Minolta SR-T 101 User manual

OWNER'S MANUAL
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Since the inception of through-the-Iens exposure
measuring for single-lens-reflex cameras, several systems
have been developed. Some "spot" read only a very
small part of the total area. Other systems provide an
"average" reading composed of independent measure-
ments taken by two cells which is not accurate in
high-contrast situations.
Only the Minolta SR-T 101 hasan exclusive new type
of circuit (CLC) to provide optimum reading of the
entire picture area regardlessof degree of contrast.
In addition to its more accurate exposure meter
system, your Minolta SR-T 101 is designed to handle
more easiIy, with greater speed, than other "through-
the-tens metering" cameras.
The abili y to compose, focus, set exposure and
shutter speed without looking away from the finder
makes the Minolta SR-T 101 particularly suitable for
professional photography, when operating speed is often
of vital importance.
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WNltNI~
NAMES OF PARTS """""".11" ••."1•••.•.•••.•.•••. 2
MAJOR FEATURES Iliillnllilitj',iItIUlftllllllllllt 4
SPECIF ICATIONStIHltlIIIIlIIIlIIIUIIIUiIIUUII 111I 5
PREPARATIONS BEFORE TAKING PICTURES
Inserting the mercury battery",,,,, ..,,,,,,.,,... 7
Checking the battery power .111111 •••• " •••••••• ". 9
Loading film " "., "" .. ,,"111111.,; •••• , •• 10
Setting the ASA number (film speed)." ..,,,.14
ASAIDIN conversionscale, "..l4
TAKING PICTURES
TTL with CLC: A new exposure
measuringsystem..........................•...,..".,'5
Setting the correct exposure '""''''"'''''IIl"J6
Shutter speed and apenure setlin~,,,,",,,,".18
Focusing the camera "",,," ,,,..,,..20
Holding the camera " ,..".."..""." 21
TAKING FLASH PICTURES , ,." .•" .•.,.,22
Attaching flash unit " .." ",..23
Setting correct exposure " I,,," I.II,J4
MORE ADVANCED GUIDES
Depth of field
Lensaperture controls
deplh·oHield , .. """""""". 25
Depth·ol-field table of MC Rokkor-X
~Bmm F1.21em Onleetl ;, ..... I •• , 27
Depth,oHield table of Me Rokkor·X
58mm F1,21ens (in metersl , .... " .. 28
Depth·ol-field table of Me Rokkor·X
50mm F 111 and F1,4 lens Onfeetl ." 29
Depth·ol·field table of MC Rokkor·X
50mm F1.7 and F1.4lens (in meters) ,30
Checkingthe effects of depth·of .field . 31
Mirror lock-up control .;., ... "",., 32
Self·timer ;................... 33
Infrared index , 34
Film plane index , 34
UNLOADING eXPOSED FILM ."."., 35
CHANGING LENSES " I , •• , •• , •• , ••• 37
USING OTHER THAN MC
IMETER~OUPLED) LENSES
Auto Rokkor Lenses ..... ;.......... 39
Manual presetRokkor Lenses ., 40
CARE AND STORAGE 1" 41
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NAM~:) U,. t'AH: I:)
Film rewind crank and
Back cover release knob
------
Accessory shoe -----~
Pentaprism -----:
Shutter and ASA speed dial
Fi m advan(;e lever
Shutter release button -
Frame counter -
Lens release button
Meter coupler
Depth-of- field scale
Mirror lock- up button
Diaphragm ring
Distance scale
Self· timer lever
Focusing ling -
Rokkor-X Lens
Diaphragm stop- down button
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Film cartridge chamber
Finder eyepiece
Battery switch
Focal plane shutter
Tripod socket
Sprocket
Battery cover
Film rewind button
take- up spool
Film pressureplate
3
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1. Rapid-Reading Through-the-Lens Exposure
a) Exposure readings are taken with lens at full
aperture for rapid composing and focusing
regardless of subject brightness.
b) "Follower-type" needles in viewfinder show
correct exposure at it glance, witli any
combination of aperture and shutter speed.
cl Shutter speed scale is visible in viewfinder
but outside of "I ive" picture area.
d] Only the light that strikes the film is
measured, thus eliminating the need to
compensate for changes in lens focal length
or compute exposure factors for fi Iters,
bellows or other lens attachments.
2. Combine the Advantages of "Spot" and
a) Exclusive "CLC" Metering System (Contrast
Light Compensator) maintains extreme ac-
curacy regardless of lighting situation, even
with high-contrast subjects.
b) Automatically corrects for changes in light
intensity from one section of the picture
area to another. thus providing an optimum
overall reading.
cl Oversize, instant return mirror prevents
image cutoff and incorrect exposure read-
ings no matter how long the focal length of
lens.
di Unique position ing of CdS cells prevents
incorrect readings due to light entering
viewfi nder,
3. World·Rerlowned Minolta Lenses
a) Compact, newly computer-designed Celtic
lensesare your thrifty choice.
bl The wide range of Rokkor X lenses offer
top quality with exclusive Achromatic coat
ing.
