Minolta SR-1s (1967)
The Minolta SR-1s, introduced in 1967, was the last of the original SR-series cameras. The line began with the SR-2 in 1958. It's a fully mechanical, manual focus 35mm SLR with no built-in light meter, essentially the same camera as the later SRT 101 but without the meter. The optional clip-on SR Meter S was available if you wanted metering.
The body is metal with a satin chrome finish. It uses the Minolta SR mount and accepts SR, MC, and MD lenses. The shutter runs from 1s to 1/1000s plus bulb. That 1/1000s top speed is what set this final SR-1 version apart from its predecessors. The camera measures 144 x 87 x 49mm and weighs 599g.
Early SR lenses can be tricky, so check before you buy. Some lack the pin for automatic diaphragm reopening. Others have longer pins that may physically interfere with cameras other than the original SR-2 they were designed for. Non-retrofocus wide-angle lenses also penetrate deeply into the body and require mirror lock-up. Check pin length carefully before mounting an older SR lens on any non-SR2 body.
Surviving documentation is thin. No original price, production run figures, or period reviews have surfaced. On the used market, asking prices have ranged from $150 to €179, and one South African listing reported a $400 sale. A Kamerastore listing for the optional SR Meter V noted some wear but working condition.
- Type: 35mm manual focus SLR
- Introduced: 1967
- Mount: Minolta SR / MC / MD
- Shutter: 1s – 1/1000s + B
- Metering: None (fully mechanical); optional SR Meter S
- Finish: Satin chrome
- Dimensions: 144 × 87 × 49mm
- Weight: 599g
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