I first spotted my Minolta Autopak while perusing GoodwillFinds.com (now sadly defunct).

I was especially tempted by the promise of a Rokkor lens, the same type as my beloved Minolta XG-1.

Rokkor glass was made by Minolta in the 1970s, an impressive distinction when compared to other camera manufacturers who used pre-made glasses. The glass element was called “Rokkor”, in reference to Mt. Rokko, a mountain in Japan visible from the Minolta factory. The vintage Rokkor lenses have become a fan favorite among photographers for their sharp focus and soft bokeh. It’s hard to define the exact reason, but these lenses have a distinctive glass feel that I just adore.

She was on sale for $40. When I called my husband to get his weigh-in, his response was: “What’s $40? Get it.”

He did not yet know that the cartridges to actually make the camera run would run $39.95… but this is the same story with most of our vintage cameras. It’s not the cost of the camera that will get ya, it’s the film.