Difference between revisions of "Minolta SR-2"

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The '''[[Minolta]] SR-2''' was a purely mechanical [[SLR]] camera body, and it was a large step towards the userfriendly modern [[SLR]] cameras. It had been developped in 1958, and reached the market in the following year. The new bayonet it had made exchange of its lenses as easy as possible. After advancing the film for the next exposure the aperture of the lens had been opened as far as possible. So the photographer could focus quite exactly with help the bright the viewfinder image. With pressing the exposure release button he did release the lock on the lens' aperture mechanics. Before the shutter opened for exposure the mirror had been up and the aperture had the value selected by the photographer. Afterwards the mirror got automatically back in to its working position. The photographer could get an impression of depth of field after the exposure since the aperture opened to maximum first after film advance.
 
  
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The evolutive quantum leap done with the SR-2 was the fact that it combined several features of modern SLR cameras. The lens mount system which connects camera's and lens' mechanics so easily was revolutionary, and Minolta's new mirror mechanics it was giving the photographer best control over his work, it had a quite bright pentaprism viewfinder, and exposure times downto 1/1000 sec.
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| image_text=The first Minolta 35mm SLR
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The '''[[Minolta]] SR-2''' was introduced in 1958 as the first 35mm [[SLR]] camera from [[Minolta |  Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō]]. Having a remarkably advanced design, it paved the way for a whole series of successfull models for several decades to come, the same body being continuously refined right up to and including the [[Minolta XE-1]] of 1975 —which became the basis for the [[Leica R3]]. In this model, all the features to be included in any modern film based [[SLR]] camera came together for the first time: A bright [[Pentaprism|pentaprism]] finder with a rapid-return mirror, a wide bayonet lens mount for fast and convenient lens change with an internal automatic lens diaphragm mechanism, a single knob stationary shutter-speed dial, a fast thumb operated [[film advance]] lever with coaxial [[shutter release]], a combined rewind crank and back opening knob, a hinged door with an automatic frame-counter reset facility and a film-type reminder dial, FP and X PC sync terminals, and a convenient [[self timer]] sturdy enough to double as a finger grip. The SR-2 did not however reopen the lens aperture after exposure automatically, but by operating the film advance lever. So after that, no depth-of-field pre-view facility was present, although the more shrewd photographers found a way around this by turning the lens in its bayonet mount! The only important thing missing was the provision for an exposure meter. This was rectified in 1960 with the introduction of the model [[Minolta SR-3|SR-3]], having provision for a clip-on selenium meter being coupled to the shutter-speed-dial, and in 1962, came the first 35mm SLR camera with a built-in CdS meter with the introduction of the model [[Minolta SR-7|SR-7]].
  
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[[Category|Minolta SLR]]
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* [[Pentaprism|Pentaprism]]
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* Instant-return mirror
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* Minolta SR bayonet lens mount with internal diaphragm operating lever
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* Fast film advance / shutter tensioning lever with integrated shutter release knob
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* Automatic preset lenses, closing aperture to preset value prior to exposure
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* All shutter speeds set on a single stationary dial, 1 to 1/1000 sec. pluss B
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* Combined rewind crank and back door release by pulling the knob up
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* Internal frame counter with automatic reset when opening the back
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However, just as important for the Chiyoda Kogaku success is the fact that they had to their disposal a brilliant team of lens designers and one of the most experienced and finest optical works making their own glass. The Rokkor lenses with the "Achromatic Coating" was produced taking advantage of their own advanced coating facilities. Shortly after the introduction of the SR-2, a large range of lenses and accessories was available. Several of the early lenses were superior, like the Rokkor PF 1:2 f=100mm and the remarkable Macro Rokkor QF 1:3.5 f=50mm. The latter has a Leica thread mount, but was supplied with a Minolta bayonet mount adapter, it focuses from infinity to 1:2 without the need for the included 1:1 intermediate ring. A remarkable curiosity is the fact that they subcontracted the manufacture of the macro bellows to Novoflex, the supplier of bellows to manufacturers like Hasselblad and Zeiss Ikon.
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The introduction of the Minolta SR-2 marked the beginning of Chiyoda Kogaku's remarkable success subsequently placing the company among the few world-leading camera manufacturers for many decades to come. In July 1962, as the result of this international recognition, the company name was changed to Minolta Camera Company Ltd.
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==Links==
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*[https://www.butkus.org/chinon/minolta/minolta_sr-2/minolta_sr-2.htm Minolta SR-2 user manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Butkus.org]
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* [http://www.subclub.org/minman/sr2.htm The SR-2 page] at the [http://www.subclub.org/minman/ MinMan website]
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11510 Minolta Sr-2] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr Sylvain Halgand's collection d'appareils] (French)
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* [http://progsch.net/mediawiki2/index.php?title=SR-2 SR-2] in[http://progsch.net/mediawiki2 Minowiki] (German)
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[[Category:Minolta SR mount]]
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[[Category:Minolta|SR-2]]
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[[Category:M]]
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[[Category:S|SR-2 Minolta]]
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{{Minolta classic}}

