My first “Serious” Camera

Today is #NationalCameraDay – to celebrate, here’s a snap of me with my very first “serious” camera – the Minolta 110 Zoom SLR – Yes, I’ve had this very camera since 1976…

I bought the camera while working as a part-time intern in the marketing department at Bank of America in 1976 when my new boss asked if I had a good camera to take pictures during a visit to a few bank branches to document the merchandising displays. I fibbed and said I did, but I didn’t. So, after work I rushed down to the local “Ritz Camera” store to get a camera for the project. The salesman recommended the camera seen here, gave me a quick lesson on how to use it, and collected $196 from me – that’s almost $950 in today’s dollars – a lot of cash at the time for this starving college kid working part-time.

The Minolta 110 Zoom SLR was produced from 1976 until 1979. I still have photos taken with the camera over the next ten years.

The camera still works and 110 film cartridges are still sold, so I think I’ll buy a few rolls and give it a try.