Using Imperfect Gear || Minolta Dynax 5

[@spa1ktc]

Totally agree. I've used a Minolta Dynax 4 with a kit-zoom for hiking - the picuture quality to weight ratio makes it great for that purpose.

[@maropoma]

Bravo! Pushing people to use cameras even with defects is a good philosophy. There are so many good film cameras out thee and nobody will produce it again, so let use it regardless some minor defects.

[@NPJensen]

When Sony took over, they kept the eye detect focus... Basically the Sony A-mount cameras and lenses are digital Minolta Dynax cameras and lenses with a Sony logo on them, and they are great. I have a Sony A58, that I recognize so many Minolta features on/in. I'm not getting a Minolta Dynax though - I'm sticking to my Canon EOS 300 and 300V - they are also light weights and easy to use. As far as using imperfect gear... I'm using a Yashica Mat 124G with haze inside the taking lens. I shot a test roll, and I couldn't see any problems in the negatives and scans, so I'm going to continue to use it.

[@stevenovosel2498]

Haze is easy to clean out of TLR lenses, you should consider doing it yourself.

[@NPJensen]

@@stevenovosel2498 Not when the haze is inside the lens. It would take professional level tools to dismantle the lens (I checked the service manual), and it would require new leatherette for the front of the camera because the leatherette covers several of the screws keeping the lens in place. Not easy at all in my opinion.

[@stevenovosel2498]

@@NPJensen It's quite easy, you just need a lens spanner. Front elements tend to unscrew without any tools, you only need tools for rear elements. But those tools are very cheap on Amazon/etc. I've cleaned up several Mamiya TLR lenses and a Yashica 124 while just sitting in my living room.

[@24secondsperframe68]

I took the Dynax 5 backpacking. It was slung over my shoulder when I came off a dirt bike. My shoulder was screwed, but the camera was fine as it's lens hood took the impact and simply cracked in 2. Kept using it. Got some of my best shots with a kit lens in bright conditions and dark temple corridors alike. Great ergonomics and it just doesn't get in your way. I've since gone back to a manual Pentax collection because of my student days nostalgia and aesthetics if I'm honest, but the Dynax definitely deserves better. Sure I don't much like plastc painted silver and it could have really benefited from a tough, all black product design aesthetic - But it was a regretably superficial retro market at the time and as a result, it's a very under rated camera that came out when people had shifted their focus to the technological horizon. A luxury item in the dying market of consumer level AF SLRs at the time.

[@areallyrealisticguyd4333]

Minolta cameras are highly underrated. Got my Minolta Alpha 9 for $80 with the AF not working and probably one of the best 35mm SLR's I've ever used!

[@extremelydave]

Another video with a great point.... you have to appreciate what we DO have out there. In the last 2 years I have bought a Mamiya RB67, Mamiya 645 Super and Pro and a Olympus OM1.....They are all old cameras that are not perfect, but I look at it as personality....kind of like an old car. As long as we don't have "new" old film cameras, work with what we DO have. Your videos are awesome Nico.

[@hrl3113]

true words... the colors of your examplephotos are phenomenal

[@jonmnelson]

I’ve bought some used gear from a reputable used camera dealer and chose lower-rated items in terms of condition. Everything has been great and works perfectly. Best of all for me is I don’t have to treat it as precious, immaculate gear since it’s already been used and has some battle scars. It frees me from worrying about scratches, etc. Great advice.

[@emilbuchberger50]

Those pictures are wonderful, the colors and tones are awesome. I also love cheap(ish) film cameras, kind of fits to the idea of film photography for me. Especially those that I get for very cheap and then turn out to be wonderful and working.

[@soundmixervegas]

I use dynax5 all the time. Great camera. 4000 speed. It has a great spot metering. I also have the black Asian version which has panoramic crop.

[@ausgeknipst]

I totally agree to everything you said. We run a small film camera shop by ourselves here in Germany, and it's a daily challenge for me (who lists the item) to rate them properly. We check every item but sometimes the "defects" are so small that I have to decide whether to mention them or not. Of course, if e.g. the display is bleeding I will make a photo and write it into the description. But if e.g. the lens has some minor enclosures (which 90% of all old lenses have) I have to decide whether to tell the potential buyer that it has some dust in it or not. Experienced photographers will know that minor dust enclosures won't affect image quality, but new film photographers might get scared that the lens is kidn of broken and won't buy it. I guess what I am trying to convey here is: Don't be too scared of "imperfect" gear. Instead, ask yourself: what am I trying to achieve with it? If you wanna go full manual, maybe you can get away with a camera that has a broken light meter for example.

