The Minolta SRT Series - No nonsense film cameras that are perfect for beginners to advanced
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- #photography #filmphotography #kodakfilm35mm #minolta #minoltasrt
The Minolta SRT series are some of my all-time favorite film cameras. They're simple, straightforward, all-mechanical, and the best part - get to use that excellent Minolta glass. I usually teach a photo camp for teens in the summer, and I have a whole box of these I use for that. They're always a hit and produce consistently great results due to their unique and effective metering system. These cameras were produced from 1966-81, so they're are a billion of these out there. In this episode I go through the entire history of the SRT series. My recommendation is to grab a 102 model with split-image focusing, mirror lock-up, and full-info viewfinder! Their simplicity is refreshing.
Also want to give a shout out to Howard Sandler for this episode's featured photo of the Ottawa River - shot with a Koni-Omega Rapid 6x7 rangefinder on Rollei IR400 film. Beautiful work. If you want to see more of Howard's infra-red work (and other film photography) you can check out his Flickr account:
www.flickr.com/...
If you'd like to submit one of your photos for the wall feature, just send me an email with a digital file of the photo and technical details to vintagecameradigest@gmail.com . Simple as that!
And, as always, thanks for supporting the channel!
Great post, very informative. I started with a 101 and 50 f1.7 MC that I got for Christmas 1971. I shot Kodachrome and never had a problem with exposure. My friend got a 102 and we shot together and in the high school camera club. We went to the Kodak museum in Rochester and happened, completely by accident, to take almost exactly the same image of one of the displays. I traded that camera to get into the Maxxum system, but that is another story. I am very nostalgic toward the SRT with lots of fond memories of my adventures with it. In fact, I took probably my best ever photo with it.
Sounds like you had a great time with that camera. These are definitely some of the most reliable manual bodies out there. But maybe I’m a bit biased, too.
Starts the video by laying out EIGHT Minolta bodies (EACH equipped with a lens). No big deal. Hahaha I LOVE your camera collection!
Thanks, lol! I hope it wasn’t too vulgar a display :-)) I will add that half of those lenses belong to my “teaching kit” of SRTs (not pictured) that I use for classes, etc. They are perfect for that sort of thing. Cheers!
My first SLR camera back in the early 1970's. "Everyone" said to buy a Nikkormat, but they were more expensive, and, to my mind, the focusing was "backwards." So I opted for the SRT 101, along with a 28, 50, & 135 Rokkor lens. I don't regret it! However, a year or so later, while conversing with our small town's "pro" photographer, he showed me 8x10 prints from his 500C Hasselblad. I was gobsmacked!! I immediately went to my credit union, took out a loan of $620, and bought a brand-new-to-the-market Hasselblad 500CM, with chrome 80/2.8 Carl Zeiss lens, and A-12 magazine.That marked the end of my 35mm career. Hasselblad is still my camera system today (X2D).
That sounds like me the first time I looked closely at a 4x5 negative. And that makes me miss my old 500C that I stupidly sold about 15 yrs ago. Ah well…. Interestingly, I don’t own any Nikkormat cameras. Yet. But these SRTs just seem to stand the test of time. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a 102 or 202 to anyone wanting to try film.
I really like your style of presentation - relaxed, flowing and with excellent diction. It’s a pleasure to listen to, especially with that accent! The content is an excellent and informative history the SRT series of cameras. First class photos too. From a new fan in England.
Thank you so much! I do appreciate the kind words.
9:25 I always appreciate the schematic of the viewfinder you made. It's really helpful
Glad to hear. My firm belief is that the viewfinder experience is just as important as the overall controls.
My favorite camera is an SRT 102 I've had since I was 20. It's a tank. It recently got dusted off after sitting idle for about 10 years and works just as perfectly now as when I first got a hold of it. Old Minoltas are just great all around.
Agreed! And the 102 is def my favorite, too.
Back around 1970 I worked in a camera section of a department store and sold my share of SRT-101s. They were good, though at the time I personally was using a Topcon D1.
Anyhow, fast forward 50 years and in casual chat with a co-worker I discovered he had purchased a 102 before going into the Air Force. The one thing that confused him, he told me was the purpose of the depth-of-field preview button... so here I am, 50 years after the fact, once again explaining the controls to a customer. It was fun.
