Amanda's Minolta SRT202 w/ MD Rokkor-X 1:1.4 f=50mm lens

Minolta SRT202 w/ MD Rokkor-X 1:1.4 f=50mm lens.  In loving memory of Michael Whittier.

Technically, this Minolta SRT 202 would be the first camera in my antique and vintage cameras collection, however, it was not until I acquired the Zenit-E  that I wrote about earlier in my first post that the collection began to grow. You should probably read that post first if you have not already done so, because it includes details on how I ended up collecting vintage film cameras, but more importantly, it mentions how this Minolta SRT 202 has influenced me a little into collecting vintage film cameras, and it belongs to my wife Amanda.   

This Minolta SRT202 has an MD Rokkor-X 1:1.4 f=50mm lens and a Vivitar Thyristor 2500 flash.  Unfortunately we will not be able to shoot any photos with this camera because the film advance lever is damaged, and the shutter button is stuck.  The timer works and clicks the shutter, but there's no way to advance the film.   In addition to collecting old cameras, I also like learning how to fix them and eventually I will buy another Minolta SRT202 for parts so that I can fix this one.  I think it would be great for Amanda to be able to use this camera and take photos with it.  It can't be another Minolta SRT202, it has to be this one, because it's special.

The man in the framed photograph next to the Minolta SRT 202 is Michael, and he's the original owner of this camera.  He is Amanda/s late father and because he was such an important and very special person to her, naturally, she kept the camera.     It was when Amanda unpacked this camera almost 3yrs ago when we moved into our apartment that I first saw this Minolta SRT 202, and inside it was a used roll of 35mm film.  Eventually we will get the film processed and see what's on it, when Amanda is ready.  Although it's been awhile, she still grieves and she misses him so much, so, not knowing what's on the film, regardless of what images are there, just the thought of Michael causes Amanda some sadness.   Personally, I bet it has pictures of Amanda on it.  He loved her so much and they were very close. 

According to Larry Hester, there were two models of the Minolta SRT 202. The model "A". which  was very similar to the STR201 which was first manufactured in 1975, and the model "B" which began manufacture in 1977.  This particular Minolta SRT202 is the B model.

In 1978 Minolta dropped the SRT202 model from it's line of cameras.   According to Larry, the Minolta SRT202 is thought to be one of the best cameras ever made,and it was Minolta's most expensive manual exposure camera..  ( Source )