Minolta SRT-101 vs. Cannon AE-1 Program

[colyn]

Originally Posted by Steve M.

The Minolta cameras are good, but I was underwhelmed by the two 135mm lenses I tried. People say that's one of Minolta's better lenses, but I compared an early one and the last, compact 135. Both had identical IQ, and I liked neither.

I never cared for the 135mm in any brand. I have the 100mm then jump to the 200mm.

It just seems like a useless focal length but it is popular among many users.

I only have primes in part because zooms are in my opinion less than great performers. Most I have used except for the 70-210mm f/4 Minolta lens delivered poor quality..

[pkreyenhop]

I never understood why the Minolta is so highly regarded, so I got one and now it's even harder to understand. Yes, it is manual, but flimsy. My first camera that I bought for my own hard earned pocket money was a Canon AE-1 with a 50mm f1.8 lens. A well designed, simple camera that inspired me to take great photos. Shouldn't have traded it for a Rollei SLR...

[redisburning]

which camera did you get?

the controls on my SRT-101 are akin to a dead fish; floppy.

but, the camera itself is tough as nails and the lenses are really nice.

oh, and here is my reason for holding on to such a brute of a camera:


Untitled by redisburning, on Flickr


Untitled by redisburning, on Flickr

the 58/1.2

[pkreyenhop]

Had the S-RT101 and still have a S-RT100x - I would have liked them more if I they came with a 58mm/f1.2 ;-)

[Film noob]

So I just developed my first roll of KMax 100 b&W from the Argus C3. Out of the 24 possible negatives I think about 5-6 were good enough to throw in my enlarger and attempt to develope. With the faulty shutter speed dial its pretty much a toss up as to wether or not a picture is going to come out. Pretty sure its going to become a nice piece for the top of my bookshelf. As far as the Canon, I recieved it yesterday in the mail. Beautiful camera, good shape, not much noise from the mirror and came with original flash, bag and manual. I think I made out well, got the package for roughly 40 dollars. Ill run a test roll through it this weekend when I take the GF and dog out camping. Ill post a few pictures from each. You guys are greatly appreciated!

[Film noob]

Oh and as far as color goes. I'm actually deploying to Afghanistan in May for 3 months, so I will probably give color a try when I get back. But thanks for the ideas.

[Nokton48]

I've had SRT's with floppy parts, but never after a good CLA. The controls should be rock solid, with no play at all. They are not flimsy IMO.

A very good source for lenses and accessories is keh


http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-35m...de=MI&bco=530&


If you don't like something, you can send it back for a refund, which I have done plenty of times. Enjoy your new stuff!

[gavinlg]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say the canon is a better system. The lenses especially are better. Minolta has a very good 58mm f1.2, but thats about it. The 35mm f1.8 is beat by canons 35mm f2 (concave element), the 24's are beat by canons 24mm f1.4L, and the 85's are beat by canons 85mm f1.2L. Even the 58mm f1.2 at least equalled by canons 50mm f1.2L.
The canon bodies may be electronic but they're no fuss and very reliable.

After using a few modern minolta primes, I was rather disappointed with their optical quality. Their reputation is far overhyped. The bodies are quite nice though.

[EZfan]

Originally Posted by colyn

Personal opinion........I feel the Rokkor and Rokkor-X lens beat the Canon manual focus lens.

I also find it interesting that many Canon users are buying Rokkor-X lens and converting them to Canon mount...

!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only because the Canon EF lens either too expensive or too plasticity but they do convert Canon FD, FL lens, Nikon AIs lens, Contax lens, Leica R lens...to EF mount.

[Speedfreak]

Originally Posted by Film noob

I was wondering if anyone had some good info or tips on my new cameras/lenses. I'm going to be using black and white film and enlarging/processing my own fiber based paper. Thanks for the help ahead of time. You guys are the best!

The AE1 runs on modern batteries and if it does the shutter speeds should be perfect (electronically controlled). The SRT is all manual, the speeds are most likely off and you wont find mercury batteries anyhwere.

[colyn]

Originally Posted by Speedfreak

The AE1 runs on modern batteries and if it does the shutter speeds should be perfect (electronically controlled).

And when the speeds are off which is as often as any mechanically controlled speeds they are impossible to bring back into spec unless you have the proper equipment to adjust the several variable resisters. This equipment by the way is very expensive.