Ahhh the memories :-) I do miss the days when you could go to a camera store (or camera section of a store), talk to someone and ask questions. I would LOVE to work in a store like that today.
So even 50 years ago people were owerhelmed by reading and understanding a thin instruction booklet.
I've got a few SRTs, they're fantastic cameras. Just bought a fully serviced CLA'd one and tried it out last week in -7Cconditions. Worked perfectly.
Just discovered this channel, love it so far. :)
Thanks for discovering it! Yes, the SRTs are some of the most reliable old bodies out there IMO. A CLA’d SRT should last another lifetime!
Just an excellent video; informative and entertaining. We've had two SRT 101s since the early 1970's. They were our first SLRs. Along with the kit lens, the 55mm 1.7, we added the 35mm 2.8 and, my favorite at the time, the 200mm 3.0. With these, we camped cross country and back. With hindsight, I should have used a slower slide film, but I'm now reworking the best of the mediocre with Lightroom. I now use the old lenses with my Nikon mirrorless bodies, very much enjoying the focus assistance of the bright outlines.
Thanks so much for the history lesson.
Thanks for the kind words! And one thing that I’m thankful for is the ability of mirrorless to “rediscover” all that legacy glass. By the way, was that 200 f/3 a Minolta lens? Or one of the Vivitar Series 1 offerings? Sounds like something I’d like to try.
Minoltas are lovely cameras. Although I'm mainly an Olympus guy, Minolta has a spot in my heart as I inherited my late father's 101. They are beautiful cameras, and my students enjoyed them back in the days when I was teaching photography. The Rokkor lenses render subjects so well, particularly in black and white. Thank you for your channel Steve, and Season's Greetings to you and yours.
Thank you for supporting this channel! I have a box of these SRTs that I use when I teach a photo camp during the summers. Ages of the students are 12-18 yrs old, and to be able to create good images from 50-yr-old cameras is like magic to them. I can’t think of a better teaching tool than these.
My first serious camera after 110's and 124's was a minolta. An X570 with a MD 50mm 1.7 one of favourite lenses ever. Later I moved to their auto focus stuff and still have a 28-70 2.8 G series lens which produces the most beautiful photos. Have a really high opinion of minolta glass. Loved this one.
Yes! The 570…never gets any love. Always overshadowed by the X-700. But it’s a fine camera in its own right. I’ll echo your thoughts on the lenses, too. In addition to many of the older MC and MD glass, Minolta AF lenses are fantastic!
I really enjoy this channel, I love the way you combine the history, functions and details of the cameras/lenses together with actual BTS of the shooting demonstration. I've been a big fan of Minolta since my first SRT100 early in the 70's. Later, my SRT101&102 went everywhere as I got the opportunity to travel. I loved my X-500 and eventually my 7000i and 9000i as I transitioned to AF. Today I still have the SRT100, SRT200 and X-500 from back then as well as several of my lenses from that era and shoot them semi-regularly. Of all my vintage Minoltas, I have to say the XE-7 is my favorite. Thanks for sharing your collection and passion with us all.
Thanks for the kind words! I have to admit I really enjoy the XE cameras, too. At least as much as these SRTs. And there are some real gems in the lens lineup. I REALLY love the later MC 50 1.4. Every time I use it I’m more than satisfied with the results. And it’s just plain beautiful with B&W film. There aren’t many Minoltas that I don’t like. I guess the biggest one is the 9000. I just can’t bring myself to enjoy using it. I’ll probably have to do a video about it just to get to the bottom of it - and provide some therapy for me :-) Cheers!
Afterthought: You had lots of really nice photos from your excursion. I especially liked the vertical of the gold dome and those of the pizza sign.
Many thanks! I’ve never eaten at that pizza place, but now it’s on my list :-))
The best category of cameras. Loved my XE, so I sold my X700. My friend‘s SRT101 is now mine for memory and most essential.
I’ll echo your feelings for the XE - fantastic cameras! Minolta really had a thing going in the 1970s.
I've had my SRT-202 since new; a birthday present from my parents after taking my first HS Photography class in 1982. Turns out it had already been discontinued and I was lucky to snag the last one in the store... in black no less. Been with me in thick and thin and taken many thousands of great shots over the last 40 plus years. It's constant as the North Star. Even the meter is still reliable. You can't ask any more from a camera and Minolta glass is just superlative.