[@huntercreatesthings]

I have a Dynax/Maxxum 5 and it's fantastic. Weighs nothing at all so I use it as a backup when I'm shooting run and gun. Highly recommend sticking to primes though, the Minolta zooms of the era don't hold up quite as well!

[@robertknight4672]

I think I'm an Alta Maxim 5 back in 2020. It came with the kit zoom lens which works perfectly fine. I did buy a 50 mm lens. The first 50 mm I bought didn't work right. The second one I bought worked fine. Sometimes I use a Minolta speed light with it which makes the camera very top-heavy if if you're not using off camera with the wireless mode.

[@bambagamer]

It's smaller brother, the dynax 3L is even smaller but has no manual controls (not even Av or Tv) so it's truly an amazing p&s with the 50/1.7

[@rickeselgroth6906]

I've always shot Minolta, my dad started me out with his minolta himatic 7 in the late 70's and I now own prob 20 different minolta film cameras from point and shoots to the coveted minolta MAXXUM 9

[@vigodrakken7916]

I had a Maxxum 5 then got the 7 brand new. Still have the 7 such a nice Camera.

[@GreenlifeFin]

Really beautiful photos, wow! I just ordered a XT si for very cheap. Hope it works. I think I must get the 50mm F1.7 after I saw your photos!

[@davidottman9501]

How many of us work as well as these "outlet" units at the same age? Hmm... I've shot some great images that I treasure on outdated, slightly broken camera equipment. Most of those wouldn't have even been possible on some new digital wonder-thingy. Keep up the great work, Nico!

[@footballmans2124]

Picked up quite a few cheap cameras with slight issues like this, some are fine and some have issues that interfere with normal use. But imperfect gear is a great way to try things out and sometimes you fall in love with it. Also these pics are beautiful!

[@jonlouis2582]

Cute pictures of the fam! I’ve been enjoying “substandard” gear for years. Any gear I come across that looks pretty gets resold.

[@brineb58]

Solid advice!!! I think some of the old 90s auto 35mm cameras are a fun thing to play with!!!

[@gatsbye53]

Spot on! There is a lot of great gear out there with only minor issues. They're not making new film cameras en mass like the golden age of film. Yes, there are a lot of great cameras out there in top shape, but there are a lot with only a few minor issues. I love Minolta SR series of cameras. Most of them have non-functional light meters. Don't care. I just use a light meter/ app. I have just as much fun, and I get the joy of using a vintage camera.

[@robertknight4672]

I bought a Minolta Maxim 5 on eBay that had some of shutter blades stuck open. I don't remember if that was mentioned in the description or if it happened in shipping. However I found a KZbin video with an easy fix for that problem and it's been fine since. Sing whatever I go to use it before I put film in it I test it with the film door open to make sure they're working properly. So when is Minolta is working they're excellent cameras. I wear glasses so I shut that I detection feature off. Most of the time I let the camera make the decisions unless I want a specific type of shot.

[@thomebau895]

I have bought dozens of partially defective lenses and cameras and managed to get all of them working again. I don't care how it looks, it just needs to work! There are great deals to be made buying lenses with haze, sticky apertures, slow shutters or fungus 😁

[@ashsphotolounge]

As a regular visitor to Finland and Tampere in particular - yep the light is amazing, the scenery is spectacular, and the people are warm and friendly. Camera Rescue is a welcoming place (even if I got a bit lost getting into the building) and everyone should go to Finland at least once (I've been many more times) and saw Finland take the Ice Hockey cup in the final this year (on TV in the Soho bar about five minutes from the stadium) Finland is my favourite European photo destination 🙂

[@devroombagchus7460]

Thanks and congrats with the new old.

[@brianmacdomhnaill8541]

What? Finland golden hours sound amazing! Im plan a trip!

[@GreenlifeFin]

I did not understand that statement, being a Finnish photographer… But yeah, the light can be beautiful in the summer evenings.

