Minolta srt 101b ?

ongakublue · Aug 6, 2015

Hi all,

I see a Minolta SRT 101b body only on sale in the local camera store here for 36 dollars. Does that seem too cheap for you? Or normal? Also I couldn't find a simple answer to the reason why there is an a and a b model...

I am having trouble with my XE-5 and currently getting film developed from it which may or may not come out well. But for less than 40 dollars I see no reason not to have another camera body. I very much enjoy these old Minoltas. It's quite a buzz to learn them.

The camera is also on sale with a 55 1.7 lens for 115 dollars. Well, it's not designated as 101b. Just 101. Seems like a big difference! but I now own two 50mm MD lenses from Minolta so I have enough I think in more or less that focal length.

J

mike c · Aug 6, 2015

Its an old film camera,that no body uses anymore except people like us. Ask the guy if you can run a roll of film thur it, that will tell you alot.

David Lyga · Aug 6, 2015

I have bought SRT bodies for under $10. Sensational values. Do not even need to run a roll of film through. Simply open the back, point front towards bright light, and fire shutter as various speeds while looking closely at the film aperture. Sometimes with the highest speeds you will notice 'capping' (where full film aperture gets partially blocked because first curtain does not move rapidly enough. This is EASY to fix by tightening that curtain spring underneath the body, but you have to know how to do it. With age, these springs slowly lose their tension.

Unlike most, I do not consider a working meter to be critical. This testing will involve getting a proper battery (the original is discontinued) and testing it. But, also test the X sync.

The lenses for these bodies are dirt cheap. Do NOT pay more than $10 for a normal Minolta lens, maybe $15 for the 1.7. - David Lyga

jeffreythree · Aug 6, 2015

It is probably a good price, if you can test it or return if not functioning properly. I have a couple of old, non functioning Minoltas(XG-1's). The SRT's are all still alive and kicking though, other than the one my daughter stuck her finger in the shutter curtain. I don't know where you are, but KEH has several SRT's.

mklw1954 · Aug 6, 2015

The b version just has some cosmetic changes from the first SRT101 version of 1966:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060423164640/http://members.aol.com/manualminolta/minslr.htm

I've picked up a couple of SRT201s with lenses for $40-50 so the price for the body only is reasonable.

Just check it at all shutter speeds. If the long shutter speeds (1 sec, 1/2 sec) and the self-timer works smoothly, the shutter is probably fine (hold it up to your ear to hear if operates smoothly and evenly - it's a mechanical shutter). Cock the shutter with the back open to see if the shutter curtain looks good.

Check the battery compartment for corrosion and bring a 1.4 volt battery (LR44) to see if the meter deflects - if it does the meter is probably working well. It will take a 675 hearing aid battery as it used to use the old 1.35v mercury batteries but the 1.5v battery is fine for a check.

Check that the film counter resets.

With these basic checks, you can tell if it's good.

mgb74 · Aug 6, 2015

As you can see, opinions on pricing vary. But you need to take into account where you're buying it from.

At a garage or thrift store sale, $10-15 might be a reasonable find for a 101 body that appears to be in good condition. Add a few dollars if it has a battery so you can roughly test the meter. At a store that offers a good return policy, $36 is reasonable. $115 for body and lens is excessive.

The 101 uses a 625 mercury battery which is no longer available. But many work arounds exist.

In a shameless plug, I'll be listing one later this AM.

Trask · Aug 6, 2015

Here's a great resource for Minolta film cameras: www.rokkorfiles.com (an obvious play on the old TV series The Rockford Files). It goes through the SRT and other Minolta series, advising of feature changes and so forth. The SRT-101b is the European version of the SRT-201, an upgraded version of the original 101. Great camera, I've got one or two simply because they are so readily available -- and they're great to shoot. IMHO $36 isn't bad if it's in good shape, and David is right: normal lenses for Minoltas are very cheap, so don't overspend.

Pioneer · Aug 6, 2015

IMHO these old Minoltas are the greatest camera value out there. The lenses are terrific and the bodies are tough. I personally prefer Pentax but I own a wonderful 102 that is the smoothest operating SLR camera I own.

If it works, buy it. But you should be careful as it could turn into a lifelong love affair with Minolta.

Les Sarile · Aug 6, 2015

Minolta's are generally underappreciated and can be had for very low prices - relatively speaking, which can vary greatly depending on region and condition.

Just like any other camera of it's era, they can still be found in good cosmetic, fully functional and accurate condition.

ongakublue · Aug 6, 2015

Thanks for the feedback. I checked out the srt101b, which I think is the European name for the srt201 and it seems to be working well. I mean, the shutter fires correctly. Better condition than the xe-5. I am going to try and get the xe-5 fixed and buy film for the srt201 to see how it fares. Voyage of discovery continues...