Couldn’t agree more. Solid and reliable. Constant, as you say!
In the late 1960s and early 70s I worked in a camera store and the SRT 101 was, hands down, the most popular camera, especially for people starting out. They came in long boxes with the body, case and lens (a 50mm f1.4 if I recall correctly, though you could get others) all in a line. They really came across as a “pro” level camera. They were easy to sell because they were intuitive to use. While I would never argue that they were actually pro cameras it is worth pointing out that W. Eugene Smith shot the Minamata essay largely with an SRT 101.
I do recall reading that there were several “well-known” photographers who used them. I don’t recall if one of them was Smith, but now I’ve gotta go look that up. Thanks for that bit of info!
Thanks!
Many, many thanks! That’s another roll of film for me!
Another great and informative video. Well done and great, sharp and colorful photos. I have never owned a Minolta but one of these might be on my radar. Back in the day these were very desirable.
Thanks! These really are great cameras. They’re not as refined as, say, a Nikon body, but their functionality is excellent. And the Minolta lenses are really very good.
Always remember frequently visiting a local camera shop on my way back from school. They were a franchised dealer for Minolta, Miranda and Regula. Loved looking through the window and then chatting to the manager. In the days before they just sold 'boxes' but were actually interested in photography and talking to people about taking pictures.
Yes I miss those days when you could actually talk to a person about the gear you were looking at. And when they’d be eager to explain it all.
14:38 SRT-201 I bought this camera at a thrift shop about 5 years ago, for $35.00. Had no idea what i was buying. Aside from the lens it came with, this is my go-to camera.
Found a 230mm Soligor lens and the photos are just great.
Nice find! I think they’re sort of a “sleeper” camera. Often overlooked in favor of a Pentax K1000 or a Nikkormat. But they’re every bit as good, IMO. That Soligor sounds interesting. Don’t think I’ve ever seen one.
@vintagecameradigest thank you. Didn't think that lens would be sharp, but it is.
Soligor lenses are very much like Vivitar lenses. Neither one ever made their own lenses. They just got them from a third party (usually Kirov or Komine) and put their name on them. Vivitar DID design some of their own - like the Series 1 lenses - but still had to have them manufactured elsewhere. Soligor may have done similar with their C/D lineup. What all this means is that you’ll definitely find some of these lenses that will outright surprise you. Apparently you have found one. Now I’m gonna go look and see if I can do the same :-))
Just watched this with some tea! I love your channel a lot. My XE has been my daily camera for years now, but I'm keeping an eye out for a 102/Super as soon as I see a black one, to match my XE!
Thank you! I do love the XE cameras, too. Also extremely well-built and a step up from the SRTs. The black SRTs are out there but nowhere near as common as the chrome. I picked up a black 102 with nice brassing and patina a few years ago just because. No regrets :-)
@@vintagecameradigest That sounds like my XE! Such a lovely finish. Keep up the great work, can't wait for the next video. :)
My first camera was an srt200 that I got at a goodwill when I was 15. It came with the 45/2 the Celtic 135/3.5 a vivitar 75-210/3.5 with a 2x multiplier on it, a flash, a camera bag, multiple straps, old lens cleaning tissues, a 4 pack of 15 year expired fuji superia 400 and I got all that for $10. It’s been around 10 years since then, and it was my main camera up until just a few months ago. It finally needs a cla as shutter speed 1/8 and slower are sticky now. I recently bought an xd-11 with a 50/1.7 and an auto winder for a great deal at $75 and I’ve been using that one as my main recently. I’ll keep my srt for life
Man, I’ve never found a deal like that at my local Goodwill. That’s awesome, though. I think the Celtic lenses are not bad at all. Now the XD is def an upgrade. Another fantastic camera!
The SR-T 101 was my first "real" camera purchased in Japan in 1975. I still have it and shoot it! I visited Chattanooga a few times while I was working in Atlanta. Great town!
Not surprised that it’s still going after all these years! And, yes, Chattanooga is pretty cool. I grew up near there and still have family there, so I make the trip often.
