Review: Minolta SRT 101
asws:
Demand Respect
Predecessor to the X-700, the Minolta SRT 101 is the prototype model of the modern camera. There is no mind blowing technology here, just the basic features of a mid-century camera. But what it lacks in skills, it makes up with charm. This camera is instant Peter Parker (or Jimmy Olsen). With this camera you will gain access to every private party in town, people will instantly disrobe on command, and it will create immediate inadequacy issues among other photographers present. This thing is the business. No auto anything, no presets, no hot shoe, straight up skillz.
12th Avenue
Kills MillionsWorking Class Hero
Before our 101 landed at ASWS, it worked in Vietnam, which was three thousand camera years ago. It performed then and still does today. It’s a ‘real’ workhorse camera that any student, casual photographer or working professional will get results from. But, it does take a decent amount of knowledge to operate a manual camera. If you like ‘mild frustration’, love saying acronyms like “DOF”, “ASA” and “ISO”, or can’t get enough of people rolling their eyes at the site of your vintage picture-taker, then this one is for you. If you’re new to photography, this camera is tippy-toe territory in the camera pool.
Plushy interiors abound
Anna Miller’sWilderness
Compatible with a huge selection of Minolta lenses, the SRT line is capable of pretty much anything you throw at it. Over the life of the series, quality did waiver as more plastic was introduced, but overall it’s performance stayed consistent. The best thing about this camera and similar SLRs of the time, is it’s aesthetic. It feels like a real camera should feel like, it smells like one, it’s got weight, it often comes with a leather case and strap, and everything clacks and whirs like an old school wristwatch. But more then what it does have, it’s biggest feature is what it doesn’t. Like walking into the forest with a stick of gum and a paperclip, it’s a good test of your photographic chops. If you can get results on the 101, you can get results on anything. Do not sleep on this.
