Originally posted by Jonathan Mac I've picked up all of my SR cameras very cheaply and all work very well (light-meters aside) without any need of a CLA. I think they're just incredibly hardy cameras and that keeps their numbers up and their prices down.
I cannot agree more. I have bought all but one of my Minoltas from auction sites, knowing that you just don't know what you will get. I try and purchase bundles so that I can hopefully get something that will be worth the money.So far, every one of them works. They have all been dirty and neglected, but "cheap".
SRT 101 with two lenses, camera cleaned up well, both lenses are in great shape, light meter does not work but all shutter speeds seem to be there. Needs seals and mirror foam, but for $9.99 plus shipping, I couldn't go wrong, and it still takes pics.
Add to this an XG-M, Maxxum 7000, Maxxum 5, Maxxum 50, Maxxum 2xi, and one minty low mileage X-700. Clean, new batteries, film, go shooting. They just won't die.