My SRT-101 is broken for good

To OP: please don't trash the remnants, see if somebody is willing to pay postage for sending the pieces to them. There are instructions on how to get everything back together including the strings in the right place and somebody might be interested... don't want to see a classic SLR go to the landfill.
 
I think I am going to try to buy a Minolta SRT Body Only off ebay. They're so cheap that Id feel dumb not to.

Im pretty upset about my last one breaking. Basically, after using the self timer about 3 times, it would no longer engage the shutter all the way down when the timer ran out.

But if you guys never have problems, than I guess I just got unlucky.

Another thing I was unhappy with about my 101 was how horribly my light meter was in semi-low indoor light. But hey, If I am serious about photography, I should be able to be my own light meter, and know when my light meter is off a few stops.

You think Im making the right decision?
 
Spend a couple extra $$$ to get one that has been serviced instead of rolling the dice again. The meter will work with modern batteries, the mirror will be clean and bright, all functions will work properly and you may/will get a warranty......

The SRTs are excellent cameras, everything that any other manufacturers' cameras were in the early 1970s. They all were pretty good, no need to switch now.
 
the problem with buying an unserviced one from ebay is that most old mechanical cameras will suffer problems like shutter tapering (I had this with the SRT-101 I got on ebay), or wrong shutter speeds, or innaccurate meter, or bad self timer (like the one you took apart). So I agree with Rover, get one thats been serviced. Shutter service is expensive on mechanical cameras. About $150 usually. Thats more than the camera is worth. I got mine because it was $25, looked like new, and i have a good friend who is a retired camera repairman. He fixed it for free. Its a great camera, but I really prefer something more modern for day-to-day work. My usual carry around all the time 35mm system is a couple Olympus OM-4T bodies. My first camera was an Olympus, so i am tied to that system because I learned on it and can operate it faster and with more consistant results than any other 35mm I have tried. But I collect old cameras and like to get them out and shoot with them. The SRT-101 I have takes just as good of photos as my OM's but is harder to focus due to the OM's i own having a more modern focus screen (The Olympus 2-13, which each cost me $100 just for the screens!). The X700 that's been mentioned has a screen that's as good and maybe better than the Oly 2-13's that I use, and the much newer partly electronic cameras will probably be in better working condition without service. I think you'll find the X700 to be like my OM-4T bodies..easier to use and more useful in the long run.
 
rover said:
Spend a couple extra $$$ to get one that has been serviced instead of rolling the dice again. The meter will work with modern batteries, the mirror will be clean and bright, all functions will work properly and you may/will get a warranty......
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So buy one from that John guy?

How much do you think a serviced one will be?
 
JeremyLangford said:
So buy one from that John guy?

How much do you think a serviced one will be?
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The current black SRT Super he has listed this week will sell for a lot because it is black.

He serviced my SRTs for $75 each. His reserve for his auctions on a normal (not black) SRT is probably around $125.00, or a little less. Most will sell close to the reserve.

He lists cameras every Tuesday or Wednesday. Almost always has an SRT, Pentax of some sort and Canon of some sort each week.
 
colyn said:
The X-700 usually dies while the XD's keep on ticking..
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well, maybe I will just stick to SRT's. seems whenever I use it, it seems soooo advanced compared to my every day shooter - my IIIf

I REALLY miss my XD, tho. Just don't trust them after the PCB failed on mine, ruining exposure on 3 rolls of chromes from a family trip 🙁
 
rover said:
The current black SRT Super he has listed this week will sell for a lot because it is black.

He serviced my SRTs for $75 each. His reserve for his auctions on a normal (not black) SRT is probably around $125.00, or a little less. Most will sell close to the reserve.

He lists cameras every Tuesday or Wednesday. Almost always has an SRT, Pentax of some sort and Canon of some sort each week.
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Ok. So i guess Im gonna stick with getting another SRT.

Or should I get mine serviced from John?
 
Give John a call and tell him your situation. Maybe he can fix your cam for a reasonable price. Based on my experience I am confident he will be straight with you.
 
JeremyLangford said:
Ok. So i guess Im gonna stick with getting another SRT.
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Not to question other people suggestion, but the X-700 "condenser of death" 😉 seem a bit overrated. It happens just sometimes, often after a lot (a lot) of use.
I've got 3 of them, and they work.
Replacing the condenser would be just a matter of minutes for somebody with basic solderign skills.
The SRT I have instead sometimes clogs in cold weater.

You could try both....
 
teo said:
Not to question other people suggestion, but the X-700 "condenser of death" 😉 seem a bit overrated. It happens just sometimes, often after a lot (a lot) of use.
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Actually letting the camera sit is the cause of its death. A discharged condenser will start to leak electrolyte which then kills the condenser and causes damage to other parts..

teo said:
I've got 3 of them, and they work.
Replacing the condenser would be just a matter of minutes for somebody with basic solderign skills.
The SRT I have instead sometimes clogs in cold weater.

You could try both....
Click to expand...

The one in the bottom is easy to replace but the one under the rewind knob requires partial dis-assembly of the circuit board to gain access..
 
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