Great video on the Minolta SRT series of cameras. Back in the mid 70’s I came close to buying one, but ended up with the Canon AE-1, of which I’ve been a Canon fan ever since. Your coverage of these fine Minolta cameras was very concise and easy to follow. Keep up the great work!
Thank you! I’d say the AE-1 would’ve definitely been more technically advanced. And a darn good camera in its own right. Can’t say you made a bad choice.
Back in the 80s I had my dad's SRT101, it was a great camera. Also an 85mm Rokkor f1.7 with the huge ribbed focusing ring. I wish I hadn't sold them on when I moved over to Nikon in '89. The 85mm goes for crazy monies these days.
The 250mm f/5.6 mirror in mint condition I lost in 2018 goes for >$1200 ( in a video by an affiliate/ associate of KEH )
I’ve noticed those 85s creeping up in price over the last 5 years. Main reason I don’t have one. Yet :-)
Man, you channel is awesome!
Thanks so much! And thanks for watching!
One of my first cameras was an SRT 202 and I loved it. It was a beast. So glad to see you talk about them!
A fantastic camera without question!
The SRT 101 and X700 were me introduction to shooting film, and have left me with zero desire to try any other brand. Such great cameras to use, great lenses, and all very affordable!
I’d be interested in seeing a video about the history of the Minolta Autocord! My current favorite to use
They are indeed probably some of the most affordable out there - both the bodies and the lenses. Underrated for sure.
I have yet to put my hands on an Autocord. There have been times when I’ve come close, though. Maybe one day.
I picked up a SRT-101 this summer at an antique store. It is a tank of a camera.
They are definitely tough. And will probably keep going for years to come.
Great video. Well researched. Minoltas are very under-rated - the SR series cameras that preceded the SRTs are also very well-built.
They are indeed - both underrated and well-built. Thanks for watching!
I just got an SRT 201 and I can’t wait to use it! That match needle system is awesome!
It is! I’d like to see a “digital” version of that system someday. So simple.
excellent video! my first serious camera was a srt-101 bought in 1969 (with the 55mm f/1.7 lens, it was right around $160). big selling points for me were the bayonet lens mount, the metering system and the lenses; I think they made their own glass and were one of the first companies with high refractive index glass and multicoating. put a lot of film through it till the mirror wouldn't always flip up when taking a shot, haha. a friend of mine had a Minolta SRM; built like a tank though if I remember correctly it didn't have a thru the lens meter.
Thank you! And you’re right about the SR-M - no meter. And the thinking behind that was since it used CdS cells (that are slow to react) it wouldn’t be useful on a camera shooting 3 fps. In hindsight, though, that doesn’t make a ton of practical sense since it was completely manual exposure and didn’t need to adjust between the fast exposures. After all, how likely is that light going to change by any significance? But at least it did address the need for a winder.
Love the SRTs. Have the 102 and 201 and a bunch of MC and MD lenses (some of the best glass out there -- have adapted them to my Sony a6000 with amazing results). The 102 is among my favorite cameras. Once had a 100 and it disappeared. No idea where it went. Took some great young family pix with that rig. Thanks for the video, it was a bit nostalgic for me.
I do love the features of the 102. Just the addition of the f/stop in the viewfinder makes it so much more user-friendly. And of course it’s what we’ve come to expect in just about every camera since 1985. Maybe I’m just spoiled.
Thank you! This is an excellent channel and your videos are some of the best. I've been contemplating a Minolta SRT and I think you may have pushed me over the edge. Keep doing these videos. They enhance the world.
Wow! Thanks for such kind words :-) And yes, you should pick one of these up. And if you pair it with a later MC 50 1.4 (rubber grip), I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in the combo.
Some of my favorite Cameras and lenses are Minolta, SRT SUPER, 101,102,202, XD-11, X-370, X-7A, and several others including 5xi, and STsi which are entirely other stories. I think the 58mm f1.4 Rokkor PF might be my absolute favorite 50mm range lens, it was the lens that became a place holder in my search for the PG F1.2 , but the f1.4 goes a l9ng way to scratch that itch. That series 1 135 f2.3 looked like it might be interesting wide open.
I usually shoot in the moments I can steel away during the day, driving around the city for work.
