Minolta AF Tele 35 mm Camera Review with Kodak UltraMax 400 Sample Photos in San Diego, California

June 28, 2025

When I stumbled across the Minolta AF Tele in an antique shop and noticed it was fully functioning, I knew I’d found a gem. I’m always on the hunt for vintage point-and-shoot cameras because they are great for traveling and because they each have their own character and vibe when it comes to the photos. I have another 35 mm Minolta camera, the Minolta Maxxum STsi, which is one of my all-time favorite 35 mm cameras. You can read my full review of that camera here! Before the Minolta Maxxum STsi, I’d never had any experience with Minolta cameras, but I’m started to learn that they are definitely a standout when it comes to vintage cameras.

I decided to take the Minolta AF Tele with me on a recent trip to San Diego and I’m obsessed with how the images turned out. Not only was it incredibly easy to use, the photographs also have the perfect retro film vibe that I wanted for my California photos. I even made a full YouTube video about this camera and my time shooting with it in San Diego! You can watch it here!

HISTORY

The Minolta AF Tele was originally produced in the late 1980s to early 1990s and was created as an accessible camera for beginners and professionals alike. The specific model of the camera featured in this blog post was manufactured in Japan. You can check the bottom of the camera for an imprint to see where yours was produced! The Minolta brand, in general, is a Japanese company, though some of the Minolta cameras are manufactured in other countries as well. I’ve learned over the years that if I see that a camera was produced in Japan, it’s usually a slam dunk. They also typically have a nice aesthetic design and seemingly last forever.

Point-and-shoot cameras really started to gain traction in the 1980s so it was a bit of a competition between all of the major camera companies to produce amazing compact film cameras that were easy to use for the average consumer. The Minolta AF Tele was one of those cameras, though maybe not quite as popular as cameras like the Canon Sure Shot ( I’m still on the hunt for one of these). I find it to be unique and interesting and I definitely never plan to give mine up!

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

FEATURES

The standout feature of this camera is it’s dual lens system. While it is a compact camera, the lens has two different focal lengths that you can easily switch between. There is a 35 mm f/2.8 lens and a 60 mm f/4.3 telephoto lens. There are other versions of this camera, like the Minolta AF Tele Super, that have slightly different lens options built into the camera.

The Minolta AF Tele also has a built-in flash, a fill-flash button, a self-timer, auto advance, auto rewind, and a tripod mount. This camera is fully autofocus, so there is no need to worry about taking the time to manually focus. However, this also means there are really no manual features at all, so you’re a bit limited when it comes to creativity.

There is also no option for multiple exposures. There is a film rewind button on the bottom of the camera, but it rewinds the film roll all the way back to the beginning, so you will be shooting over your entire roll. While you can still overlap images in this way, it gives you way less control than a camera with a dedicated multiple exposure feature.

The fill-flash button is also a nice addition to the camera, especially if you are shooting with a subject that is back-lit. The main flash will automatically come on when the camera senses there is not enough light, but it’s nice to have the option to turn the fill-flash on when needed.

The camera will automatically set the ISO for your film as well, as long as the film is DX coded, which most films are.

It takes a Lithium CR-P2 battery or two AA batteries, which is a very interesting feature I’ve never seen before in a camera. But it’s definitely nice for those moments when your battery dies on you while traveling and AA batteries are the only ones you can find.

And obviously, one of the best things about these point-and-shoot cameras is that they are compact and easy to travel with! While the Minolta AF Tele is a bit more bulky that other cameras of its class, it is still a nice, small size compared to 35 mm cameras with detachable lenses and zoom lenses.

Lens fully extended

Back of the camera

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m kind of obsessed with this camera. The dual lens system is just plain fun to experiment with and gives you that little bit of extra zoom when you’re traveling if you see something farther away that you’d like to photograph. I’m also pleasantly surprised by the sharpness of the lens, especially at the 35 mm setting. It seems a little softer when using the 60 mm lens option. I’m a little bit bummed that there is no multiple exposure option, but I usually assume this is the case with most point-and-shoot cameras from that time period. It’s a rare feature that most people didn’t care for, particularly the average, everyday consumer. This camera is somewhat limited in terms of creativity, considering it doesn’t have any manual features other than the fill-flash, but it’s still a super fun point-and-shoot that is great for capturing candid moments with friends and family, and for traveling with a 35 mm film camera that doesn’t weigh a million pounds or take up a ton of space in your bag.

