Are ALL Minolta SRT's Fully Mechanical?

DF · May 19, 2017

Don't want to worry anymore about shutter speeds screwing up because of "electronics" so I'll try the mechanical route. Does it make sense, I mean, why don't more experienced shooters want gears/levers over circuit boards/wires?

Trask · May 19, 2017

AFAIK all the SRT models are fully mechanical -- check out rokkorfiles.com for more information: Dead Link Removed

Sirius Glass · May 20, 2017

Yep, what Trask said. Great cameras.

AgX · May 20, 2017

I am still puzzled about these electrical/mechanical discussions. I do not remember having come across such before joining Apug.
Glancing through some old US magazines, I guess they are the cause.

DF · May 20, 2017

What is it you find puzzling? This is THE very first time I myself am pondering the electrical/mechanical issue for I've never owned nor used a fully mechanical camera - I'm serious about getting one - an SRT of course for all my Rokkor/MD lenses.
Nevertheless, I'd like to see this topic more now that I'm in it - but I don't know what heading it'd read or threads/posts it'd be under.

Les Sarile · May 20, 2017

DF said:
Don't want to worry anymore about shutter speeds screwing up because of "electronics" so I'll try the mechanical route. Does it make sense, I mean, why don't more experienced shooters want gears/levers over circuit boards/wires?

I am sure everyone has a reason and a personal preference but I have both a completely mechanical - with no built-in meter at all, as well as a sophisticated aperture priority capable manual camera.

The Pentax LX (left) has a hybrid shutter system capable of working from sync speed to top speed of 1/2000 and B mode when batteries die while the original Asahi Pentax (right) is all mechanical with no batteries or meter at all.

With more experience and taking advantage of the great latitude of most C41 and b&w film, you can make perfectly well exposed photos without any built-in meter. For me at this point, I am comfortable doing that during daylight hours. When you need more sophisticated metering, you can either use cameras with built-in meters or use external meters.

Chan Tran · May 20, 2017

I prefer the electronically controlled shutter to the mechanical one. I can't prove it either way but I think the electronic ones are more reliable.

fstop · May 20, 2017

more accurate exposure too,shooting slide film you have to be right on. Stepless speeds make all the difference in the world and the electronics are reliable.

wiltw · May 21, 2017

fstop said:
more accurate exposure too,shooting slide film you have to be right on. Stepless speeds make all the difference in the world and the electronics are reliable.

FWIW, not all electronic shutters have 'stepless speeds'! It is very dependent upon the circuit/control design. For example my Bronica ETRSi has electronically controlled shutter speeds.

in manually selected shutter speeds, they are the long time full EV increments, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125 etc
if controlled by the AE-II metering prism, when under the metering prism control only, speeds are in 1/3EV increments between the standard speeds
if controlled by the AE-III metering prisem, when under the metering prism control only, speeds are in 1/6EV increments between the standard speeds

...all with the same lens/shutter/body

RichardJack · May 22, 2017

It's already been answered...all Minolta SRT series cameras from the 101 through 303b are fully mechanical.
An often overlooked but wonderful fully manual SLR is the Leica R6 & R6.1. The Leica R4 & R5 were basically copies of a Minolta XD11, the R3 was identical to a XE-7. Then Leica owners wanted a fully mechanical SLR that did not have an electronic shutter and only used it's battery for the meter, thus the R6 series. This camera was built like a tank but overpriced at the time (I think the late 1980's) but prices have dropped and even the basic lenses (not the APO's) are affordable. The Leica R glass will work on a Canon DSLR and all of the mirrorless cameras. It has the one of the brightest viewfinders that I've ever seen. It's worth looking at one even if you don't buy it.

dynachrome · May 22, 2017

There is a difference between reliable and accurate. A Minolta SRT series camera in good repair is reliable and can work for a long time without needing service or adjustments. How accurate are its shutter speeds? Accurate enough for most purposes but not as accurate as what you will get with an electronically governed shutter in good repair. A Minolta X700 usually needs new diodes and if it is otherwise in good condition can be both reliable and accurate (correct shutter speeds). The shutter mechanism in an SRT series camera will work even of the meter battery is dead or the meter fails for other reasons. The shutter mechanism in the X700 will not function at all without a good battery. The earlier Minolta XD-11 also needs battery power to function fully but has a manual 1/100 shutter speed setting (o) which will work even if there is no battery power. Yesterday I was shooting with a Pentax ME Super. It is powered by batteries but has a 1/125 shutter speed setting which will work even when the batteries are dead.

flavio81 · May 22, 2017

Chan Tran said:
I prefer the electronically controlled shutter to the mechanical one. I can't prove it either way but I think the electronic ones are more reliable.

+1
I also prefer it. However mechanical cameras are usually nicer in build quality.

For me an ideal electronic camera is the Nikkormat EL. Another one that is very good, the Nikon F3, and the Yashica FR1.

Are ALL Minolta SRT's Fully Mechanical?

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