I've been cycling through my collection and picking up what ever peeks my interest, it's just difficult setting aside the time to finish a roll once I start my day and hot the road running.
I really need to put that Vivitar to the test in a portrait setting. It’s an interesting design. Looks intimidating when mounted. But I need to compare it to my MC 135 to get the full story. Might make a good episode!
Just to say, I really love the format, content, and presentation of your videos. Always enjoyable and inspiring. Tx 😁
Thanks so much! I do appreciate that.
My first SLR was the SRT-100. I was just a beginner and it was all I needed. Eventually I sold it and moved on to other cameras. Years later the person I sold the 100 to wanted to know if I would like to have it back. I jumped on the opportunity and don't regret it at all. Sure, it is very basic, but it is still a fun camera to play with. And, it still takes pretty nice pictures!
It found its way back home! The 100 may not have all the bells and whistles of the 101 or 102, but it shares the same soul!
Thank you for the shout out!
Thank YOU for the great photo! I really do need to try some of that film.
@vintagecameradigest, I’ve shot a lot of it. Exposure and development depend a lot on the filter. I use a Hoya R72 filter. With that, 1/4s at f16 or equivalent in sun is a good exposure. I am usually stopped way down, but compensating the focus only halfway to the IR mark on the lens because it’s not deep infrared like the old Kodak stuff, seems about right for focusing. I develop about 14min in D76 1:1. Non-IR exposures on the roll at box speed of 400 also develop about right with that time.
Taking some notes on this. It’s super helpful!
Great video! Great detail and well explained. I have three of the SRT’s. Two of the 201’s and an SC II. I’d love to see a video on the X-700 as I also have one of those.
I will have the X-700 in its own episode at some point. That one is indeed special!
Excellent video, I love that you found the grinch 🎉 also that Vivitar looks gorgeous
I couldn’t pass up the Grinch! I have mixed feelings on that Vivitar, though. Seems to be sharp enough, but the funnel-design gives it an odd “feel” in use. I do need to do some more testing with it -especially wide open.
The 101 is the camera I learned my film photography on in the late 70's, early 80's. It was my father's camera that I now gladly have in my possession. Beside being sentimentally attached to the camera, it's a very good camera. When he bought the camera in 1966, yes it's an early version, he wanted to supplement his income with a small week-end wedding photography business. I think it tells how good was the camera at the time. The Rokkor lens are also superb lens, I still use those Rokkor lens on my digital Nikon and Fuji
I bet it is a joy to use knowing that history. Glad you have kept it alive and well!
Happy Holidays! Another Minolta guy here, I too think of Minolta at Christmas time. Parent's got me my first one in high school XG7 and my second one in college X700 and my third one after college XK. Love all of them! New this year to the SRT line with my first 101, from market place for $25. It came with a PF 58mm 1.4 that has oil on the blades and an MC 135mm 3.5. Looking forward to your X700 review.
What a fantastic buy! I think you’ll enjoy that SRT. And the blades on that lens are not terribly hard to disassemble completely and clean. I’ve done that repair on many of my Minolta lenses.
Hey! I got my X700 in 1986 also and still shoot it, though the capacitor has been replaced. Also have a 201 with the split image viewfinder. Actually enjoy using it more than the x700. Most informative video. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! I’ve yet to have the capacitor replaced in my X-700, but I realize it’s just a matter of “when”. The SRTs, though, they’re just solid, reliable bodies.
Another awesome video with my favorite brand..Minolta! Nice sharp shots too!
It's a great brand, and it's nice to see others appreciate it too!
Great episode. I would add SR-2 series too in the list of important cameras on the market. SR-2 had instant return reflext mirror. Also it could compose and focus at full aperture, the camera would instantly stop the lens down at the moment of exposure. You did great job explaining different models. Minolta continued this naming practice even with AF bodies later on.
One question. How is it to focus with the microprism vs split screen? I have never used microprism before, but I struggled sometimes to focus with split screen on my x570.
Oh yes, I’d love to get my hands on an SR-2! It’s on my bucket list, but a bit rare and consequently pricy. But yes, it is certainly historically significant for the reasons you mentioned.
As for micro-prism v split-image, I find split-image easier and more accurate for my eyes. On most days, lol. But, if the microprism spot is large enough - as it is on the 101 - it works quite well on its own if the user is able to discern minute details in the subject. For portraits, I do think I prefer the microprism since there are more organic lines there where the split image just isn’t that useful.
