• How to Replace the Leather Cover on Minolta XD 11/5/7/S Series Film Cameras (and More!)

    If you’re a fan of vintage film cameras, you know how important it is to keep them in top condition. Over time, the leather covers on classic cameras like the Minolta XD series can wear out, peel, or become damaged. But don’t worry—replacing them is easier than you might think! In this post, I’ll walk you through the process of replacing the leather cover on your Minolta XD 11, XD 5, XD 7, or XD S series film camera. This guide also applies to many other vintage cameras, so it’s a handy skill to have.

    What You’ll Need:

    • Replacement leather covers (I highly recommend the ones from Hugo Studio, which offer a wide range of options for various vintage cameras).
    • Cleaning supplies (isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs, etc.).
    • A sharp blade or scraper for removing old adhesive.
    • Patience and a steady hand!

    Step-by-Step Process:

    1. Remove the Old Leather: Carefully peel off the old leather cover, taking care not to damage the camera body. Use a blade or scraper to remove any stubborn adhesive residue.
    2. Clean the Surface: Thoroughly clean the camera body with isopropyl alcohol to ensure the new leather adheres properly.
    3. Repair the Film ISO Holder: If your camera has a damaged film ISO holder, now is the time to fix it. This step ensures your camera remains fully functional.
    4. Install the New Leather: Align the new leather cover carefully and press it into place. Take extra care around tricky areas like the self-timer mechanism.
    5. Final Touches: Reassemble any parts you removed, such as the self-timer lever, and give your camera a final wipe-down.

    By the end of the process, your Minolta XD series camera will look as good as new! This restores its aesthetic appeal and protects the camera body from further wear and tear.

  • Comparing Olympus OM-2n to Minolta XD11 and Leica

    The Olympus OM-2n is a classic 35mm film camera that blends compact design with powerful functionality. In my latest video, I review this iconic camera, discuss why I reacquired it, and compare it to other film cameras like the Minolta XD11 and Leica alternatives. If you are considering the OM-2n for your film photography setup, this video will guide you through its features, metering system, and overall usability.

    Video Chapters for Easy Navigation

    00:00 – Introduction
    📸 00:55 – Why I sold my Olympus OMs
    🔎 01:35 – How I found this OM-2n
    🛠 02:43 – How to test the OM-2n during purchase
    📷 03:19 – 35mm F2.8 Lens Overview
    📷 03:27 – 75-150mm F4 Lens Overview
    🤔 03:40 – Is this a Leica Alternative?
    04:05 – Why I ditched the Leicas
    📜 05:07 – Brief history of the Olympus OM-2n
    📏 05:51 – Olympus vs Minolta compactness comparison
    07:07 – XD11 vs OM-2n feature comparison
    🔊 08:18 – OM-2n Shutter Sound
    🔊 08:38 – XD5/XD11 Shutter Sound
    📏 09:41 – OM-2n vs XD11 size difference
    🎯 10:23 – If you could only choose one system, which one?
    11:10 – OM-2n operations
    12:55 – Hotshoe adapter discussion
    📊 13:58 – OM-2n metering system
    📷 15:46 – 35mm lens size comparison
    🔚 18:16 – Conclusion

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    🎞 More Film Photography Content

    Explore more reviews, comparisons, and hands-on tests in my Film Photography Playlist.

  • Local Marketplace Find: Minolta X700, XD11 and Legendary Rokkor Lenses

    In a world dominated by digital photography, there’s something undeniably special about shooting with film. The nostalgia, the anticipation, and the timeless charm it brings are unrivaled. Recently, I stumbled upon a treasure trove of vintage photography gear at my local marketplace, and among my finds were two “top-of-the-line” Minolta 35mm film camera bodies: X700 and XD11, and a set of remarkable Minolta Rokkor lenses: 28mm F2.5, 35mm F1.8, 50mm F1.4, 100mm F4 Macro and 200mm F3.5. You’ll notice there is also an interesting Minolta Panorama Head II adapter for seamless panoramic shooting.

    Look what I found yesterday from local marketplace!

    The Minolta 35mm manual focus film cameras are a true classic. XD11 is the last metal body 35mm manual film camera Minolta produced before switching production to a slightly more advanced but fully plastic X700 in the early 80s. Renowned for its exceptional build quality and reliability, these cameras represent an era when craftsmanship was at its peak. Holding it in my hands, I couldn’t help but admire its solid metal construction, clicky dials, and precise controls. Every click of the shutter feels like a testament to the dedication put into its creation.

    One of the highlights of my vintage camera find was the collection of Minolta Rokkor lenses. These lenses are renowned for their exceptional optical quality, rendering images with stunning sharpness, contrast, and vibrant colors. Compared digitally to my previous collection of Olympus OM lenses, the Rokkor lenses provided smooth and beautiful bokeh above all the OM lenses I’ve had in the past. Creamy, balanced color and, of course, that vintage look when shooting wide open.

