The Minoltabury Tales

[Speed Gray]

Not much chatter on this group, so I will continue my tales of my trip back into film photography on my trusty steed, the Minolta X-700 black stallion.

Over the past several weeks I have purchased several X-700 bodies and selected lenses from the world's largest camera warehouse,
E-bay. No disappointments yet, and I am amazed how inexpensive this equipment has become thanks to the digital revolution. Also, purposely bought one body, "for parts or not working" and some electrolytic capacitors from Digikey to see if I can breathe life into this box and return it to a functional state; a winter project.

The purchase of darkroom equipment is finished, and construction has began. Completion maybe this fall. Doing the utility work now; electric, h/c water; and drains. I have finalized the layout and know where to stub the utilities for rough-in.

Back to the X-700. Have shot several rolls of b&w. The Kindermann Brothers (tank and two reels) arrived in the mail yesterday, so processing my first film since 1968 will happen this weekend. This will proof the functioning of camera/lens/processing methods.

Lastly, I want to combine my photo activity with my bicycling activity, so I am currently considering options for carrying equipment. We have a Goodwill Outlet Store close by and I have picked up a couple of sturdy, cheap "gadget bags" which I am going to evaluate and mount one on the rear rack, along with a "scabbard-type" light-duty tripod holder.

So that's the X-700 Project Update. I know this group site is not a blog, and am not intending to make it one. Just thought I would post a few messages here and perhaps generate some conversation, or hear other stories, to cause some traffic.

I am enjoying the company of all my X-700s and have had no real surprises, functionally, so far. I have one for each grade of film I shoot; pretty convenient. I am also trying to get into the habit of carrying one with me as routine (wallet, cell phone, car keys, X-700), but I will say it is not as easy to slip into my pocket as a cell phone (but much more fun to operate).

Is that a shutter clicking I hear . . .

Regards,

Speed Gray, K8SG
Grand Rapids, MI

 

[Francesco_from_Rome]

Hi Speedy Gray,

I am entering the world of film photography with a Minolta, too. So I appreciate your Minoltabury Tales. I still have to find a good way to bring around my SRT-303 (or 102). I am not too confident in the eyelets. I have an original strap, which is old enough to make me worry about it. So for the time being I bring it around in a (camera) backpack and keep it in my hand while going around. I must be on a "dedicated" photo walk, of course. It doesn't fit with having to take care of my kids playing around

What straps do you use on your X700's?

Francesco

 

[Speed Gray]

Hello Francesco:

Thanks for your message. Good luck and success with your interest into film photography. Glad you are a Minolta lover like me.

Yes, make sure your strap is secure so it doesn't break and you drop your camera. Everything you would ever need for your Minolta is available on E-Bay. Straps are listed there all the time. That would be the place to look.

hope you check in here often to the Minolta Group, and welcome aboard!


Best,

Speed Gray

 

[Francesco_from_Rome]

Thanks, I hope to.

I also need to find a small camera bag for it. I find that the limitations given by the number of available exposures on a single roll (and the cost related to each shutter click) forces me to think more on what I am capturing: this is very stimulating and enjoyable. And I like the weight of the camera in my hands, it feels nicely balanced. So it's a very nice experience for the moment. I cannot wait for seeing the first negatives. Hope they will not be all terribly over or under-exposed!