Which system to keep - Spotmatic, Minolta or Konica

[uniondale]

Hello everyone! I want to narrow down my cameras and lenses and am trying to decide which is the better system to keep:

- Pentax Spotmatic
- Minolta SRT 102
- Konica Autoreflex T3

Thanks!

 

[Fixcinater]

What lenses are you most interested in using? That should be your question...the bodies are easily interchanged but glass is glass.

Of course, if you use some feature that one of the cameras you own now doesn't have (mirror lock up, for example) then can you get that with another model in that lineup?

Nobody can tell you what feels best in your hand, which is probably the most important aspect aside from lenses.

 

[uniondale]

Well, I really enjoy them all. The Minolta and Konica have mirror lockup. I have a magnifier for the Pentax which is very helpful. I think the lenses for each are all good...I like to shoot 40 - 55mm. The M42 lenses seem to have the closest focus.

Hard decision for me!

 

[uniondale]

Minolta lenses are great and the normal lenses are really cheap, I agree. I think the Minolta is the most advanced of the bunch.

What do people think of a SMC Takumar compared to a Rokkor. I really like the Pentax lenses and haven't taken as many Minolta photos.

 

[Fixcinater]

The Pentax lenses probably have held the most value into "modern times" due to the ease of adapting M42 glass to Canon EOS and Pentax non-film cameras.

Fast glass stays expensive but the slower lenses in the Konica and Minolta lineups sell for dirt cheap these days.

 

[uniondale]

Thanks, I'm leaning towards letting the Pentax go. So it is a decision between the Konica and Minolta.

 

[Paul Howell]

The Konica 57mm 1.7 and 40mm pancake lens are 2 of the sharpest normal lens ever made, if you want to extend your lens kit the Konica 135 3.5 and 28 3.5 are also very cheap very sharp. On the other hand if you want a second body there are many more options in the Minolta X bodies, with winders. The Konica FS with the build in winder are not as capable as the Minolta bodies.

 

[uniondale]

I'm going to sell the Spotmatic and several M42 lenses. I truly love that camera, but it's better not to compete with the Canon EOS and Pentax digital folks, as been pointed out.

I think I'll keep both the Konica and Minolta for now. The Konica for the super sharp lenses and the Minolta for the greater range of things available.

Thanks everyone, this has been very helpful!

 

[Brett Rogers]

Well, I really enjoy them all. The Minolta and Konica have mirror lockup. I have a magnifier for the Pentax which is very helpful. I think the lenses for each are all good...I like to shoot 40 - 55mm. The M42 lenses seem to have the closest focus.

Hard decision for me!

I have an Autoreflex T3. I've never noted a mirror lock up lever. Please elaborate.

 

[Paul Howell]

Download the manual, it is somewhat tricky as it involves the timer.

 

[uniondale]

I just checked here:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/konica/konica_t3/konica_t3.pdf

and the quote is:

the self-timer will not only release the shutter without jar or shake, it will raise the mirror, and close down the lens aperture, at the beginning of the cycle--several seconds before the actual moment of exposure.

so today is your lucky day...you have a mirror lockup on your T3 But, let's hope that self-timer is working!

 

[Brett Rogers]

I just checked here:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/konica/konica_t3/konica_t3.pdf

and the quote is:



so today is your lucky day...you have a mirror lockup on your T3 But, let's hope that self-timer is working!

No, I don't. I have a camera that can pre-fire its mirror. If I have a camera with a mirror lock up (and I do, have several), that means, that when the mirror is locked up it stays up, until I decide it doesn't. Eg Nikkormat; SRT101; TL Electro X; OM-1; Contarex Cyclops/Special. Pre-firing a mirror does not lock it up, because when the shutter is released (or the camera is wound on, depending on the model, Eg. 500 Hasselblad) the mirror is lowered, and it cannot be prevented from lowering. That is not a mirror lock up.

 

[uniondale]

Well, I understand your point and I haven't used this function yet. Most sites listing the Autoreflex T3 claim it has mirror lockup. Looking around the net a bit more I found this:

The T3 and T3N will lock-up the mirror via the self-timer; it jumps up as
soon as the shutter button is depressed. Using a locking cable release will
keep it locked up for the duration of the exposure.

But, that might not be what you want. Another method is:

1. Set the exposure to "B"
2. Put the cable release into position in PREPARATION for the
exposure
3. Keep a dark shade in front of the lens or Telescope objective
4. Actuate the timer (up goes the mirror)
5. Press and lock the cable to hold the shutter open
6. Lower the shade from in front of the objective (or camera) lens
7. When the exposure is over, shade the objective
8. Release the cable (closing the shutter).

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/konicaslr/conversations/topics/2975

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Your Pentax right angle finder should fit on various Minolta bodies. Not sure if the SR-T102 has the correct size eyepiece frame. Worth trying, though. With respect to diopters and eyecups, Both the Pentax lineup, and at least some of the more modern Minolta bodies happen to have the same eyepiece frame as a Nikon EM/FG/FG-20/D300, etc. The DK-22 eyepiece adapter slides right onto the eyepiece frame and allows usage of Nikon 19mm diameter eyepiece accessories.

