Some folks have asked me where the "X-Man" moniker
came from. Well, actually, it doesn't have as much
to do with me than it does with my first 'real' camera,
the Minolta X-700.

The year, 1985. The camera, the Minolta X-700. Although I was
taking pictures before with a Kodak Disc Camera (how ancient is that?),
the X-700 was my first 'real' camera. Or shall I say, 'our' camera as mom
bought it for both my brother, and I. This camera was lovingly referred to by us
for years as "The X-Man." Little did I know it would ignite a fire that would lead to
the "X-Man" of today. When I look back, I still marvel at the clarity of the images from
the 50mm f/1.7 MD lens. The dusty model above is the actual camera. It was found in
the dungeon of my old apartment. It has been officially retired since 1995 when it
developed electronic problems.