Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Photography Friends,

Last week I posted about the discovery of my old Minolta SRT 202 slr camera. (Look What I Found) I found it, along with four lenses, filters, a flash unit, and various other items, in an old camera bag, stored in a dark, damp corner of the basement for the past 36 years. Since the camera and lenses were well protected, everything appeared to be in great shape.

I cleaned the 202, put the Minolta 50mm, f1.4 lens on, and found the manual on the internet. A few days later I went shopping for a battery and some film, which was easier said than done. Finding the battery was not that difficult. I only had to go to three different stores to find one. The film, on the other hand, was a whole other story. After five stops, I finally found a package of Fujifilm 400. I wanted 100 or 200, but by now I was so happy to find any film at all, so I took it.

It's been a long time since I loaded film into a camera. I was sure that I did it correctly. After the film was in, I discovered that the metering system no longer worked. Undaunted, I put the shutter on 125 and the lens on f8, and went outside to take pictures. After the counter got past 26 I knew I was in trouble. I brought the camera in the house, and in a dark area, opened the 202. Sure enough, the film was not secured properly to the pick-up reel and never advanced. I reloaded the film, and this time was positive that it was done correctly.

I went outside again and retook all my photos. When the counter got past 26, I knew I was in trouble. So, I brought the camera in the house, and in a dark area, opened the 202 again. This time I discovered that the film was indeed on the pickup reel, but the pickup reel never moved.

I took over 52 pictures and got nothing for my efforts. The experiment is over.

The camera and lens are back in the camera back. Eventually it will make its way back down to the basement.

Long live digital!

RIP. old friend. You were great then, but this is now.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That was a great title for your post. I expected to see someone in bandages.

So I guess repair is out of the question? :D Your experience is one reason that I resist trying out my old film cameras.

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Thanks, Jerry.

After buying the battery and the film, I decided that I don't want to spend any more money on it. And, that didn't even include developing costs. Besides, I'm spoiled. The 202 is 100% manual. I even had to advance the film, which didn't advance, myself.

Every time I took a picture, I looked at the back of the camera. I felt really silly. Haha...

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Chimping a film camera. That's funny right there! Thanks for the story.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Ain't digital great!

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

You bet! I appreciate it now more than ever.
:-D

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Hi, Great story. Thanks, Mike

richnash46 Loc: Texas

That was a very entertaining story, thanks for posting it!

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

don't send your friend to the doom and gloom of the basement. I use my 7 film nikon film slr's as bookends and as conversation pieces on my bookcase.

Phyllis Loc: NE PA

Great idea!

Peekayoh Loc: UK

Great idea but I doubt my other half will concur.

Phyllis, don't consign those old ROKKORS back into obscurity, they work great on the Sony NEX system. If you will never use them and providing there is no fungus, they will be of interest to someone and worth money to you.

GW Loc: Idaho

Just in case you want to check it ...SRT's were good for the film release button sticking in ... if so the film won't advance. If it is try advancing the film sprockets a little by hand , will usually free the release... from an old Minolta fan , good luck...

JohnnyRottenNJ Loc: Northern New Jersey

For those of us who need instant gratification, there is nothing like digital photography. You might not know how good your photo will be, but you know for sure that an image was captured.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I've got an old Olympus 35mm that won't advance film either. Back in the early 80's I had it repaired by Olympus and it worked fine on 2 rolls of film and then started doing it again. Retired. It's still in my safe and when I open the old date back I can see that all the seals are worn out too. This old body would leak light like crazy.

GrandmaJoy Loc: North Carolina

I have a 26 year old Minolta that I plan on trying out soon. I hope all is well.