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What are your experiences with the Minolta SRT series?

From the lens Minolta SRT Manual Film Cameras: Learn Photography with a Minolta SRT.

  • glockr May 6, 2012 @ 1:01 pm | delete
    Well done lens about a very interesting camera:) I love film cameras, but mostly into Pentax (ME Super, K-1000) for now. Might have to try this one soon though... I still remember the ad slogan... "Only From the Mind of Minolta"
  • Bartukas Mar 18, 2012 @ 7:04 am | delete
    interesting lens thank you
  • tjmaj1959 Mar 9, 2012 @ 11:03 pm | delete
    nice lens, i still have my minolta............ srt-201
  • Bruce L. Patterson (retired newspaper photographer) Dec 29, 2011 @ 4:49 pm | delete
    I hate to correct you, but the SRT series started with the 100. I got my first one in 1973. The 101 came along in, I believe, 1976. I got mine in 1979. Although I use a Nikon digital SLR today, these old cameras as still great.
  • tombonner Jan 5, 2012 @ 2:02 pm | delete
    Hi Bruce, I appreciate your comment, but I am afraid you are mistaken. Minolta started the SRT line in 1966 with the SRT101. The original SRT101 model was produced from 1966 through 1975. The SRT100 didn't make an appearance until 1971; five afterwards.

    When Minolta introduced the SRT201 in the United States, they identified it as a SRT101b in certain other countries. That model was made from 1975 through 1981. Perhaps your SRT101 is one of those?

    For much of their history, Minolta never introduced cameras in sequential order. The SR2 was introduced before the SR1. The X700 proceeded the X570, the Maxxum 7 came out before the Maxxum 5 and 3.

    One thing we both agree on, the SRT SLRS were great cameras. In fact, they still are!
  • ArtByLinda Aug 2, 2011 @ 3:31 pm | delete
    Great information on the Minolta SRT camera!
  • MaxL Jul 1, 2011 @ 5:19 am | delete
    Amazing post! I love Minolta stuff, I have quite a collection of old rokkor lenses (my favourite is the 85mm F/1.7 ;)
  • Phyllis Nov 2, 2009 @ 2:20 pm | in reply to Phyllis | delete
    Have to retract what I said.Hearing aid batteries are NOT the same size as the old PX 13 buttons. Sorry 'bout that.
  • Phyllis Oct 27, 2009 @ 11:25 am | delete
    Hearing aid batteries work very well as a substitute for the old mercury batteries. They are the zinc-air type so they don't last too long but a six-pack usually runs $10-20 and they are available at many drug stores. Look for the 675 size.
  • Tracy Bond Oct 16, 2009 @ 12:49 pm | delete
    I just received a Minolta srT 102 camera from my in laws. I would really like to find a good place to have this serviced (cleaned, lubed and adjusted) and want to know of a good place to get that done and approximatly how much would that cost. Does anyone have any info? Tom??
    Oh, and I live in Alaska, I am willing to send it out though.
    Thanks
  • AndrewWC Dec 25, 2009 @ 10:47 pm | delete
    http://garryscamera.com/ $45.00 + $8.00 s/h
  • Tony Oct 5, 2009 @ 4:16 pm | delete
    I have been trying to find an instruction manual for a srT100, I have found srT101 but no srT100. Any help on where to find would be very appreciated.

    Tony
  • brasil fagundes Sep 22, 2009 @ 8:42 pm | delete
    sr T super minolta from brasil for sales
  • tombonner Jun 7, 2009 @ 3:24 pm | in reply to Laura | delete
    Hi Laura, sounds like you got a sweet deal on that SRT100,

    The good news is there are many older minolta flash units that will work well with the SRT models and you should be able to find one fairly inexpensively.

    Minolta made many manual flash units in the seventies and early eighties that will work fine on any SRT model. You can look on e-bay, pawn shops and used camera dealers. I had good luck with the 320X or the 360Px flash units. They are heavy, but provide nice flash coverage. They also have bounce capabilities. I've seen them selling in the $30-$50 range (used), but sometimes you can find them even cheaper.

    The 132X models aren't as powerful, but they are usually inexpensive and the flash does feature a bounce head.

    In the very cheap category in the Minolta Auto25. You can find these for under ten bucks, but the head doesn't bounce.

    You can also find older Sunpack and Vivitar units that will work well with the SRT.

