sodium Carbonate. 30 mls of replenisher per 36 exposure roll.

I also use Mic-X for 120 rolls, and I'm getting ready to run some sheet film using it. Nice long development times; I'm using 24 minutes at 20C.
 
I wonder if I should upgrade my SRT 101 to a SRT SUPER. There is a nice one at my local shop...

My understanding is that the SRT Super is the same camera as my USA SRT-102. It is a Great camera!! Has brighter rangefinder/microprism screen, mutli-exposure, f/stop in viewfinder, etc. Love this camera, the ultimate SRT. The SRT-101 is great if you prefer the classics.

I would look it over, try it with the lenses you use (or want to get) and grab it!
 
My favorite SR-T is the 102 and its focusing screen is snappier with faster lenses (f2.8 and faster). On the other hand, for lenses slower than f2.8, I find the focusing screen of the SR-T 101 better.

- Murray
 
Hey Nokton48 I see you use the Freestyle one; I'm not totally certain that its exactly the same to the Kodak version; Kodak had the X factor (ha sorry) of the mercapto and as far as I know this still remains a secret and propriety of Kodak patents. The Ilford version is close as is the home-brew but in my experience the Kodak version has less grain and gets a wonderful creamy feel in the highlights when used repenished. I've noted the kodak suggestions regarding the mixing of replenisher in their recommended method but luckily I picked up many (15+) 1 gallon bags of real Microdot-X replenisher and as you know using 1/2 an ounce per roll one gallon can last a while!
 
My understanding is that the SRT Super is the same camera as my USA SRT-102. It is a Great camera!! Has brighter rangefinder/microprism screen, mutli-exposure, f/stop in viewfinder, etc. Love this camera, the ultimate SRT. The SRT-101 is great if you prefer the classics.

I would look it over, try it with the lenses you use (or want to get) and grab it!
I have only owned a couple of 101s and 101bs (the latter were free). I've always appreciated the lockable DOF preview of the 101s. Handy for eg. landscape imaging or when you're trying to set the zone of focus very precisely. And the mirror lock up. But I believe the 303 features MLU as well as a split RF and the ability to see the lens aperture via a Voigtlander Bessamatic Deluxe-type subsidiary prism. This always sounded like a well featured SRT option too, however I have never seen one in the flesh. I'm sure you've tried one but, the 102 is still the sweet spot in the evolution of the type?
Cheers
Brett
 
Brett, I think the 102 and the 303 were the same camera, with different designations for different markets. (I have seen this stated elsewhere and the features you list for the 303 are the same as those of the 102.)

The 102 was only made between 1973 and 1975, if my information is correct, and Minolta deleted the MLU feature from the 101 and 102 in 1974 or 1975, so the latest examples of these models didn't have this feature.

- Murray
 
Thanks for peoples feedback, and insights into these cameras. I checked out the SRT Super today and it needed a little work so I passed on it. I think I really lucked out finding my 101 in excellent condition. Im going to stick with it, unless a really nice Super (102) shows up. It seems like all the ones that do have been heavily used though...

BTW, I bought a MC ROKKOR-PG 1:1.4 f=50mm while I was there ;)
 
I have only owned a couple of 101s and 101bs (the latter were free). I've always appreciated the lockable DOF preview of the 101s. Handy for eg. landscape imaging or when you're trying to set the zone of focus very precisely. And the mirror lock up. But I believe the 303 features MLU as well as a split RF and the ability to see the lens aperture via a Voigtlander Bessamatic Deluxe-type subsidiary prism. This always sounded like a well featured SRT option too, however I have never seen one in the flesh. I'm sure you've tried one but, the 102 is still the sweet spot in the evolution of the type?
Cheers
Brett

I do own the SRT-101, and the SRT-202, and the feature sets are different, it's really a matter of what you prefer. I am glad I have both. The SRT202 was the last of the SRT's, brighter screen/rangefinder type, multi-exposure capability, you can see the aperture in the viewfinder, newer body style, etc I do use the MLU feature on the SRT-101 as I sometimes attach my 21mm F4 QH, so that is an important capability for me. The brighter acute screen in the SRT-202 is different and pleasant to look through with fast lenses, and the split-image rangefinder type screen can be a plus, but the central image circle in the viewfinder tends to black out with slower lenses, and can be distracting. Personally I prefer the SRT-101, it's the classic. But I am also glad I have the SRT-202, even if it does not have mirror lockup.

My suggestion for deciding between the two, would be to try both cameras, and make the decision based on the user's personal preferences, and trying the lenses you want to use on both cameras and see how they work for you.
 
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