For a small, but determined group, the Minolta SRT series cameras remain a realistic trail to SLR photography. Although the cameras themselves have been out of production for over 20 years and Minolta left the camera business in 2006, Minolta SRTs remain a hot commodity on ebay, pawnshops and used camera dealers. Regardless of these contributors, the SRT camera line is still manufacturing great photographs. The SRT101 started the series when it was introduced in 1966. Over the next fifteen years, Minolta produced the SRT100, SRT102, SRT200, 201 and 202. Additionally, Minolta produced the SRT-MC to be sold essentially by K-mart.
An identical model, the SRT-SC was sold by JC Penny. With the large distribution and rough metal construction, you can see why so many SRTs survive today. Digital SLR's let you preview your shots, you can transfer pictures to your personal computer for editing and you may use the same memory card repeatedly. As well as not offering digital features, the SRT lacks autofocus, dedicated flash, program mode and car film advance -- that could be a pretty in depth list of lacking features. Yet it is those missing features which make the cameras enticing to so many current users, With no electronics, the SRT returns the cameraman to an age when one's own data was supreme to getting successful images. As an only manual camera, the SRT forces the users to learn photography from the ground level. Many users are employing a SRT as s stepping stone to learning photography before splurging a top of the range digital SLR. Another engaging aspect is cost. Though there are a number of enthusiastic Minolta collectors, so many SRTs were produced and so many were well saved by their owners, that good, used SRTs are still abundant. While first-class SRTs may finally become highly collectible, for the moment you can easily get a good, useable model with lens for a bit less than 100 greenbacks. A little looking may turn up models for much less. Minolta, naturally, produced the main part of these lenses, under the Rokker X and Celtic brand names. Vivitar, Tamron, Soligor and many others also produced glorious lenses to fit the SRT series. Not like the autofocus A-Mount Minolta lenses that may be used on both Sony and Minolta dSLRs, the X-mount lenses will not fit any dSLR without an adapter. This implies you'll be able to find some glorious X-Mount lens bargains. As more users switch to digital, their old Rokkor-X lenses finish up on the sale block. The SRT shooter can find some actually rare and glorious lenses at an amount that will not strain the budget. If you should occur on a SRT model, you have got to remember it is at least 20 years old and the original SRT models have been about for more than 40 years. Though the SRTs have name for great trustworthiness, always check the camera rigorously before purchasing. After time, the shutter speeds have been seen become incorrect, requiring correct to maintain good exposures, The seals round the cameras back may start disintegrating, permitting light into the camera. New seals are available and it's a reasonably easy fix.
Definitely the largest concern is the absence of a battery for the camera's internal meter. The meter on the SRT series is highly correct, although it was engineered to employ a 1.35v PX-625 mercury cell. Use of a silver oxide battery doesn't appear to affect the meter reading that significantly. If you were using 1960s time film, which had extraordinarily narrow latitude, the voltage difference could be vital. With today's wide latitude films, I've used the freely available MS76 1.5v silver oxide cell with wonderful results. Additionally, the camera will work fine without a battery, so you might employ a hand held light meter. If you would like to truly learn photography, there's no simpler way to start than a good, manual SLR. And there aren't many manual SLRs that offer trustworthiness and accessory options at as low a price as a Minolta SRT.
