If I were honest with myself, I'd admit that the FM3a (or an FM2) with the 45mm pancake is all the 35mm camera I really need. I'm not terribly honest with myself about that sort of thing, however; hence the drawers full of the results of countless GAS attacks. But it is important to be reminded...
No idea if they were actually any good, but I think the early Minolta's were among the prettiest SLR's ever made (especially in black). Their typography from that era certainly didn't hurt the cause!
In terms of using it, is not bad at all although the SRT101 was a major step towards. This SR-1 has a split focusing screen (quite unusual, these were bespoke customization done in the factory). Earlier models you had to lift and rotate the speed dial. Later models have ugly meter bracket. There are also the Sr7 and Sr3 (in between models which solved some problems).No idea if they were actually any good, but I think the early Minolta's were among the prettiest SLR's ever made (especially in black). Their typography from that era certainly didn't hurt the cause!