A while back you were talking about reviewing the Yashica 124G Twin lens camera. Would still love to see that. I own one now, and have owned one since the 1970's. IMHO there's not a camera on the market that can offer the image quality attainable for the price of this camera. Even when they were new. It certainly has its limitations, but dollar for dollar, this camera has to be the king of the sleepers.
I actually did that review about a year ago. The link is below. But I’ll agree - it’s an excellent value in medium format. And I’d recommend it to anyone who is interested in that format.
Yashica Mat 124 G - Best Entry-Level Medium Format? Bonus: AstrHori AH-M1 meter review!
th-cam.com/video/ZlYe71jm048/w-d-xo.html
Great overview.
One correction though, only SOME SRT cameras lost the CLC metering in 1977.
I bought a new SRT200 in 1981 (in Canada) that had the split image focus aid, but also the CLC meter.
Interesting. But not doubtful at all. The changes that Minolta made to these cameras over the years of production don’t seem to come in big steps - rather little things here and there. They were constantly working to improve their products without bringing a whole lot of attention to it.
Hi! Very nice video, as usual. Are all those SRT models yours? If so I'll smile because I thought I was the only crazy one. One model that I found very nice and capable to photograph is the XE-11 (XE-1 in Europe) it's not a fully mechanical shutter but it's a very good camera with a 1/90 X-sync metal vertical shutter, I recommend it.
Nope. I can't even keep track of all my Minoltas... and the majority of them are SRTs.
@@billxciii I also have a lot of all the European models. I recently saw a video of an Indonesian repairman who easily fitted a focus screen from an X-700 to an SRT-303, making the viewfinder much brighter than the original. I live in Sweden and every week I see SRTs that look brand new at ridiculous prices and at first the excuse was to get the different models, then to buy them for spares and in the end I realised that I was just trying to save them, but I can't keep buying them anymore as I have too many.
@@marcelocampoamor4761 My excuse is the Rokkors..
I'm in Denmark, you can usually get a Minolta with a nice lens for 100-200 DKR.
Those SRTs are indeed mine. But I have additional 101, 102 and 201 models, as I use them in my photography classes.
Great cameras and let's not forget the fantastic Minolta lenses. Many on a par with Nikon and Canon etc.
Agreed! Some really nice ones in that lineup!
I have an XD-11 and a XE-7 and I like them, but I plan to buy an SRT very soon. I am a cross needle junkie lol
You won’t regret it. I do enjoy my XE, though. That’s one tough camera.
@vintagecameradigest i have an srt 101 but it was worn out when I got it and it was short lived. I loved it.
What a great video. I started out with the 101, and used it for a number of years. Then in 1974 I purchased a black model XE- 7 for my 3 month venture around the country. I mentioned in a previous video of yours about how stupid I was in selling it. I so want to find one again. I believe you sell vintage cameras and would love to know if you come across an XE-7 that you would be willing to sell. Much thanks.
By the way, how did you manage to get your hands on pristine cameras? I was shocked to see your 101 looking like it came right out of the box.
Many thanks! And glad you enjoyed it! I was lucky finding such a clean version of the 101. I went on an SRT collecting spree about 10 years ago when film camera prices were pretty low. These SRTs could be had for $40-50 USD and there were TONS of them on ebay. Obviously, prices aren’t like that today, unfortunately. The XE-7 (even back then) was still a bit higher in price than the SRTs because it’s a bit of a better camera (as you know). I do occasionally come across good deals on clean vintage bodies that I’ll pick up, but that seems to be getting less and less likely since those prices keep going up. If I do come across a nice XE, though, I’ll let you know! Cheers!
@@vintagecameradigestI truly thank you. If you do run across an XE-7, or even a 101, I would be very grateful to you.