    Good luck!
  • Laura Jun 6, 2009 @ 10:51 pm | delete
    I just purchased an SRT100 at an auction for $30! With 3 lenses!! I was just wondering what kind of flash (if any) is available for this (preferably without breaking the bank)?
  • tombonner Jun 3, 2009 @ 10:41 pm | in reply to Mick Kemsley | delete
    Hey Mick, I am happy to hear your SRT101 is still working fine for you. It's a good time to be a manual Minolta shooter, as you can pick up excellent used lenses for a song. Good luck with your SRT.

    -- Tom
  • Mick Kemsley Jun 3, 2009 @ 10:07 am | delete
    I bought my Minolta srt 101 in1967, used quite a bit until I got to Rhodesia, 1971 to 1993, I didn't take to the Oman 1996 to 2007. Now I am using it & it's great, bought more lenses. It has had two services 1993 & just recently without too much of a problem, A good Mech in Dereham Norfolk England. It still feels new to me, It produces super shots. I cannot fault it.
    I like your pages, enjoyable. michaelkemsley@sky.com
  • tombonner May 10, 2009 @ 11:32 am | in reply to Guy in Miami | delete
    Congratulations on your new SRT. I hope if performs well for you.

    The battery issues plagues the SRT and other cameras of the era. ewviromental concerns have eliminated production of the Mercury batteries the SRT used to power the meter.

    You can still find PX625 batteries offered on eBay.

    You can also find Silver Oxide batteries that will fit into the SRT models. Unfortunately, the voltage is not the same, so the meter readings will be off. You can read more here at the Rokkor Files. You will find info on how you can convert the SRT so it can use the Silver Oxide batteries at the proper voltage.

    Finally, you can use the camera as is. The battery only powers the meter, the camera is fully functional without the battery. You can buy an inexpensive hand-held incident light meter that will give you good exposures in most situations.

    -- Tom
  • Guy in Miami May 10, 2009 @ 10:51 am | delete
    I just bought a Minolta SRT 201 at a garage sale yesterday - what kind of battery does it take, the guy at the photo center had no idea. The whole shop was digital - only.

    Later,

    Guy in Miami
  • Lynn Feb 12, 2009 @ 10:12 pm | delete
    Hello, I just pulled some old cameras out and my Minolta SRT 200 has some problem where the shutter will not depress. Any ideas? The battery is good, everything looks great, but the shutter button doesn't click and the arm won't advance. Am I stuck?
  • tombonner Feb 2, 2009 @ 12:30 pm | in reply to KimGiancaterino | delete
    Thanks, Kim -- Like you I am entirely digital now, although at times I am tempted to dig out one my old SRTs and shoot film for old times sake. As you said, some of my very best images were taken with my film SLRs.
  • KimGiancaterino Feb 2, 2009 @ 10:38 am | delete
    My dad is still using my old 35mm SLR Canon. I've gone digital, but took some of my best pictures with the Canon. Great job on your lens.
  • Michael Witkowski Jan 25, 2009 @ 11:06 pm | delete
    I'll always treasure my trusty old warhorse SRT-101. I had it for five years from 1973-78, between a Hi-Matic E and an XG-7.
  • Betty Jan 2, 2009 @ 9:57 pm | delete
    I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

    Betty

    http://www.my-foreclosures.info
  • Brandon Dec 29, 2008 @ 4:52 pm | delete
    I just found a Minolta in my attic....its say srt 303....any insight about this camera?
  • tombonner Dec 9, 2008 @ 4:42 pm | in reply to enslavedbyfaeries | delete
    Thanks for your comment. I hope that old camera is a Minolta! :-) They really do last.
  • enslavedbyfaeries Dec 7, 2008 @ 10:25 pm | delete
    This is great! We've just inherited an old camera and have no idea how it works. I'll have to go check it out and see what kind it is. Maybe I can learn something here and figure it out. :)
  • bbug Jul 31, 2008 @ 7:31 pm | delete
    We had one of these old Minoltas, it was a great camera. Great, until my husband dropped it on concrete when he fell on some ice and broke it beyond repair.
  • tombonner Dec 16, 2007 @ 11:37 am | delete
    I would suggest looking for a used X700. These cameras are solid, work very well and have both autowinders and motordrives available. The XD-11 is also a good choice. The XG models accept winders but aren't as nicely built as the ones listed above. All these cams use Rokkor lenses.

    -- Tom Bonner
  • Ray Dec 15, 2007 @ 9:25 pm | delete
    I've owned a SRT200 since the 70's and I love it!!! Is there available a camera body that has an autowind feature that will use the same Rokkor lenses?
    Please respond to aaaray01@yahoo.com.
    Thanks!

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tombonner

Hi. I'm Tom Bonner and I'm happy you're here. Like most creative people, I work in a variety of disiplines. When I am not shooting  event  and... more »

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