Minolta SR-T 101 - Variants

Variants

Several changes were made to the SR-T 101 during the long production period, both functional improvements and rationalisation of production. Some are easily detected while others are inside the body and not apparent without dismantling, these latter ones are not covered here. New features may have been retrofitted to older cameras due to repair or just being swapped between cameras, including the original lens. Camera body serial numbers has been observed from about 1.000.000, while the 58mm standard lens has been observed from about 5.000.000.

The original camera has a black shutter speed dial with a finely milled pattern at the edge, and the two black plastic covers either side at top of the mirror housing are glued in place. All visible screw heads are single slotted. At the back, either side of the viewfinder window two screws hold the top cover, which are situated at equal distance from viewfinder window either side. The take-up film spool is plain black with one slot. The accessory shoe has a small metal stud stop pin. The standard lens has an intermittent milled focusing ring without scalloping recesses. The lens cap is black anodised stamped aluminium with "Minolta" in brushed metal finish.

The original model soon was changed, possibly after just some 50.000 cameras had been made; the right-hand screw at the back was moved farther away and the two black plastic covers either side at top of the mirror housing became fixed using blackened screws with brass bushings attached inside.

Later on, as body serial numbers approached the two million mark, more easily detectable changes were introduced; the shutter speed dial on chrome cameras became chrome finished with coarse patterned sides. All screws are of the crosshead variety. The take-up film spool got a grey four-tongued plastic moulding for film attachment. The lens got a scalloped focusing ring.

The late cameras, made the last few years, have a modified accessory-shoe with a black plastic ridge stop in front. The standard lens would be of the 50mm focal length.