This is definitely one of those cameras I’ll just quickly grab when I’m running out the door for a family day or a night out with friends. I’m sure it will be joining me on many more trips in the future too. If you see this one out in the wild, snatch it up! I got lucky and found mine for $20, but it seems that the average going rate is about $25 to $70. I’d pick one of these up sooner rather than later if I were you, because these vintage point-and-shoots just keep getting more and more popular!

For these photos, I used Kodak UltraMax 400 35 mm film, but if you’d like more film recommendations, make sure to check out my blog post, The Best Color Film for 35 mm Cameras!

WHERE TO BUY THE MINOLTA AF TELE 35MM CAMERA

eBay

Etsy

KEH Camera

If you found this post helpful or inspiring, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

If you have any questions, I’m always happy to help! You can contact me here, or leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by! You can also check out my B&H Photo storefront & Amazon Storefront for more camera/film recommendations. :) Have a magical day!

<3 Myles Katherine

SAMPLE PHOTOS

And of course, I have to share all of my favorite photos from my trip to San Diego with you!!!

Top 10 Most Desired Digital Cameras of 2026 Under $2500 | The Best Mirrorless Cameras on the Market

June 9, 2025

You guys know I’m a Canon girlie through and through, but that doesn’t mean I don’t spend my days pining over other brands and wondering what it would be like. There are moments when I’ve considered selling all of my Canon gear and converting, just to try something new and inspire myself in an exciting way. Shooting with new gear is a great way to prevent burnout, especially when photography is your full-time job, like mine. It’s been 13 years since I first started my business and decided to commit to it fully. There have been moments where I’ve wanted to give up. Moments where the hustle was just too much. But whenever I start considering other professions, they just don’t fulfill me in the way that photography does. Photography is my passion, my obsession and my true love. I’m about to head to the Bild Expo with B&H in New York City next week and I can’t wait to learn and experience everything new that’s going on in the photography industry. In the meantime, I wanted to share the cameras that have caught my eye this year and that I would recommend to photographers who want to enhance their photography game, so without further ado, here are the Top 10 Most Desired Digital Cameras of 2026 Under $2500 - The Best Mirrorless Cameras on the Market.

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

1. CANON EOS R6 MARK II OR MARK III

I can’t help but start off with this camera, because, yes, it’s Canon. But I sit at home, hoping and praying that one of these will fall out of the sky and into my lap. I currently shoot with the Canon 5D Mark IV as my main camera, and the Canon EOS R as my backup camera. But I recently invested in the Canon RF 28-70 f/2 L USM lens ( I have a full blog post about this lens here) and the EOS R just isn’t up to par with what this lens is capable of. My plan is to upgrade to the Canon EOS R6 Mark II or Canon EOS R6 Mark III this year so hopefully I can make that happen! One of the main reasons I want one of these cameras is for the in-body stabilization. The RF 28-70 f/2 lens does not have image stabilization so it would greatly improve my low-light images at weddings and events. They also have dual card slots, which is really important when doing client work. It’s always a risk going into a shoot with only one memory card. What I love about the Canon mirrorless cameras and the newer line of RF lenses is how incredibly sharp they are. I feel as though they are finally competing with Nikon and Sony when it comes to sharpness. The R6 Matk II has a full-frame sensor, 4K video at 60 fps, amazingly fast autofocus, long battery life, 24.2 MP images, a flip-out screen, and excellent low-light performance (ISO 100-102,400 expandable up to 204,800). Overall though, the main reason I love Canon so much is because of the natural color tone and beauty of the images. I find them to be moody, cinematic, and unique when compared to other brands. Canon definitely has their own “look”, which is why I’ve found it hard to switch to other brands. Another reason I love Canon is because I don’t find their cameras to be overpriced. For $2000, the R6 Mark II really is the best bang for your buck out of this list. If you’re able to spring for the Canon EOS R6 Mark III though, that is truly my dream camera. It has a 35.2 MP sensor and up to 7K video, plus a ton of other amazing features. It falls just outside of the $2500 pricepoint at $2799 but that is really the camera to get right now if you can swing it. You can find it on B&H Photo here.

