Since getting my new camera (Canon Rebel XSi) I really haven’t been utilizing its features fully. I usually grab the camera, set it on one of its automatic modes and shoot. Easy peasy. And so totally cheating. I can set my camera to manual mode and get very creative. I just don’t. Problem is that I seem to have a mind block matching up f/stops and shutter speeds. Years ago I started out with what is now referred to as a “classic” camera, a film Minolta SRT 101. I took the best photos with that camera. It had the old fashioned kind of TTL (through the lens) match needle metering system, meaning you lined up the circle and the needle for correct exposure. No guesswork involved.

In an effort to better my photography skills and get out of auto mode, I decided to dig out and dust off my old Minolta and use it as a teaching tool. The camera is still in great shape for its vintage years. Imagine turning your camera on and off by turning it upside down:

Only one small problem. No battery. And when I say no battery, I mean no battery as in they don’t make them anymore. This camera took a mercury battery which in today’s world no longer exists. The only thing run by the battery in this camera is the light meter, which of course is the only thing I am going to use! I don’t plan on taking film photos with it—only to record the shutter and f/stop setting and apply that to my other camera.

Rick found a place online that was selling batteries that sort of replaces the old mercury battery and ordered one. The battery came over the weekend and I couldn’t wait to try it out. Bummer. The battery didn’t work! But was it the camera or the battery that failed? I had the idea to put the new battery in Rick’s old camera and see if it worked in his. (He has a similar camera to mine, just a later version: an SRT 102.) When I removed the battery housing from his camera, lo and behold, there was still a battery (mercury) in it! Even more exciting—it worked! When I switched out batteries and put the mercury battery in my camera it still didn’t work, but the new battery did work in his camera. Not sure why my camera is not working, but I was very disappointed to discover the problem was with my camera and not the battery. I think maybe it’s something do with the metal strip in the battery chamber not making contact. I think it needs to be gently bent down a bit but I’m afraid to try it in case I end up snapping it.

So, at least I have the use of Rick’s camera for my experiments in photography. I also have several manuals (which I hate reading!) that I am making my way through.

Now I just need some good subjects. The garden is certainly not one at this time of year. Oh my, what a mess!

But on closer inspection maybe there are a few things worth taking a photograph of.

And the daffodils certainly aren’t ready for their debut through the lens yet either.

How about some tulips that I purchased?

I hope to have more things soon to practice on. Should be fun!