Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

I wonder how we all functioned and made a living with all those trashy cameras.

OldCADuser Loc: Irvine, CA

I bought my Minolta XG-M in 1982 and used it some 20 years, until 2002 when the film advance froze-up. For most of those 20 years I had used the camera with an add-on motor-drive, which I was told by the repairman I took it to that the XG-M, while ostensibly designed for use with a motor-drive, hence the 'M' designation, the internal mechanism wasn't all that robust as the motor-drive interface was a sort of late idea rushed into production (that being said, i did get 20 years of service out of it and have well over 5,000 images in my archive that I took with the camera). I replaced it with a Minolta X-700, which was my last film camera (last images shots in 2006). Note that I've still got the X-700, with the motor-drive, and a couple of rolls of film in the fridge, so who knows, maybe someday I'll dust it off and see if it still works (and see if the film is still good)

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

I shot lots of H.S. basketball games with the same rig described above. That was when my EOS 10s wouldn't focus fast enough in sometimes lower light in small town gyms.

The MD 50mm f/1.4 lens was tack sharp. Equally as good as my Canon EF lenses. Not a lot of "L" lenses (actually, none) in my bag in those lean years.

mtbear

if you are willing to do a little research you can probably decode it from the serial number.

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Date: Typical early 80s trashy. That is all.

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So you are wondering about how "we" all did something that never happened ?!? Youre just being sooooo typically UHH. Just cuz you shot your daughters wedding with it doesnt exempt it from being trashy. Some fundamental things apply. A spade is still a spade, as time goes by. That is all.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

WTF is soooo typically UHH? You don't know me. You're just unhappy because I called out something silly that you said. I don't have a daughter but if I did, I'd have hired one of my colleagues to photograph her wedding. My theory is that if something goes wrong with someone's wedding, a client will sue you. PPA has insurance for that. Friends or family will just quietly hate you.

I have photographed more weddings than I can remember in my 20 plus years of studio operation. 30 or 35 a year, anyway. I retired before digital was mainstream. My studio cameras were RB-67s, most location work was done with Mamiya 645's with Metz 60CT series flashes. I guess those would be considered trashy by the elite Hasselblad and Leica crowd, but they served me well for many years and made me several dollars. Mamiya lenses are as good as you want them to be and the cameras are sturdy and reliable.

Casual work was done with an EOS 10s and a couple of Minolta X-700s with motor drives because the earlier autofocus cameras were somewhat easily fooled by rapid changes of direction and didn't work well under the 'not so bright' lighting of high school football stadiums. More trashy stuff, I know.

I have used a lot of photographic fundamentals over the years, but never mastered the use of a spade. Spade photography would seem to be a pretty arcane craft. If you are well versed in it, perhaps you could make some bucks selling 'how to' videos.

By the way, you should consider using apostrophes when using contractions.

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Apostrophes ? Considered it. Rejected it.

Hope you enjoyed all those weddings. Its the one thing I avoided all thru my career, just cant stomach them. Even tried to duck my sisters (huge) wedding. I got marrried at city hall.The only weddings I would do (outside of family or good friends) were a few "non-first" weddings for my existing commercial clients. Those are just routine event jobs.

Most memorable friend wedding involved a very pregnant bride, six drunken brothers of the groom, plus all the "usual suspects" in a very small grange hall. "Reality TV" couldnt come halfway close !

Things "gone wrong" with a family wedding job ?!? I can still ROTFLMFAO about having taken my sweeeeeet time printing a cousins 100% freebie wedding and then they split up right about when I finished it. Great timing !

I notice your reply includes your resume and "pro gear" ... also verrrry UHH. I NEVVVVUH do that. Its just such smarmy grandstanding. Ill only disclose whatever specific experience applies to the discusson of the moment.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Whatever you say, chief. I thought the "pro gear" I listed would fall under your assessment of trash. I'm encouraged by your acceptance of them as suitable for professional use. Have a good rest of the weekend.

Laramie Loc: Tempe

I bought and used my XGM in the timeframe listed, and used it until something broke. Replaced with Canon Rebel film then their 20D.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I might be old and desperate, but I would still prefer to date an old woman rather than to "date an old camera." 😂

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

You might stand a better chance of "getting your hands on" an old camera. lol

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Thanks guys... Now I have to locate the old Minoltas and scavenge the lenses to use with adapters; another rabbit hole ! Tanks a lot !

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Definitely, and with less chance of getting slapped in the face!

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

chuckle chuckle.