Minolta SRT-200 | The film camera I will never sell

[@bekensdwarf8068]

I just got my great grandfathers Minolta and after watching this video I am very excited to use it! I am brand new to film and this camera seems absolutely perfect. It’s simple and all the settings are clear and tangible. Great video!

[@JTobiason]

I'm so glad! That is a great place to start! Enjoy and experiment. Film is so forgiving, but if possible, try to take notes on what you're doing, just to help you learn what the camera does in particular situations. Like, just use your phone to take pictures of the top of the camera (so that you can see the frame, shutter speed, ISO and aperture readings). Then, when you get it back from the lab, you can compare results to settings. I hope that helps.

[@bekensdwarf8068]

@@JTobiason Thanks! I have a notebook that I am keeping notes like aperture, shutter speed, film, scene lighting etc. But I will definitely try the iphone trick

[@blueveil5270]

The SRT 101 was my first film camera, about 5 years back and it was the perfect first camera to learn the basics of manual shooting, those shutter cocking and firing sounds in your video brought back so many memories for me. Thanks so much for the video

[@JTobiason]

You're so welcome and it is such a good winding feel/sound. Every time this camera sits on the shelf for a while and I pull it out, that sound just makes me so happy.

[@thehobbydeskjl621]

First film cameras always hold special places in heart. Minoltas are so under rated! Thanks for the video!

[@JTobiason]

Couldn't agree more! I hope that everyone has a special shelf queen that will never be the best, but will forever be special.

[@garybrown1995]

I just bought the 201 version and can't wait to go and shoot with it. Thank you you breaking down everything about the camera. I really enjoyed the video.

[@JTobiason]

Glad it helped! I love mine and it really set me on the trajectory to where I am today. I know you'll have a blast with it.

[@morrisgentry8624]

Enjoyed your video! My first serious camera was a Minolta SRT-102, purchased in 1975. I’m a big fan of the SRT series and have a collection of 12 of them. Great cameras to learn with, rugged and dependable.

[@JTobiason]

it's such a great camera. And thanks for the info about the bar. Someday I'll have the guts to open it up and try to fix it myself. But for now, I'll just live with it.

[@8oichi]

just picked up one in immaculate condition from a local owner. SRT MC-II which is really cool since it was a sort of limited run of 201s for macys. his father bought it brand new in 77'-78' and ended up preferring other cameras. the son who sold it to me tried using it a bit in college for a class but never did much. it was 90$ so prices are rising it seems (finally, lucky me). Given the series its from as well as museum level condition - like brand new looking - not to mention all the goodies included (a sick md rokkor 45mm , minolta 200 flash , a couple rolls of expired film and an extra telefocal lens) it was worth it. Loved your video ! So excited to add this to the collection w/ my x-700 from my great grandma :) that classic started it all for me (guess i was meant to be a minolta fanboy lol)

[@JTobiason]

That's so fun!! Enjoy! It's a great camera!!

[@richardsilva-spokane3436]

The SRT-101 was my first SLR back in the early 70s. I’m 69, so I’ve owned many other cameras since then. But I finally bought a SRT-100 recently and it brings back a lot of memories. Top quality, and there’s nothing like heavy metal & glass in your hands👍👍👍

[@JTobiason]

Totally true! It's such a gem of a camera and just makes me so happy every time I hear that shutter. So glad you're back at it!

[@therealchickentender]

My wife's dad brought me a 202 about 4 or 5 months ago in a shoe box he rescued from the literally garbage can that an old friend of his was throwing out with other stuff as he was moving. It smelled like 3 decades of cigarettes and took an hour to clean up, but it work perfectly except the meter is a good ways off (works but not accurate, well beyond battery voltage differences). 50/1.4 Rokkor and a really nice 28mm Vivitar, some closeup filters, polarizer etc etc etc. A full, small kit in a shoe box. "Garbage". Finished a couple rolls on it last week. Bulletproof things. Everyone drools and lusts over AE-1 and K1000 when there are dozens of beauties like the SRTs and Konica Autoreflexes and Topcons and etc etc etc. for pennies on the dollar. Some day people will figure it out. I think.

[@JTobiason]

Yea. 100% agree. These are soooo underrated and wonderful machines that will last forever and keep helping you make great images. Great find and enjoy!!!

[@therealchickentender]

@@JTobiason Honestly I'll probably sell it on cheap after I burn a few more rolls. My collection has grown out of control. I'm not a stickler for a certain number i can't go past, but I've long ago reached the point that I just can't shoot them all enough and the last thing I want (except in a few cases of very very old cameras) is for them languishing away further with disuse. Rather they made someone happy on the regular and were out there being used.

