Minolta SRT101 35mm Camera

Minolta SRT101 35mm Camera – A close to mint condition Minolta SRT-101 (serial 2660680) body dating from October, 1972. Camera supplied with an MC-X Rokkor PG 50mm f1.4 (serial 3018552), one of the finest ever Minolta lenses.

Camera and lens have been completely CLA’d (see Restoration Pictures) and tested with professional quality test equipment.

Camera body is very clean with just a few use marks in keeping with its age and is fully operational in all respects. Lens is sparkling clean showing only light use. There is a very tiny scratch to the front face of the lens which is almost invisible and will have no effect on pictures taken with the camera (see sample shots taken with this lens).

The camera has been almost entirely rebuilt using many ex-factory parts to restore the camera to full operation in all respects and the camera has been calibrated to Minoltas own original factory specification with a 100% accurate meter and shutter. See the restoration pictures for full details.

A very beautiful example of the classic Minolta SRT-101 with one of the finest 50mm lenses ever produced complete 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.

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 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. 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 super telephoto 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

The camera came to us as a virtual wreck (sold as good condition on an auction site). Cosmetics were good overall but underneath the skin the camera had significant issues related to a serious battery leak and poor storage.

The camera has been rebuilt and fully CLA’d with dozens of new parts to bring it back to a close to mint unit which is fully operational in all respects and tested and tuned to Minolta factory specifications. We always take a lot of care with the cameras we rebuild – this one has had over 18 hours of work to bring it back to superb condition.

Naturally servicing this has included all internal seals, light seals and mirror bumpers.

Replacement parts fitted include;

• Shutter safety mechanism
• Mirror lever on mirror box
• Meter pulleys
• Rewind capstan
• Mirror charge springs
• Battery box
• Switch gear contact set
• Self timer
• Lens release lever
• Slow speed escapement
• Film door
• Shutter speed index plate
• Frame counter
• Lock plate cover
• Strap lugs
• Front apron plate

Lens has been cleaned and checked for correct infinity and operates perfectly.

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