Minolta SR-T 200 User manual

·. MINLTA SR:r200
· 201
.·· 202
OWNER'S MANUAL

The Mino.lta SR-T 200, 201, and 202 are to.P- quality single-lens reflexes
each precisio.n designed and built to. give yo.U greater speed and ease o.f
o.peratio.n and handling. Accurate eXPo.sure is yo.urs by simply aligning
needles in
the finder o.r adjusting manually as yo.U prefer. Light metering is by
Mino.lta's exclusive CLC (Co.ntrast Light Co.mpensato.r) system through the
lens fo.r mo.st satisfacto.ry results in mo.st lighting situatio.ns witho.ut
adjustments o.r special techniques. The SR-T 201 and 202 inco.rpo.rate further
features fo.r even greater co.nvenience and versatility. Each SR-T mo.del,
ho.wever,
is also. an integral part o.f the Mino.lta SLR system and uses all
interchangeable lenses and applicable system accesso.ries fo.r mo.re versatility
in
advanced o.r specialized use.
Befo.re using yo.ur
camera fo.r the first time, study this manual all the way
thro.ugh-o.r at least all the wctio.ns needed to. co.ver yo.ur o.wn pho.to.graphic
needs. As
yo.U read, attach a lens to. the camera bo.dy (see p. 42) if necessary,
Io.ad batteries, and handle yo.ur SR-T and acquaint yo.urself With.its parts and
features. Then Io.ad it with film and proceed to. actual picture taking. In this
way, yo.U can take go.o.d pho.to.S and begin to. realize the bro.ad Po.tential o.f
yo.ur SR-T right fro.m the start. Be sure to. keep this marlUal fo.r reference later
as .necessary.

2
CONTENTS
MAIN SR-T FEATURES .. ............. 4
NOTES ON THIS MANUAL . . ........ .. 5
NAMES OF PARTS .. . ... .. . .......... 6
SUMMARY OF OPERATION . . . . . ... . . . 8
BATTERY AND POWER . ...... .. ... . . 10
Installi ng battery . ... . . ..... ....... . 10
Testing battery ..... . .. . . .. ... . . .. . 11
Switch ing meter on and off .. . . . . . . . . . 12
Cold-weather operation .. . . . . . . . . . . .. 13
FILM-ADVANCE LEVER AND EX -
POSURE COUNTER ... . .. . . .... . .. 14
LOADING AND ADVANCING FILM .... 15
FILM SPEED .. :. .. .. ........ . .. ..... 18
Setting film speed . ...... . . ... ...... 18
ASA/DIN conversion scale .... ... .... 19
Memo holder . . '.' . . . . ........ . . .. . . 19
STOP-DOWN BUTTON . . .. .......... . 20
METERING METHODS .. . ........ . .. 20
HOLDING THE CAMERA ......... . .. 21
VIEWFINDER . . ..... ........ . .. .... 22
METERING WITH CLC ............... 23
SETTING EXPOSURE
Match-needle exposure control . . ... . .. 24
Exposure adjustment or full -
manual
operation .. . . . .. ...... .. . . 25
" 8" (bulb) setting .. . .... .... . .. . ... 26
EXPOSURE-CONTROL FUNDAMENTALS 27
WAYS OF USING SR-T EXPOSURE
. CONTROL . .. . .. .. . . .. . ..... . . . .. 28

FOCUSING ........ . .. . . .. . ... .. .. . 30 USING OTHER THAN MD OR MC LENSES 3
Depth-of - field scale .. ... . . .. ... ...... 31 Auto Rokkor lenses . ...... . . .... .. . 43
Depth-of-field preview .. . .......... . 32
RF (mirror-type) and manual-diaphragm
Infrared index .. ...... . ...... .. .... 32
lenses ......... ..... . . ....... ... 44
Film-p lane index . ................. . 32
CAMERA SPECIFICATIONS ... . ...... 44
RELEASING THE SHUTTER .. ...... . . 33
STANDARD LENS SPECIFICATIONS . .. 46
REWINDING AND UNLOADING FILM .. 34
CARE AND STORAGE ............ .. . 47
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY .. . .. .... . . . . 36
SELF-TIMER . ..... .. ...... ... ...... 39
MULTIPLE EXPOSURES .. . .. .. .. .... 40
ATTACHING AND REMOVING LENSES . 42

