Minolta-16 MG-S

The Minolta-16 MG-S was the flagship of Minolta's subminiature camera series, and the penultimate Minolta 16. In an attempt to compete with the new Kodak 110 film cartridge, it featured a bigger frame size than the earlier Minolta subminis (12×17 vs. 10×14 mm). A further advantage was the choice between manual CdS-meter supported match-needle aperture setting and fully automatic aperture control. A flash cube adapter served as flash device in the camera's standard outfit. Other flashes were available. Several close-up and color filters were also available for the MG-S.

Specifications

• Type: subminiature viewfinder camera
• Manufacturer: Minolta
• Year of launch: 1970
• Film: Minolta 16mm film with speeds 25 to 400 ASA
• Frame size: 12×17mm
• Lens: fixed-focus Rokkor 1:2.8/23mm with 4 elements in 3 groups, a sliding door with an additional close-up element can be shifted into the position in front of the lens
• Shutter: Speeds set manually between 1/30 and 1/500 sec.; X sync at all speeds
• Aperture: set manually between 1:2.8 and 1:16, or fully automatically, controlled by a CdS meter close to the lens (EV 8–17)
• Viewfinder: optical bright frame finder with parallax marks and control flags for low light and for close-up setting
• Size: 107.5×26.5×46mm
• Weight: 210g

MG-S with filters and accessories. image by Andrea Wiggins (Image rights)

Minolta MG-S with early AG-1 flashgun. image by Steve Harwood (Image rights)

Links / Sources

• MG-S Manual on Mike Butkus' site
• Minolta 16 mm Manuals including several versions of the MG-s
• Minolta 16mm subminiature cameras at submin.com
• Minolta 16 MG-S on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
• A vintage Minolta 16mm kit by David Kilpatrick in photoclubalpha