With respect to the mirror pre-fire feature of the T3 and T3N, most cameras using the Copal Square shutter have that feature. Nikkormats do, the Nikon FM and FE series do, possibly the Nikkorex F, probably the Pentax K-2, etc. A true mirror lockup uses a separate lever to lock the mirror out of the way. Important, not only for camera shake, but, also certain Nikkor lenses require mirror lockup for use. Your Spottie can do a mirror pre-fire. It takes practice, but if you flick the shutter release just right, you can cause the mirror to lock up, then you can take the photo when you're ready.

-J

 

[uniondale]

Nice info, thanks!

 

[JBish130]

I have a bunch of 35mm cameras. The nice thing about the screw mount is that other bodies use that as well, and you can use the lenses between them. This is great if you have different film loaded into different bodies. I share my glass between the Pentax, Zenit, and Praktica cameras. That being said, I like them all. Another post mentioned the glass, and that is correct. The body is just a light-tight box, the glass is where it's at.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have a bunch of 35mm cameras. The nice thing about the screw mount is that other bodies use that as well, and you can use the lenses between them. This is great if you have different film loaded into different bodies. I share my glass between the Pentax, Zenit, and Praktica cameras. That being said, I like them all. Another post mentioned the glass, and that is correct. The body is just a light-tight box, the glass is where it's at.

A 35mm camera is more than a light tight box, although lens are an important factor there are many other features that come into play. How bright is the view finder, what kind of focusing screen, does camera allow for different screens, metering options, top shutter speed, exposure modes, what about film advance, manual, winder or motor, what is displayed in the viewfinder, full information, or just match needle.

I still have my first Spotmatic I bought in 1966, over the years I collected a wide range of M42 lens, Pentax for the most part, along with few other M42 bodies, I like to take my Spotmatic out for a walk a couple of times a year. Having mirror lock up, shutter speed or aperture preferred exposure option, and yes I still shoot sports with film, a fast motor drive is essential.

It terms of lens I believe that both Minolta MD and Konica AR lens are equal to any of my M 42, Konica's lens line up is known for the overall quality, I don't think Konica made a bad lens. Minolta on the other hand made a very wide range of MD lens.

 

[uniondale]

Thanks guys. And don't forget those Russian M42 lenses. Some very nice stuff there.

 

[Rook]

How the camera feels should be the number one deciding factor, rather than market value or available lens selection. This should include things like how the camera's contours fit in your hands, how easy it is for you to read the metering info in the viewfinder, and perhaps to a lesser extent, how comfortable it is to load/unload film. The less you struggle with a camera, the better the shooting experience, and the better the photos!

 

[uniondale]

I love the Spotmatic...it's got a great balance and feel to it. Personally, and maybe I'm part of the Cult of Pentax, I think there's something magical about it. On the other hand, Minolta and Konica are pretty cool, too...I like big tanks for cameras...instead of small digital cameras where you toss your pinkies up and look like you're drinking a cup of tea!

 

[ColColt]

I'd keep the Pentax.

 

[uniondale]

I'd keep the Pentax.

Haha...don't say that! I have a few nice medium format cameras and I need to be strong and reduce my 35mm systems. So something has to go...either the Minolta, Konica or Pentax.

I will agree, though...M42 gives you Zeiss and Russian lenses which is pretty cool, in addition to Takumars.

 

[Paul Howell]

I love the Spotmatic...it's got a great balance and feel to it. Personally, and maybe I'm part of the Cult of Pentax, I think there's something magical about it. On the other hand, Minolta and Konica are pretty cool, too...I like big tanks for cameras...instead of small digital cameras where you toss your pinkies up and look like you're drinking a cup of tea!

If you are member of the cult then keep the Pentax, if want a more modern body get a Chinon CE3, open aperture exposure mode, manual over ride with single pin M42, or that matter preset M42, and there is a motor winder. Viewfinder is bright, meter is accurate. For that matter Chinon lens are also good value for the money. I have the 50mm 1.9 Macro, said to be a copy of the Swiss Kern 50mm made for the Alpa. There were times I would carry both my Spot and the CE3, the Spot with B&W and the CE3 with color.

 

[uniondale]

If you are member of the cult then keep the Pentax, if want a more modern body get a Chinon CE3, open aperture exposure mode, manual over ride with single pin M42, or that matter preset M42, and there is a motor winder. Viewfinder is bright, meter is accurate. For that matter Chinon lens are also good value for the money. I have the 50mm 1.9 Macro, said to be a copy of the Swiss Kern 50mm made for the Alpa. There were times I would carry both my Spot and the CE3, the Spot with B&W and the CE3 with color.

Oh god...talking to you guys too much is going to drive me straight to eBay to buy a few more cameras!!

 

[Alan Gales]

It really doesn't matter. Which camera do you enjoy using more?