4
MAIN SR-T FEATURES
Superior through-the-Iens exposure system
•
Exposure readings are taken with the lens at
full aperture for greatest metering accuracy
and clearest,
brightest viewing and focusing.
•
Meter and follower needles visible in the
viewfinder show correct or adjusted expo-
sure at a glance with any shutter-aperture
combination.
• Since only the light to strike the film is
measured,
there is no need to compensate
for filters, greater- than-normal extension,
and so on.
•
The exclusive CLC metering system com-
bines advantages of spot and averaging types
to yield optimum exposure without special
adjustments even in high-contrast lighting
situations .
World-renowned Minolta Lenses
MD or MC lenses permit full-aperture TTL
operation with an SR-T, while any other
interchangeable· Rokkor ever made can be used
with the stop-down method . Either way, you
benefit from top Minolta qual ity, computer
design, and exclusive Achromatic coating .
Complete system accessories
A
full line of over 150 quality Minolta and
adapted Leitz accessories makes for maximum
versatility with your SR-T.
Added SR-T 201 features
To the basic features above, the 201 model
adds a convenient self-timer, shutter-speed dis-
play in the finder and a useful memo holder on
the back of the camera.
Further SR-T 202 features
The 202 offers the additional advantages of
multiple-exposure capability, Minolta's exclu-
sive Safe
Load Signal that monitors film align-
ment and advance, plus aperture readout while
viewing .

NOTES ON THIS MANUAL
This is a combined instruction manual for
use with the SR-T 200, SR-T 201, and SR-T
202.
For th is reason, some sections may not
apply to your model , and some illustrations
may show features different from the camera
you own . Proper operation is indicated for all
three models, however, and
differences between
them are clearly indicated in instructions and
specifications.
Unless otherwise indicated,
illustrations in
this book show the SR-T 202, the series model
with the full complement of features, with
appropriate notes to distingu ish them for the
201 and 200. The 50mm f/l.4 M 0 Rokkor-X
lens is used in illustrations, there is of course no
fundamental difference in use between this and
the
other standard lenses, the 50mm f/l.7 MD
Rokkor-X and 58mm f/1.2 MC Rokkor-X for
the SR-T 201 and 202, the 50mm f/2 MC
Rokkor-X for theSR-T 200 .
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NAMES OF PARTS
Hot shoe -- __
Film-advance lever -- __
Shutter-speed dial --- ______ -===
Film-speed window ~=====; r.: = id"'~;!
Serial number -------
Exposure cou nter
Shutter release
Back-cover release
knob ---
Film rewind crank ---
Meter-coupler lug ----
Aperture ring ---
Depth - of-field scale
Self-
timer lever!
Lens-release
button
Distance scale
Focusing
grip
Stop-down button
:;-"; ~ iiIoiii:ii

~--- Rewind key
------ Film-cartridge chamber
___ --- Finder eyepiece
Battery switch
Shutter curtain
Tripod socket
Sprocket
7

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SUMMARY OF OPERATION
The steps pictured on this page outline use
of
your SR-T with match-needle exposure
control. They give a general idea of how very
easy it
is to get perfectly exposed pictures with
this
camera and are keyed to corresponding
sections of
the manual for ready reference. This
Set shutter and aperture (p. 24). 8 ... to align needles in finder (p. 25).

brief guide may also be useful as a quick
refresher for good results after you have not
used the camera for some time . It is not,
however, a substitute for the detailed instruc-
tions in the rest of this manual, which should
be thoroughly studied for best results.
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10
BATTERY AND POWER
The meter in your SR -T is powered by a
1.35v "button-cell" mercury battery, Eveready
EPX-625 or EPX-13 or equivalent.
Installing battery
1. Using a coin or
battery-chamber
and remove it.
similar object, tu rn the
cover counterclockwise
2. After WiPing terminals with a clean, dry
cloth and handling only by the edges, insert
one
of the specified batteries plus (+) side
out into the chamber.
3. Replace
the cover by aligning it carefully
and screwing it in clockwise until it is
secure.

CAUTION
• Do
not touch the battery term inals with
moist or dirty fingers, as this may cause it to
become inoperative.
•
If the camera is not to be used for over a
month, the battery should be removed and
stored in a cool dry place.
• Do
not discard a mercury battery in a fire or
attempt to open or break it.
Testing
battery
Use your thumb to turn the index of the
battery switch on the bottom of the camera to
"B .C." If the meter needle moves to and
remains fixed within the square battery-check
mark in the finder as shown, the battery is
serviceable.
Test the battery immediately after installing
it. If the meter needle does not point as
indicated, make sure that the battery is fresh
and has been inserted correctly .
The battery should be tested from time to
time thereafter, preferably befor e starting each
new roll
of film and after it has not been used
for a period of time, particularly before starting
picture-taking sessions or trips. A battery will
generally last
for over a year in proper normal
use.
CAUTION
Do
not leave the switch set at the B.C.
position, as this may cause improper exposure
with the match - needle method and wi ll place
undue load on the battery .
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Switching meter on and off
To activate the metering system , move the
index of the battery switch to "ON ." This will
cause
the meter needle in the finder to move if
there are sufficient light and battery power .
When
not using the camera, it is advisable to
turn the switch index to the "OFF" position to
prevent needless battery drain.
NOTE
The meter i ng system does not work cor rect-
Iy , when the stop-down button is at its stop -
down position with MD or Me lenses mounted
on the camera .

