Minolta cameras

Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Messages
6
Location
US
Format
35mm
Hi all,

My dad was a Minolta fan an I recently inherited his cameras. As a film noob, I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the relative merits of each of the following:
  • Hi-Matic 7
  • SR-1
  • X-570
  • SR T303
Many thanks!
 

Kino

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,769
Location
Orange, Virginia
Format
Multi Format
All good cameras but the SRT 303 would be my user of choice.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,106
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Welcome to Photrio.
I agree with Kino.
In addition though, the Hi-Matic 7 is a great simple, "take anywhere" camera.
 
OP
OP

Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Messages
6
Location
US
Format
35mm
Thanks a bunch, this is super helpful! This seems like a great place for advice on all things photography and I definitely plan to linger.
 

Kino

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
7,769
Location
Orange, Virginia
Format
Multi Format
Remember that the PX-13 Mercury batteries used in the SRT series cameras are no longer available. Go by a drug store and pickup some 1.4 volt #675 zinc hearing aid batteries (very inexpensive) and get some rubber O-rings from a hardware store to adapt them to the battery compartment. You just need them to stay centered and touching the terminals. The voltage difference shouldn't cause enough of an exposure difference to matter.
 

Martin Rickards

Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2016
Messages
390
Location
Asturias, Spain
Format
35mm
I've got the European version of the X570, the X500, and I'm very happy with it. I had an SRT101 but the light meter stopped working.
 

jim10219

Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2017
Messages
1,632
Location
Oklahoma
Format
4x5 Format
My wife has an SR-1. It's a good camera, very well built, but it doesn't have a light meter. That's okay for her, because she doesn't need one. But if you do, it's something to consider.
 

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,828
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm
If you give me one of those I would pick the Hi Matic 7. Second choice would be the SR-1. Third choice would be the SRT-303. The X570 would be my last choice.
 

ant!

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2017
Messages
422
Location
Montreal
Format
Multi Format
I have two XD7 (European XD11) and a X570. The XD7/XD11/XD are great, but the X570 is also very good. Less cool looking, less smooth, more plastic, but the choice if using flash (TTL flash available with lots of choices), and the motor drive fits to it.

The SRT and SR are mechanical, so the battery is needed only for the light meter, but as mentioned, they used originally Mercury batteries which do not exist anymore. I think out of your cameras, the X570 is the only one which uses still available batteries (but needs them always, not only for the meter).

But in general, all these are great cameras! The SRT are too large and heavy for me, but this is just a preference, I prefer the lighter later models (XD series...). By the way, all (beside the Hi-Matic of course) work with the same lenses, Minolta SR bayonett (MD or MC).
 

Wallendo

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 23, 2013
Messages
1,409
Location
North Carolina
Format
35mm
The SR-1 is a great all-manual camera,

The SRT is also a great camera.

The X-570 may be the most "advanced" of the SLR's you listed, but also likely to have issues with worn-out capacitors which would need to be replaced.
 
OP
OP

Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Messages
6
Location
US
Format
35mm
Wow! Lots of great information with some contrasting opinions. Instead of deciding what to keep, I might have to start building a collection like Kino! (1/4 of the way there!)
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,106
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,828
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp said:
Wow! Lots of great information with some contrasting opinions. Instead of deciding what to keep, I might have to start building a collection like Kino! (1/4 of the way there!)
Click to expand...
You wouldn't get much money selling anyone of them. You don't want to throw your father's camera away. So really you have no choice but keep them all.
 
OP
OP

Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Messages
6
Location
US
Format
35mm
Chan Tran said:
You wouldn't get much money selling anyone of them. You don't want to throw your father's camera away. So really you have no choice but keep them all.
Click to expand...

Yes, having looked around on eBay, that is the conclusion I came to myself. Maybe my kids will decide to take up film photography...
 

summicron1

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 28, 2010
Messages
2,920
Location
Ogden, Utah
Format
Multi Format
The thing to do is do a bit of film photography yourself and show your kids. This will help them carry on grandpa's hobby.

Alternatively, if you want to get rid of the SLRs, I collect cameras to take to Weber State University's photography program here in Ogden, Utah. Students there need good working mechanical SLRs. I'd happily pay the postage.

But, really -- don't get rid of heirlooms. Take one, put it in a shadow box with some pics of your family that were taken with it, pics of your dad, make it an item to be passed down.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,389
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format
Chan Tran said:
You wouldn't get much money selling anyone of them. You don't want to throw your father's camera away. So really you have no choice but keep them all.
Click to expand...

Order your coffin with cubby holes and you can take it with you. That is my plan.
 

Chan Tran

Subscriber
Joined
May 10, 2006
Messages
6,828
Location
Sachse, TX
Format
35mm
Sirius Glass said:
Order your coffin with cubby holes and you can take it with you. That is my plan.
Click to expand...
His father didn't take it with him and so I don't recommend the OP to take it with him either. Keep them as long as he lives and then pass them on to the kids or grand kids.
 
OP
OP

Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Messages
6
Location
US
Format
35mm
LOL -- all suggestions appreciated... I'll definitely look into taking up film photography myself.

Speaking of which, what kind of film should I get as a beginner? There's actually a local store that still supports film and I should buy there to support them.
 

Sirius Glass

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 18, 2007
Messages
50,389
Location
Southern California
Format
Multi Format

Color: Kodak Portra 400
Black & White: Kodak Tri X 400
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…