Why are we proud of Pentax?

magkelly · 05-14-2013, 10:55 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I was gifted this last weekend with a bit of vintage Minolta kit:

SRT 101 (excellent condition)
SRT 102 (rough condition)
MC Rokkor 58/1.4
MC Rokkor 50/1.4
MC Rokkor 35/2.8
Rokkor (MD?) 70-200 zoom

Both bodies are fully functional except for needing new foams. The SRT 101 was probably made in late 1969 and has the first generation all-metal 58/1.4. Last night I did a direct comparison of build, handling, and general "camera experience" to my Spotmatic, Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL, and Ricoh Singlex TLS of the same vintage. Dang that was tough! Yes, the Minolta is heavier, but it was a very close second to the Spotmatic for all-round goodness in this grouping and gets extra points for supporting full open-aperture metering. I guess that makes sense given that the choices for a pro-level SLR at the time came down to a relatively few number of models. There are several online articles where the authors share their experience of choosing between the SRT and the Spotmatic.

(FWIW, I like all of the above, though for different reasons...)

Steve

I kind of envy you just now. Pentax fan that I am it still peeves me off that I lost my black X700 and my 45mm Rokkor to the lens fungi outbreak last Summer. The body was nice but that lens was just sweet. Closest thing to a true pancake lens that I ever owned and I would have liked to have been able to use that one on my Oly M43 cam. I keep hoping one of these days that I'll be able to get an old Pentax pancake but I just don't think that's likely to happen given what they tend to cost now...

Last edited by Ash; 05-18-2013 at 03:14 AM.

**arnold** · 05-17-2013, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

You know...he has a point. I usually don't shoot with my glasses on, but the SRT 101 does have much better viewfinder relief than the Spotmatic.

Steve

Those SRTs are superbe. I had never heard of them until I picked one up at a swap meet. I now have four. Two SRT Supers, one SRT 102 and one SRT 303b. Basically the same camera with different names. A little bigger and heavier than the Spotmatics but just as well built I think.

05-14-2013, 10:55 PM	#46
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	Originally posted by stevebrot I was gifted this last weekend with a bit of vintage Minolta kit: SRT 101 (excellent condition) SRT 102 (rough condition) MC Rokkor 58/1.4 MC Rokkor 50/1.4 MC Rokkor 35/2.8 Rokkor (MD?) 70-200 zoom Both bodies are fully functional except for needing new foams. The SRT 101 was probably made in late 1969 and has the first generation all-metal 58/1.4. Last night I did a direct comparison of build, handling, and general "camera experience" to my Spotmatic, Mamiya/Sekor 1000 DTL, and Ricoh Singlex TLS of the same vintage. Dang that was tough! Yes, the Minolta is heavier, but it was a very close second to the Spotmatic for all-round goodness in this grouping and gets extra points for supporting full open-aperture metering. I guess that makes sense given that the choices for a pro-level SLR at the time came down to a relatively few number of models. There are several online articles where the authors share their experience of choosing between the SRT and the Spotmatic. (FWIW, I like all of the above, though for different reasons...) Steve I kind of envy you just now. Pentax fan that I am it still peeves me off that I lost my black X700 and my 45mm Rokkor to the lens fungi outbreak last Summer. The body was nice but that lens was just sweet. Closest thing to a true pancake lens that I ever owned and I would have liked to have been able to use that one on my Oly M43 cam. I keep hoping one of these days that I'll be able to get an old Pentax pancake but I just don't think that's likely to happen given what they tend to cost now... Last edited by Ash; 05-18-2013 at 03:14 AM.

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05-17-2013, 10:48 PM	#47
arnold Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,294	Originally posted by stevebrot You know...he has a point. I usually don't shoot with my glasses on, but the SRT 101 does have much better viewfinder relief than the Spotmatic. Steve Those SRTs are superbe. I had never heard of them until I picked one up at a swap meet. I now have four. Two SRT Supers, one SRT 102 and one SRT 303b. Basically the same camera with different names. A little bigger and heavier than the Spotmatics but just as well built I think.