Wayne Ralph and the Minolta XK Motor

A Photographer’s Workhorse

By Marwan El Mozayen / SilvergrainClassics

For many photographers, a camera is more than just equipment—it’s a trusted tool that becomes part of their story. For Wayne Ralph, a pilot, photojournalist, and historian, the Minolta XK Motor played that role for over 30 years.

Capturing History at the 1977 Paris Air Show

Wayne’s first major assignment with the XK Motor took place at the Paris Air Show in 1977, an event known for showcasing cutting-edge aviation. Unfortunately, airshows can also be unpredictable, and during this event, a Fairchild A-10 fighter crashed. The test pilot lost his life. Wayne’s XK Motor, shooting at 3.5 frames per second, captured the impact. The images were published in magazines around the world, demonstrating both the power of photography and the reliability of the Minolta.

A Go-To Camera for Airshows

Over the years, Wayne photographed many military aerobatic teams, including the Snowbirds, Blue Angels, and Thunderbirds. The XK Motor consistently delivered sharp, well-exposed images, some of which made their way to the cover of Wings Magazine in Canada. Despite years of use in fast-paced environments, the camera never failed.

That’s not to say it was perfect. The plastic battery clips eventually broke, but with no replacements available, Wayne found a simple solution: duct tape. It worked well enough to keep the camera going for years. But meanwhile there is an alternative spare part. Have a look at Repair, Restore, Reimagine – Servicing Analog Cameras in the Modern Age.

Another quirk was the finger-sensitive on-off meter switch in the hand grip. If you lifted your finger mid-shot, the shutter could lock open, overexposing the next frame. It was an odd design choice, but one that Wayne learned to work around.

Moving On, But Never Forgetting

By the late 1970s, Wayne picked up a Minolta XD model with an attachable motor drive as a backup, but it never matched the ruggedness of the XK Motor. He continued using Minolta cameras for decades but gradually lost interest in their later models. When he finally moved to digital in 2008, he chose Nikon finding its system more intuitive.

Though the XK Motor was eventually retired, it wasn’t forgotten. Today, it rests in a museum in Canada, a reminder of the years it spent capturing aviation history.

Preserving a Legacy

After selling Wings Magazine, most of Wayne’s aviation photos went with the publication, leaving him with few scanned copies of his own work. However, many of his military photos and negatives have been donated to RCAF Station Comox in British Columbia, where they are being archived for future historians.

A Career in Flight and Photography

Born in Newfoundland in 1946, Wayne spent much of his life around aircraft. He flew with the RCAF, Pacific Western Airlines, and Transport Canada Aviation, all while pursuing photography. Later, as a photojournalist and magazine editor, he documented the world of aviation from behind the lens. He also wrote two books on Canada’s decorated fighter pilots.

For Wayne, the Minolta XK Motor wasn’t just a camera—it was a dependable tool that stood the test of time. Though his photography eventually moved in a different direction, the XK Motor remains an important part of his journey.

Wayne Ralph’s Long-lasting XK-Motor

The museum collection where Wayne’s XK engine is kept has provided a picture of the camera with a Vivitar zoom lens. Wayne used this combination for his airshow photos.

The Birth of a Revolutionary Camera

Overview: The Minolta XM

Part 1: The Birth of a Revolutionary Camera.

Part 2: XM Motor: A Bold Leap into Motorized Precision.

Part 3: The XM Viewfinders: Customizable Vision for Every Photographer.

Part 4: XM Focusing Screens: Precision and Versatility for Every Shot.

Part 5: The XM Shutter: Speed, Precision, and Innovation.

Part 6: The Legacy of the Minolta XM: Redefining Professional Photography.

A new battery cover for the Minolta XM Motor

Redesigning the battery cover of the Minolta XM Motor (film)
Repair, Restore, Reimagine
Servicing Analogue Cameras in the Modern Age,
see also:
Repair, Restore, Reimagine – Servicing Analog Cameras in the Modern Age
(a chapter in our current issue 26 of SilvergrainClassics).

More photokina 1972

On the occasion of photokina 1972, a legendary camera was also released for the world of motion picture, which SilvergrainClassics took a close look at and tested: The Arriflex 35 BL.