List of Minolta SR-mount cameras

Minolta manufactured and marketed a line of 35mm film single lens reflex cameras (SLRs) and lenses with the Minolta SR-mount between 1958 and 1996; Minolta later introduced the Minolta A-mount system in 1985, a line of autofocus SLRs and lenses with the mechanically incompatible Minolta A-mount, which eventually supplanted the manual focus system.

Overview

The first Minolta SLRs were marketed with SR- model numbers starting from 1958 with the Minolta SR-2, which featured semi-automatic diaphragm operation with Auto-Rokkor lenses: winding the film advance lever opened the diaphragm and cocked the shutter; when the shutter was released, the iris would stop down to the selected aperture. These were succeeded by the SR-T models, which incorporated through-the-lens metering in the body, starting from 1966 with the SR-T 101. The SR-T models were succeeded by the X models, which include the X-1 flagship (1973), advanced XE (1974), and compact XD and lowered-cost XG (1977) lines; all of the X models have some form of autoexposure.[1]: 25–37 

Seagull Reflex DF

Starting from the 1960s, Seagull Camera has sold SLRs with Minolta SR-mount; the first cameras were labeled DF (after Chinese: 单反; pinyin: dānfǎn; lit. 'Single-lens reflex'), and were largely copied from the Minolta SR-2. Most of these were produced for the domestic market in China, but some were exported under multiple brands, including Seagull.[2]

The modular XG line was developed into the X-700/570/370 line in the early 1980s. After Minolta introduced its autofocus A-mount system in 1985 under the trade names α (alpha, Japan), Maxxum (Americas), and Dynax (Europe), demand for the earlier manual-focus cameras dwindled. Minolta licensed the design of the X-370 to Seagull in 1987 and one more SR-mount SLR camera was released in 1990, the X-9 (aka X-300s in Europe); Minolta quietly outsourced production of the X-370 to Seagull in 1995, which continued to produce Minolta and Seagull-branded cameras based on the X-370 for a prolonged period.[3]

Minolta SR-mount SLR timeline
Year
Market
1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
Professional / System — X-1 (XK, XM) —
— SRM X-1 (XK, XM) Motor —
Enthusiast Semipro — XE (XE-7, XE-1) XD (XD-11, XD-7) —
Premium SR-2 SR-3 SR-7 — SR-T 102 (Super, 303) SR-T 302 (505, 303b) X-700
Hobbyist Mainstream — SR-T 101 XE-5 XD-5 —
— SR-1 / SR-1s — SR-T 201 (101s, 101b) — X-600 —
— SR-T 100 SR-T 200 (100x, 100b) — X-570 —
Entry-level — XG-S (XG-9) X-70 (XG-M) X-370 (X-300) X-9 (X-300s)
— XG-E (XG-7, XG-2)
Beginner — XG-1 X-7 (XG-A) —

List of cameras

Minolta SR-mount cameras
Regional name Special model(s) Image Years Shutter speeds Meter Dimensions (W×D×H) Weight Notes / Refs.
JP[a] NA[b] EU[c] Intro Disc
SR-x cameras (1958–1971)
SR-2 — 1958 1960 B+1–1⁄1000 — ? ? [4][5]
SR-1 — 1959 1971 B+1–1⁄500 External 143×32×93 mm (5.6×1.3×3.7 in) 670 g (24 oz) Updates in 1960, 1962, 1963;[4] significant updates in 1961 (automatic diaphragm) and 1965 (Model V), distinguished by rectangular eyepiece.[6]
SR-3 — 1960 1962 B+1–1⁄1000 External ? ? Can be fitted with Minolta SR Meter; added automatic diaphragm in 1961.[4]
SR-7 — 1962 1966 B+1–1⁄1000 non-TTL (CdS) ? ? Includes in-body, non-TTL CdS meter near rewind crank; mirror lock-up added. 1965 update (Model V) to take Series V accessories, distinguished by rectangular eyepiece.[4]
SR-1S — 1967 1971? B+1–1⁄1000 External ? ? Uses SR-T 101 components & Model V accessories.[4]
 
