Konica Minolta SRT Series

Review Date
January 9, 2010

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
Jay Elias , Expert

Price Paid
$50.00 at ebay and private sel

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
I own several cameras in the SRT series and I can't imagine being without them. I also own several Olympus models and a Nikon or two all of which have had various issues over the years. The only ones that have come through without fail are the SRT's. Whenever I am doing some important photography they are always the ones I turn to.

Strengths
They never die,period nuff said.

Weaknesses
NONE

Similar Products Used
Olympus OM-1, OM-2, OM 10, Nikon FG.

Customer Service
Only preventative maintenance like CLA.

Review Date
December 29, 2008

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
dsp , Intermediate

Price Paid
$110.00 at JT Camera

Photography Experience
6-10 years , People

Summary
This review is for the srt 202, An amazing camera! I expected the camera to feel "old" and "clunky", however it is just as fast and capable as you want it to be. The exposure meter is accurate (mine's been converted to 1.5v) as is the focusing. The viewfinder is noticeably dimmer than my x570 and this sometimes does not help in low light situations, but again, it is accurate (more important). the viewfinder has FULL information, showing shutter speed and aperture. however, the shutter speed scale is also a bit dim. I also am surprised at how quiet the camera is, no it's not a leica, but it is not any louder than my x570. in fact, it might be a bit quieter. the camera is well built and heavy and i love this about it, it feels solid in my hands. I love that it is mechanical and virtually indestructible. Flash metering is not great with my 360px, (again, x570 ttl much better) but i dont expect it to be. flash sync is mechanical too, no need to turn on the camera for flash. the on/off switch is a bit awkward but i think i will learn to get used to it. the camera is very simple and has virtually nothing to break. also, the film is easier to load than my x570. if you are looking for a tough, capable camera, look no further

Strengths
incredible build
quiet (seriously!)
mechanical
accurate meter
accurate focusing
easy film loading

Weaknesses
dimmer finder (compared to x570, an excellent finder)
dim shutter speed scale in viewfinder
awkward on/off switch

Similar Products Used
minolta x570 (have i mentioned that yet?)
minolta x700
minolta x370
canon elan 7e

Customer Service
not used, its over 30 years old....

Review Date
December 7, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
Van A , Intermediate

Price Paid
$120.00 at Wolf Camera

Summary
I remember this as one of the popular cameras among high school students back in the 70's. It was clunky, large and noisy. At the time, the "in" cameras were the compact SLRs such as the Olympus OM-1/2, Canon AE-1, Nikon FM, Pentax MX/Me, etc. They made the SRT's look so archaic.

I picked up a used SRT-201 w/50mm lens about 10 years ago for nostalgia. I took it out the next day with a 20+ year old Rokkor-X 24mm lens after snowing the night before to give it a test run. I loaded it with 100 ISO color film and headed out to a nearby nature center for some snow scene pictures.

A couple of days later, I got the pics back and surprise, surprise, the lab wanted to enlarge a couple to put up on their customer gallery. One photo was blown up to 11x14. The exposure was right on and the edge to edge sharpness was amazing. (Although I used a 1.5 instead of the 1.35 mercury battery the exposures were fine due to the color negative film).
This is a no frills, do everything yourself, built like a tank camera. Like all older manual mechanical cameras, you are in control of every aspect before you click the shutter. It is a joy to use.

Strengths
-Solid, mostly metal, heavy and well-made
-Plenty of available excellent, used and reasonably priced Rokkor-X MC and MD
lenses
-Make all settings yourself

Weaknesses
-Loud shutter and mirror slap. ('KA-CHUNK!' compared to a muted 'snick' on Canon EOS Elans) But that's the character of this camera.
-Uses discontinued 1.35 mercury batteries but there are alternatives including using a hand-held meter.
-Meter on/off switch is awkward to use.
-Unusually long winding stroke for the advance lever

Similar Products Used
Nikkormat FT3, Nikon FM/FM2, Olympus OM-1

Customer Service
Not needed

Review Date
December 6, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by
Axle , Intermediate

Price Paid
$20.00 at Garage Sale

Photography Experience
2-5 years , Outdoor

Summary
My first SLR camera, I found it at a garage sale where the last owner had upgraded to a digital camera and gave it to me at the above price because "I looked like I knew what I was doing" It came with three lens (one has broke since..but I have purchased a replacement zoom). Overall an excellent camera, all manual and mechanical which means if the batteries die it will still work, just no light meter.

Strengths
Easy to use for an all manual. I was able to pick it up, and within fifteen minutes knew how to work it.

Weaknesses
Weight, it's heavy, and for quick shots you'll need to have everything pre-set in anticipation.

Similar Products Used
Minolta HiMatic 7s, Zenith B

Customer Service
MinMan group on Yahoo.

Review Date
October 21, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
Christiano , Professional

Price Paid
$50.00 at colour

Photography Experience
11-20 years , People

Summary
i have just returned from a succesfull and very nice holliday with my son in mallorca ,spain.
the camera i brought with me was the srt 100 x and the pancake 45 F2,0 lens,and some rolls of my beloved Reala 100 iso films.i was a little worried about the shots since the meter is ..well very very old..
But oh my God the pics was som so nice and good looking only few shots totally under and over exposed and this old machine keep clicking and clicking and....every time i wanna give it up..im astonished how pro the pics i get from the Ool Srt..BUY IT

Strengths
all..its an endless machine

Weaknesses
the meter stops..i hear..but not on mine

Similar Products Used
many..oh boy..nikkormat..and so on and so on..

Customer Service
nope