These and other Me len~esperrnit fvll@per-
ture TTL operation, while any other inter-
changeable Minolta SLR lens ever made can
be used with the stop-down method.
4. Complete System Accessories
A full line of quality Minol ta and adapted
Leitz accessories makes for maximum ver-
satility with SR-T101.
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SPECIFICATIONS OF THE MINOLTA SR·T 101
-35mm single-Iens.reflexcamerawith through-the·lens exposure meter-
Standard lens
Compositi on:
Coating:
Angle of view:
Diaphragm:
Diaphragmscale:
Filter/ shademount:
Lensmount:
Me Rokkor-X 50mm F1.4 (F1.7 or 58mm F1.21equipped with meter coupler
7 elements in 5 groups
Achromatic coating
47
0
with 50mmiens 141
0
with 58mm lensl
Fully automatic
11.2), 1.4, 11.71,2, 2.8,4, 5.6.8, 11, 16 with equal-spaceand intermediate click F-stops
.p55mm screw-in
Minolta bayonet mount
Shutter Focal plane type
Speeds: a.r. 1/2, 1/4,1/8, 1/15.1/30,1/60,1/125, 11250, 1/500,'and 1/1000 sec.
Selector dial: Single, non-spinning. equal-space,click stop dial
Sync. contact: FP lall speedsland X (up to 1/60 sec.l
Self-timer: Time adjustable. 10 sec.maximum delay
Film advance Lever tvpe, quick advancewinding with shutter cocking and double exposure prevention
Winding method: Single-or rnultipte-stroke, with 20° free clearance
Winding angle: 150°
Framecounter: Automatic resetting counter showing number of exposed frames
Film rewinding: Rapid rewinding with crank
Framesize: 36)( 24mm
Film: Standard 35mm film, 12,20, or 36 exposures
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Viewfinder Real-image type through fixed, eve-level pentaprism; exposure control needles (follower system),
battery check mark, and shutter speedscalevisible in finder
Focusing screen: Central microprism with fine ground glasscollar and field lens
Exposure meter Through.the·lens metering system
Exposure meter: Contrast light compensator (CLC) with CdS meter, two cells on the pentaprism
Measurement: Measuringat full aperture coupled to shutter speed,aperture,
and film speedsetting
Follower.needle system viewed in the finder
EV 3 to EV 17 with ASA 100 film
Depth-of-field preview button for MC (Meter-Coupled) Lenses;measuring (stop-down)
button for other than MC Lenses
Film speedrange: ASA 6 - 6400, DIN 9 - 39
ASA setting: On shutter speeddial; built-in ASA/DIN conversion scaleon cameraback
Battery: 1.35v mercury battery, Mallory PX-625 or equivalent
Switch: ON, OFF, and battery check switch on baseof camera
Focusing Bright.screenwith microprism and fine ground glass
Focusingdistance: 50cm (1.75 tt.) to infinity
Focusing method: Direct helicoid focusing with infrared index
Mirror Oversizequick-return mirror with lock-up device
Others Built-in accessoryshoe
Sizeand weight Body only
Width 145mm (5-3/4"); Depth 47.5mm (1-7/S"I; Height 94.5mm (3-3/4"); 705g 124.Soz]
(All the illustrations in this manual arewith the F1.4 STandardlens. There is, however. no fundamental
difference in usebetween this and the other interchangeableMC Rokkor, Celfic. or Rokkor-X.l
Control:
Working range:
Diaphragm button:
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Inserting the mercury battery
1. The Minolta SR·T 101 uses a 1.35v,
button-shape mercury battery for pnoto-
graphic applications (Mallory PX-625.
PX-13. Eveready EXP-625, EPX-13 or equl-
valent).
2. To install, remove the battery chamber
cover with your thumb by turning it
counterclockwise. Place the battery in the
chamber with its plus side out and replace
the cover.
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CAUTION:
• Do not touch the battery terminals with
moist or dirty hands, as this can cause them
to deteriorate and make the battery inopera-
tive.
• Do not discard a mercury battery in a fire or
break it up.
• When the camera is not being used, it is
advisable to turn the battery switch on the
base of the camera to the "OFF" position.
• If the camera is not to be used for over a
month, remove the battery and store it in a
dry, cool place.
• Before putting the battery back in the
camera, clean both sides of the battery and
the contact lead of the battery chamber with
dry cloth.
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Checking the battery power
The battery checker is designed to check the
output of the mercury battery. By taking a few
seconds to check battery output before starting
each new roll of film, and particularly when
using the camera after it has been stored for an
extended period of time or a new battery has
been inserted, you can avoid poor exposure due
to insufficient electric power.
1. Turn the battery switch on the base of the
camera to the ·'B.C." position.
2. If the indicator needle points to the battery
check. mark as shown in the picture, the
battery can be regarded as functioning
properly.
CAUTION:
• Do not leave switch setting at battery check
position as the continuous high battery drain
will cause the battery to go "dead" in a few
hours.