WHERE TO BUY

B&H Photo

Amazon

KEH Camera (used)

2. SONY A7 IV

Sony is really good at almost getting me to convert. Their cameras have excellent video, superbly sharp images, incredible full-frame sensors and super fast, reliable autofocus. The Sony A7 IV is a highly desired camera, especially for videographers who dabble in photography. The sensor is 33 MP full-frame which definitely beats out the other cameras on this list in that category. I also love how small the Sony cameras and lenses are because I definitely get tired of lugging Canon’s giant gear around. When it comes to video especially, smaller gear is important because you want your video to be smooth and stable. It’s very difficult to hold a Canon camera steady for a long period of time because they are so dang heavy. The only reason I didn’t switch to Sony is because of a deal-breaker for me - it doesn’t have an in-camera multiple exposure feature. For a lot of people, this is not an issue, but multiple exposures are a huge part of my photography style. Some other features of this camera include 4K video at 60 fps, in-body stabilization, and ISO 100-51200. I’d highly recommend this camera for videographers who want the possibility of stunning images as well. Sony truly produces amazingly sharp photos and video. For around $2500, it’s one of the more expensive cameras in this group, but Sony does not disappoint. I feel like Nikon and Canon used to dominate the industry, but Sony has definitely made it’s way up the ladder and is battling for that top spot.

I also have a full blog post about the Sony A7 IV here, so if you’re looking for more information about this camera specifically, make sure to give it a read!

WHERE TO BUY

B&H Photo

3. NIKON Z6 MARK III

Oh, Nikon. They are pretty much Canon’s main long-time rival and evil twin sister. Though, there’s really nothing evil about them, it’s just how I like to think of it. :) It’s just funny when I’m shooting at a wedding and someone is carrying a Nikon camera and says, “Oh, I see you shoot Canon.” It’s ridiculous, but it’s just the way it is! I have a Nikon film camera, the Nikon FE2, that I’m absolutely obsessed with and take with me everywhere. I definitely have an affinity for Nikon’s old film cameras because they have super sharp old-school lenses. The Nikon Z6 Mark III is majorly competing with Sony right now when it comes to video, with this camera capable of 6K video up to 60 fps. It has a “partially stacked” 24.5 MP sensor, which allows for faster autofocus, file reading, and higher frame rates for video. This camera is known as sort of a “flagship” camera, one of the first of it’s kind in this category. It’s sort of hard to deny this camera, but for me it ultimately comes down to the images and the overall color tone, considering photography is my main “thing”. But if you are equal parts photographer and videographer, I’d go for this camera, for sure. It’s also an incredible deal for the price. This camera packs a punch and has a lot of fun creative options built into the camera, like a Rich Tone portrait mode and skin-softening. If I had started off with Nikon and that was my shtick, I’d be freaking out over this camera. For around $2100, I truly can’t believe how affordable this camera is for what you get.

WHERE TO BUY

B&H Photo

Amazon

KEH Camera (used)

4. PANASONIC LUMIX S5 II

I’m not sure why this camera keeps calling my name, but I’m desperate to have one on my shelf at some point. When I was deciding whether to upgrade to the Canon 5D Mark IV or entirely switch my gear over to a different brand, something about the Panasonic Lumix cameras caught my eye. I was looking at the Lumix S1 at the time, but the short battery life ultimately turned me off from it. But the Panasonic Lumix S5 II has definitely improved upon that, and more! This camera boasts a 24 MP full-frame sensor, phase-detect AF (for the first time with their Lumix line), highly-regarded in-body image stabilization and up to 6K video at 30 fps. The main reason I’m drawn to this camera is the in-body image stabilization because it’s known to be one of the best. Plus, this camera is more affordable than some of the other options at ~$1700. I also just love the look of it and find it to be much more attractive than Nikon cameras… sorry…

B&H Photo

Amazon

KEH Camera (used)

<3 Myles Katherine

Contax Carl Zeiss 140mm f/2.8 Sonnar T* Lens Review & Sample Photos | The Best Lenses for the Contax 645