    Among the collection of Minolta Rokkor lenses I acquired, one gem stands out—the 35mm f1.8 MD Minolta lens. This lens has gained legendary status among photographers for its exceptional performance and versatility. The 35mm focal length is often considered the “standard” for many genres of photography. It provides a natural field of view that closely resembles what the human eye sees, making it ideal for street photography, environmental portraits, and capturing everyday moments with a sense of intimacy. With an impressive wide aperture of f1.8, this lens excels in low-light conditions, allowing for stunning shots with minimal noise and beautiful bokeh. The 50mm f1.4 MD, on the other hand, is a true workhorse, the lens can usually be obtained for less than $50 bucks and produces excellent sharpness from F2.8 and beyound. At f1.4 the 50mm is a bit soft, but if you are shooting 35mm film, the softness will add to the “glowy” effect when developed.

    Rediscovering the art of film photography allows us to slow down, appreciate the process, and capture moments with a timeless quality. So, if you ever come across a vintage Minolta camera and Rokkor lenses, I urge you to take the plunge and unlock a world of creativity waiting to be explored.

    Below, I’ve also included some early “digital” samples that I’ve snapped of our cats, with various lenses mounted on my Sony A7 IV mirrorless camera. The cats oftentimes pose a real challenge to focus, but the Rokkor lenses all performed flawlessly.

    Stay tuned for reviews coming out based on this collection!

  • Rollei 35 RF Rangefinder Film Camera: Light Meter, Frame Lines, Shutter Sound + Film Loading

    I bought mine on eBay for around $1000 (as of mid 2022). You can check on the current price here: https://ebay.us/tu6HRq A film camera that’s quite rare (less than 2000 copies made due to lack of demand back in the day), A solid performer and better bang for your buck compared to any Leica M film camera. This one also has a built-in light meter. If 40mm is your favorite focal length, this camera is your best friend (or Bessa R3A/R3M). Hint: It’s pretty much a Bessa R2 with improved grips! (Those grips may deteriorate quickly in certain situations; if that happens, buy a replacement Bessa R2 leather cover to replace said grips. Or you can order a nice leather cover for the camera to further protect the body from damage and enhance its appearance.

  • How To Rewind Film on Olympus OM-4Ti/OM-3/OM-2 SP Cameras

    If you have one of the cameras mentioned, this is a quick guide on how to rewind the films after you’ve finished shooting your very first roll of film. #kodak #kodakgold200 #filmphotography #olympusom4ti

  • Minolta XD5 35mm Film Camera Overview

    In this video, I give you guys an overview of the features of the Minolta XD5 35mm SLR film camera. 35mm Films: https://amzn.to/33hmo2N 35mm Film Scanner: https://amzn.to/3qA9lCo

    Later on, I will do a detailed comparison of the Minolta XD/7/11 compared to the XD5.

  • Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.4 Lens Sample Photos

    Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.4 Lens Sample Photos

    Minolta MD Rokkor-X 50mm F1.4 Lens is a full manual focus lens originally designed for Minolta manual focus film cameras. It can also be used on some newer film cameras to achieve full automatic exposure using either Shutter speed priority or Aperture priority auto exposure.

    The lens performed quite well on a digital camera, using a Fotasy Minolta MD MC Rokkor Lens to E Mount Adapter I have included some sample photos taken using this lens on a Sony A7 IV mirrorless digital camera. Expect the lens to perform much better on any Minolta film cameras.

    You can probably still find a good used MD lens on eBay.

  • Aputure Light OctaDome 120 Softbox Review: Fantastic Light, But There Is A Catch

    I bought the Aputure Octadome 120 right after it came out.

    In this video, I am unboxing the light and giving you my first-hand experience of what I think about this newly released softbox. Not paid by Aputure to write this review.

    There are really good things to praise about this light, but there is also some major pain in the butt associated with using this light. #aputure #OctaDome120 #softbox #videolight

  • Minolta X570 Review

    In this video, I give you guys an overview of the features of the Minolta X570 35mm SLR film camera. 35mm Films: https://amzn.to/33hmo2N 35mm Film Scanner: https://amzn.to/3qA9lCo

  • Minolta X570 vs XD5

    In this video, I talk about the differences and similarities between Minolta XD5 and Minolta X570 (X500), both of which are very capable auto exposure aperture priority cameras made in the 70s and 80s.

    Some key differences will make your purchase decision lean towards one or the other. I’d pick X-570 for AE lock, full aperture + linked shutter speed readout in the viewfinder, and a physical on/off switch with a beeping option.

    I’d pick XD5 for a more compact camera body (though less ergonomic without molded grips), half metal construction for durability (bottom plate is metal, top plate is plastic), exposure compensation dial, shutter-priority auto exposure, and if you don’t want to worry about replacing the low-quality capacitor on bottom of X-570!

    Both cameras have a bright, easy-to-focus viewfinder with 94% frame coverage, and will provide excellent exposure in auto mode and manual using the newer silicon blue cell light meter, which responds to changing light much faster than older CdS cells used in SLR bodies prior to mid-70s. Since both are fully electronic, always bring extra batteries when out on the shoot.

    Cheers!