Chris's camera pages

The SR-7, Minolta's fourth or fifth SLR model, was introduced in 1962. It was the first 35mm SLR with a built-in CdS exposure meter. The window for the exposure meter cell is visible on the left front of the top cover.

The meter used the now-defunct 625 mercury button cell.

The SR-7 was a robust and sophisticated SLR for the time, it even has a mirror-lockup feature. This is an example of the early type, a slightly updated model, introduced in 1964, has cleaner lines to the top cover.

Shutter speeds are all one one dial, and run from 1 to 1/1000 second, with flash synch setting marked with a red X between 1/30 and 1/0 second. This example is fitted with an Auto Rokkor-PF 55mm f/1.8 lens, although is apparently also commonly found with a 58mm f/1.4 Rokkor-PF lens.

Shown here fitted to the camera is a Minolta right-angle finder, an uncommon accessory useful for low -angle shots, or perhaps when using the camera on a copying stand.