I took these, all from a roll of Rollei Retro 80s developed in Rodinal, back in 2017.
It was a time when I was left with just one SLR; a Minolta Maxxum 7 and one lens – a Minolta 50mm f2 Macro. I’d more or less lost all interest in most things, including photography.
I was going to scrap photography for good, having sold off all of my gear which I had bought over the years and being generally fed up with everything I thought I’d go out with a huge bang and take some nice photos for a change rather than mere crappy snaps as I usually do – “it’s better to burn out than fade away!” As the Kurgan says
One roll, one lens and then my last ever click of a shutter?
I chose Rollei Retro 80s as I wanted the look, the luminous whites and deep shadow. It felt like The One to end it with.
A tricky film but with a deep yellow filter and exposed right it is a killer Film!
The meter in the Minolta is exceptional – but with this film you sometimes should carefully expose for the highlights (as with slide film) (lock st the bright part of the scene) then move the camera and lock exposure when you feel it’s nailed – usually while judging by looking at the shutter speed – highlights a stop over are usually good. This comes with experience using it – it’s easy to blow and easy for results to look dire if done incorrectly, though I did point and shoot at times, and the meter performed like a champ! Though if you look closely, on some of the faces the Film’s limited DR has meant burn out.
There were times of lucidity and focus, strange to say that even though I wanted to chuck this last camera out of the window, there was something about it; the feel of it which evoked some lost joy and memories of different times, but as with Sméagol – that only made the dark part of me more determined to start afresh, a sort of solve et coagula,. But during some moments I did have the opportunity to pick up the camera and take an exposure from this Film, which had been in the camera for months. And every single photo was taken with care.
Here’s a selection from the roll to end all rolls.
Caerleon – Strange resemblance to my wife
I then met my Missus and she helped me through a lot, my interest in Photography was also rekindled.
I managed to finish the roll of Film, eventually, I think that was in early 2018. Strange, as being the superstitious type and believing in fate, I reckon if I’d finished that roll of Film earlier, I’d never have met my wife and wouldn’t be here right now…
I kept that camera and the lens, and used it until it broke down on me this Spring 2025. I now have the bigger elder tougher brother Minolta a-9 which I’m hoping will stay with me for many many years.
No last clicks as yet…
All Photos.
Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7
Minolta 50mm f2 macro
Rollei Retro 80s B+W Deep Yellow Filter.
Rodinal
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Geoff Chaplin on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Bob Janes on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Charles Young on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Your photos are great, The statues and informal portraits are stunning. They show that you don't have to spend lots of money to take great photos.
Lucky you to have found a life partner.
My favorite informal portraits are made by waiting for the person to make some characteristic gesture.
The photos show your depression. I suggest you get professional help. I've been there. Life can be great!
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Stephen Hanka on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Miguel Mendez on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
CHRISTOF RAMPITSCH on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Dogman on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Russ Rosener on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
John Hillyer on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
John Fontana on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
After several years of crashing too many planes, I came back to the hobby, concentrating on monochromatic film and building a small collection of 'vintage' cameras.
At the age of 79, photography has become almost an obsession, I feel confident I am producing what are for me rewarding images, and perhaps for others also, images that have something to say.
I wonder how many other enthusiasts have been crushed by a system that purports to support photographers but in actuality can destroy them.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Gary Smith on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Your photos above are great (as usual).
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Reinhold on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Your pictures are wonderful.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
David Hume on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
Jeffery Luhn on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
As Dogman said, those portraits are luminous. When flesh tones get up there into zone 8, people look more angelic and less menacing. You did such a nice job on those! So happy you got a grip and jumped back into life and photography!
We all have low points. In the year leading up to my quadruple open heart bypass surgery, I was ready to throw in the towel. Fortunately, I taught a B&W film class at the college and had a remarkable group of energetic students. The last class meeting ended in late July 2025 and my surgery happened on July 30th. Instead of going into the surgery with a 'Who cares?' attitude, I was hoping for the best so I could get back to teaching. Photography, and my wife, made a big difference for me. It's been 2 1/2 months and I'm 100%. Back to teaching and shooting. I think being able to drink coffee again helped. It's my favorite chemical besides HC-110.
Comment posted: 15/10/2025
robert mckeen on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 16/10/2025
Minolta 7 a great camera with a critical door of doom !
Comment posted: 16/10/2025
Alexander Seidler on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 17/10/2025
Comment posted: 17/10/2025
David Pauley on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 18/10/2025
Comment posted: 18/10/2025
Eagle Omomuro on Was it to be my last ever click of a shutter?… With a Minolta Dynax Maxxum 7 50mm f2.8 Macro and Rollei Retro 80s.
Comment posted: 04/11/2025
But what I love most about this lens is its bokeh, yes, the bokeh from a macro lens! Macro lenses are usually terrible at bokeh, but this one is a total exception. It melts the background beautifully (and thanks to the smaller aperture, the blur isn’t overdone), keeping it clear enough to recognize shapes yet soft enough to generate a peaceful mood. There’s almost no swirl effect in the bokeh (I can’t stand those), so the result feels perfectly calm. The background melts so smoothly it almost looks like an oil painting.
I always think this AF 50mm Macro is the best lens in the entire Minolta Alpha/Maxxum system, even better than the 135mm STF cuz it's more practical. If I have to take just one lens for a long trip, this AF 50mm Macro is my pick.
Comment posted: 04/11/2025