Roll #253
Film: Rollei RPX 400
Developed & scanned: Li-lai Photo, 2025/4/21
Camera: Minolta AF-C 35mm f2.8
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The launch of the Fujifilm X Half 10.8mm f2.8 reminded me that I still have a strong allergic reaction to the culture of reflexive criticism in photography communities. I've been told before that I'm too sensitive, that I can't take criticism, that I get upset when people push back. My question is: would you walk up to a stranger in real life and criticize them out of nowhere? And if a stranger did that to you, would you not be annoyed?
The best way to discuss something, I think, is to simply share your own perspective. When someone else sees it differently, there's no need to rush in and correct them. That's not how we actually behave with each other in the real world.
So here's my take on the Fujifilm X Half: I think it's fine. Honestly, most cameras are fine. When you strip it all away, every criticism comes down to price — and price is just a question of what you can afford. If the X Half cost 5,000 NTD, would anyone be complaining?
Before you criticize any camera, try this mental exercise: imagine someone gave it to you as a gift. Would you be happy? If it didn't cost you anything, what do you think your actual shooting experience would be like? Everyone's answer is different, and that's the point. If you can afford it and you want it, buy it. Any camera manufacturer willing to try something new deserves credit for it — because the alternative is everyone just shooting on their phones. Every person's experience with the same camera will vary. It's like movies: share what you think, but there's really no need to criticize what other people enjoy watching.
World peace, everyone.
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Right, I should actually talk about this camera. The Minolta AF-C 35mm f2.8 is a genuinely unusual camera. Released in 1983, it occupies the same size class as cameras like the Cosina CX-2 35mm f2.8 and the Lomo LC-A 32mm f2.8 — manual advance, f2.8 lens — but with autofocus. Compared to the Olympus C-AF 38mm f2.8 from 1981, the Minolta AF-C manages to pack autofocus into a dramatically smaller body. As far as I'm concerned, it currently holds the title of smallest manual-advance autofocus camera in existence.
That said, I made quite a few focusing errors with this roll — and that was entirely my fault for not reading the manual. I misread the indicator lights.
The Minolta AF-C has two indicator lights in the viewfinder:
Left light steady on = in focus
Left light off = not in focus
Right light steady on = insufficient light
Right light off = light is adequate
Ideally you want only the left light on — that means you're in focus and the light is good. But if you're out of focus and the light is low, you also get just one light — the right one.
Simple enough in theory. So how did I keep getting it wrong? Both lights sit in the lower-left corner of the viewfinder with no obvious spatial separation between them. The left is yellow, the right is red — but when you're focused on composing and waiting for the right moment, those two colors look almost identical in your peripheral vision. If only one light is on, it's easy to misread which one it is. So with the Minolta AF-C, be extra careful in low light and at close distances.
Overall, I find the AF-C an interesting camera. But for my personal recommendation of the best manual-advance autofocus point-and-shoot, the title still goes to the Olympus C-AF 38mm f2.8 — partly for optical quality, and partly because the AF-C's sliding lens cover is stiffer and more awkward than most. It needs to be angled just right to open smoothly, and when I first got it, I genuinely thought the camera was broken because I couldn't get the cover to slide. The Olympus XA2, Lomo LC-A, and Cosina CX-2 all handle lens cover operation much more elegantly.
Minolta AF-C 35mm f2.8 — if you can afford it, get it.
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#1
The Minolta AF-C has a shutter range of 1/8–1/430 and no mechanical cable release socket. This was shot on a tripod one day when I cycled up to Hongludi. Grateful it locked onto infinity correctly.
#2
A pan-fried chive dumpling stall near my place — I've been eating here since I was a kid. It's run by the second generation now.
#3
A day hike at Yangchou Trail in Luzhu, Taoyuan. Serious hikers seem to have a strict definition of what counts as "hiking" — a family nature walk looking for insects like ours would probably just qualify as a "stroll." I still like to say we went hiking though.
#4
This kind of landscape always looks better in person than in a photo.
#5
My definition of hiking: any route with elevation change. How much is a separate question.
#6
I had the tripod with me that day. My current one is the Marsace XT-15 at 918g — functional, but I've been thinking about something lighter that fits inside a bag without sticking out.
#7
Sacrificing my dignity for science — testing how the Minolta AF-C handles indoor portraits.
#8
My son, building Lego again.
#9
Dropping my mom off at the airport — she's flying to the US again.
#10
Dinner at Taoyuan Airport after the send-off. Forgot to shift the focus point. Classic.
#11
Out of focus, but somehow still oddly watchable. (Self-consolation in progress.)
#12
BMX class tomorrow — loading up the car tonight so we can head to Taichung first thing in the morning.
#13
Stocking up on snacks at the convenience store to stay awake on the drive. This one looks like another missed-indicator-light situation.
#14
BMX class in session.
#15
Every BMX class is a same-day round trip between Taipei and Taichung. Worth it every time.
#16
Waiting for coffee at MOS Burger, getting ready to work.
#17
Just wrapped up for the day.
#18
Commuting on my mom's scooter.
#19
Stopped at a red light on the way home.
#20
Never would have guessed this building would end up as Google. I watched it go up from the ground.
#21
There's a great douhua place near my home called Cup Douhua — worth a visit. 329 Section 1, Sichuan Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City.
#22
Watching my son tie his shoelaces for the first time — as genuinely shocking as when he learned to ride a bike or use chopsticks.
#23
The person I've known longest in my life. We don't meet often, but when we do, a photo is mandatory — documentation of what 38 looks like on both of us.
#24
Went for a night ride on my usual cycling route up to the Shulin Disaster Prevention Rainfall Radar Station — and realized pretty quickly it's not a great night ride. Too isolated. A bit unnerving.
#25
The one thing I dread on mountain bike climbs: aggressive stray dogs. Keep your distance.
#26
A rare nighttime shot of the radar dome — only possible because I had the tripod with me.
That's the full roll — Minolta AF-C 35mm f2.8 with Rollei RPX 400. Thanks for reading.
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As for the Rollei RPX 400 itself — no strong feelings either way. I bought it because a friend was using it and I was curious. The Rollei film website is nicely designed though, worth a browse.