Latest revision as of 14:49, 22 November 2022

50914985823_20a320d0d1_z.jpg
The first Minolta 35mm SLR
image by Christoph Batz (Image rights)

The Minolta SR-2 was introduced in 1958 as the first 35mm SLR camera from Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō. Having a remarkably advanced design, it paved the way for a whole series of successfull models for several decades to come, the same body being continuously refined right up to and including the Minolta XE-1 of 1975 —which became the basis for the Leica R3. In this model, all the features to be included in any modern film based SLR camera came together for the first time: A bright pentaprism finder with a rapid-return mirror, a wide bayonet lens mount for fast and convenient lens change with an internal automatic lens diaphragm mechanism, a single knob stationary shutter-speed dial, a fast thumb operated film advance lever with coaxial shutter release, a combined rewind crank and back opening knob, a hinged door with an automatic frame-counter reset facility and a film-type reminder dial, FP and X PC sync terminals, and a convenient self timer sturdy enough to double as a finger grip. The SR-2 did not however reopen the lens aperture after exposure automatically, but by operating the film advance lever. So after that, no depth-of-field pre-view facility was present, although the more shrewd photographers found a way around this by turning the lens in its bayonet mount! The only important thing missing was the provision for an exposure meter. This was rectified in 1960 with the introduction of the model SR-3, having provision for a clip-on selenium meter being coupled to the shutter-speed-dial, and in 1962, came the first 35mm SLR camera with a built-in CdS meter with the introduction of the model SR-7.


  • Pentaprism
  • Instant-return mirror
  • Minolta SR bayonet lens mount with internal diaphragm operating lever
  • Fast film advance / shutter tensioning lever with integrated shutter release knob
  • Automatic preset lenses, closing aperture to preset value prior to exposure
  • All shutter speeds set on a single stationary dial, 1 to 1/1000 sec. pluss B
  • Combined rewind crank and back door release by pulling the knob up
  • Internal frame counter with automatic reset when opening the back


However, just as important for the Chiyoda Kogaku success is the fact that they had to their disposal a brilliant team of lens designers and one of the most experienced and finest optical works making their own glass. The Rokkor lenses with the "Achromatic Coating" was produced taking advantage of their own advanced coating facilities. Shortly after the introduction of the SR-2, a large range of lenses and accessories was available. Several of the early lenses were superior, like the Rokkor PF 1:2 f=100mm and the remarkable Macro Rokkor QF 1:3.5 f=50mm. The latter has a Leica thread mount, but was supplied with a Minolta bayonet mount adapter, it focuses from infinity to 1:2 without the need for the included 1:1 intermediate ring. A remarkable curiosity is the fact that they subcontracted the manufacture of the macro bellows to Novoflex, the supplier of bellows to manufacturers like Hasselblad and Zeiss Ikon.

The introduction of the Minolta SR-2 marked the beginning of Chiyoda Kogaku's remarkable success subsequently placing the company among the few world-leading camera manufacturers for many decades to come. In July 1962, as the result of this international recognition, the company name was changed to Minolta Camera Company Ltd.

2206183509_ff2fc8ac17_n.jpg
image by Rick Soloway (Image rights)
50914985893_444859bcea_w.jpg
image by Christoph Batz (Image rights)
50915798432_427d6da5a8_w.jpg
image by Christoph Batz (Image rights)


Links

Minolta Classic Cameras
Vest (or Best) | V2 | SR-2 | SRT 101 | XE | XD | CLE | 7000 | 9000 | 800 si


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