Sirius Glass · Aug 6, 2015

It is probably a good price. It all depends on condition but that is in the right range.

Nokton48 · Aug 6, 2015

Send your XE-5 to John Titterton and ask for an evaluation.
He is great to deal with and does the best repairs on Minolta I have found.
Some shops say they can fix these, but can they really? Others won't touch 'em.
John can. Just fixed my XE-7 and it's great.

JTCamera@aol.com

Pioneer · Aug 6, 2015

Nokton48 said:
Send your XE-5 to John Titterton and ask for an evaluation.
He is great to deal with and does the best repairs on Minolta I have found.
Some shops say they can fix these, but can they really? Others won't touch 'em.
John can. Just fixed my XE-7 and it's great.

JTCamera@aol.com

I wholeheartedly agree with this. John does a great job with Minolta cameras and I wouldn't think of sending one of mine to anyone else.

leicarfcam · Aug 6, 2015

Nokton48 said:
Send your XE-5 to John Titterton and ask for an evaluation.
He is great to deal with and does the best repairs on Minolta I have found.
Some shops say they can fix these, but can they really? Others won't touch 'em.
John can. Just fixed my XE-7 and it's great.

JTCamera@aol.com

The biggest problem with the XE-5 and XE-7 is if the mainboard is toast it can't be fixed. If it just needs a CLA you should be good to go.. I've checked with several techs including John and none have a usable mainboard..

ongakublue · Aug 7, 2015

Thanks for the link to John Titterton. I am actually over in Europe in Czech Republic. I took the camera into the shop today. The guy looked at it for 2 mins and then gave me my money back. So that's another approach. I have a working srt 102. I might now get another srt to replace the xe-5. Or perhaps a different model? I would like two Minolta cameras. One as a main camera and the other as a back up.

Nokton48 · Aug 7, 2015

Sounds like the best thing for you to do.
Find another SRT and you will be set.
I have seven or eight of these myself.
They are easy to find and not expensive.
Enjoy your SRT-102

Brett Rogers · Aug 7, 2015

The 101b dropped the mirror lock up option most of the 101s had. At least some of them also moved to a non-locking depth of field plunger. Both moves I consider downgrades, not upgrades, although the second point is certainly a matter of personal preference. If I'm not mistaken the b has a hot shoe rather than the cold shoe of the 101. I suppose that is an improvement.

Given there's little if any difference on price between a 101 and 101b currently I think the 101 is much better buying. I may not always use mirror lock up, but I would prefer to have the option, than not.

Good luck finding a 50mm f/1.4 on eBay for $10 or $15 these days in any sort of decent condition. Generally, prices for SRT kit local to ME have risen somewhat. Believe it or not, people do live outside the USA. Apparently this is still news to some.

ongakublue · Aug 7, 2015

Brett Rogers said:
The 101b dropped the mirror lock up option most of the 101s had. At least some of them also moved to a non-locking depth of field plunger. Both moves I consider downgrades, not upgrades, although the second point is certainly a matter of personal preference. If I'm not mistaken the b has a hot shoe rather than the cold shoe of the 101. I suppose that is an improvement.

Given there's little if any difference on price between a 101 and 101b currently I think the 101 is much better buying. I may not always use mirror lock up, but I would prefer to have the option, than not.

Good luck finding a 50mm f/1.4 on eBay for $10 or $15 these days in any sort of decent condition. Generally, prices for SRT kit local to ME have risen somewhat. Believe it or not, people do live outside the USA. Apparently this is still news to some.

Hi Brett, I already have a 50mm 1.4 which is lucky. Though need to test it a bit more. I will bare in the mind what you said about SRTs. I don't know what lens generally comes with the 101. Maybe a 55 1.7? I was thinking of buying the body separately if I can and getting a 50 1.7 although I am not sure why Maybe I read something negative about the 55 somewhere...

Theo Sulphate · Aug 7, 2015

Also, when testing these cameras, if I remember correctly, the shutter needs to be cocked to use the DOF plunger.

Nokton48 · Aug 8, 2015

Most of the SRT bodies I have found in the past come with the 50mm F1.7 MC Rokkor.
I would not pay anything for it -- Get it with a camera body!
I have a box of them in my basement.

The F.4 MC Rokkor is a great lens. Good that you have one. Enjoy it.

Sirius Glass · Aug 8, 2015

ongakublue said:
Thanks for the link to John Titterton. I am actually over in Europe in Czech Republic. I took the camera into the shop today. The guy looked at it for 2 mins and then gave me my money back. So that's another approach. I have a working srt 102. I might now get another srt to replace the xe-5. Or perhaps a different model? I would like two Minolta cameras. One as a main camera and the other as a back up.

Have you considered one for black & white and one for color? That is what I have done for years. It means that I have to look at each subject two different ways, thus making me think more about compositions, abstracts, texture and tone.

Minolta srt 101b ?

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