Minolta SRT 101 with MC Rokkor 55mm f1.7 Lens

Very clean Minolta SRT-101 (serial 2015985) with lovely MC Rokkor 55mm f1.7 lens (Serial 2752090) dating from September, 1970.

Camera and lens have been completely CLA’d (see Restoration Pictures), tested with professional quality test equipment and subsequently film tested to ensure camera and lens are working perfectly.

Camera body is very clean with just a few use marks in keeping with its age. Supplied with its original metal lens cap. A 100% genuine camera that has been lovingly refurbished throughout.

The SR-T101 was the first camera released in the SR-T Series in April 1966, and was in production for 15 years.  This ones dates from September, 1970.

The SRT1-1 was revolutionary it day for being the firt camera will full aperture through the lens metering . The SRT101 actually incorporated the world’s first matrix metering system, called the ‘Contrast Light Compensator’ system by Minolta. The system used two separate metering cells, situated at different parts of the pentaprism. These cells measured the light falling on different parts of the viewfinder screen, and provide a reading that takes into account the contrast in a scene. As a result, the camera has the capacity to significantly reduce underexposure of shadows or other dark areas in a photo, by minimising the effect of particularly bright areas which are brighter than the real average of the scene.

The  SR-T101 twas to become one of the most popular cameras of its era. Other key features of the camera included a viewfinder that displayed the selected shutter speed, mirror lock-up for use with non-retrofocus wide angle lenses, and a depth of field preview button that enabled the photographer to stop the lens down to the taking aperture to assess the depth of field.

The major specifications of the SRT101 are;

• Single lens reflex camera with through-the-lens CLC (Contrast Light Compensator) meter coupled to shutter and film speed.
• Meter sensitivity EV 3 to EV 17 at ASA 100.
• Film speeds supported ASA 6-6400
• Fully mechanical cloth focal plane shutter with speeds from 1-1/1000 sec plus B
• Shutter speeds 1-1/60 sec with electronic flash
• Oversized quick return mirror for no image cut-off even with supertelephoto lenses
• Mirror lock-up
• Exposure control needle and selected shutter speed visible in viewfinder
• Flash synchronisation (X and FP)
• Fine microprism focusing with Fresnel lens
• Automatic reset film counter
• Accessory shoe (cold)
• Self timer
• Depth of field preview button

Mirror cleaning in progress during rebuild phase.

Lens stripped down for servicing and fresh lubrication

Rebuild almost complete

Cleaning and re-lubrication of base plus fresh foam for the door seal and the return spring.

The focus screen cleaned and replaced.

Camera during rebuild

Shutter charging gears cleaned and lubricated

Curton rollers cleaned and lubricated

Fresh internal foam for the meter housing - focus screen is removed

The camera at initial strip down with all major components taken apart

The state of one of the internal seals when the camera was stripped - this has now been cleaned out and replaced with fresh high quality foam

Camera and lens have been 100% CLA’d. Many SRTs for sale have never been properly serviced. This one has had a near complete strip down to remove all old internal foam, relubrication and recalibration and was used in our comprehensive CLA tutorial guide for technicians.

Test shot with Ilford FP4 - Click on picture for full size

Test shot with Ilford FP4 - Click on picture for full size

Test pics are thumbnails please click for high definition version.

Please be aware that the cameras and lenses for sale can be up to 50 years old.  They have been serviced and/or checked and are always as good as they can be made, but please don’t expect them to be flawless as if they were made yesterday.

All lenses of this age exhibit some small particles of dust and coatings are not up to modern standards. Cameras will exhibit some wear signs and likewise may have small dust specks in their viewfinders or focus screens.  These do not affect the picture in any way.

ANY problems or issues will be described in the main text which you are advised to read carefully.If you are unfamiliar with film cameras we suggest you do some online research and read the manuals which are freely available from online resources.

We are enthusiastic film fans and spend our time hunting cameras and lenses that have been or are being unloved. We then spend hours to bring them back to fully working and clean condition, ready for a new lease of life with you  We always change the film seals, give the camera a clean/service and make sure its fully working before we sell it on to you.

Most lenses are cleaned, re-lubricated and all of their functions checked prior to sale so you know they will work, full details will always be in the text. All items are packed safely for transit using proper packing material NOT something the cat was sick in. Having been stung both on eBay and by dealers alike who often know very little about film cameras we decided to offer people a chance to experience film using a camera that will last for many years and which we can say for sure works reliably

Mel & Claire