[@robertgrant3844]

Thanks Joe. Like your review and love your photography. Your images are gorgeous. The tip about reducing the ASA to increase exposure is gold. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it.

[@JTobiason]

Glad that helps. It took me a while to connect that in my mind but it makes a huge difference.

[@hansemannluchter643]

The best thing about the old Minoltas is: You get to use Rokkor-lenses without adaptors!

[@JTobiason]

Yea! They're so good. I probably should get an adapter so I can use them on my digital camera too (i know, more adapters but what you gonna do)

[@rburgess1115]

I remember playing with this camera when I was a youngin’ . My dad just ran across it and sent it to me, flash and all!!! Can’t wait to use it again

[@JTobiason]

Awesome!!! Have fun! That's a great camera and a wonderful way to dive back into film!

[@henryrogers5500]

Wow! You've had your SRT for a long time! I have the SRT-303 and I love it!

[@JTobiason]

Haha. Yea. And it's great!

[@j.c.103]

Me too !

[@johndias6614]

Thanks for the video. I picked up an SRT 200 recently. Friend at the flea market had it. I cut my teeth on an XD-11 in the mid 70s. After 15 or so years the electronics died. Found a XG-5 a couple years later. I always managed to get extra lenses with these. Everything from 24mm wide angle to 100-300 zoom. It will be exciting to see my first roll.

[@JTobiason]

Enjoy! The SRT line is so simple and so quality. Just great cameras that get out of the way of creativity!

[@rickgreene9820]

I've owned my SRT 202 since 1978. My first also and I won't be selling either 👍🏻

[@JTobiason]

Yesssssssss!! That's so awesome!

[@Markeymarc321]

Very good pictures. Very inspiring. Thanks

[@JTobiason]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!

[@partypudel748]

Great video! I inherited a SRT100X from my grandpa a while ago.. i used to shoot lots of digital but i was never really satisfied with the outcome. Didnt really like the fact that i just took 1000 photos per object and then had to chose one that i liked most. Now that i almost only shoot film i take more time for taking my pictures and appreciate them way more than my digital pics! Keep it up with the good work! Greets from Germany :)

[@partypudel748]

Edit*: I work for a well known sports car manufacurer and take pictures of historic cars.. altough comission work is usually only done with digital cameras in this work field they love the look of my pictures i can achieve with my simple minolta and portra400 setup. I would have never thought that this little 50year old camera would replace my expensive setup.

[@JTobiason]

That's so fun! And in so many ways, it makes the work more rewarding and make more sense. Photos of those classic cars have a certain look in our minds and so it makes total sense that using the same tools they used back in the day would be popular today.

[@mountainsun1]

I bought my SRT202 for $20, it has a dent but works. I love the shutter sound!

[@JTobiason]

Great find and yes, it has such a good sound

[@KenneyCmusic]

I have 3 old 35mm cameras. This one, a Nikon F70, and a Pentax P3. I'm happy to know this is a good camera for a beginner because I can't remember how to use to one! Looking forward to getting back into it.

[@JTobiason]

Those are all great cameras. You'll have fun making photos with them all. Enjoy the process.

[@morrisgentry8624]

That black bar is a shield that has come loose. I have an SRT 100 that had this and it was reattached by the camera tech when I had it serviced.

[@thezeek2745]

It was my first. Moved to Nikon to follow my dad. Went back to my camera. Like my first guitar that I tried to replace my guitar is my guitar. My camera is my camera. And it’s this one

[@JTobiason]

It's a good one!

[@giampierobisi3729]

Bravo Joe, non venderla. Le Minolta SRT per le persone della mia età sono un mito. Ho comprato la mia 303 (si vedono i valori del diaframma e dei tempi nel mirino) nel 1977 quando Minolta era un marchio non inferiore a nessuno, neanche a Nikon. Eccellente per la sua robustezza (allora si costruivano oggetti fatti per durare), precisa e dotata di ottiche eccezionali (vai e cerca su KZbin quanto valutano il 50 mm F1.2). I pochi comandi che possiede ti costringono a "pensare" la foto che scatti, e a far si che il cervello della macchina sia il tuo cervello e non il programma di un microchip. Ho usato quasi sempre rullini Kodak o Agfa a 100 ASA, ma il meglio sono riuscito ad ottenerlo con le diapositive Kodacrome 25. Per evitare foto "mosse" si impostava il tempo in genere su 1/125 (raramente su 1/60) e il diaframma era determinato di conseguenza. Poi ho comprato una macchia ancora più vecchia, una SR1 degli anni '60, priva di esposimetro: tenendomi su 1/125 riuscivo a determinare la posa ad occhio e in genere non sbagliavo. Oggi, dopo varie prove e delusioni, passato al digitale sono approdato a quel gioiello che è la Fujifilm Xe-2, ma le foto perfette che riesce a fare non hanno neanche minimamente il fascino retrò delle vecchie foto su pellicola, con la loro sgranatura e i loro colori (e forse anche la nostalgia della mia giovinezza ormai lontana). Non venderò neanche io la mia Minolta, fa parte della mia vita. Ciao da Giampiero dalla Sardegna