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loading film
1. Raise the back cover release knob (which
also incorporates the film rewind knob) until
some resistance is felt. With a slight ad-
ditional pull, the back cover will auto-
maticallv "pop" open. 2. Insen the film leader into a slot in the film
take-up spool as shown.
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3. Place the film cartridge into the film car-
tridge chamber and push the back cover
release knob all the way down. (When in-
serting the film cartridge, its projecting cen-
ter drum must be placed in a downward
position.l
4. Operate the film advance lever in several
short strokes until the film has begun to
wind firmly around the take-up drum and
both sides of the film perforations are
securely engaged with the teeth of the
sprocket gear. If the film advance lever locks
during this procedure, press the shutter
releasebutton and then continue.
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5. Closethe cameraback once you arecertain
that the film is winding securely on the
take-up spool and engagedwith on both
sprockets.
Rotate the film rewind crank gently in the
direction of the arrow to makesurethat the
film isflat againstthe pressureplate.
6. Advance the film and press the shutter
releasebutton. Repeat this action until the
number "1" appearsat the arrow mark in
the frame counter window.
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NU I 1::
• The frame counter indicates the number of
pictures taken from 1 to 36.
• The film advance rever hasa total "throw" of
170°; of this distance, the first 20
0
have no
effect on the film but are intended to provide
a "free play" range through which the lever
may be "offset" from the body for rapid
shooting.
• When the camera back is opened, the counter
automatically resets itself to the start (S)
position.
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settmg A::iA numoer rrum speea,
Lift and rotate the shutter speed dial until the
figure (6 to 6400) which corresponds with the
ASA rating of your film is visible in the ASA
window.
On the ASA dial the following figures are
printed: 6 • 10 ·16 ·25 ··50 ··100 ··200··
400 ··800 ··1600 ··3200 ··6400.
The dots (.) denote ASA 8, 12,20,32,40,64,
80, 125,160,250,320,500,640,1000,1300,
2000. 2600. 4000, and 5200, respectlvelv.
ASA DIN conversion scale
To convert a DIN film speed to the corres-
ponding ASA value, use the conversion scale
located on the back cover of the camera.
(The inner numbers are DIN.)
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TAKING PICTURES
TTL with ClC: A new exposure
measuring system
The Minolta SR-T 101 camera has a through-
the-lens measuring system with ClC meter.
Minolta's exclusive, revolutionary CLC (Con-
trast light Compensator) promises better
photographic results with multiple split ex-
posure measuring system.
Under normal photo-taking conditons this
new system gives excellent rer .ts, under other
conditions, such as in high-contrast scenes, the
CLC feature prevents possible photo failures.
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Setting the correct exposure
When aiming the camera at your subject
through the viewfinder, you will see the
indicator needle moving, Once the indicator
needle has stopped moving, turn the shutter
speed dial and/or the diaphragm ring to align
the follower needle lcircle-tipped needlel with
the indicator needle,
The shutter speed il indicated in the viewfinder;
when you set it on the shutter Ipeed dial,
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When the proper combination of aperture and
shutter speed setting is made for correct
exposure, the follower needle (which is coupl-
ed to the aperture, shutter speed and ASA
speed settings) will align with the indicator
needle over a range of EV 3 through EV 17 at
ASA 100. The EV range will vary with film
speed.
It is a recommended procedure to set the
shutter speed first (depending on the motion or
lack of motion of your subject or the overall
lighting) and to then adjust the aperture.
If the needle fails to move when the
diaphragm ring is rotated this signals a need to
adjust your shutter speed setting.
A shutter speed scale is visible in the
viewfinder which permits you to make all
exposure adjustments without removing the
camera from your eye.
CAUTION:
• When setting the aperture first, be sure not to
set the shutter speed between click stops.
• When the shutter speed is set slower than
1/3Oth sec.. be extremely careful of camera
motion while releasing the shutter. It is
recommended that a tripod be used at speeds
of 1/3Oth sec. or slower. For "Bulb" setting, a
cable releaseshould also be used.
• When using high-speed film, a shutter speed of
1/250th sec. is recommended for outdoor
photography, and 1/30th sec. for indoor use.
• When photographing a group of people or a
building requiring great depth of field, close
down the diaphragm as much as possible. See
the "depth of field" on page 25 for details.
• All metering should be done in horizontal
position.
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Shutter speed and aperture settings
The shutter speed (the period of time during
which the shutter remains open) works in
conjunction with the lens opening (aperture) to
determine the amount of light striking the film.
The higher the shutter speed, the more effec-
tively it will momentarily "stop" the action of
your subject.
To set shutter speed, simply rotate the shutter
speed dial until the desired speed is aligned with
the indicator on the camera body. or until it is
centered between indicators on the shutter
speed scale in the viewfinder.
The figure of 8 and 1 through 1000 on the
shutter speed dial respectively indicate bulb
action and shutter speeds from 1 to 1/1000th
second. (At "8" the shutter will remain open
until pressure is removed tromthe release
button.l
The aperture setting controls the light reach-
ing the film at any given shutter speed. In
addition, it determines the "depth of field."
(See page 25.)
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