Regional name Special model(s) Image Years Shutter speeds Meter Dimensions (W×D×H) Weight Notes / Refs.
JP[a] NA[b] EU[c] Intro Disc
SR-T xxx cameras (1966–1981)
SR-T 101 SR-T SC (Sears), SR-T MC (K-Mart/ J.C. Penney), both 1973–75 1966 1975 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) 145×48×94 mm (5.7×1.9×3.7 in) 705 g (24.9 oz) SC, MC, and late versions removed mirror lock-up. SC and MC removed self-timer.[7][8]
SR-T 100 — 1970 1975 B+1–1⁄500 TTL (CdS) ? ? Simplified version of 101, replaces SR-1s; removed mirror lock-up and self-timer.[7]
SRM — 1970 1975 B+1–1⁄1000 — ? ? Includes permanently-fixed motordrive unit.[7]
SR-T Super SR-T 102 SR-T 303 — 1973 1975 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) 145×89×94 mm (5.7×3.5×3.7 in) (with 50mm f/1.4) 1,020 g (36 oz) (with 50mm f/1.4) Aperture setting visible in viewfinder.[7][9]
SR-505, 505s SR-T 202 SR-T 303b — 1975 1980 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) ? ? Similar to 102 but mirror lock-up removed; minor updates in 1977.[7]
SR-101, 101s SR-T 201 SR-T 101b SR-T SC-II (Sears), SR-T MC-II (KM/ JCP), both 1977–80 1975 1981 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) 145×47.5×95 mm (5.7×1.9×3.7 in) 705 g (24.9 oz) Removed mirror lock-up, compared to 101; CLC removed from light meter in 1977 (101s). Some features stripped for SC/MC.[7][10]
SR-T 100X SR-T 200 SR-T 100b — 1975 1981 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) 145×47.5×95 mm (5.7×1.9×3.7 in) 690 g (24 oz) Simplified version of 201; CLC removed from light meter in 1977.[7][10]
 
