bleyton Loc: Los Angeles, CA

I started out on an SRT-201 but quickly upgraded to an XD-5, which I still have. Pretty similar cameras, except that the XD-5 has Shutter & Aperture Priority modes, so you don't need to fiddle with exposure.

I'd offer to sell you the XD-5, but while it appears to work fine, I haven't actually run film through it in about the last 15 years. If I were you I would stick with what you have now. Run a roll of film through it and see what you get - it may work just fine.

My XD-5 used a 3v silver battery. I replaced it with 2 1.5v alkaline button batteries I had laying around, and it appears to work fine. You may be able to find a modern battery of the same voltage that fits the spot. I don't think the camera cares about anything but the proper voltage, though the new batteries might not last as long.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

thanks for your note - do not ever sell your xd5 - made in conjunction with e leitz (leica) and built as good as a nikon f. even were the meter to go, it would still be a keeper. i've got a couple kicking around the house and would not let them go for anything! good luck with yours.

Church Key Loc: Inwood, WV

I decided to go back to film as a lark. Bought a Pentax K1000 from fleabay (vendor was KEH) it had an unusable (de-silvered) viewfinder. Rather than get into a return pissing contest sent a note to Eric Henderson. He replaced the viewfinder and did a CLA for $70. It works like a new camera. Uses standard SR44 batteries. Like it so much, I then got a Pentax LX, which is the top-of-the-line 35 film Pentax. The nice thing about Pentax's are the amazing amount of lenses available for them. You can quench your GAS for not much money.

Church Key

Bar Loc: da 'YouPee', eh!

When I went and took photography back in the early '90's the college had a bunch of K-1000's that they issued to students who only had p+s cameras. They had to be rugged to put up with the abuse the kids inflected on them. I own one and it's a very sturdy camera. I personally took the course because I had bought a Minolta Maxxim 7000 that took amazing photo's and was revolutionary for its day. I wanted to know how a computer chip could take better exposures than I could, and I found out! I have nothing against Minolta's, and bought a used XD11 to use in the class, even though I could go full manual on my Maxxim.

ecurb1105

👍👍👍

donsyler

I also have a SRT-101 that I bought new in 1968. These cameras are bullet proof and my, nearly 50 year-old unit, still operates flawlessly and has not been lubricated in 30 years. If I were you, I'd spend the $75 on the 101 as you know it's history. Also Minolta lenses are as good, or better, than many that are currently on the market.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

I agree with the suggestion to go with medium format. If you are going to develop your own black and white negatives the developing tanks are cheap and with a simple film loading bag you can develop them in daylight, no need for a darkroom. My friend actually processes his with coffee and vitamin C. I bought a Mamiya 645 for a little more than the CLA mentioned above. The negatives are wonderful. Your whole approach to photography will change to a more deliberate and thoughtful process because of the lag between shutter and finished print. As regards a light meter, there are several apps for your smartphone, free, so try them and find one you like.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

And I found the cell phone light meters to be surprisingly accurate. I tested two apps (myLIGHTMETERpro and Pocket Light Meter) against my Pentax spotmeter and a Minolta IVF and they agreed perfectly.

Quinn 4

Having just sold off my last medium format camera. At one time I had six of them. Yes, one can get great pictures with one of them. Big drew backs, is the size of the camera and using it outdoor. In the summer time some problems which can be handed. Winter time outdoor use not a good idea at all. Cost of film, a roll of 120mm give you only 12 pictures. For the same price one can get a roll of 35mm film with 24 pictures per roll. People have wrote about using 120mm B&W film. Great if you are set up for developing you own film, but what about if you are not( like me). What about color film? Want lens for a 120mm film camera. You better have good credit, you will need it. If you have a 120mm film camera and it works or find one at a low price. Get a roll of film and try it out.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

[quote=Quinn 4]Having just sold off my last medium format camera. At one time I had six of them. Yes, one can get great pictures with one of them. Big drew backs, is the size of the camera and using it outdoor. In the summer time some problems which can be handed. Winter time outdoor use not a good idea at all. Cost of film, a roll of 120mm give you only 12 pictures. For the same price one can get a roll of 35mm film with 24 pictures per roll. People have wrote about using 120mm B&W film. Great if you are set up for developing you own film, but what about if you are not( like me). What about color film? Want lens for a 120mm film camera. You better have good credit, you will need it. If you have a 120mm film camera and it works or find one at a low price. Get a roll of film and try it out.[/quote/] Reasonable points, but when you consider Powell in his exploration of the Grand Canyon carried an 8x10 view camera....with glass plates... the weight considerations look silly. My Hasselblad weighs about 4lbs with the lens and back. I have a 42 in wide panorama, just a crop from a square negative, of Monument Valley that you can count the grains of sand and a tack sharp horizon. Try that with a 35mm. If the number of shots you want exceeds 12 shots then use digital. You can carry several magazines with different types of film loaded in them to suit the situation. You are not forced to shoot 24 pics before changing from one type of film to another. As regards processing, my town has a lab that does B&W as well as color with a couple day turnaround. I believe that Costco has a source for developing and printing medium format. I recommend self developing as an educational experience. You'll learn about metering, exposure, contrast manipulation, and the likes. Also, the fact that you can't just put the camera in the "green zone" and shoot a gazillion shots hoping for one that works, you will become a much better artist. The good news is Medium format cameras are incredibly inexpensive now. I bought a Mamiya 645 with an 80mm lens for about the price of 2 tanks of fuel in my pickup truck. The used Hassy that I bought with an 80mm cost less than their cheapest Lens that they sold 20 years ago.

Quinn 4

I not putting down medium format camera, I was showing the problems I was have. No question one will have unbeilvable pictures with a 8X10 view camera with glass plates. I don't have the room or known how to work with medium format camera film to developed, forget about glass plates. You are luck to have in your town a lab, closest lab for me is 70 miles away. I had Hasselblad f1000 / Mamiya C330 / Voiglander Bessa II / Zeiss cameras that use 120mm film, can't remember model number. Today I was outside with 15mph Northwest's wind with temperature at 5 to 10 at best taking pictures of snow on trees, camera use Zeiss Contessa. Kept the camera inside my coat until I wanted a picture, pull the camera out took my picture, camera back in my coat. I not said one can't do that with medium format camera, but think what one has to do to get that picture in cold weather.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

The reference to Powell and his huge camera is referring to John Wesley Powell who explored the SW US in the late 1860’s. I do not have a camera like that. Just offering an alternative to 35mm. I hope your 5 degrees is c not f. Brrrrr. At some point nothing works. Near where I grew up holds the record for cold in contiguous US. At -69.8 f. I’m sure no photos were taken that day, at least outside. Enjoy your day.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

the last thing i want to do is rain on your parade, in regards to the lx. it was a great idea except for one weak spot. the synthetic mirror dampers on either side of the mirror degraded with age and kept the mirror returning once the exposure was complete. the replacements are hard to find, but with any luck, yours will never have that problem - good luck - they are a lovely camera body.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

and that is the neat thing about film cameras. they come in all sizes for all folks to use and make great photos. so, good luck to all of us, no matter what they use.

Church Key Loc: Inwood, WV

My LX was CLA'ed by Eric Henderson in 2015; it should outlive me. I recently got a Mamiya RB67 and picked up a set of replacement foam seals. Will install them after the holidays. Nice thing about the old stuff is they are generally repairable as they do not rely on circuit boards/electronics. Granted, the LX does, but its backup is a K1000.

Church Key