[ceearrbee]

Minolta really feels like the underdog of classic camera brands. You always hear about Canon or Nikon, but no one really talks about the advantages that Minolta brought to market.

They brought both shutter/aperture priority in an SLR, first mainstream AF cameras and some amazing lenses and bodies all throughout. Its a real shame that they sold their photography assets to Sony (though they have done so wonderful things with that legacy - you can still see it in 2021).

On the other hand, as someone who shoots both MD and A mount, and uses some of their film bodies, its nice that they're not ridiculous expensive.

Except, ironically, the X1 - which is a shame because its such a neat camera, a waist level view finder on 35mm would be so fun to play with - I love it in medium format.

[zz865]

When I was a kid, we had some relatives stay with us and one had a 7000, it was the most incredible thing I'd ever seen.

[nix23]

>Minolta really feels like the underdog of classic camera brands

Hasselblad ;)

[ceearrbee]

I would never consider Hasselblad to be an underdog, they're a premium brand that has massive name recognition that continues to today.

I dream of being able to afford as Hasselblad, instead I'm here with my Kiev's and Minoltas!

[nix23]

Yeah you are right, but in the mind of non photographers hasselblad is a ~no name (except for the apollo mission's interested),

BTW: My dad had more minolta's then nikon's in the 80`s-90's...well and some Leica's...and one hasselblad (as a child i seen that monster as a terrible thing from 1900)

[frostburg]

Very different. Hasselblad was a top choice for the pro market (and used by rich amateurs, like Leica), Minolta never really managed to breach that market (this camera was the most significant attempt).

[nix23]

Hasselblad was the opposite of Leica, big format vs small format

[frostburg]

Medium format (large format starts from 4x5 inches in modern usage), but while the professional applications were different the use by wealthy amateurs was basically the same.

(I would know: https://i.imgur.com/VpC8cJB.jpg )

[aaronbrethorst]

Using your smartphone to photograph your Hasselblad focused on your Leica is certainly a flex.