Regional name Special model(s) Image Years Shutter speeds Meter {modes}[d] Dimensions (W×D×H) Weight Notes / Refs.
JP[a] NA[b] EU[c] Intro Disc
Xn cameras (1973–1996)
X-1 XK XM XK Ritz (1978) 1972 1981 B+16–1⁄2000 TTL (CdS, Si) {AM} 147.5×48×109.5 mm (5.8×1.9×4.3 in) 895 g (31.6 oz) Professional modular system camera with interchangeable finders.[11]
XE XE-7 XE-1 — 1974 ? B+4–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) {AM} ? ? Shutter developed with Leitz and Copal; related to Leica R3
XEb XE-5 — 1975 1977 B+4–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) {AM} ? ? Simplified version of XE; multi-exposure added for XEb
X-1 Motor XK Motor XM Motor — 1976 1981 B+16–1⁄2000 TTL (CdS, Si) {AM} 147.5×83×171 mm (5.8×3.3×6.7 in) 1,445 g (51.0 oz) Integral motor drive with detachable battery pack.[10][11]
XD XD-11 XD-7 XD-s 1977 1984 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (Si) {ASM} 136×51×86 mm (5.4×2.0×3.4 in) 560 g (20 oz) Related to Leica R4–R7[10][12]: 179–180 [13]
XG-E XG-7 XG-2 XG-SE 1977 1984 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) {AM} 138×52×88 mm (5.4×2.0×3.5 in) 506 g (17.8 oz) Replaced XE-5, compact SLR; XG-SE included "Accu-Matte" screen.[14][15]
— XG-1 — 1978 1981 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) {AM} 135×52×88 mm (5.3×2.0×3.5 in) 490 g (17 oz) Simplified version of XG-E[10][12]: 179–180 
— XD-5 — 1979 1979 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (Si) {ASM} 136.5×51×87 mm (5.4×2.0×3.4 in) 525 g (18.5 oz) Simplified version of XD[10][12]: 179–180 [13]
XG-S XG-9 — 1979 1981 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) {AM} ? ? Replaces XG-E.[14]
X-700 — 1981 ? B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (Si) {PAM} 137×51.5×89 mm (5.4×2.0×3.5 in) 505 g (17.8 oz) [12]: 179–180 
X-7 XG-A — 1981 1984 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) {A} 138×52×85 mm (5.4×2.0×3.3 in) 485 g (17.1 oz) Simplified version of XG-1. X-7 released in Japan, 1980; autoexposure mode only.[12]: 179–180 [14]
X-70 XG-M — 1981 1984 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (CdS) {AM} 136×52×89 mm (5.4×2.0×3.5 in) 515 g (18.2 oz) Update to XG-9; includes provision to add motordrive.[12]: 179–180 [14]
X-500 X-570 X-500 — 1983 ? B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (Si) {AM} 137×51.5×89 mm (5.4×2.0×3.5 in) 505 g (17.8 oz) Simplified version of X-700[16]
X-600 — 1983 1984 B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (Si) {AM} ? ? Includes focus confirmation, features similar to X-570
X-370 X-300 X-7A, X-370s 1984 ? B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (Si) {AM} 137×51.5×90 mm (5.4×2.0×3.5 in) 470 g (17 oz) Simplified version of X-570, replaced XG-line.[14][17]
X-9 X-300s — 1990 ? B+1–1⁄1000 TTL (Si) {AM} ? ? Updated X-370
Notes
  1. ^ a b c Japan and Asia
  2. ^ a b c North America
  3. ^ a b c Europe
  4. ^ All X-series cameras include (M)anual metering mode unless otherwise noted. All X-series cameras additionally include (A)perture-priority, (S)hutter-priority, and/or (P)rogram autoexposure modes.

References

  1. ^ Reynolds, Clyde (1979). The Minolta SLR Way. London: Focal Press. ISBN 0-240-51023-2. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  2. ^ McGloin, Joe (2022). "Seagull -- Before Minolta". Minchin: Non-Minolta 35mm Rokkor-mount SLR cameras. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  3. ^ Odenbach, C.J. (March 16, 2021). "Last Man(ual Focus Minolta) Standing - The X-370". 678 Vintage Cameras. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Hands, Antony. "The Minolta SR Series, 1958 - 1971". The Rokkor Files. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Minolta SR-2 (brochure)" (PDF). Chiyoda Kogaku Seiko K. K. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  6. ^ "Minolta SR-1 (brochure)" (PDF). Minolta Corporation. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Hands, Antony. "The Minolta SR-T Series, 1966 - 1981". The Rokkor Files. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Minolta SR-T 101 (brochure)" (PDF). Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  9. ^ "Minolta SR-T 303 Bedienungsanleitung" (in German). Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Minolta Dealer Notebook, Part 12: Specifications" (PDF). Minolta Corporation. March 1981. Retrieved 22 July 2024 – via Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library.
  11. ^ a b Hands, Antony. "Minolta X-1 / XM / XK, 1973 - 1981". The Rokkor Files. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Shipman, Carl (1982). How to select & use Minolta SLR cameras. Tucson, Arizona: H.P. Books. ISBN 0-89586-044-9. LCCN 80-81594. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  13. ^ a b Hands, Antony. "The Minolta XD Series, 1977 - 1984". The Rokkor Files. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e Hands, Antony. "The Minolta XG Series, 1977 - 1984". The Rokkor Files. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  15. ^ "Minolta XG-7 Owner's Manual". Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Minolta X-500 Bedienungsanleitung" (in German). Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Minolta X-370s Instruction Manual". Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. Retrieved 5 August 2024.