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Post by Randy on Aug 30, 2013 22:59:17 GMT -5
I took some pics of diecast cars today, and while the camera was out, I figured might as well take some camera pics too.
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 31, 2013 3:11:49 GMT -5
Beautiful.
Maroon and black are always a tasteful and elegant combination.
Mickey
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Stephen
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Post by Stephen on Sept 1, 2013 12:49:35 GMT -5
I don't think the Minolta SRT-202 model was available in the UK, they did a SRT-101B instead, the 202 was US only. Buying a Minolta in the UK was a problem, due to the Importer, Photopia, who never backed up the brand to the extent of rivals Canon, Olympus and Nikon. Slow service, no lenses, accessories not stocked, many problems abounded.
They were an importer who did lots of deals to trade, and often independent stockists could not buy Minolta at wholesale prices for what discounters charged over the counter to the public. It meant only the discount chains stocked the cameras and they did not bother to sell lenses or accessories, which due to the lack of interest by the discount stores, Photopia barely stocked.
It dragged a once very popular brand into slow oblivion in specialist photographic shops, sold along side cheaper brands, and we often heard owners say they were forced to buy independent brand lens due to Minolta not making them available in the UK, when in fact there was a full range.
Minolta did try too late to import direct, but it was far too late in the day. Several of our staff used Minolta, top performance, and if only they had a different importer, they should have succeeded in selling more than to the discount market.
Stephen.
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Post by vintageslrs on Sept 1, 2013 13:13:45 GMT -5
Hello Stephen
Thanks for the info. on Minolta in the UK. I always wondered why Minolta did not seem to be anywhere near as popular there as it was here in the US. Here Minolta was probably the first choice among people who were SLR users but did not fancy themselves as "pros". Back in 1973 when I bought my first SLR (it was a Fujica ST 801, which I still have and is in mint condition) all of my friends bought or had Minolta SRT 101's. The Minolta SLR's of that era were very good and were probably the best value per dollar here. It is a shame that their importer in the UK messed things up so badly. I am sure could have enjoyed a much larger degree of success than they did, with proper representation and support. A pity for sure.
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Stephen
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Post by Stephen on Sept 1, 2013 13:45:10 GMT -5
I think Pentax occupied the position that Minolta did in the States, and Olympus got a head start here when they were imported by David Williams, who traded as Olympus (UK).
Yashica was another make with a poor importer, and Miranda had Photopia, who also did Topcon, guess which were unpopular in the UK? Topcon's sales were dreadful, and support for Miranda was non-existant.
Leica got upset when the cameras they got built by Minolta were associated in the UK with the poor situation Minolta were left in here.
Direct importing solved most of the issues, Olympus, Fuji, Canon, and Nikon went to own importation. Recent changes are due to the digital panics and deep changes, rather than problems with importers.
Stephen.
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matty
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Post by matty on Sept 1, 2013 14:16:09 GMT -5
Love the leather on the SRT202, bet that gets a few looks when it comes out of the camera bag. On the subject of Minolta I thought I'd share mine, first off a SR1. This was a carboot find by a friend who decided he didn't want it and passed it on to me at cost.I think it is the 1964 model with the lightmeter mount on the right and the round viewfinder eyepiece. I've given it a clean up and replaced the mirror bumper and am running a first film through it. I really like this one, in terms of quality of build it does feel as good as the Spotmatic, really nice solid feel in the hand. Only down side is that it didn't have the meter with it but you can't have everything I suppose. Then there is the X300, Found this in the local auction house, had a bit of a tussle for it but secured it for £35 in the end, it came with a 28mm and a 80-200 zoom. Both of the lens are aftermarket ones but as I can use them with the SR1 as well I think I've got a nice usable Minolta set up going. The X300 is in great condition, it just needs new seals, I'll try and get round to doing them soon. Funnily enough it was the second X300 I had found that week, I had another from the local flea market with an 80-200 zoom for a fiver, not such good condition though. I passed that one on to the guy I had the SR1 from for cost, he likes later model film cameras and is starting to get a good collection of early AF cameras and lens. Matty
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mickeyobe
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Post by mickeyobe on Sept 1, 2013 14:17:15 GMT -5
My first SLR was an Exakta VX IIa which I used happily for a long time. I still have it as good as new after a CLA.
But then came the Minolta SR2 with its blindingly brilliant viewing screen.
Modernization had started. I used it for years until its position was usurped by the Canon FTb QL, a gift from my son.
The SR2 sits proudly among the collected but not used SR1, SRT 200, XG1 and Maxxum 7000 and some of its lesser rangefinder and Pocket kin.
Mickey
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Post by Randy on Sept 1, 2013 15:48:24 GMT -5
According to the old Min-Man site, the SRT-303B was the European version of the SRT-202. So if you find one of those, grab it.
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lloydy
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Post by lloydy on Sept 1, 2013 16:24:36 GMT -5
Around 1978 - 79 I bought my first SLR, a Canon A1 with a few lenses and all the other accessories. Back then I was earning very good money. We went to America shortly after buying it and I remember the interest it got from American photographers who nearly all had Minolta's - which I was equally interested in. But like so many here in the UK I stuck with my Canon cameras for many years. The only real competition seemed to be Nikon, followed by Pentax and Olympus. I can't remember seeing a Minolta for sale back then.
Today I have a bunch of Minolta's two XD7, two 7000, a 5000i and a 7000i. I also have a few Canon's, an A1, AE1p and an EOS600; all very nice cameras. But I rate the Minolta's as better. The XD7 is fabulous.
We missed out here in the UK back then, with good marketing and backup I think Minolta could have gained the reputation and following they had in the USA.
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