12 Months on Film: October — The Saltwater Retreat with the Minolta X-7a and Cool Fujifilm 400
For the October installment of the 12 Months on Film project, I took a step away from the unpredictability of a box camera and selected a camera loaned to me by a special family friend: the Minolta X-7a. This wasn't just a body, but a complete, well-loved kit that included a full set of lenses and accessories, offering me focal lengths for 35 mm that I hadn’t yet tried. I loaded it with a new-to-me film stock, Fujifilm 400, curious to see how it’s cooler color science would pair with the coastal beaches of North Carolina.
Minolta X-7a + Fujifilm 400
October’s roll timed perfectly with two weeks of hosting my photography retreat on Hatteras Island. Fall is my favorite season in the Outer Banks; this time of year delivers a magical light—the air is clean, the atmosphere is dramatic, and the sun mixes softly with the northeast winds off the water. I used the Minolta kit to capture the beautiful environment and the quiet moments of reflection and creative connection that unfolded during the retreat.
Sunset over the Pamlico Sound, captured on film during The Saltwater Retreat
My first time using zoom lenses on a film setup, the Vivitar Series 1 zoom lenses (28-90mm and 70-210mm) gave me the freedom to fluidly capture the grand scale of the landscape and capture far off sights. Additionally, the fast Minolta 50mm f/1.4 prime offered speed in low light and the option of shooting with a beautifully shallow depth of field.
Sunrise on film during the Saltwater Retreat
Dawn at the Avon Fishing Pier, Hatteras Island, NC
Dawn in Avon, North Carolina
Dune fences along the beach in Avon, NC
The cooler tones of the Fujifilm 400 paired perfectly with the blue sky day on our visit up to the northern beaches of the Outer Banks. This film stock beautifully emphasized the deep blues of the water and sky. This photo of the gazebo and boat dock at Sugar Creek is one of my favorites of the roll.
Dock at Sugar Creek, Nags Head, NC
When I spotted my favorite raptor perched on top of their nest, I pulled us over for a visit to photograph this beauty. One of the attendees told me later that she had a goal to photograph an osprey in the wild, which made me even happier than having a telephoto lens for this camera.
Osprey Nest at Sugar Creek
Shooting film is a constant lesson is attention to detail. I thought I had rewound the roll completely, but when I opened the back, there was still film exposed. I ended up with light leaks on a few frames, but even with the mistake, I love the end result—it’s a beautiful, accident that adds a unique aestetic to the final images.
Light leaks on the last few frames caused by opening the back before the roll was completely rewound
Overall, I really enjoyed using the Minolta X-7a kit, especially with the option to quickly change lenses for the specific scene. While the cool colors of the Fujifilm worked well along the beaches, I still prefer the warmth of Kodak Gold, particularly on the edges of the day. This curiosity continues: I do wonder how the cool tones of the Fujifilm will pair with snow-covered mountains, so I plan to give that a go this winter.