My first SLR was a Minolta SRT. Ol Reliable as many would say. One time I found one of these in the trash with no lens, shutter worked but everything under 1/60th did not. I played with it for a couple days and eventually 1 second just randomly started working. Still works to this day and still use it every once in awhile because of the memory of finding it. Love these cameras and love the Minolta mount. Some amazing budget glass there that's stupid underrated. I believe the ROKKOR-X 50 1.4 (late 70s version) is the second best 50 you can buy next to Canons of the time. Facorite of the system is the XE7 Just enough tech and not a lot of distraction, tank build with a iron shutter. Some of my favorite images have been taken on the minolta system and for that they have a close spot in my heart. Love your videos as usual sir
Thank you! Yes, the XE-series is nothing to sneeze at. Also built like a tank and good reliability.
My first ever SLR 54 years ago when I was 16 lol
Funny how time flies! But these still hold up today. Great cameras!
Happy Holidays
Thank you! And same to you!
Jesus, how many Minolta cameras in one place 😮
Fun aside, I watched my dad unbox the srT303b, back in 1976, I think, the camera I still have, which still works without any CLE ever done to it.
The camera is great, but truth to be told, since I've been big on colour slide films (like my dad), I've never liked Minolta's MC lenses. Too much yellow - greenish tint.
MD and latter AF lenses where much better in that regard.
And for the mirror lockup - at the outset Minolta had that old weird 15mm lens that protrudes deep in the camera, therefore ML was necessary.
Since that lens was soon discontinued, ML also vanished...
I shot Agfachrome DIN18 since 1966 w/ SRT101 (picked over the Nikkormat which cost only very slightly more, because of the Rokkor 58 f/1.4 & the minolta still looks great to this day, a timeless classic ) . The metal chromes & the yellows were so true & clean. Agfa was a little grainier than Kodachrome, but the price included processing, mounting & return postage to enable photography to be more "affordable" { still a pain, I was in my 9th grade }.
aside : the genuine leather case that came w/ the camera was nothing like the other's. It was beautifully streamlined like the front of a bullet train. Minolta forgot to put a hole over the meter switch in the bottom , but was corrected later I was told. --- A late friend, like a father figure , had the latest (the last) black Nikkormat
which was a beauty. Don't know what happened to his stuff, which included 5x7, Tele-Rolleiflex & Mackintosh amp under his bed. I sold him a M2 w/ 28 Elmarit in the 80's. That Elmarit also protrudes into a m-body, the rear cap was like a tophat made w/ v. hard plastic.
Lol, yes I’m a Minolta fan :-) I will admit I’ve never shot any transparency film with any of the earlier lenses. Although I have with my X-700 and the later MD versions. Yes, the MLU was mostly for that old super-wide, but a handy feature nonetheless.
@@vintagecameradigest That I could agree - I use that same ML leaver on my OM1n quite often...
The real reason to get a Minolta-camera is:
The Rokkor lenses.
Some really underrated ones, too!
I have the 202 however it needs a service and I have been quoted £170 ($200) ouch!
"£170 ($200) ouch!" - Yes, but a simple to service (which is done in less than two hours) old mechanical caliber Seiko watch starts at $325 USD (seikoserviceusa).
Now, an old SLR with the multiple systems can easily take an entire labor intensive day on the bench
That price sounds about right. BUT look at it this way - once you get it done, it’ll be perfect and last another 50 years. No electronics to wear out or glitch. You’ll be set.
It would make more sense to present a photograph made with one of the cameras/lenses that are subject of the video, not with a camera that has nothing to do with the entire story, either technically (format wise, camera type wise), historically (other decade, different roots) or in any ways.
I’m not sure what you’re referring to. What’s not the same format or camera type? Or same decade? What camera has nothing to do with the “entire story”? I’m confused.
@@vintagecameradigest It is one sentence? Pretty sad if it confuses you. Went to movies instead attending school?
What is not to understand? Maybe the key is the word "photograph" and not cameras. Pls. read again, let's hope it will help.
It is about the photograph you present at the beginning. Made on 6x7 cm with a camera of different type (not even a SLR) and different heritage it has nothing to do with Minoltas. Why not a photo made with a Minolta if this is what the video is about?
The real problem with all this camera reviews is that I never saw one where the reviewer says: Let me show you some of the pictures I took in the last 30-50 years I am using this cameras. It is always that the reviewer goes out and takes some (usually shitty) snapshots so he can show something and paralell to this talks banalities about the cameras anyone can read on camerapedia or the instructions booklet delivered with the cameras.
