Minolta SR-7 35mm SLR

Minolta SR-7 35mm SLR – A close to mint and fully working Minolta SR-7 complete with an Auto Rokkor 50mm f1.8 lens, original case and the cameras original box.

The camera was acquired as a boxed unit and is in near mint condition. The original lens unfortunately had fungus issues and was scrapped. It has been replaced with the same type of lens which has been fully rebuilt and supplied with its original metal lens cap.

The camera is fully functional but would benefit from a service as its shutter speeds are running around 1 stop slow across the high speeds and the camera has a very stiff advance feel indicating servicing and lubrication are required. The camera still retains its metal screw in eyepiece surround (most SRs are missing this due to careless owners).

Not also that the lens aperture blades show a patina caused by oil contamination etching the black work. This has no effect on the lens which has been completely rebuilt to remove old oils.

The camera has its original case which shows some wear and its original strap which has dried out badly from storage and is unusable.  While the original seller indicated this was BNIB the camera shows signs of use but it is extremely clean. We are offering it for sale unserviced as it may well suit a collector.

It will be serviced in time and of course our price will increase to reflect that.

The Minolta SR-7 stayed in production from 1962 to 1966, with minor changes in its mechanism and overall construction. Specifically, in the early versions, the meter had no switch to turn itself off, so the owner had to close its leather ever ready case to prevent it from draining batteries. A year later, this was rectified and a switch was added. Mirror lock up function was also improved. In 1965 other changes were made to the camera – it was now squarer than previously, and the viewfinder was slightly changed, with the introduction of the Anglefinder and the Viewfinder Magnifier V.

The model being offered for sale is the last model before the introduction of the SRT-101 Series so was probably manufactured around 1966.

The camera was sold to us as BNIB. In fact the camera showed obvious signs of use (as in fact most BNIB cameras actually are). The original lens was a write off due to extreme fungal contamination. The lens supplied has been completely rebuilt by us to operate perfectly.

Optically and mechanically the lens is perfect and as close to mint as the camera body.

The camera body has had a new mirror bumper fitted, the SR series did not have light seals,  and the camera is extremely clean. It would however benefit from a service as testing indicates its shutter speeds are running around 1 stop slow.