[@thenotoriuosbg7372]

Brilliant Nico, at the end of the day they are a light box with glass on the front. Im sure that most photographers now do not use a fraction of the functions that are present on a camera. As such no having complete functionality does not change their experience.

[@lezapzap311]

Great video, I bought an untested Nikon L35AF with a bad battery door but knew it would still work according to my research. Definitely interested in buying more imperfect gear, I’ve always managed fine with imperfect items and appreciate we still have film cameras to use.

[@MiracleWinchester]

My first film camera is the Maxxum/Dynax 7000, the first of the AF series from Minolta. And it still feels like home going back to shoot with it. 😊

[@michaelsherck5099]

Back in the day someone told me that "Nikon makes the best lenses, Canon makes the best bodies and Minolta makes the best systems." (I may have gotten the Nikon-Canon thing backwards. It was quite a while ago.) I've had Nikon bodies and lenses and Canon bodies and lenses but because I'm not rich I wanted one manufacturer's bodies and lenses, just so I didn't have to pay for duplicate lenses. I chose Minolta and have no complaints. That Minolta has always been less expensive than the two star brands is just icing on the cake. I feel that Minolta's lenses are second to none and wish they had made lenses for large format. On the other hand, Fijinon large format lenses are outstanding and also less expensive than the large format stars, Schneider and Rodenstock, so I guess I win there, too. 😉

[@garymorrison277]

I recently bought 2 Dynax 7's on eBay being sold as parts/not working, one for (UK) £10 the other for £25. Both work great the only issue was both had the sticky back's and grips the usual problem with a lot of cameras from the 90's and early 00's, but when cleaned they both are like new. So 2 cameras that you were selling at the kamera store for €329 for 1, cost me 1/10 of the price for 2, and especially when you consider when the camera came out 21 years ago it was close to €900. I agree, cameras with slight issues should be loved as much as the ones that are in as new condition and not destiny for the scrap bin or at least the parts bin especially these cameras that were the last of there kind because only a few years after they came out in came the digital era.

[@marcp.1752]

I'm shooting Minolta for >3 decades, all manual. But of course, i do know about their AF series, since 1985 the 7000 came out. I got the Dynax 5 very cheap, and also paid only a way cheap price for a decent Tamron lens. I am way used to other brands, but i'd think i'll have a lot of fun with my Dynax 5 with small Tamron Zoom. I love to shoot Film, all my life.

[@spangancayco]

💯 loved the photos!

[@Emma-zk6it]

Minolta makes excellent cameras, the XE-7, the maxxum 7000, and the jewel of the crown the Minolta alpha-9. Great camera cheap prices and awesome lens selection.

[@Jay-jb2vr]

Minolta XD11

[@4351steve]

Thanks for sharing, your point is so valid.

[@timryan894]

Love the color tones on the images with your girls. What film stock did you use? Thanks

[@yadiratackett7897]

Love the pictures 📸 do you guys at your work place develop the 35mm film? I just got my minolta camera 📷 out need to start loving it again thanks for the video 😊

[@arcanics1971]

Agreed. The only fault I won't touch is fungus. But I suspect that even that is being overly careful. I'll happily use a banged up camera with a couple of functions missing. I pretty much shoot manual all the way- just because I did that to learn and it became how I shoot, not because it's better- so 99% of the features of a camera that won't work, I'd never use anyway.

[@braixeninfection6312]

I bought a 7xi for $25. Really cheap. The grip was cracking bad and after a few times of putting on gorilla epoxy it’s like new. Ok not really but the cracks really aren’t a huge bother. The store I bought it from has another Minolta but the top lcd has some seriously bad bleed. I want it but if I can’t see my settings I just can’t get it. My 7xi works perfectly and I love it! So glad I got it for so cheap!

[@MaxLamdin]

as someone who works in a camera shop and handles most of the used stuff i've slowly been getting used to this idea and feel more willing to put this stuff out, yes at a discounted price but so many people want to get into film that these little things won't both them and it's an easier and cheaper way to get people into film which is what we really need

[@calvinchann1996]

I’ve bought several cameras from Kamerastore. It’s my first stop for used gear. I think your descriptions could be better. I bought an EOS 3 which didn’t come with the eyecup. I knew this before I bought it but your description didn’t mention it. I sourced my own eyecup to complete the camera, but I noted that other EOS 3 bodies also came without the eyecup and these eyecups are very rare.