[@JTobiason]

Grazie mille da Seattle. Non venderò mai questa fotocamera ed è comunque divertente da usare. La sua semplicità è così utile e rende facile semplicemente scattare foto. Sono felice che tu tenga stretto il tuo e dovresti continuare a farne qualche tiro ogni anno. Se non altro, solo il suono dell'otturatore di queste fotocamere ti farà sorridere.

[@yorkieinnz4648]

Nice review thanks. Just bought one here in New Zealand $22 (immaculate condition) and on testing had exactly the same black line in the viewfinder, put the camera down and picked it up and it was gone!. I'm not worried about it anymore after seeing yours :-)

[@JTobiason]

Glad to put that fear to rest! Also, these things are so tough, so if it comes back, you can probably shake it upside down for a second and it'll move the line. Also, enjoy! I definitely wish I'd brought mine when I went to NZ.

[@yorkieinnz4648]

@@JTobiason Maybe next time 😊

[@rossandhisjpegs]

This video is awesome. Thanks for making it!!!

[@JTobiason]

Of course! 🙏

[@benbrown561]

Someone handed me one of these earlier today with a set of lenses. Love how stout it feels. Dead battery (will replace) but I'm usually decent at guessing settings so I took it around with drugstore film. We'll see! Subbing, thanks for the videos.

[@JTobiason]

Thanks dude! Enjoy! It's a great camera. You won't be disappointed!

[@benbrown561]

@@JTobiason Yeah, not a bad deal. I walked into the usual coffee shop and the owner said, "Here you go." Big bag of film cameras and lenses.

[@jonlouis2582]

That was a good review and I watched all the way through. What great photos you made on your trip! I don't know how much you want to alter yours, but I replaced the film advance thingy that was also missing on mine. The plastic bits are available on ebay really cheap.

[@JTobiason]

Thanks for watching. I'd definitely consider that if I find myself using it more. I had the plastic thing on a SRT-202 I used to own and it really does feel better on your thumb. That's a good idea about eBay. I'll keep it in mind. Cheers!

[@joelarriaza1913]

Great video and photos!

[@JTobiason]

Thank you very much!

[@irvingrivera6387]

Nice video. I have the same camera with a 45mm lens. I purchase a film to test work fine, thanks for a info

[@JTobiason]

Good luck. Have fun!!

[@lauraccc]

I have an SRT-200 as well and I adore it! It made me fall back in love with photography and understand it in a whole different perspective. I do however have the same problem you have with the bar in the viewfinder. I've just worked around it as well and I barely notice it anymore haha. Have you had any issues though with setting the aperture? It seems when I move the ring, every other time the light meter won't follow, as if the connection is not right or something. Anyways, great video! :)

[@JTobiason]

I'm glad you like the camera. It's so great! As for the meter, that's kinda annoying. I haven't had any issues with mine. When i adjust the shutter speed or aperture, the line with the circle moves but the slim reading line stays the same so i can adjust accordingly.

[@macbookdieter]

Dude, you’re cracking me up

[@JTobiason]

Thanks

[@maximek8529]

I recently joined the analog shooting community by purchasing a minolta SRT-101 for dirt cheap on ebay. I'm also having a lot of fun with it, but I too struggle with the focus in low light. And as a concert photographer, it's been really tough. I was wondering, if you don't use your minolta for low light, what would reach for in those situations then?

[@JTobiason]

Glad you're enjoying it. As for low light, the simple answer is that I don't. I basically only use that camera in the daylight. You might do better with the 202 model because it has a split screen focusing, which helps. But, for the most part, if I'm doing low light film, I'd probably use a different camera that works with my modern Canon lenses and has autofocus.

[@SamSilk]

I got myself a 303b. Your colors are awesome! What's the film you used on these South American travel shots?

[@JTobiason]

Enjoy! As for the Peru photos, that's a good question. I think there is a fair amount of Kodak Gold and then some Fuji something. I would go look it up, but my office is currently packed away because we're doing some work on our house. So, those are packed out of reach right now.

