I'm starting photography using a Minolta XG-A (heirloom) and I need to know what type of flash, filter and film do I need to use? I really want to use this camera. Help

-- Denise Malone (ldmalone212@msn.com), December 21, 2001

Answers

Hi Denise,

Flash: the only flash I know at all well for Minolta XG is the Auto 360 PX, which is available secondhand. You will find more knowledge of flashguns for manual-focus Minolta on the manual-focus Minolta discussion group at

http://groups.yaho o.com/group/ManualMinolta/

Filter: none. (There are a handful of filters which you will realize you need as your photography develops, but you don't need them now. Some photographers put a UV filter on all their lenses to protect them against knife attack; other photographers think this is a cunning plot by people who sell UV filters. The community seems to be fairly evenly divided: you don't need one and can wait awhile until you know enough to decide which view you take.)

Film: 35mm. (By which I mean, of course, that you've told us so little about what you want to do! As a general film for family events and holiday photography, I'd suggest colour print film. Try starting with Fuji Superia 400.)

Later,

Dr Owl

-- John Owlett (owl@postmaster.co.uk), December 21, 2001.