This was Nina’s dad’s film camera (I guess I should familiarize myself to say Father-in-law).

He was cleaning out his garage until he stumbled on an old leathery, cloth brown bag containing the most pristine Minolta XG-1.

I know what you’re thinking - who gives a fuck about a $15 film camera.

I’m telling you this shit was looking brand new with a few dusty areas but that’s it.

The 50mm f1.8 and 105mm f4 moves smooth as butter - no grit, no chatter

It also came with a groovy looking camera strap that is apparently trendy and vintage (most shops sell it for 35 fucking dollars, hello???)

Anyways

The crank, the dials, the winder - tough as shit and feels good

The only parts that are fucked up is the underside; looks like oxidation but it’s fine I can still slap a new battery in and will keep going

The first roll of film I threw in there I was taking a considerably low risk of whether it worked or not but the photos came out beautiful

I didn’t realize it has a built-in light meter but honestly it was hit or miss whenever it would activate

I used Kodak Portra 400 for the first time so many firsts with this camera

A few photos I liked from our last day in the Brea office

The place where it all started

For the longest time, I couldn’t remember what the fuck I took this photo of and it turned out to be - a table - nope it’s the ceiling

Some photos while driving around downtown Anaheim

Jodie and I went on a poke run to Pokinometry - we took Peaches along because she enjoys car rides (and acts like we deprive of her from freedom)

I know Jorge hates it when I take pics of him but this one isn’t a bad photo

Went on a quick pick-me-up meal to catch up with him months before we worked at the same place together

Lunch at my Aunt’s house

Tried my best to take candids like Ong Noi used to but you know, manual lenses take awhile to focus

Ba Noi rarely smiles in photos I think she’s tired of doing so based on the thousands my Ong Noi took

Snuck a secret lunch on the clock with John and Chris in downtown Anaheim

Work didn’t have too many moving parts at the time so we practically did what we want - Got some gyoza and takoyaki from Shin-sen-gumi express and some coffee from Okayama Bakery

A hike in Ojai

The weather wasn’t the fairest mixing the wildfires and marine layer

Nina and I saw this sweet old couple watching the sunset together. I wanted to take a lowkey picture of them since we sat on a rock some feet away from them and the husband kept looking in our direction.

The sunset was still magical despite the absence of the pink mist