The Camera Itself

Last month I bought my first ever point-and-shoot film camera: the Minolta Riva 75W. I grabbed it on Etsy for $40, and honestly, it came kinda beat up—but that’s exactly what I liked about it. It’s a small, compact little tank. I’m 6'5" with big hands, but this camera fits right in my pocket and still feels fine in my grip. Nothing about the size annoyed me, and that’s saying a lot coming from someone who’s used to handling things built for giants.

The camera has a few features I didn’t mess with much—like red-eye reduction, self-timer, and different flash settings. I mostly just pointed, shot, and let the Minolta do its thing. I did play with the flash a little—turned it off a few times during the concert—but most of the time I let it fire.

The Experience – Film at a Shawn Mendes Show

I brought the Riva 75W to a Shawn Mendes concert. Risky? Maybe. But I’m glad I did. I loaded it with Kodak Gold 200, which I bought off Amazon, and just started shooting. It’s not the fastest camera in the world, but that’s part of the charm. You’re not just snapping a million shots—you’re waiting for the right one.

Shooting film during a live show was a different kind of thrill. I didn’t know if any of the photos would come out. But that anticipation? Addicting. I dropped off the roll at Walmart and they sent me back a box with prints—super nostalgic moment, flipping through them like it’s 2003 again.

I have not yet taken the photos to a film lab… as soon as I do I will update the blog.

Final Thoughts – Worth Every Penny

This camera might not be perfect, but it’s perfect for me. It’s simple, a little scratched up, and totally reliable. I wasn’t sure if a point-and-shoot would be my thing, but the Minolta Riva 75W made me fall in love with film. No menus to dig through. No lens to swap. Just you, the scene, and the shutter.

If you’re thinking of getting into film photography or just want something small, cheap, and real, I’d say this is a solid pick. It’s not about perfection—it’s about capturing the feeling.