Minolta SRT101 - Many of my developed images come out partially black. Shutter issue?

[ak14]

Hello. I tried searching for a possible cause of this but didn't come up with anything. I'm new to analog photography so perhaps I didn't know what to search for.

I've now shot four rolls of film on my Minolta SR-T101, and am noticing a recurring problem with anywhere from 5-10 pictures. Look at photos I've taken below and it should be immediately obvious.


There's no apparent pattern for this. The first five pictures might turn out great, but then the next one looks like the ones above, and then it goes back to normal. I took my camera to the shop where I develop my pictures and the man thought it might be a stuck shutter, but said that fixing it would cost upwards of $150, way more than I paid for the body itself ($55).

Anyone here know what might be going on? Thanks in advance!

 

[Zathras]

Hello. I tried searching for a possible cause of this but didn't come up with anything. I'm new to analog photography so perhaps I didn't know what to search for.

I've now shot four rolls of film on my Minolta SR-T101, and am noticing a recurring problem with anywhere from 5-10 pictures. Look at photos I've taken below and it should be immediately obvious.
View attachment 95877 View attachment 95878 View attachment 95879 View attachment 95880

There's no apparent pattern for this. The first five pictures might turn out great, but then the next one looks like the ones above, and then it goes back to normal. I took my camera to the shop where I develop my pictures and the man thought it might be a stuck shutter, but said that fixing it would cost upwards of $150, way more than I paid for the body itself ($55).

Anyone here know what might be going on? Thanks in advance!

It looks like a shutter problem to me. The SRT-101 is an old camera and is probably way overdue for a service. You might want to contact John Titterington if you are in the US. He should be able to service the camera for about half of what the camera shop quoted you. I don't have his contact info, but you should be able to find him with a google search.

 

[frank]

Definitely shutter problem. Called capping. The second curtain catches up to the first curtain and the slit closes while still traveling across the film gate, resulting in no light reaching that part of the film.

 

[ak14]

Thanks guys. Did some research and it seems that a CLA is definitely needed here. Hopefully it won't break the bank..

 

[BobClack]

One more kudo for John Titterington. He renewed my SRT-201 bought new in 1983. Excellent experience all the way around!

 

[Pioneer]

After John's attention my SRT-102 works as smoothly as any of my Leica cameras ever did.

 

[phirehouse]

I have had success using "Garry's Camera Service" for a "few" SRT CLA's when trying to stay on a budget. Great alternative If you do not want to invest to much in your CLA. His shop will completely service your model for around $60.00 and that includes the return shipping.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yes time for a CLA.