[@jasongold6751]

Practice focus! Each time make a pencil mark on lens, 5~7 times see how many marks you have. Try shooting first focus! Otherwise great reason for a good camera. ps there are no bad cameras or lenses esp. the 50mm! Recommended. bravo.

[@JTobiason]

back in the day I was much more reliable in focus with this camera, but it's mostly a shelf queen these days.

[@barbarakabasu4776]

I just got this camera along with some lenses. It came in a camera bag. I bought it at a vintage junktion in LA. The owner goes to estates sales and buys stuff and resales them. I can’t figure out how to open the battery part bc my is flat.

[@JTobiason]

Hmmm. I've had a few of these over the years and some had a slit that I could use a quarter to turn, the others had a pattern and I could just use my finger to get enough friction and turn. It sounds like you probably have neither. Sorry if that isn't any help.

[@barbarakabasu4776]

@@JTobiason I haven’t tried that. I’ll try to use a knife to open it

[@thezeek2745]

That black line is from dropping it repeatedly. Not a quirk of the camera

[@JTobiason]

Yes. definitely broken, but not so annoying to be worth taking apart to fix. Now, it's just become part of the camera's personality to me.

[@john_murch]

Hey Joe, I'm still loving your photos from Peru! By the way, have you seen Johnny Depp's new movie "Minamata?" It's a beautiful documentary story on W. Eugene Smith who captured the Minamata disaster. Anyway, as Smith was financially broke at the time and had sold his trusty Leicas, he shot many of his most iconic, historic photos of that story with old '70's era Minoltas. Well worth watching if you have the chance.

[@JTobiason]

Thanks! I love running across those old images and still finding them worth looking at. And how the ones I like best changes over time. And no, but I saw the hype about it. Definitely will add it to the to-watch list.

[@john_murch]

@@JTobiason It's a powerful film, very well done and depicts Eugene Smith so well...

[@okamimemos1716]

What's the best shutter speed to usually have for an all purpose? Ive been using digital for 5 years now and wanting to get into film I picked up this camera yesterday at a thrift store. So I'm not sure what shutter speed would be good for film, my friend who does film says to overexpose with film rather than underexpose like you sometimes do with digital.

[@JTobiason]

there isn't a universal answer to that unfortunately. It will depend a lot on the scenario you are in, what film ISO you're using and the aperture of the lens as well. But, if the meter is working in the camera and you are outside, you probably can set the shutter speed to 1/125 or 1/250 and then just adjust the aperture accordingly.

[@okamimemos1716]

@@JTobiason first roll I bought is Fujicolour 200, arrives soon and I'm gonna take a photowalk somewhere. Any recommendations regarding that too? Great video btw surprised at the quick response :)

[@emmakatecarr]

my SRT-200 has that black needle thing too! So bizarre...

[@JTobiason]

The floating thing in the viewfinder? Really. Huh. Wild. Must be something that breaks loose inside.

[@colinwhite4710]

My first is a Pentax k1000 I got for $40.

[@JTobiason]

That's a great deal and a awesome way to get started!

[@zabtej1645]

Wow, surprised by those great images, guess it's mostly you not the camera. But. I am really interested in what lenses do you use with the minolta, I find the lenses to be very busy for the foreground- background separation in general. Which ones do you recommend?

[@JTobiason]

Aw, thanks. That means a lot. I think all the images that were in this video were on the Minolta Rokkor 50mm f1.7. I also use the 28mm f2.8 sometimes. I have a few others, but I kinda never use them. Really, that 50mm is a great lens. I can't recommend it enough.

[@zabtej1645]

@@JTobiason Thx, maybe I'll just get a P adapter and use the trusty helios. Or any other m42

[@rickylee1894]

35 mm F1.8 is nice.

[@suryabharathidrive7364]

hey man thanks for the inspiration. i have a doubt. So, the automatic needles moves up for lower exposures and moves down for higher exposures? but the other rounded needle(follow up needle) moves down for lower exposures and moves up for higher exposures? am i right or my camera is acting up weird?

[@JTobiason]

I think mine is the opposite. I just checked it and the light meter needle (the single one that moves on it's own), goes downward when aimed at brighter things and upwards when aimed at darker things. Similarly, the other needle (the one that registers my exposure), will move downward when the shutter speed is made slower/aperture wider and up when that shutter speed is faster/aperture smaller. I hope that helps.

[@natesdum]

What are the differences in terms of focusing between your model and the 202 like you mentioned? I'm worried about missing lots of shots due to inaccurate focus, but I'm struggling to figure out why it would be so difficult.