It is not about presenting accumulated (as in year long and in real user conditions) experience but about rotating camera models to make videos en series for feeding the belly of the "reviewer".
Oh, well, congratulation for having gained your bowl of hot soup for today.
Oh man….where do I even begin….
First of all, to reference a “photo” from this video isn’t incredibly specific since there are multitude photos in this video. If you had simply used the term “featured” - which would have been quite easy for you to do - it would’ve been immediately clear to me which photo you were referring to. You could’ve been talking about the thumbnail as far as I knew. Now that the issue is cleared up, I will address that point. The “feature” is a way to engage with the audience. Requesting submissions to be made with specific cameras would greatly decrease the likelihood of submissions. Simple as that.
Secondly, the personal attack and insults are way out of line. But if that’s the game you play, so be it. Perhaps YOU should read the name of the channel again - vintage CAMERA digest. The channel is literally about film cameras. If you decide to watch any of these videos and remain surprised that the majority of the content is about CAMERAS, well then that’s completely on you.
As for accumulated use of said cameras, I do indeed have that for a lot of these. 99% of these cameras belong to me, and I have used many of them in extended situations. No one pays for me to review any of these. But that is beside the point. The point of this channel is to share information about many different cameras and have fun while doing it - AND at the same time encouraging ordinary people to have fun with their photography, as well. That is the point.
If this type of content isn’t serious enough for you, I cordially invite you to simply not watch. Surely, there are myriad other resources on TH-cam and elsewhere that would give you greater satisfaction.
So lets see.. At a time I had many mechanical cameras including my favorite at the time my Pentax Spotmatic ... I was shopping for something that was able to do both auto modes and manual modes... I found a really nice looking Maxxxum something lol. Cant remember its around here in a box somewhere..That thing was ehhh... Took good pictures but took me way too long to learn the basics of the camera to even use it lol... I hated it lol. So at a latter time I found a XG-M.. Anyway now that camera.. That is a great camera.. Brought back the standard looking SLR cameras we love instead of that bulky plastic thing and it has a meter built in and easy to see LED indicators inside the view finder. I has the small opening that shows the F stop in the view finder as well .. Was still a nice manual advance system. And the best part for me was there is a tiny little sensor on the very tip of the shutter button.. When you touch it with your finger the metering system comes to life in the view finder.. No more half pressing shutter.. That is what I call a camera that still looks like a camera but has modern metering systems in it but keeps the functions simple and easy to use.. Fantastic camera .. I do hope at some point I find myself staring down a low price tag version like you shown here :).. Thanks for showing us your collection :).. Oh and I have not forgotten and I still plan on sending you a photo its just been busy for me and I have to dig around and find the raw scan file .. If I send you the raw scan you might have to clean it up a touch for any minor dust but I am not sure until I find the darn backup drive.. It was full I think and I removed it from the system.. But I do have a great photo in mind :).
Well don’t stop looking for it…I’ll be happy to touch up any dust spots! If there is ONE thing that I might give the SRT a knock, it’s no illuminated viewfinder info. But I don’t think any camera at that time had one. When they did start to incorporate the LEDs it was a major improvement. And my X-700 has that same shutter button sensor. A really cool feature!
@@vintagecameradigest There are just sooooo many great cameras that was made back during those times.. Hell I have a Zenit-E in its original leather case and it has its 44-2 lens that everyone said was junk .. You know after I fixed a silly issue I found with it and cleaned it up and did minor calibrating that darn thing is one cool camera lol.. My Spotmatic might be the most basic and simple camera I have from back around those times and that camera works like the day it came out of the box lol. It is just crazy at how great these old cameras can be .. They where just made better back then .. As for the photo.. I just want to send you a "Decent" file to start with lol.. No reasons to print a low res file when I develop , Scan and edit all of my negatives myself.. The only limiting factor is gonna be yahoo as they limit to 20MB I think .
100% yes…they just all seemed to be better built then. When electronics started creeping in was the biggest change. Electronics are great, but they have a lifespan. And then no replacements available. A mechanical camera is just like a fine watch.
As for the photo/resolution, consider this - the frame size of Full HD video is only 1920 pixels wide, and the photo will be displayed at less than that. And it’ll appear even smaller in the frame on the wall. So, you don’t have to go super high res if you don’t want to.