Minolta Archives

January 29, 2018

Minolta X-570 and the Maxxum 7000 – The End (and Beginning) of an Era

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Minolta’s story is almost Shakespearean; filled with both beauty and tragedy. The company was one of the most innovative and groundbreaking in the photo industry. They consistently invented new technologies and implemented breakthrough features years…

Jeb Inge
41

November 22, 2017

The Minolta a7 is the Perfect Film SLR for Shooters Who Want it All

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Minolta-Alpha-Maxxum-7-FIlm-Camera-product-shot-1.jpg?fit=2200%2C1238&ssl=1 2200 1238 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 November 22, 2017 June 14, 2021

James reviews a Minolta AF SLR that’s so damn good it feels like launching into DOOM and instantly typing IDDQD.

James Tocchio
30

September 13, 2017

Polaroid Spectra Pro / Minolta Instant Pro – The Most Creative Polaroid Cameras Around

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In 1990, Minolta and Polaroid both released an improved version of the Spectra camera called the Instant Pro and Spectra Pro, respectively. These cameras were essentially the same as one another (though the licensed-from-Polaroid Minolta…

James Tocchio
2

July 21, 2017

Minolta MD Rokkor X 45mm F/2 Lens Review

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I have a chambray button-down shirt that everyone seems to love. There’s nothing special about it and I bought it at the Bass outlet for less than $10. But every time I wear it out…

Jeb Inge
36

June 28, 2017

Minolta AF Macro 100mm F/2.8 A Mount Lens Review – Spoiler : It’s Perfect

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/minolta-a7-100mm-macro-lens-product-photos-1.jpg?fit=2000%2C1125&ssl=1 2000 1125 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 June 28, 2017 October 30, 2023

Photography is a fluid craft. The light, our subjects, and even our interests are always in flux. So it helps when our gear can keep up. And it’s this uncommon versatility (combined with amazing image…

James Tocchio
15

May 24, 2017

Minolta Hi-matic 7sII – 35mm Film Rangefinder Camera Review

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We review Minolta’s final fixed lens 35mm film rangefinder camera, and it’s a real beauty – the Minolta Hi-Matic 7SII.

Dustin Vaughn-Luma
27

May 15, 2017

Desert Island Cameras No. 03 – Minolta Edition

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Minolta was one of the greatest camera makers of all time, during the film era. In this article, we pick our favorites from the brand.

James Tocchio
25

August 14, 2016

Minolta XK – Camera Review

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It was after climbing 2,000 feet above sea level, with several hundred more to hike, that I decided to hate Minolta’s XK. I stood hunched and panting over a tangle of evergreen roots attempting to…

James Tocchio
28

July 22, 2016

Minolta M-Rokkor 40mm F/2 – Lens Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/minolta-M-rokkor-40mm-F2-review-1-of-7.jpg?fit=1212%2C682&ssl=1 1212 682 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 July 22, 2016 June 11, 2020

I shoot a lot of old cameras, archaic machines that in some cases recall a time when the United States was comprised of only forty-eight such distinct territories, and it’s not unusual to find a…

James Tocchio
25

July 12, 2016

Five Famous Photographers and the Cameras They Used

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It’s no secret that we love our gear here at Casual Photophile. A quick glance through the archives is enough to illustrate our undying love for classic cameras, but while our addiction to the tools…

Josh Solomon
34

June 7, 2016

Minolta M Rokkor 28mm F/2.8 – Lens Review

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/minolta-m-rokkor-28mm-lens-review-2.jpg?fit=2200%2C1238&ssl=1 2200 1238 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 June 7, 2016 June 11, 2020

The end of a tiresome week found me weary, disheartened, and worn out. It also found me stuffed into a small, German sedan with my wife, our one-year-old daughter, and enough bags, totes, and rucksacks…

James Tocchio
32

May 23, 2016

Why I Choose the Minolta CLE Over Any Leica M

https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/IMG_6149.jpg?fit=1474%2C830&ssl=1 1474 830 James Tocchio James Tocchio https://i0.wp.com/casualphotophile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/james-square.jpg?fit=96%2C96&ssl=1 May 23, 2016 January 2, 2024

The best 35mm film cameras in the world are Leicas, and the best of the best is the M series. These are a known facts, right? The argument is decided. If someone with no experience…

James Tocchio
115

May 1, 2016

Minolta MD W. Rokkor-X 24mm F/2.8 Ultra Wide Lens Review

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The Minolta MD W Rokkor X 25mm F/2.8 is a classic film-era wide angle lens that performs beautifully on today’s mirror-less digital cameras.

James Tocchio
18

January 21, 2016

Five Best Cameras for Photography Students

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There’s a certain question that I get asked virtually every single day. People need to know what camera they should buy for their upcoming high school or college photography class. It’s a great question, and one…

James Tocchio
21