Minolta SRT-200 Refurbishment

[brofkand]

I got this camera for $30 from a thrift store a while ago. The leatherette was shrinking and peeling off, and the light seals were (of course) toast. I just replaced both. What a beautiful camera! Other than a few superficial scratches and dents on the top plate, it looks like it just rolled out of the factory. Works perfectly as well!

 

[Paul Howell]

I always felt that if the 202 had a motor drive it would have competed better aginst the Nikon and Canon Fs, great glass and I never needed interchangable viewfinders. I bought my first Nikon F just for the motor drive. The first XK as I recall did not have a drive, dont know what took Minlota so long to add a drive. Even the Pentax Spot F had a motor drive body.

 

[brofkand]

I do wish the viewfinder was brighter and there was a split-image screen available. The microprism, especially with a dim viewfinder, makes it a little more difficult to focus than a camera like the MX.

Motor drives don't make a big difference to me personally, but I want a split-image screen (maybe a better screen would make the viewfinder brighter). Then this camera would be on the same level as an MX for me.

 

[Paul Howell]

You can install a split image focusing screen, or have it done at a repair shop. I cut down and installed a Miranda split image in a Pentax SF1. The MX is at least 10 years younger than the 202 and 102 , the viewfinders were somewhat dimer, typical for cameras in the 60s and 70s.

 

[naeroscatu]

Funny enough I bough the same camera for the same price from Goodwill in my little town. I only needed to change the light seals which was easy job. I runned some film through it and it blows me away. I'm very happy with this camera.