[@JTobiason]

My 202 (and I don't know if its like this for all), had a split screen focusing tool. It kinda is like a rangefinder, but it's just a split prism. It was really helpful to get it in focus. Here is a video showing what it looks like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ_OmpVte79riZo

[@natesdum]

@@JTobiason That's really cool actually! I found a cheap 201 at a thrift store that I'm gonna get in a couple days, I'll have to check if it also has that prism focusing. Thanks for helping me out!

[@dididll]

I have question so when you can’t move the black bar out of your viewfinder, does it show on the final image after developing it?

[@JTobiason]

Good question. No. The black bar is inside the mirror prism, not the lens. That part is only used while framing/preping a photo. When it actually takes a photo, the mirror swings out of the way and so the image just goes through the lens directly onto the film.

[@careysteinberg3363]

Is that black bar in the viewfinder something broken or come standard like that?

[@JTobiason]

It's something broken. If you get one of these, it's pretty unlikely it'll be an issue for you.

[@mariaduenas8030]

Hey so I just got mine yesterday the exposure counter seems to not work is this something that will affect my photos? Or is it more just for me to know how many exposures I have left.

[@JTobiason]

Hmm. That's a good question. The counter has worked on all 3 of these that I've owned over the years. So I can't say for certainty that it wouldn't affect anything, but I'd think that is just there to count, so it shouldn't matter if it's broken. But definitely run a test roll before you photograph anything important.

[@mariaduenas8030]

Yeah it works perfectly other than the exposure counter. Truly a gem of a camera, I’m in love.

[@anispatko]

Hi in the video @7:07 there is a black line in the corner. Do you know what that is? Because i have it almost in the center of my screen.

[@JTobiason]

I have no idea. I talk about that bar a lot more at 15:25. I don't have the guts to take the camera apart to try to get rid of it. If I take the lens off, I can see it on the focusing prism looking in through the hole. But I've learned how to shake the camera when using it to get that thing to fall out of the way and then just go with it. But it's good to know I'm not alone with this problem.

[@JTobiason]

Sorry for the slow response. That is definitely something to keep an eye on, but I think it's just some artifact that sits on the focusing screen inside the prism. When you take the lens off and look up through the mirror, you can see it. I just don't trust myself to take it apart and put it back together properly. I've lived with it for 12 years and at this point, just don't really care. ;)

[@anispatko]

@@JTobiason Thank you for your response! I don't trust myself either to remove it, haha.

[@jodiknutson1209]

I won my SRT 200 in an auction and I will also never sell it.

[@JTobiason]

Yesssssssss!

[@colemanterrell4211]

I just purchased one of these and am having trouble finding batteries for it. Where do you purchase your batteries from? Do you have to get them online?

[@JTobiason]

Hmmm. I haven't needed to replace that battery in a while, so I can't remember where I last bought one. But, I think you can find them on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Batteries-PX625A-V625U-L1560-Battery/dp/B07PLNLRYQ/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_o-HBhAsEiwANqYhp1tdYR4TZs8SYkxlbvVYo-_yUjXB7GxX5kmqMjirm1VtBe-EXsJ0ERoCJzkQAvD_BwE&hvadid=409960238356&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9061301&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17410511655104361314&hvtargid=kwd-14353952437&hydadcr=24662_11410881&keywords=l1560+battery&qid=1625578515&sr=8-7

[@colemanterrell4211]

@@JTobiason thank you so much

[@JTobiason]

Gladly!

[@rogerbaker5112]

B&H in NYC has them (online too)!

[@pkeiths1594]

where most of these photos taken using the in camera Light meter?

[@JTobiason]

Yea. I use that internal meter. It's honestly one of the most reliable meters in any of my cameras.

[@realamericannegro977]

What is the point of film cameras these days? Doesn't printing the pictures give the same results but easier?

[@JTobiason]

As in making any art, the artist has tools that they love and inspire them to create more. Many writers have favorite keyboards, painters like certain brushes or canvases. To the art viewer, it might be the same, but you need to use the tools that inspire you in your own way.

[@realamericannegro977]

@@JTobiason oh okay. I am tempted to get an old Minolta camera to use the auto focus on my Af Maxum 35 to 105 mm

[@thebendu33]

Now it's selling 200$

[@JTobiason]

Haha. Should have bought a couple ;)

[@jacovanlith5082]

Are you in a hurry? Speak s l o w l y. I

[@JTobiason]

Haha. Yea. In college radio, the manager used to put up a sign whenever I was on air that just said "ENUNCIATE!" Probably still need that sign.