Minolta SR-1
The Minolta SR-1 was launched in 1959 as the second 35mm SLR Camera from Minolta. This too is a completely mechanical camera. The standard lens is the six-element Auto Rokkor PF 1:1.8 f= 55mm. Several Rokkor lenses was already available, from 35mm to 600mm.
At least five improved versions of the SR-1 were introduced the following three years. In 1961 a bracket (1) for a separate selenium exposure meter was added to the front of the camera. The extension shutter-speed dial on the meter (3) mesh with a small coupling pin (2) on the camera shutter-speed dial. When the film ASA value and a suitable shutter speed is set on the meter, it shows directly on its scale the recommended aperture, which must be set on the lens aperture ring.
Another accessory for the SR-1 was a flash shoe.
The SR-1's predecessor was the Minolta SR-2, the first SLR camera for Minolta's SR Rokkor lenses, which was also the first camera to combine several typical features of modern SLR cameras. Later the SR-3 took the place of the SR-2. Both cameras have the 1/1000s as the fastest shutter speed, the SR-1 the 1/500s (only the very last model, the SR-1s of 1967 had 1/1000s). In 1962 the first Minolta SLR camera with built-in meter was introduced as last member of the SR-n-family: the SR-7. One of the SR1 models, the SR-1 (V), was the base on which the Minolta SR-T 101 had been developed.
| Metering |
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 Metering is simple. The meter is put into its holder and its shutter-speed selector's clutch connected correctly to the camera's selector's bolt (1). Then the film speed (ASA) is selected on the meter (2), and the meter mode to be chosen (3). Shutter speed is chosen for each exposure with the meter's selector (4). The correct aperture is shown by the meter (5). Finally the aperture is selected at the lens manually. |
| Lens mount |
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 The SR camera series's lens mount was a sophisticated new sort of lens bayonet. The lens had to be put into the bayonet ring of the camera body. There it had to be fixed by turning it 54 degrees to the right. By fixing it a tappet (1) of the shutter release mechanism got in contact to the aperture release lever (2) of the lens. For removing the lens the camera's lens unlock button had to be pressed. That way lens exchange was a secure procedure and a task of a few seconds. |
A SR-1 with a later model of the meter.
On top of 1962's new SR-1 versions the new company name "Minolta" is imprinted.
Links
- Minolta SR-1, Minolta SR-1s on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
