Baby Minolta
The Baby Minolta is a Japanese camera taking 4×6.5cm pictures on 127 film, made by Molta (later Minolta) between 1936 and 1940.[1]
Contents
Description
The Baby Minolta is a simpler camera than the Minolta Vest released one year earlier. It has a bakelite body and a bakelite telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly. There is a folding frame finder in the middle of the top plate, indicating the field of view for both 4×6.5 and 3×4 formats. The advance knob is at the left end of the top plate and film advance is controlled via two uncovered red windows in the back.
Bottom lock
with MTS logo.
(Image rights)
The film plane is curved to compensate some of the lens aberrations. To load the film, the top plate is removed together with the spool holders and exposure chamber. It is locked into place by a lever placed at the bottom. The bakelite is recessed around this lever and is moulded with the MTS logo and the words TRADE MARK and MADE IN JAPAN.
The lens is fixed focus and has a single element.[2] It is sometimes said to be a Coronar 80/8[3] but it has no engraving and the name is unconfirmed. There is no aperture setting.
The shutter gives 25, 50, 100, B speeds set on a dial at the top. It is everset and the release lever is attached to the shutter plate.
Variations
Baby Minolta, first variant.
Pictures courtesy of eBayer hbpartner. (Image rights)
The first variant has small indexes in the finder to indicate the field of view for 3×4cm exposures. There is a low metal advance knob with either a flat top or concentric rings. The shutter plate is marked PATENTS PENDING at the top and BABY MINOLTA at the bottom. It has the MTS logo of the Molta company on the right and a chain of small circles drawing a decorative pattern on the contour.
Baby Minolta, second variant.
Pictures courtesy of eBayer hbpartner. (Image rights)
The second variant has two bars in the finder for 3×4 format and a higher metal advance knob that is recessed in the middle.
Baby Minolta, third variant.
Pictures courtesy of eBayer hbpartner. (Image rights)
The third variant has a new shutter plate. It is marked PATENTS NIPPON at the top and BABY MINOLTA at the bottom. It does not have the MTS logo and has a simpler design with concentring rings on both sides.
Baby Minolta, fourth variant.
Pictures courtesy of eBayer hbpartner. (Image rights)
The fourth variant has a black bakelite advance knob.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Item 277. (See also the advertisements for item 272.)
- Francesch, Dominique and Jean-Paul. Histoire de l'appareil photographique Minolta de 1929 à 1985. Paris: Dessain et Tolra, 1985. ISBN 2-249-27685-4. P. 252.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P. 673.
- Scheibel, Anni Rita and Joseph. 70 Jahre Minolta Kameratechnik — Von der Nifcalette bis zur Dynax 9. Stuttgart: Lindemanns Verlag, 3rd edition, 1999. ISBN 3-89506-191-3. Pp. 20–1.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 4056.
Links
In English:
In Japanese:
In Chinese:
- Baby Minolta in a Chinese blog
