There’s no doubt about it, the 80s was a loud decade. Loud Hair, Loud Colours, Loud TV, and Louder Music. And then there are the cameras, the 1980s marked a radical shift in camera technology. You had the advent of consumer autofocus (which was noisy), the introduction of compact point-and-shoots, and the matrix metering systems. And we’re not saying the cameras we have today are loud, but they certainly speak volumes.
Cameras featured on today’s show…
Minolta XG-M
The XG-M would become the more desirable of all the cameras in the XG-M series as it has full manual controls. It’s small, light-weight, and has a set of glass that is pretty awesome. Not to mention for Alex it’s like coming home to a familiar friend as one of his early SLRs was a Minolta X-7a.
Camera Specs
Make: Minolta
Model: XG-M
Type: Single Lens Reflex
Format: 135 (35mm), 36x24mm
Lens: Interchangeable, Minolta MC Mount
Year of Manufacture: 1981
Nikon FA
A radical shift for Nikon as it would only last in production for five years (short for Nikon). But it also introduced an early version of what we know today as Matrix Metering. Not to mention it as full auto-exposure mode, not to mention semi-automatic and full manual modes, plus these all work on Nikon AI and AI-S lenses. Plus through on the dedicated MD-15 motor drive which adds a great balance and also powers the camera.
Camera Specs
Make: Nikon
Model: FA
Type: Single Lens Reflex
Format: 135 (35mm), 36x24mm
Lens: Interchangeable, Nikon F-Mount
Year of Manufacture: 1983-7
Olympus OM-4
Where Nikon had the matrix system, Olympus took their own approach with the multi-spot meter on their OM-4. The controversial trouble with the early OM-4 is a battery drain issue, this was corrected with later model OM-4T and OM-4Ti. But don’t let the drain issue stop you, the OM-4 is a next level camera if all you’re used to is the OM-1 or OM-2 series cameras.
Camera Specs
Make: Olympus
Model: OM-4
Type: Single Lens Reflex
Format: 135 (35mm), 36x24mm
Lens: Interchangeable, Olympus OM-Mount
Year of Manufacture: 1983-7
Bronica SQ-Ai
While it’s not a Hasselblad killer in any sense of the word, but don’t think this black beauty from the 80s is a bad camera, it’s a great little system if you can learn to love it. And Mike certainly enjoys it as a solid 6×6 SLR with a great set of lenses to back it up!
Camera Specs
Make: Zenza
Model: Bronica SQ-Ai
Type: Single Lens Reflex
Format: Medium Format (120/220), Back Dependent (6×6 & 6×4.5 supported)
Lens: Interchangeable, Zenza SQ-Mount
Year of Manufacture: 1980 (1990)
Ricoh XR-P
Donna’s most recent camera and one she enjoys dearly! Not to mention the Ricoh glass is pretty darn awesome and the whole system won’t break the bank either! You can pick up a full kit for around 150$ all in if you know where to look! Prefer Pentax SMC glass? Well the XR-P has a K-Mount so you have a full line of great glass to mount.
Camera Specs
Make: Ricoh
Model: XR-P
Type: Single Lens Reflex
Format: 135 (35mm), 36x24mm
Lens: Interchangeable, Pentax K-Mount
Year of Manufacture: 1984
Nikon n6006
The camera that got John back into Film Photography is not really from the 1980s, but close enough to be included. And one of the first consumer cameras to include Auto-Focus. But don’t look down on the camera, it can be had for a low price, and has solid performance.
Camera Specs
Make: Nikon
Model: N6006 Alternately F-601
Type: Single Lens Reflex
Format: 135 (35mm), 36x24mm
Lens: Interchangeable, Nikon F-Mount
Year of Manufacture: 1990
The Classic Camera Revival – GAS Meet II – One Week Away!
Yes, we’ve got all the details for our GAS Meet II! If you came to our first GAS meet, you’ll know we have a great time but this time we’ve switched up the venue, we’ll be meeting on the 8th of September at the Grand Cafe, 18 Queen’s Square in Cambridge, Ontario at 10:00 am, followed by a loose walk through historical downtown Galt! We’ll then meet for lunch at the Black Badger (55 Water St N). So RSVP on the Facebook Event, or just show up the day of! We hope to see you all there!
Looking for a good spot to get your gear and material fix check out Burlington Camera (Burlington, ON), Downtown Camera (Toronto, ON), Film Plus (Toronto, ON), Belle Arte Camera (Hamilton, ON), Pond’s FotoSource (Guleph, ON), Foto Art Camera (Owen Sound, ON). Out West there’s The Camera Store (Calgary, AB) and Beau Photo Supply (Vancouver, BC). Additionally you can order online at Argentix (Quebec), buyfilm.ca (Ontario), the Film Photography Project or Freestyle Photographic.
Also you can connect with us through email: classiccamerarevivial[at]gmail[dot]com or by Facebook, we’re at Classic Camera Revival or even Twitter @ccamerarevival