Seeking Minolta SRT 102 spruce up and CLU internally. Whom do you trust?

<p>I got hold of this here mint, time- capsule clean SRT 102 w/Rokkor MC-FG 1.2 58mm lens.<br /> Shutter fires. Battery needle works (although bottom twist on off bc circle is funky and needs playing with.)<br /> Only other thing is that there is some (foam) debris after 30 years loose and moves around in the finder/ pentaprism assembly.<br /> I plan to keep this golden oldie for fun and as part of my memory of the good old mechanicals I once used.<br>

I would run a roll of film through it maybe once every 6 months only for fun. No more lenses planned, just the 58mm 1.2 will do. Will eventually go to a grandkid...<br>

Because the camera is IMO pristine mint, I look now for----<br>

1) someone who uses the little screwdrivers and spanners gingerly with skill and patience. Appreciates collector urge to keep it shiny..<br /> 2) some repair depot which has the capability to turn around a job, that does not entail parts , in about 4-8 weeks, sort of my time line with repairs.<br>

Oh yeah, mirror seems to flop up and return without quiver, flash contacts, stop down lever works. Meter calibrates well with the mercury cell against a Luna Pro I have....<br>

I could leave jsut it be but am inclined to spend a few bucks to have it refrubished as the "old gal" deserves a makeover.... The lens glass she is pure as a baby's bottom so rare for what I see.<br>

KEH has offered to look at it. They welcome all comers I think..<br>

Q 1): Would you go with KEH. Or.....anwhere in mainland is same same to me...<br>

Q 2): What <em>migh</em>t I expect to pay for a spruce up job.<br>

(I guess this piece is selling used for around 200-250 in EX+ condition from quick look- see. I dont know how much the lens is common or if it is all that desirable. Ken Rockwell kind of rapsodises over this model on his blog and got the juices going..<br /> I forgot how nice these were made. Tanks. With a lot of goodies...... thanks for your advice...</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>I can't advise you on a trusted repair person and the cost will be more than the camera is<br>

worth in monetary value but an old classic brought back to life is priceless.</p>

<p>I must warn you that you are headed down a slippery slope. Soon that "once every six<br>

months" will be weekly. Then you will hear about how good the Minolta Hi-Matic series are<br>

and you will pick up one just to "try out" and then...... well, consider yourself a lost soul.</p>

<p>Rod</p>

<p>"Because the camera is IMO pristine mint,..."<br>

After this statement of yours and looking at the photo above, I don't comprehend what you hope to achieve from a repair shop! There is an old American saying, "If it ain't broke...don't try fixing it". I would just clean it at home and keep using it.<br>

Many repair shops may be reputable but even an expert workman can slip a few times!<br>

Regards, sp.</p>

<p>I can recommend two repair places for this job: Essex Camera Service in Carlstadt, NJ and Photograohy On Bald Mountain in Davenport, CA. Essex will probably be able to do the repair more quickly.</p>

<p>Thanks, Jeff, I will contact Essex first. Am not cheaping out on the project. Still, I doubt if I would put in more than one hundred fifty dollars for a dissassembly to blow out gunk and maybe replace the foam cushion from whence it comes, and clean the switch contacts under the bottom plate,-two little screws only. My little jeweler screwdrivers are going to be the wrong kind if experience tells and I never fail to fork up this kind of thing. If I tried it I know I would have employ the wrong size,screw would leap off table never to be recovered. Presumably a bench worker might know the diagrams done it before etc. Self knowledge:-) as in'' look ma all thumbs''...<br>

I have enough film cameras in state of suspended animation, and this enthusiastic burst of excess will not change that. aloha,gs </p>

<p>It's kind of sad really. I can find a great Pentax guy. I can find a great Canon FD guy. I can find a great Olympus guy. I can find a great Konica guy.</p>

<p>But there simply isn't a Minolta guy.</p>

<p>A google search turned up this link to SRT Disassmbly:<br>

http://www.willegal.net/photo/srt/photo-srt.htm<br>

But SP got it right! "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"! have you run film through it?? The foam seals can be removed and replaced easily. There is a fellow on EBAY who sells kits. That's all I would do. I have an SRT in similar condition with bad seals, but it does not leak light-yet! Save the money you would spend on the repair and buy some film. </p>

<p>I want the switch repaired and the debris removed. And I do not, with respect to the budget minded follow the canard that "if it aint broke don't fix it." Ever see the convention of model A fanciers and Mustang fanciers. Same deal,hard to get that across I am a thinkin' but enjoy the long weekend and don' t stop by any car dealer lots and look at old Mustangs..:-)</p>

<p>Gerry, Essex Camera is tops. They have worked on my Nikons and Leicas and I have never been disappointed. I recently brought them my Nikon FM that developed a shutter problem. They fixed the shutter, did a CLA, and I had the camera back in two weeks. The cost was $125.</p>

<p>If, for a moment, calmer minds may prevail, I will add my "2 cents worth". </p>

<p>First, sell that f1.2 lens and enjoy the $250. more/less it will bring on eBay (if you describe it right). Then replace it with a just-as-good-actually-better/sharper f1.4 </p>

