Jun 2, 2019 | 7 Image Stories, Action, IMHO, Kodachrome, Minolta 135mm f2.8, Minolta 50mm f1.7, Minolta SRT-102, Minolta SRT-102 to Yosemite NP, Nikon Coolscan V, Places, Yosemite
Minolta SRT-102 to Yosemite NP | a 7 Image Story My first trip to Yosemite NP was also my first trip with my new Minolta SRT-102 SLR camera. Although my previous cameras were 35mm film cameras, they were all rangefinders or viewfinders. Obviously, the camera was more capable than the photographer. Still, a few images turned out reasonably nice. After scanning the slides, they needed very little restoration. The Kodachrome slides held up quite well. Since the camera and lenses were new to me, I was experimenting with both the 135mm f2.8 and the 50mm f1.7.
Yosemite in the spring is all about rock and waterfalls. Yosemite is really “big country.” On a clear day, you could see forever, if it were not for all the mountains. Hiking Yosemite, particularly the high country, is not for the faint of heart. When hiking the high country, sunsets come quickly in the mountains. One moment it’s sunny; the next moment it’s dark. Best hike there with someone who knows the terrain!
On this first trip to Yosemite, image composition was much more instinct than knowledge. How do you get an up close and personal picture of a tall waterfall? For me, it was trying to capture the texture as well as the length of the falls. Nice thing about waterfalls; they create mist. Mist against dark rocks make an infinite number of interesting images. You can never have too many waterfall images.
For more information on the Minolta SRT-102 camera, please see Minolta SRT-102 SLR.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Minolta SRT-102 to Yosemite NP.
Click any image below for a slide show!
Mar 6, 2017 | ~ Film Body, Camera Body Category Descriptions, Daily Image 2017, Minolta SRT-102
The Minolta SRT-102 Camera is a single lens reflex film camera with a through-the-lens CLC meter coupled to shutter and film speed. It’s also known as the ‘SR-T Super” in Asia and the Pacific, or the ’SR-T 303’ in Europe. Minolta’s innovation on the SR-T series was to add through-the-lens (TTL) metering. Minolta then added Contrast Light Compensation, CLC, to give correct exposure in high contrast light. CLC uses two CdS photocells in series to expose for the darker of two segments. The SRT-102 has a ground glass microprism and split rangefinder focusing.
The shutter speed ranges from 1s to 1/1000s, including ‘Bulb’ mode with a cable release. It also synchronizes a electronic flash with the shutter speed from 1s to 1/60s. ISO can be set for films from 6 to 6400, so it’s compatible with any 35mm film. The light meter functions with a needle seen through the viewfinder. The shutter speed and aperture, also seen through the viewfinder, adjust by matching the meter needles to get the perfect exposure. As an addition feature, this camera can also achieve multiple exposures with a simple trick. By pressing the release button for rewinding the film, the advance lever can be advanced re-activating the shutter without actually advancing the film; allowing many exposures in a single frame.
The Minolta SRT-102 was in production between March 1973 to 1975. List price for a new Minolta SRT-102 Camera in 1975 was approximately $290 (app. $1,285 USD in 2016 dollars). Today, used price for a camera in very good condition runs around $100 USD including several lenses.
For a story about using the Minolta SRT-102 along with images, see Minolta SRT-102 to Yosemite NP | a 7 Image Story.
Minolta SRT-102 Specifications
- Type: 35mm SLR w/TTL exposure metering
- Focusing Range: approximately 50cm (1.75 feet) to infinity
- Focusing Method: Direct helicoid focusing with infrared index
- Viewfinder: Real-image through fixed pentaprism with focus & exposure information
- Focusing: Matte Fresnel microprism focusing screen with split-image spot & manual
- Shutter: Horizontal cloth focal plane, mechanically timed
- Speeds: B, 1 – 1/1000 sec; with electronic flash: 1-1/60 sec
- Meter: TTL metering system, CLC with two CdS cells on the pentaprism
- Meter sensitivity EV 3 to EV 17 at ASA 100
- Battery: 1.35v mercury battery, Mallory PX-625 or equivalent
- Flash: PC Terminal, Hot Shoe, 1/60 X-sync, FP sync
- Film: 35mm Film-speed Range: ASA 6-6400, DIN 9-39
- Lens Mount: Minolta Bayonet Mount (MC/MD)
- Mirror: Oversize quick-return mirror with mirror lock up
- Self Timer: Time adjustable up to 10 sec maximum
- Dimensions: 5.75″ x 1.87″ x 3.75″ Weight: 25 oz
- Construction: Single stroke lever film advance, drum-type loading, and exposure counter
- Depth of field preview button, automatic reset film counter, tripod threads
Minolta Rokkor-X 50mm f1.7
- Focal Length: 50mm
- Lens: 6 elements in 5 groups with achromatic coating Filter Thread: 49mm
- Aperture: f1.7 – f16 Angle of View: 47°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 0.45 meters / 1.5 feet
- Dimensions: 64x36mm Weight: 165g / 5.8oz
Jan 8, 2017 | Daily Image 2017, Dogs, Kodachrome, Minolta 50mm f1.7, Minolta SRT-102, Nikon Coolscan V, Pugs
Meet Wee Willie Winkie! He has the distinction of being our first Pug. In this film photo, he’s a puppy, about 6 months old, visiting grandma’s house. Winkie began our tradition of Pug ownership. He set the tone and the expectations of many Pugs to come. And, after his people, he loved bananas above all else. If, while he was outside; doing his duty, you had the audacity to eat a banana without him, upon hitting the door, he gave you the “eye”! After scanning the slide into digital, the restoration was quite simple thanks to the vibrant Kodachrome color. A couple of age spots needed touched up and a bit more detail helped.
Jan 7, 2017 | Daily Image 2017, Kodachrome, Minolta 50mm f1.7, Minolta SRT-102, Nikon Coolscan V
Clouds This film photograph was taken through an airliner window flying at around FL 300. We had just topped this squall line of thunderstorms somewhere over the Midwest. This photo is also the first of hopefully many in my new Film Series. These film images, mostly slides, were taken by various film cameras before I switched to digital. Now, I am scanning them into digital format and restoring them, if necessary. This clouds image did not require much restoration.
Feb 13, 2013 | Daily Image 2013, Kodachrome, Minolta SRT-102, People
Sunday morning after church, I was able to catch mom by surprise with my camera. Mom always dressed up for church. This image was taken with my third camera, a Minolta SRT-102, using Kodrachrome slide film. Then, I scanned the slide using a Nikon slide scanner.
