Minolta SRT's -- Gotta Love 'Em.

[colyn]

Originally Posted by rover

a 102 w lens for 30 bucks. good going!!

The 102 and 202 are my favorites with the SRT line..

[Nokton48]

I am also gunning for an XK body. I've always wanted one in good usuable shape.

It's been highly recommended by a friend, who also recommended the XE-7 to me.

The original XK accessories are something interesting and fun to collect.

These cameras all have alot of utility left in them.


The XK Mots are sweet, but also highly collectable. And, I already have the SRM:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120810901597...84.m1423.l2649

[colyn]

I have the XK and yes they are fine cameras.

[Nokton48]

Originally Posted by colyn

The 102 and 202 are my favorites with the SRT line..

I'm thinking of putting Griptac on my new 202, as I like to recover them.

I think the 202 was the ultimate SRT, last of the lineage.

Love the viewfinder in the 202. It's awesome.

And, of course, anybody interested in Minolta should check out this site:

http://www.rokkorfiles.com/

[colyn]

Originally Posted by Nokton48

And, of course, anybody interested in Minolta should check out this site:

http://www.rokkorfiles.com/

I've used this site http://www.rokkorfiles.com/conversion.htm for converting my SRT's to silver oxide.

Before doing this conversion I check the prism meter blocks for yellowing glue. If they need repair I use this glue http://www.micro-tools.com/store/P-8...lear-Glue.aspx to re-glue the blocks after completely cleaning off the old glue. Then I do the conversion and re-calibrate of the meter..

[colyn]

That's cheaper than what I have paid at a local electronics wholeseller here.

[Teuthida]

My first proper camera was an SRT 101 back in 72. Nice camera, but it was considered an enthuisiast camera. The Pro gear was the Nikon F, or the Leicaflex Sl.

[ColSebastianMoran]

I decided to have a look at the Rokkor line. Bought an XD-11 with some standard lenses and started to think about the 58mm f/1.4. Just found a SRT-101 with that lens at a bargain, hoping for a usable lens and just taking pot luck on the camera.

Turns out both the SRT-101 and the 58mm f/1.4 lens are in excellent shape, even has a good battery, operative meter, and all quite clean.

[Nokton48]

The 58mm F1.4 MC Rokkor seems to be highly regarded on the Internet. Which is good, since I have a few of them. It's great when lenses "turn up" you didn't even realize you had. Must have come with bodies I acquired? Anyway, I will have to test the 58mm F1.4 against the 58mm F1.2, and the 55mm F1.7/1.9. Some prefer the 58mm F1.4 to the 50mm F1.4 MD Rokkor (which I don't have).

New acquisition. The Minolta Deluxe III Flashgun, which uses flashbulbs, and is the correct flashgun which matches the vintage of the SRT101. For some reason, Minolta Flashguns go for skyhigh prices on Ebay. I found this one, in perfect working condition, for $7 on another auction site. It should be here in a few days.

[colyn]

Originally Posted by Nokton48

The 58mm F1.4 MC Rokkor seems to be highly regarded on the Internet.

I picked up two of them this week. I need to get the adapter so I can try them on my Olympus E-620..

[Nokton48]

These lenses are easy to clean internally. Just unscrew the front and back groups with a spanner, and clean the oily blades with electronic contact cleaner and q-tips. I've done that recently with the 85mm F1.7, the 35mm F2.8 MD, the 50mm F1.4 MD, and the 28mm F3.5 MC. Some are inexpensive, too. I just bought the 35mm F2.8 for Five Dollars!

My recent goal was to get original Minolta lenshoods, original Minolta UV/Sky Filters, and lenscaps onto everything. I'm nearly there.

[Alec]

Originally Posted by Nokton48

The 58mm F1.4 MC Rokkor seems to be highly regarded on the Internet.

You need to differentiate the PF (6 lenses) and PG (7 lenses) formulas.

http://rokkorfiles.com/Battle%20of%2050s2.htm

I can only recommend Antony's website to any SRT enthusiast.
The shift 35mm he reviews used to be mine...

Yes, I too started photography on an second-hand SRT-303 25 years ago. Gave it away foolishly. Bought another. Will give it some love... some time.

Nokton, congratulations on your outstanding collection.
I used to have the 200/2.8, 17/4 and shift 35, as well as a battered XM (European market XK). I understand where you come from.

[colyn]

Originally Posted by Alec

You need to differentiate the PF (6 lenses) and PG (7 lenses) formulas.

The 58mm f/1.4 is a PF. The PG's are the 50mm f/1.4 lens and 58mm f/1.2. Al are outstanding lens.

I'd take MC lens over the MD versions...

[Nokton48]

Originally Posted by Alec

congratulations on your outstanding collection.
I understand where you come from.