Originally Posted by Speedfreak

The SRT is all manual, the speeds are most likely off and you wont find mercury batteries anyhwere.

As with any mechanically controlled shutter whether it be Minolta or whatever brand it is easy to adjust back into specs with very simple equipment after a good CLA..

Who needs mercury batteries??? My srT's work fine with silver oxide batteries and the meter is accurate..

[mwoenv]

For more on the Minolta:
http://web.archive.org/web/200703120...olta/index.htm

There are a lot of great inexpensive used manual focus Minolta lenses on ebay (just shop carefully) becuase they can't be used on autofocus film cameras or digital cameras. The MD Zoom Rokkor-X 35-70mm f3.5 and MD Zoom 70-210 f4 lenses are excellent (developed jointly by Minolta and Leica, also issued by Leica as Leitz lenses).

[colyn]

Originally Posted by mwoenv

There are a lot of great inexpensive used manual focus Minolta lenses on ebay (just shop carefully) becuase they can't be used on autofocus film cameras or digital cameras.

Actually Minolta MC, MD, and newer manual focus lens as well as the older auto rokkor's can be used on some digital cameras. I use mine on my Olympus E-PL1 micro 4/3 digital camera via the glassless MC/MD to micro 4/3 adapter. I've also used them on the Olympus E-300 and the E-620 DSLR's.. Adapters do also exist to mount these lens on the Sony NEX cameras. Again with infinity focus.

The same lens can be used on Minolta autofocus cameras as well as the Sony DSLR but only via an adapter with a glass diopter in order to get infinity.. The problem though is this glass adapter will degrade the image quality.

A few samples of images taken with this camera and my Minolta 50mm f/3.5, 50mm f/1.4, and 200mm f/3.5 lens can be found here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/colyng/

[gb hill]

I have & shoot a Canon AE1 program & it's a fine camera. Only problem I ever had was the squeal but with a CLA which cost me 80 bucks the camera is fine. Buy a Canon FD 50/1.4 & you'll put most any other 50 to shame. Don't worry about the circuit board going out. This camera will out last a Leica M8 or M9 and especially a Fuji X100.

[pdexposures]

I love my Canon AE-1s. When I'm shooting w/ an SLR for whatever reason I always bring one as a backup to the T90. Was also the first 35mm camera I bought for myself, and I currently own 9 of them with about 20 FD lenses. The stuff is just so damn cheap!

[colyn]

Originally Posted by EZfan

Only because the Canon EF lens either too expensive or too plasticity but they do convert Canon FD, FL lens, Nikon AIs lens, Contax lens, Leica R lens...to EF mount.

Have you seen the asking price of this lens since it has become popular with Canon users??

[timor]

Originally Posted by Film noob

I have not purchased a light meter. But what I read maybe a light meter may be a bad idea. As they take the refection of light from an object, and can degrade quite quickly.

What are you talking about ? Every camera light meter is reading reflected light, worst, they try to be smart and that not always work well.

[shadowfox]

I vote for the SRT too.
Canon AE-1 is too plasticky for me.
Unlike the FTb-QL which I like a lot.

[Steve M.]

I have a Canon FT QL and I like it a lot. The build quality is close to a Leicaflex. Feels like it's carved from one solid piece of metal. But the eye relief is terrible, so I went w/ an AE-1 Program. The AE-1 is so much better. Much brighter focus screen, program mode, etc, and it's a lot smaller and lighter. Exposures on the first roll were perfect. It takes my FD BL 85 1.8 SSC lens (very, very good) AND my Nikon HC non ai 50 2.0 ens w/ an adapter. Funny, I'd forgotten how nice these cameras were, and the FD primes are just wonderful. That 85 is a killer at portraits.

[raid]

There are few brands that can match Canon FD lenses in quality.
I was never tempted to use Minolta optics.

[loquax ludens]

I miss my AE-1 Program. I gave it to my brother a long time ago. He rarely uses it, but it still takes great pictures.

[DominikDUK]

The Canon FD lenses are some of the best lenses there are. Panavision uses FD and EOS elements for some of their Primo lenses. Canon is a respected name in the motion picture world Minolta is not. Minolta lenses are good but they do have a different signature/look to the Canon glass.

For Afghanista I'd prefer a fully manual Body so my vote goes to the SRT.

Good Luck

Dominik