[@briglnai]

recently got a Dynax 800si for fun and totally love it. I paid around 40$ with a lens...

[@pralkowcypl3646]

Thanx for this video!

[@aryanarch8066]

What was the lens that you used?

[@depthoffield405]

this is how i feel about my canon rebel G series, it's sooo light and $25 in like mint condition let alone "outlet" it takes any contemporary EF canon lenses, it shoots double-10 exposures, and it shoots up to 1/2000th, it's got auto-focus, and it's got a flash! What else can you ask for? I bought a second so if my first one dies on me i've even got a second.

[@MarksPhoto]

Put a Sony Zeiss 24-70 SSM a mount lens on that. It will work fine. The pics are great.

[@aceaspillaga]

just saw several different live streams of jch praising the genba kantoku as his go to nowadays. same reason, its good and its cheap.

[@jimgraves4197]

Minolta cameras are dirt cheap at the moment and a great way into film photography for a beginner.

[@nhwalker]

lets remove the word beginner

[@jimgraves4197]

@@nhwalker my grandson has begun to learn photography by going the same route I did, with film. He really is a beginner and a quick learner too.

[@stefaanverlinde9726]

never shot Minolta before ..... wow ,

[@r0man0ff1]

All cameras are beautiful! But EOS 300 is still the best :)

[@arcanics1971]

I didn't really like mine- but for a stupid reason. I like the action of winding on and so I enjoy shooting less when that's not there. But yes, the EOS 300 is really good and takes some fantastic pics.

[@timdarklighter]

I put on the 40/2.8 pancake lens and it feels like a little point and shoot with all of the bells and whistles if I want them.

[@r0man0ff1]

@@timdarklighter yeah, pancake is awesome. I also have it. My favorite part is how lightweight the setup is - it's 500 grams for the camera, lens, film, batteries and strap all together

[@danem2215]

I have a big soft spot for Minoltas. You get a whole lot of camera for cheap as dirt, and they last forever. Thrift stores are your best bet for not-so-perfect gear. My Maxxum 5 was a total of $20 with a 50 1.7. There's nothing wrong with it - it just couldn't be tested by Goodwill. Camera stores are great but they are a huge barrier for people wanting to get into photography without shelling out tons of money on a certified perfect camera.

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

Agree, love this Dynax and the results it has given me so far.

[@youarenotaghost3702]

Minolta is a poor man's Pentax. Seriously though, I love my Minolta x-570 very much.

[@MR-rp3xr]

I picked up a mint Dynax 800si and 28-70 for £10 it even has the data back

[@Stanlyok]

And this video just increased price of broken cameras 😁

[@toulcaz31]

problem with not fully working cameras for beginners is that they might struggle to tell if they did something wrong or the camera is wrong

[@FTropper]

So over time analogue will become a "use what you've got" game by default because there is no more stuff to buy. I kind of like that idea. It's sad - but somehow romantic sad. 🙂

[@mrenovatio3739]

I get your point, but no one is going to pay full price for imperfect equipment. Film or digital. Sure, for a $20 spare camera or lens, fine. But people would rather spend a couple hundred for something that isn't damaged/worn. Film & development costs will end up costing more than most normal cameras, so most people are prepared to buy something nicer.

[@NicosPhotographyShow]

I didnt say we should pay full price, I say we should accept gear that works with small inperfections at reduced prices.

[@michaeldimmitt2188]

Maybe full price+ if the film world goes all MadMax/BladeRunner! As a relatively poor man who loves photography, I have always gone the "user" route with my gear. I agree with what Nico shares here. I am lately falling in love with the use of old gear I've found in flea-markets and second-hand shops here in Europe. Not to try to do serious work (yet), but test rolls and personal delight in using old gear to see what comes. Being challenged with the limitations of the old gear (max shutter 1/300!?!? ASA-ISO max 200!?!?) helps me think more creatively and adds a new level of fun to making pictures (when it works out!). No, I will probably never have the best stuff, but what I do have still brings full priced pleasure, awesome memories, and sometimes beautiful pictures.