Minolta SRT-303 35mm Camera with Rokkor MCX 50mm f1.7 PF Lens

General

Minolta SRT-303 35mm Camera : Very clean and near mint Minolta SRT 303 (serial 3026625) manufactured in May 1973 paired an MCX Rokkor PF 50mm f1.7 lens (Serial 2079209). One of the best ever SRT models paired with the standard lens for the camera when new. This version has the Mirror Lock Up (MLU) fitted and the split image focus screen– not all SRT-303s have these features.

Camera and lens have been completely serviced (see Servicing Restoration Pictures) and tested with our professional quality test equipment to ensure camera and lens are working perfectly.
The camera has been serviced to a very high standard which includes replacement of all internal seals, relubrication of its shutter mechanism and tuning and calibration of its shutter and meter to bring the camera to original factory specification.

Camera body is very clean and close to mint with only a very small dent at the extreme edge of the prism housing near the ‘a’ in Minolta and light wear marks.

Lens is silky smooth through its focus regime and of course has a snappy and reactive aperture. Normal signs of wear on lens body. Will be supplied with a good quality generic lens cap.

Please Note: The SRT series were originally designed to use a 1.3v Mercury Battery. These are no longer available due to environmental restrictions on the use of Mercury. We recommend using a 675 Zinc-Air battery as a replacement which are cheap and plentiful – you will require an adaptor for these. Read our guide here on powering vintage cameras for full information.

About

Manufactured between 1973 and 1975 the SRT-303/Super/102 were the flagship models of the SRT range.

The SRT series was revolutionary it day for being the first 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 was to become one of the most popular cameras of its era and led to a range of models including the top of the range SRT-Super/303/102 models which featured a split image focus screen and aperture display in the viewfinder plus retained the mirror lock up feature. As a result the 303 model is much sought after.

The major specifications of the SRT-303 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 (on most examples)
• Exposure control needle, selected shutter speed and aperture visible in viewfinder
• Flash synchronisation (X and FP)
• Mat-Fresnel-field focusing screen with split-image spot surrounded by microprism band
• Automatic reset film counter
• Accessory hotshoe
• Self timer
• Depth of field preview button

Restoration

Camera arrived to us in generally poor condition. Cosmetics were very dirty, shutter speeds were out of specification by +2 stops, viewfinder and mirror were very dirty from failing light seals and internal foam seals and the strap lugs were loose.

We are pleased to have returned this camera to full operation after an extensive service and cleaning. All faults have been rectified and the camera has now returned to operating to the manufacturers original specification and presents as a very clean example of the model

Servicing works have included;

• All internal foams and seals replaced
• New light seals and mirror bumpers
• Replacement viewfinder optic
• Shutter cleaning and lubrication
• Deep clean throughout
• Shutter and meter calibrated to factory specification
• Supplied lens fully cleaned

Additional works included realigning the viewfinder/prism. The camera as acquired would have taken pictures out of focus as the prism angle would not have been correct. This is another common issue with older cameras and why we always extensively check and recalibrate/realign where needed.

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