Minolta SRT Film SLRs - Still Clicking After All These Years

For a small but determined group, Minolta SRT series cameras are still a viable way to SLR photography. Although the cameras themselves are out of production for more than twenty years and Minolta exited the camera business in 2006, Minolta SRTs are still a hot commodity on eBay, pawnshops and used camera dealers.

Minolta no longer makes cameras and digital SLR cameras are now the king of the hill. Despite these factors, the line SRT camera still produces great pictures. SRT101 series started when he was introduced in 1966. Over the next 15 years, Minolta SRT100 products, SRT102, SRT200, 201 and 202nd SRT series also appeared with other names outside the U.S.. In addition, Minolta SRT-MC products to be sold only at K-Mart. a similar model, the SRT-SC was sold to JC Penny.

with huge distribution and rugged metal construction, you can understand why so many SRTs survive today. However, it seems that they are hopelessly outdated in comparison with a series of fine digital camera at your disposal. Why would anyone want one of these old warhorses instead of the DSLR?

Make no mistake, digital SLRs offer many advantages that are not film SLR can match. Digital SLRs allow you to review your shots, you can transfer images to a computer for editing and use the same memory card over and over. In addition to not offer the digital features, SRT has autofocus, flash, dedicated, program auto exposure and film advance - it's a pretty extensive list of features of modern photographers have come to expect in the SLR

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However, it lacks those features that make the camera attractive as current users. No electronics, SRT photographer returns to the time when his own knowledge is paramount to obtain a successful image. pure manual camera, SRT forces users to learn photography from the ground level. Many users are using the SRT, which is a stepping stone for learning photography before splurging a full featured digital SLR.

Another attractive aspect is the cost. Although there are many keen collectors Minolta, so SRTs are produced and so well preserved by their owners, to good use SRTs are still in abundance. While first grade SRTs can eventually become highly collectible, for now you can easily obtain a good, versatile model with lens for less than one hundred dollars. a little searching can turn up models for far less muxh.

Even better, there are tons of literately lenses for these cameras. Minolta, of course, produced the lion's share of these lenses, the Rokker X and Celtic brand name. Vivitar, Tamron, SOLIGOR and many others also produced an excellent lens to fit the SRT series. Unlike AF-Mount Minolta lenses that can be used on both Sony and Minolta DSLRs, the X-mount lenses will not fit into any DSLR without an adapter. This means that you can find some excellent X-Mount lenses are low. As more and more users switch to digital, my old Rokkor-X lenses end up on the auction block. SRT shooter you can find some really rare and a great lens at a price that will not strain the budget.

Of course, there are several warnings. If you should happen to the SRT model, you must remember that at least twenty years, and the original SRT models have been around for more than forty years. Bad things can happen that after the camera all the time, especially if it is sitting unused in a closet somewhere.

Even though SRTs have a reputation for great reliability, always check carefully before buying a camera. After a time, shutter speeds are known to become inaccurate, requiring repairs to maintain good exposure, the seals around the camera back can begin disintegrating, allowing light into the camera. New seals are available and it's a pretty simple fix.

Undoubtedly, the biggest concern is the lack of batteries for the cameras internal meter. SRT Series meter is very accurate, but it was designed for use 1.35V PX-625 mercury cell. For the environment, which ended production in living cells, and available silver oxide cells are not correct voltage. This is really a paper tiger. Using a silver oxide battery does not seem to affect the meter reading to considerably. If you were using the period 1960-by the film, which is very narrow latitude, voltage difference can be critical. With today's wide latitude films, I used the available MS76 1.5V silver oxide cell with excellent results. In addition, the camera will work without batteries, so you could use a handheld light meter.

If you really want to learn basic photography, there is no better way to start than good, a manual SLR. And there are several manual SLR that offer reliability and accessories options at a low price as the Minolta SRT.