June 5, 2025

When I first bought my Contax 645, it came with two lenses, the Carl Zeiss Planar T* 80mm F/2 Lens lens and the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* 140mm F2.8 Lens. For years, the 140 mm lens just sat in my bag collecting dust. I tend to shoot wide and I find it slightly annoying to have lenses that have a longer focal length than 80 mm. However, I recently decided to challenge myself and try out the 140 mm lens! I took it with me to a few different photo shoots to really get an idea of how it handles. It’s always a little nerve-wracking to try out new gear because you just don’t know if you’re wasting your time and your expensive film! Luckily, the photos turned out amazingly beautiful and now I’m wondering why I left this lens in my bag for so long! I definitely want to take it with my on more of my future nature trips because I’m always looking for a way to capture mountains or stunning waterfalls off in the distance.

The Contax 645 is, by far, one of the nicest cameras I own. I have a full blog post about it here that features photos taken with the classic 80 mm lens that most people tend to use with this camera. The only downside with the Contax 645 is how huge and heavy it is. But every time I get a roll of film back, it’s more than worth the challenge of dragging it with me everywhere. The photos are like nothing else, in my opinion. You can also watch my YouTube video about the Contax 645 here where I take it with me on an adventure to Mount Rainier in Washington State!

REVIEW OF THE CARL ZEISS SONNAR T* 140MM F2.8 LENS

I was a little bit worried that the 140mm f/2.8 wouldn’t stand up to the 80mm lens f/2 that I’ve been used to. But I really should have known better considering the 1400mm is a Zeiss lens! Zeiss is known for creating lenses that are SUPER sharp and reliable. I had this idea that I’d get back images that just weren’t exciting, but that wasn’t the case at all. These lenses are incredibly sturdy and well-made, with high-quality optics and functionality. I was also worried that the lens just wouldn’t work, especially because it had been sitting in my bag, stagnant, for a decade. But it came back to life as if nothing had happened at all! I was still able to get that dreamy background blur and those super sharp landscape shots that I love the Contax 645 for, even dropping back from an f/2.0 aperture to an f/2.8. In general, I tend to prefer lenses with a wider aperture because I love the dreamy, surreal quality that they can create. But I was pleasantly surprised with the bokeh and background blur of this lens, likely because it does have such a long focal length and is so zoomed in naturally. I don’t typically use telephoto lenses or lenses past 100mm focal length, so it was a new experience for me. I did find myself backing up sometimes to get the images I wanted, but I’m sure that is just something I’d get used to after a while.

This lens also has a “T*” coating, which is a technology that Zeiss implemented to help reduce flare and ghosting. Personally, I don’t mind a little flare but I noticed that this lens did handle light extremely well and creates absolutely beautiful portraits. The Contax 645, in general, is an incredible camera, especially if you’re looking to create stunning, fine art portraiture. When I first started getting into photography, a few of my all-time favorite photographers used the Contax 645. I was in awe of their portraits and knew that I’d have to get one in the future. When I finally was able to purchase one, it felt like I had reached a new level as a photographer.

The autofocus is a little slow with this lens, but when I’m using this camera I’m typically working slower anyway, making sure I don’t waste a single frame. If you’re trying to shoot extremely quickly, I wouldn’t recommend a camera like the Contax 645 anyway. It’s really meant for slow, precise photography and not sports or fast motion.

Overall, I love that this lens didn’t disappoint me at all, and in fact, surprised me with how much I loved the images! I had convinced myself that there was no way this old, unused lens would be able to create beautiful photographs, but it definitely did. I’ve included a bunch of sample images below that I’ve taken with it over the last few months so you can decide for yourself!

WHERE TO BUY THE CARL ZEISS SONNAR T* 140MM LENS

KEH Camera

Etsy

eBay

The Contax 645 is expensive, but it’s also highly desired. If you’re on the hunt for one, here are a few places you might be able to find one!

WHERE TO BUY THE CONTAX 645

KEH Camera (not always in stock, but you can keep checking back!)

eBay

Etsy

(By using the affiliate links and/or codes in this blog post it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

For these images, I used Cinestill 400D 120 film and Kodak Portra 400. You can check out more of my 120 film recommendations on my blog here - The Best 120 Film Stocks and Where to Buy Them.

If you found this post helpful or inspiring, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing.

<3 Myles Katherine

Double Exposure