It has been 9 months since my last “5 Frames with” post. Mainly because I’ve started a new job after graduating and it was very intensive limiting my free time a lot. That didn’t stop me from casual shooting and definitely didn’t stop me from buying more cameras – I hunt for them everyday. I buy some of them just for the sake of selling it few days later, keep the lens or finishing the film that is already in them.
The latest was the reason for getting this Minolta SPxi. There is not a lot of info about this camera online, certainly it wasn’t the most sought after camera back in 92 when it was released.
I think it is one of the smallest Dynax bodies available, which is not bad if you are after something that won’t take entire space in your bag. It sits nicely in the hand, and if in AF, it can be easily operated with one hand almost like point and shoot. It has full PASM mode, spot metering, self timer and that’s about it; not even built-in flash – something that is a must for any entry level camera.
My SPxi had already Kodak Royal Gold 400 film inside, as it was sitting at 32 frames, you can only see 4 photos that are mine and one taken God knows when.
When I put 50mm 1.8 Minolta AF prime lens on it, I thought it looks really quite nice and was really looking forward to finish the film same day. So I took it for a walk with my wife and the dogs to the local park.
I’ve set it to aperture priority and quickly shot the remaining 4 frames with manual focus. Unfortunately there is no exposure compensation or ISO setting on the camera, so I couldn’t take a margin for the expired film and had to accept that the results won’t be satisfying.
Photo taken by previous owner.
Photos in general turned out underexposed and even with longer developing time, I couldn’t bring the negatives up nicely, so the noise is visible present. (Apparently Kodak Royal Gold 400 was quite grainy already)
I really enjoyed the simplicity of this camera when using it. It is a great camera that with a decent lens and fresh film will deliver very good quality photos. It will be a great and cheap alternative to older SLRs that now being sold for ridiculous money.
Matt
IG: pure.amateur
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Rock on 5 Frames with Minolta Dynax SPxi & expired Kodak Royal Gold 400 – by Matt Krajewski
Comment posted: 20/05/2020
Comment posted: 20/05/2020
Rob B on 5 Frames with Minolta Dynax SPxi & expired Kodak Royal Gold 400 – by Matt Krajewski
Comment posted: 21/05/2020
Anyone looking to start in film photography would do well to consider a Minolta from the 90’’s, especially the 400si. They can be had for less than $30 with a lens and have everything a photographer needs.
Comment posted: 21/05/2020
Tobias Eriksson on 5 Frames with Minolta Dynax SPxi & expired Kodak Royal Gold 400 – by Matt Krajewski
Comment posted: 21/05/2020
Comment posted: 21/05/2020
Steve on 5 Frames with Minolta Dynax SPxi & expired Kodak Royal Gold 400 – by Matt Krajewski
Comment posted: 22/05/2020
Waa!!
Comment posted: 22/05/2020
Mark on 5 Frames with Minolta Dynax SPxi & expired Kodak Royal Gold 400 – by Matt Krajewski
Comment posted: 23/05/2020
As important where did you get, what is it called/model, the coat for your dog? Attractive
PS hoarding is good. We have many options for playing and study during the ‘lock down’
Comment posted: 23/05/2020