Minolta sr1 basics

[minolta film]

Total beginner in film cameras. Could someone help me with a question. I recently got a minolta sr1 which seems in good condition apart from the self timer being a bit inconsistent. When I fire the shutter the viewfinder goes black but returns to normal after winding on. Is this normal or have I bought a dud with a lot of problems.
Many thanks in advance.

 

[cgw]

Start here: https://www.cameramanuals.org/minolta_pdf/minolta_sr-1.pdf

 

[minolta film]

Start here: https://www.cameramanuals.org/minolta_pdf/minolta_sr-1.pdf

Many thanks for replying. I have looked at the manual but it doesn’t seem to answer what I wanted to know.

 

[greybeard]

Along with reading the above manual, you'll need a light meter. Nothing fancy, something like this one from B&H should do the job.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1826628-REG/reflx_lab_rldmblk_mini_shoe_mount_digital.html

 

[cgw]

Thank us later...

Minolta SR1 Black

This answers the OP's question.

 

[greybeard]

Many thanks for replying. I have looked at the manual but it doesn’t seem to answer what I wanted to know.

The SR1 is a full manual without meter 35mm film camera. I have experience with this type of camera, mostly medium format. What questions do you have that are not answered in the manual.

 

[minolta film]

The SR1 is a full manual without meter 35mm film camera. I have experience with this type of camera, mostly medium format. What questions do you have that are not answered in the manual.

Thanks it was mostly to do with the shutter mirror not snapping shut after taking a photo until I wind it on. Just wanted to know if it was likely that photos would come out or should I try and get it serviced first.

 

[webestang64]

mirror not snapping shut after taking a photo until I wind it on.

Page 9 of the manual.

 

[greybeard]

Thanks it was mostly to do with the shutter mirror not snapping shut after taking a photo until I wind it on. Just wanted to know if it was likely that photos would come out or should I try and get it serviced first.

Looks like this might be normal operation but the manual calls it a "quick return mirror". Early SLRs operated this way with the mirror staying up until you wind the film. My Blad worked this way and it was a bit upsetting the 1st couple of times I used it until I got use to it.
1. Get a meter
2. Learn how to use it with your camera
3. Get some color print film ASA/iso 100
4. Shoot some pictures
5. Send it off and have it processed.

Only way you are going to know what is going on.

 

[wfooshee]

Page 9 of the manual.

And yet, on page 12:
"When the shutter is released, the diaphragm closes to pre-set aperture, the mirror clears, the picture is taken and the mirror returns..."

That says the mirror drops back down, and the viewfinder should show the image through the lens. Otherwise, why call it a quick-return mirror.

(I have seen cameras that leave the mirror up until the film is wound and the shutter cocked, such as the Voigtlander Bessamatic, from the 60s. My dad had an Ultramatic, which DID have a quick-return mirror, but the mechanism was quite noisy!)

If his camera leaves the viewfinder dark, but it's available after winding, he can still use the camera, but it isn't right.

 

[dxqcanada]

Hmm, I also think that the mirror should return to the low position after releasing the shutter.
It is possible that the foam shock absorber is sticky and holding the mirror.

 

[JoolsW]

My Zeiss Contaflex has non-return mirror. Has to be cocked before you can see through the viewfinder.