Cold-weather operation
Batteries by nature tend to decrease in
capacity as the temperature goes down .
If an old battery is used at temperatures
below oOe (32° F), the meter indication may
not be correct. You should thus replace the
battery with a fresh one before using your SR-T
in
cold weather. It may also be a good idea to
carry an extra fresh battery warm in an inside
pocket to exchange with the one in the camera
from time to time as necessary.
Though mechanical operation should be
satisfactory
down to considerably lower tem-
Pflratures, guard against
abrupt changes of
temperature at such levels.
For information about using your SR-T at
temperatures below about minus 20 ° C (_4 °F),
consult an authorized Minolta service facility.
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14
FILM-ADVANCE LEVER AND EXPOSURE COUNTER
The film-advance lever is designed with 20
0
unengaged movement before the beginning of
its engaged stroke to allow swinging it out from
the body so that the right thu mb will fit
comfortably behind it. Continuing to move the
lever in one or more strokes through its engaged
angle
of 150
0
until it springs back advances film
and exposure counter and cocks the shutter for
the next exposu reo (To cock the shutter with-
out advancing film with the SR-T 202, see
p.40.)
When the lever stops part way through its
engaged angle
at the end of a film, never
attempt to force it farther . (See p. 34 for
instructions on rewinding and unloading film.)
The exposure counter advances one gradua-
tion for each exposure made. It will not move
more than one graduation past "36 " regardless
of the number of multiple exposures that may
be made with the SR·T 202. The counter
automatically resets for f i lm loading when the
camera
back is opened.

LOADING AND ADVANCING FILM
1. Pull out on the back-cover release knob
until the camera back springs open.
,.-----.
2. Leaving the knob pulled out, position a film
cartridge
in the chamber with the project-
ing-spool
end toward the bottom of the
camera . Then push the back-cover release
knob all the way in, rotating it slightly to do
so if necessary.
15

16
3. Insert a point on the film leader about four
or five sprocket holes from the end behind
one of the tabs on the take-up spool as
shown so that the leader end forms a secure
loop when wound around the spool.
4. Operate the film-advance lever
slowly until
the film has begun to wind firmly around
the take-up spool and the sprocket teeth are
engaged
with holes on both edges of the
film . If the advance lever locks at the end of
a full stroke during this procedure, release
the shutter and continue.

5. With th e SR-T 200 and 201, press down
firmly on the film with the fingers between
the sprocket holes and the edge of the film
on the same side as shown. While doing this
to prevent the film froin moving, take up
any slack in the cartridge by folding out the
rewind crank and turning in the direction of
the arrow until resistance is fel t. This need
not be done with the SR-T 202.
6. Close
the camera back and push in on it
until it clicks locked .
7. Release the shutter and advance film until
"1" on the exposure counter dial is aligned
with the index . With the SR-T 200 and 201,
watch the rewind crank while doing this ;
rotation of the crank during the full engaged
stroke in the direction opposite that of the
arrow indicates that film is advancing pro-
perly . With the SR-T 202, proper film
alignment and advance is indicated by the
17

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appearance of a red bar from the right in the
SLS window over the word "FILM ." If the
crank rotates during only a small part of the
stroke or not at all on the SR-T 200 and
201
or if the red bar does not appear on the
SR-T 202, repeat steps 1 through 6. With
the SR-T 202, the red signal will move
gradually toward the left as you take the
first 15 or so frames, indicating that film is
advancing properly.
CAUTION
Film should be handled and loading done in
subdued light - at least shaded from direct
sunlight by the doby .
FILM SPEED
Each film on the market has an ASA or DIN
exposure-index number to indicate its sensitivi-
ty to light. For correct match-needle exposure,
the meter of your SR-T must be set for the
effective exposure index of the film in use.
Setting film speed
To do this, lift up on the milled ring of the
shutter -speed dial and turn it until the proper
ASA indication appears centered in the film-
speed window and locks in that position when