Minolta SRT 101 - Mirror jamming

[Turves]

This post should be called fallen so far so quickly.
Yesterday was my first post on RFF and at the same day I had purchased a Minolta SRT 101 from a local second hand dealer (not photo dealer) and was very proud of my purchase.

Today I find that the mirror locks up and does not return to its position especially in the lower speeds. Example I cock and shoot a frame, but the mirror remains in the way of the view finder until I cock the advance mechanism again. It does not seem to happen miuch from 250 to 1000th. But as you get down the speeds (125 and below) it becomes more prevalent.

It was not happening yesterday when I brought it home and I had wound on the camera lot in the shop and listened and looked at the mechanism through all speeds to bulb. Buyer beware I suppose.

But I would be interested in any suggestions, should I just keep winding it on and shooting and hope that it works itself out, is it a know problem, is there a fix or is there somebody in Melbourne that could fix it?

I would appeciate any suggestions as my partner who is an ex camera service manager will gloat. But if it works she will be jealous.

Thanks

[xayraa33]

check to see if the mirror damping foam is not gummy.
on most of them the original foam strip needs to be replaced after many years.
it gets sticky and the mirror gets stuck on it as it flips up.

[Turves]

Thanks xayraa. Just found it as you were replying.

I can see the front strip is gummy for sure. Do you need to replace the front and the back strip. I reacon i could do the front one but the back strip looks hard to get at.

[Austintatious]

This can be a "DIY" job for sure. Look up the e-bay seller "Interslice" he sells camera seal replacement kits for around $10 US. Comes with great instructions ! I have done at least three cameras with each kit. This will cost you 5 X that to have it done.

[colyn]

Another thing to look at is the mirror damping gear. Pull off the bottom cover and look for a gear near the electrical contacts. Either white plastic or a brass gear. Place a drop of oil on the center screw and a bit of grease on the gear..

[Al Kaplan]

You've purchased a great camera. The SRT series was about the peak of quality in Minolta SLR cameras, the era when Minolta and Leitz (Leica) teamed up and a few years later jointly introduced the CL under both the Leica and Minolta brand names and shared some lens designs with one another. Replace the foam with that kit.

[rover]

Originally Posted by Al Kaplan

You've purchased a great camera. The SRT series was about the peak of quality in Minolta SLR cameras, the era when Minolta and Leitz (Leica) teamed up and a few years later jointly introduced the CL under both the Leica and Minolta brand names and shared some lens designs with one another. Replace the foam with that kit.

Agreed, SRTs are fine cameras and very servicible. If you choose to you can find folks who can CLA SRTs everywehre.

[Turves]

Thanks for the advice.

Its good to know that the SRT 101 seems to be so highly regarded. When I spotted in this second hand shop it just felt right when I picked it up. I didn't know much about Minoltas, I know more about Nikons and Canons.

Like all that era of camera it feels solid. They did have a Zenit SLR in the shop as well. It felt very loose.

[dan denmark]

the Camera Clinic in Collingwood.

[racoll]

Colyn's advice regarding the white gear in the bottom of the camera is right on. I had two SR-t 102s that did the same thing. I replaced the mirror damping foam and oiled this gear (white plastic gear) and this solved the problem. This gear has a tendency to dry up and become a bit stiff which prevents the mirror from returning to its proper position. This should solve the problem once and for all. Enjoy the camera! I think it's one of the greatest SLRs ever made.

Andy