Thank you for that, Alec.

I have come a 360 degree circle, and at one time was of the opinion that these are not professional grade tools. Now that I have come back to them, I find that I am quite comfortable with these old friends. And I appreciate them for what they are, and what they can do for me.

[Pioneer]

Like many here I first started with Minolta on the high school yearbook staff and, when I graduated, I bought a 101 of my own. I am still shooting with it. I move away for awhile but I always seem to come back. Now I have a 201 that I enjoy using as well.

I have been fortunate to pick up some pretty good Minolta and Vivitar glass over the years and both these cameras are responsible for some excellent images.

I enjoy using rangefinders as well and know that Minolta had some nice ones. One of these days I wouldn't be surprised if I end up attracting a Minolta rangefinder to the flock.

[redisburning]

SRTs are not pro bodies because they arent system bodies.

Minolta has good glass and good focus screens.

BTW anyone know who I should talk to about getting a Rokkor lens overhauled?

[colyn]

Originally Posted by redisburning

SRTs are not pro bodies because they arent system bodies.

While I do agree that the srT's are not pro bodies they are of pro build quality..

Originally Posted by redisburning

Minolta has good glass and good focus screens.

Minolta I believe has top quality lens which out perform other brands..

[Nokton48]

Originally Posted by redisburning

SRTs are not pro bodies because they arent system bodies.

Agreed they aren't system bodies, but many knowledgeable professionals know these can be used for pro work without issue. In the SRT era, the motorized SR-M was the pro model (have one of those in great condition, presently looking for the SR-M 250 exposure back, and a few more of the original accessories for it).

And of course, in the late 70's, the XK was Minolta's answer to building the system SLR (also looking for one of these in good condition). To me, the XK looks exactly like an SRT that takes interchangable finders and screens, and I have the SR-M pro body for tough rugged motorized work, so I don't have much interest in the later very expensive motorized XK. In fact if I could have found a good motorized XK way back then, I might have never left Minolta, and gone on to original Canon F-1, Nikon F/F2, and so on and on.

Rokkor glass is some of the best available, at any price.


Any good repair shop should be able to fix a Rokkor lens, depending on what is specifically wrong with it. What's up with yours?

[redisburning]

Originally Posted by Nokton48

Any good repair shop should be able to fix a Rokkor lens, depending on what is specifically wrong with it. What's up with yours?

The back half of the housing is loose on my 58/1.2 and I dont feel that poking around in there is such a great idea for me.

It also has some haze/condensation on one of the elements, which I would like cleaned if that is possible in a non-destructive way to the coatings, which Im not sure of. I have the very first metal grip ring version of the lens, so I had assumed it has single coating and may not stand up to being cleaned.

[Nokton48]

You could send it to Essex Camera Repair, and see what they say about it:

http://www.essexcamera.com/

They do very good work, (not extremely cheap) but very quick and reliable.

Other members may suggest other shops. OK Guys????

[colyn]

Originally Posted by Nokton48

I also prefer the build quality of the older vintage MC lenses. That is why I have have concentrated on getting the complete MC set. Still need the 800mm F8 RF mirror lens for my uses........

In some cases such as the 50mm f/1.4 the MC version is slightly better than the MD version.

I have the complete lineup of MC lens except the mirror lens myself. Those mirror lens are currently out of my price range. I keep a few MD's around for the XD-11 when I need program mode..

Originally Posted by Nokton48

I also have the XE-7, and it is great to have an auto-exposure body, that works well with the MC lenses. A Friend recently pointed out to me, that the XE-7 (which he also owns) is identical to the Leica R-3. Not Bad

Love the XE-7. The meter on mine is deadly accurate too.

The R3 was based on the XE-7 while the R4 was based on the XD-11.. Both use the Leitz Copal shutter..

[pryan9]

Looking to buy or trade for a black srt if anyone is interested...

[Nokton48]

Originally Posted by pryan9

Looking to buy or trade for a black srt if anyone is interested...

How about this SRT202 in Black? The ultimate SRT, has double-exposure capability, full viewfinder readout, and a brighter focusing screen. If you don't like this one, you can send it back:

http://www.keh.com/camera/Minolta-Ma...990745060?r=FE

[pryan9]

Originally Posted by Nokton48

How about this SRT202 in Black? The ultimate SRT, has double-exposure capability, full viewfinder readout, and a brighter focusing screen. If you don't like this one, you can send it back:

http://www.keh.com/camera/Minolta-Ma...990745060?r=FE

Thanks! For some reason KEH totally slipped my mind.

[rover]

That is a nice one. The 101 is my favorite. For me Minolta got it right at the start. True the SRT was refined over time, but I reach for my 101 first every time.