Monday, July 4, 2011

New Lenses for my Minolta SRT 202

A couple of months ago, I was given a Minolta SRT 202, and only recently finished putting my first and second rolls of film through the camera. The camera was without a lens, so my first purchase was a Minolta Rokkor-PF 55mm f/1.7 lens, which though gently used, functions really well and has clean glass.



I really wanted to diversify my lens collection, but without great cost, because my gear budget is slim right now. So I ventured on over to KEH, my favorite retailer for used cameras and lenses. There I found three lenses that cost me a grand total of $30.

Vivitar MC 28mm f/2.8 :: To be honest, I don't love a 28mm lens and can't often find a place for one in my camera bag. But in this instance, I thought I might sometimes need something wider than 35mm, and I couldn't justify springing for a 24mm lens at this point.

This Vivitar is the lightest lens I have ever held. The barrel is made entirely of plastic, except for the lens mount. That doesn't really bother me much in this case, as I don't expect it to be much abused. The front of the lens extends as the lens is focused. It has a 49mm filter thread, which for me is unfortunate, as I have no other lenses of that thread size, and hence no filters - I may have to search out a step-up ring.


Soligor 35mm f/2.8 :: Considering it's ordinary size, the Soligor lens is inordinately heavy. If I get in a bind while hiking and run across some wild beast, I have no doubt I could effectively brain it with the chunk of glass and metal.

The lens also has the distinction of the focus ring rotating in the opposite direction of the other lenses I have for the Minolta. Having said all that, I am excited to use this lens, as the 35mm focal length is one of my favorites. So here's hoping that the optics deliver, since it will likely be much used.



Vivitar 135mm f/2.8 :: The 135mm focal length is another that I don't find much use for (although I did use it on its first trip out. This lens is stout and has a built-in hood, as did most telephoto lenses of its generation. I hope to find more use for it than I have similar lenses in the past.



I hope to add some more lenses to my Minolta family in the future, perhaps some wides or super-wides. Maybe I'll even get adventurous and try out a tilt-shift lens. Any suggestions of noteworthy lenses would be appreciated.

8 comments:

  1. i have used this model for some 40 years in my business, you have made a great find, this one of the finest cameras you can owne.

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    1. hey i have a minolta srt 202 how much are they worth?

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    2. Worth depends on many factors, including the condition of the camera, whether or not a lens is with it, etc. The best way to quickly determine what such cameras are currently selling for is by doing a search on eBay for completed listings, in order to see what recent auctions have closed at. These cameras are not rare and don't have particularly distinguishing features, so their value likely won't be too high.

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  2. How do I get the lens off?

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    1. When looking at the front of the camera, you should see a button/knob to the upper-right side of the lens (see the first photo on this page). Push that button in a downward direction, and twist the lens counter-clockwise in order to remove it. Thanks for stopping by the blog.

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  3. I am new to photography and just started using my aunt's old minolta srt202. I have a basic lens and a telephoto lens, but I am looking for a wide-angle lens. Do you have any recommendations?

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    1. I would either look at a 28mm or 35mm. Either can be had for pretty cheap these days. And you can always go wider from their, if those don't satisfy your need.

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