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Post by Randy on Jun 12, 2007 7:22:58 GMT -5
Maybe people put too much emphasis on lenses. I have 30 Minolta SRTs of different models, do I need to have a lens for every camera? As a collector, the need to have every piece of Minolta Glass escapes me as well, I'm not a Lens Collector, I'm a Camera Collector. I have Minolta Zoom and Telephoto lenses, I have Soligor, Prinz, Vivitar, and Quantaray lenses also, does that mean the aftermarket lenses no better than my Minolta Lenses? People, it's not the equipment, it's the eyes and hands using the equipment. As a collector that owns examples, or has used examples of SLRs from almost every manufacturer, I can say with no reservation that I take better pictures when I have a Minolta in my hands...that is...when I get the film developed, I have more pictures that turn out per roll than if for example I use one of my Spotmatics, or Cosinas to be sure. I like what gives me results, and I like what I'm used to. When that opportunity arises to get a shot I don't need to fumble around looking for buttons and slide switches or other gizmos to get meter readings, and in the mean time the opportunity dissapears because I took too much time with said gizmos. Maybe we are finding that the Minolta is just a little bit more ergonomic and easy than other makes.
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Post by vintageslrs on Jun 12, 2007 7:26:57 GMT -5
and the mind......
Bravo Randy!
Bob
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Post by herron on Jun 12, 2007 8:43:34 GMT -5
........... it's not the equipment, it's the eyes and hands using the equipment. As a collector that owns examples, or has used examples of SLRs from almost every manufacturer, I can say with no reservation that I take better pictures when I have a Minolta in my hands...that is...when I get the film developed, I have more pictures that turn out per roll than if for example I use one of my Spotmatics, or Cosinas to be sure. I like what gives me results, and I like what I'm used to. ....... On this point we certainly agree, Randy. The best lenses for any good photographer have to be the two in his/her head! As to equipment, I also like what gives me results (and I've used a lot of different equipment over the years)...but the name that resounds with me is (what else?) Mamiya...no slight intended to Minolta, or any other brand...must be that "what I'm used to" factor!
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Post by Randy on Jun 12, 2007 9:06:57 GMT -5
That's the crux of the bisquit...what you are used to.
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Post by herron on Jun 12, 2007 9:21:37 GMT -5
Amen....it's just a shame I couldn't afford to get used to Leica. LOL!
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Post by John Parry on Jun 12, 2007 15:52:37 GMT -5
Quite right Randy. I've been out this last week with an ST605 - a nice, compact SLR, which I quite like (Its the STX-1n that I don't like Bob!). But as I'm not using it very often, I have to keep thinking about it - DOF preview, 'Where is it now?' At least it's got one. But you're always having to stop and think. And, although it hasn't happened to me with this camera, it could well be that the shot of a lifetime came by, and I missed it because I was still fumbling for the controls.
Regards - John
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Post by nikkortorokkor on Jun 12, 2007 16:48:03 GMT -5
Maybe the comment about Rokkor speaks a little about my lens envy problems; I will, however attempt to justify it!
I see myself more as an opportunist than a true collector, but I do admit to collectorholic tendencies. My aim now is to build up a classic system, concentrating on the lenses I'll use. I came to Minolta via a stint in China, where I settled on Minolta mount over PK because of the availability of a handful of prime lenses from Seagull. Thus, my Chinese kit comprised a Phenix DC701 body, Phenix 28-70 f3.4-4.8, Phenix 70-210 f4.0-5.6, Seagull 24 f2.8 and Seagull 50 f1.4. In other words, a Chinese rendition of the typical amateur kit crica 1980!
The Phenix body is quite competent, but a couple of niggles prevented me really enjoying it: horrendous mirror slap; a small, stiff speed dial and lack of AE. If I hadn't previously owned two very different but fun to use Nikons (an EM -my first real SLR- and an F3) I wouldn't have noticed these 'problems', or would have solved them by going all auto everything.
So when I noticed Minolta bodies going for next to nothing on our local internet auction I decided to give them a try. It is no accident that my two bodies correspond roughly to my old Nikons: an easy to use XG-9 and an SRT101 with a lovely, tall speed dial (a must have on any TTL manual IMHO). Both are providing me with joyous image making experiences. Endorsement for everyone's comments about ergonomics, favourite bodies and lost (or captured) opportunities.
I really don't 'need' more bodies, but I would like more lenses: a 135mm, an ultra wide, and some long teles. I can't see myself using the latter much, but hey, that's the lens envy bit.
Minolta kits are such common buys on our local internet auction that I could easily go 'see want must have' for every one, and wind up with a plethora of very similar 3rd party lenses and a very annoyed spouse. So by restricting myself to the rarer (Downunder) Rokkor lenses I impart some discipline on my self-indulgent hobby. I'm in no hurry and will continue to use my limited array of Japanese and Chinese glass in the meantime.
If anyone is interested, I'll plug in the old scanner and attempt to show you examples of what weird Chinese glass can do.
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Post by Randy on Jun 13, 2007 21:39:41 GMT -5
Geez Ronnie...I didn't realize you had come to the dark side with me!
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Post by Peter S. on Jun 14, 2007 3:14:17 GMT -5
The piercing force of the XE-1/7 is tremendous. It even could be increased however by adding a MC 3.5/100 Macro Rokkor to its front... definitely the most dangerous weapon shown on Your photo, Randy! Peter
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eesparx
Contributing Member
Posts: 13
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Post by eesparx on Aug 11, 2007 16:13:41 GMT -5
Proud owner of the SRT 100 (purchased new in 1976), X-GM (purchased new in 1982), XD-11, and X-570 ( both recent purchases on ebay).
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eesparx
Contributing Member
Posts: 13
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Post by eesparx on Aug 12, 2007 13:53:11 GMT -5
Ron, Shhhhhhhhhh, my wife may overhear you. ;D I'm currently bidding on a black XD-11 and a modern Canon film body. I shoot film and digital; went to the "other side" (Canon DRebel) 4 years ago. The horror, the horror!
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Post by minoltaman on Aug 13, 2007 13:41:39 GMT -5
Sturgeon's Generic Warning: Collecting Minolta cameras and accessories is highly addictive and may cause loss of savings, divorce threats from spouse, obsessive behavior and bidding wars on auctions sites. Pursue at your own risk. Persue at your own risk!!!!
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Post by Randy on Aug 13, 2007 16:33:26 GMT -5
I told people on that goofy Yahoogroups for Minolta how many SRTs I have and they more or less called me a liar! They asked me for an itemized list! Those guys are so full of themselves...you know who I'm talking about.
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mickeyobe
Lifetime Member
Resident President
Posts: 7,280
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Post by mickeyobe on Aug 13, 2007 19:04:57 GMT -5
Dammit. Why didn't the Sturgeon speak up before. I just bought a Maxxum 7000 at a flea market. Now I have an SR1 with a dead meter, an SR2, an SRT200, the Maxxum and a little 16mm somewhere. I tried to resist but it is so - so - well you know. Am I an addict? Sturgeons should stick to producing caviar.
Mickey
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eesparx
Contributing Member
Posts: 13
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Post by eesparx on Aug 13, 2007 22:57:49 GMT -5
Well, I decided not to continue bidding on the XD-11, however I did win a Minolta 35-70mm f/3.5 lens to replace my third-party 35-70mm lens, and a Canon Elan 7 film body. I realize mentioning Canon in a Minolta thread is sacrilegious.
And yes, collecting is addictive. Is there an Ebay Anonymous meeting scheduled anytime soon? ;D
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