<p>Next send the camera to Strauss Photo Technical Services at 1240 Mt. Olivet Rd. NE, Wash., DC (online link: <a href="http://www.spts.com/">http://www.spts.com/</a> ). This company is the best kept secret on the web. Phenominal work at reasonable prices. You sound like one of those people who, no insult intended, think a $400. repair bill will get you a better job than a $100. repair job or, in other words, equates gushing out wads of cash with getting superior service. The extra $ spent buys confidence and pride but not a better job. </p>

<p>If you put a regular f1.4 or f1.7 lens on it the price will be closer to $50. or $60.</p>

<p>Gerry -</p>

<p>For several years I've used Ross Yerkes in Los Angeles, for everything from CLA's to full restorations, most ever charged for complete CLA was US$125, (purchased used, in bad shape.) Flawless, dependable, fine technician. !-2 week turn, highly recommended. Very religious, camera on return will be accompanied by religious material, bothers some, not me, it's the work performed that matters. His Phone# (323) 256-1018</p>

<p>I've also read of nothing but stellar results from Gus Lazzari, Google search will turn his info up. I'm gonna try him some day.</p>

<p>Strictly speaking for myself, there is the old adage "if it works just use it," but after a few decades I feel strongly that lubricants dry out, shutter timing can drift a bit, film advance can use a bit of attention, etc. On opening many not so great surprises can be found, best to let an experienced technician with the proper support materials put it back in the best order possible. Unless one has the ability of someone like S.P. it often happens that a person gets into the innards and either ends up totally lost, or creates unintentional damage, (been there, read the book, saw the movie and bought the T-shirt.)</p>

<p>My curiosity had me open an old camera just to give it a little cleaning (and see what was in there,) Ross put it back together again. $$$ well spent, lesson well learned, mechanical I ain't. </p>

<p>Hope you have good luck with it, it's a truly fine camera and deserves a little time at the spa after all these years.</p>

<p>Patrick</p>

 

<p>All sound advice from everyone above, Gerry.</p>

<p>Another big thumbs-up for Essex (camerarepair.com). They're literally down the hill from me and have CLA'd my Nikons, Vitessa L, Leica IIIs, and repaired a few lenses for very reasonable prices. <br>

Figure a buck-n-a-half for complete overhaul of your SRT 102 (might even include meter recal for 1.5V batts). My FM2n's set me back $125 each last year; dropped off in person on Monday, ready by Friday.<br>

Joseph Ohlsen's right about ditching the 1.2 Rokkor. Use the money to buy a handful of SRT 102 "backup" bodies from the 'Bay. You'll still have a good 100 and change left over for film amd a 50 or 58 1.4 ( I like the feel of the older MC 58mm best).<br>

Short of resealing my SRTs with fresh foam and dropping a few squirts of oil where it needs it, I wouldn't think twice about getting them CLA'd when supply is plentiful and cheap on the used market ( sadly).</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thanks, I don't plan to sell the lens. Its a gift. The gods would not be happy. I will phone or e mail both Essex and Strauss. I vaguely recall Strauss from my days living in Arlington VA. I think this would be a fun project. I am pleased to note that the 1.2 58 mm commands a good used price. That alone says 'hang on to it.' Again , mahalo nui. I still use the Auto Meter IV, company knew how to make stuff they sure did. I like the little mini prism that peeps at the f stop too..<br>

I never disassemble a canister vacuum cleaner without skinning up something. BUT i take good pictures..I like to think. Nowadays one can't get a relay for a fridge for less than 250.00 from Sears like last week. (150.00 is nothing anymore.) Of course I could send it to Manila..:-)</p>

<p>Glad you're not going to separate this lens from this body. At the time that the 58/1.2 was available, Minolta advertised that each lens was colliminated to a body. So since this is an original pair and supposedly a matched set, the kit is much more valuable and rare together. Nowadays you never know where a piece has come from, you have your's history.</p>

<p>I have a pristine SrT Super (JDM version of the 102) with a rubber-gripped 58/1.2 (not original) and a near mint black SrT101 with original 58/1.4 that's within the first 1000 blacks made. The 101 I know who owned it from new too. Neither would ever get pieced out.</p>

<p>Last month I got a very nice SR-T 101. I'm enjoying it so far. What is the difference between the 101 and 102?</p>

<p>Mine works nicely but has one issue: below 1/60th, the mirror sticks in the up. Not every time, but more than half.</p>

<p>Mark,<br>

Most 102s have mirror lockup - something the 101s had until 1971 or so (even the 102s MLU got dropped towards the end of the model), an aperture indicator, and a split-image focus aid with collar.<br>

The mirror sticking is likely due to the mirror kick gear, my 102 did the same thing at most slower shutter speeds (mine started at 1/125). I lubed the pivot and it hasn't given me trouble since. Easy to get to by removing the baseplate.</p>

<p>Mark Medin:<br>

Thanks. My 101 has the mirror lock up lever on the side. I sure like the idea of the split image focus! I'll see if I can fix that mirror sticking. I hope there is no huge surprise when I remove the base plate!</p>