Description
Minolta SRT-303b 35mm Camera
General
Minolta SRT-303b 35mm Camera : A good condition Minolta SRT-303b (serial 3359870) manufactured in April 1976 paired with a good condition Minolta MD3 50mm f1.7 lens  (Serial 9805357). This is a version of the 303b WITHOUT the Mirror Lock Up (MLU) fitted. Minolta deleted this halfway through production. This model does have the spilt image focus screen which was applied to most models.
Camera and lens have been completely serviced and tested with our professional quality test equipment to ensure both 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 together with many new parts.
Camera body is very clean but does show some minor wear and paint chips to its finish. The mirror has a small scratch to its surface on its leading edge but this will cause no problems either with the view through the viewfinder or the finished film.
The lens is optically and mechanically perfect but also shows some wear.
Supplied with a good quality after-market 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.
About
Manufactured between 1975 and 1977 the SRT-303b,SRT505 and SRT-202 were the flagship models of the SRT range and followed on from the SRT-303, SRT-102 and SRT-Super. Minolta changed the model numbers depending on the territory in which they were sold. All cameras within the same series have the same specification.
The SRT series was revolutionary in its 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 SRT-303b was the last in the series of top end SRT models and followed on from the 303. The cameras are very similar in overall function but there are differences. The major differences between the 303b and the 303 are;
- The 303b deleted the Mirror Lock up function (though some early 303b models do in fact have this and some late model 303s don’t!)
- Addition of a Film Safe indicator to show that film is loaded and transporting ok in the camera.
- Addition of a film memo holder on the camera back.
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 super telephoto lenses
- 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
- Film safe-load indicator
- Automatic reset film counter
- Film memo holder
- Accessory hotshoe
- Self timer
- Depth of field preview button
Restoration
Camera had a number of faults on arrival resulting from corrosion damage to some of its running gear. The camera has been completely serviced from top to bottom (see photos).
All issues original resolved with an extensive service and CLA which includes replacement of the following parts which are mostly ex-factory spares.
- Replacement meter galvanometer
- All internal foams and seals replaced
- New light seals and mirror bumpers
- New flash shoe fitting
- Replacement advance lever
- New rewind capstan
- New film safe mechanism
- New shutter speed index
- New leather fitted
Camera has been returned to fully operational condition and tested to Minoltas original factory specification on our professional quality testers.
Lens has been completely serviced with new lubricants and gives a smooth feel to the focus and of course a snappy and reactive aperture.
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
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