Difference between revisions of "Minolta Miniflex"
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The shutter release is at the bottom of the front standard, and protrudes towards the right. The shutter is an Optiper Citizen MVL (B, 1–500). It is cocked by a small lever on the side, above the release button. The self-timer lever is on the same side and is painted green. There is an M/X selector and a PC synch socket on the opposite side. The shutter name is inscribed between the two lenses: ''<small>OPTIPER</small>'' on one side and ''<small>CITIZEN MVL</small>'' on the other. There is a Light-Value scale under the taking lens, controlled by a lever at the bottom. The speed scale is on one side of the shutter and the aperture scale on the other; they are interlocked and move together for a given Light-Value setting. | The shutter release is at the bottom of the front standard, and protrudes towards the right. The shutter is an Optiper Citizen MVL (B, 1–500). It is cocked by a small lever on the side, above the release button. The self-timer lever is on the same side and is painted green. There is an M/X selector and a PC synch socket on the opposite side. The shutter name is inscribed between the two lenses: ''<small>OPTIPER</small>'' on one side and ''<small>CITIZEN MVL</small>'' on the other. There is a Light-Value scale under the taking lens, controlled by a lever at the bottom. The speed scale is on one side of the shutter and the aperture scale on the other; they are interlocked and move together for a given Light-Value setting. | ||
| − | The most common finish is two-tone blue: medium blue hammertone paint for the body shell, back and moving front standard, and light blue lacquer for the viewing hood and the casing surrounding the lenses. The sides and the back have a matching blue- | + | The most common finish is two-tone blue: medium blue hammertone paint for the body shell, back and moving front standard, and light blue lacquer for the viewing hood and the casing surrounding the lenses. The sides and the back have a matching blue-grey leatherette covering. One source says that this finish was called "greenish blue" (グリーニッシュブルー), and that the camera also exists in "silver grey" (シルバーグレー).<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.407. </REF> However, no grey Miniflex has yet been found. |
The taking lens is a Minolta [[Rokkor]] 60mm f/3.5, and the viewing lens is a View Rokkor 60mm f/2.8. Both have a bayonet filter attachment and a seven-digit serial number. | The taking lens is a Minolta [[Rokkor]] 60mm f/3.5, and the viewing lens is a View Rokkor 60mm f/2.8. Both have a bayonet filter attachment and a seven-digit serial number. | ||
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The external sportsfinder, of the folding frame type, is medium blue with a silver front frame. It is attached to the right-hand accessory shoe, and has a locking knob inscribed ''L'', ''O'' and ''JAPAN''. It comes in a small medium blue case. | The external sportsfinder, of the folding frame type, is medium blue with a silver front frame. It is attached to the right-hand accessory shoe, and has a locking knob inscribed ''L'', ''O'' and ''JAPAN''. It comes in a small medium blue case. | ||
| − | The original box is red, white and | + | The original box is red, white and grey, and has a big ''M'' in deep blue, shaped the same as on the viewing hood, and a big ''44'' among other markings. |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 21:58, 21 November 2007
The Minolta Miniflex (ミノルタ・ミニフレックス) is a 4×4 TLR made in 1959 by Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō, predecessor of Minolta. It appeared two years after the Rolleiflex Baby Grey, during the short revival of 127 film for the square format superslides. The same year Olympus announced the Eye Flex, that never reached the production stage.
Description
The Minolta Miniflex has the classical TLR shape. The front standard moves back and forth for focusing. There is a big focusing wheel on the photographer's left, containing a film reminder, and an additional plate with depth-of-field indications.
The film is advanced by a crank on the opposite side, at the bottom, engraved with an arrow and the word WIND to indicate the turning direction. The film advance is semi-automatic, and there is a round exposure counter window on the advance side. Another control is visible next to the advance knob, shaped as a large screw head, perhaps used to start the exposure counter.
There is a red window on the right of the back, used to set the position of the first exposure, and protected by a large rotating disc marked CHIYODA KOGAKU OSAKA JAPAN. The back is locked by a key at the bottom.
The viewing hood is three-fold and has a red M logo at the front. It contains a square magnifying lens but no sportsfinder, and its shape is specially designed for dust protection.[1] The nameplate is made of translucid plastic, with the name minolta miniflex written in gold letters in the typical 1960s Minolta font. There are strap lugs on both sides of the body. There are two accessory shoes, one on each side. The right-hand shoe has an indentation at the bottom, and is used to attach an accessory sportsfinder (see below).
The shutter release is at the bottom of the front standard, and protrudes towards the right. The shutter is an Optiper Citizen MVL (B, 1–500). It is cocked by a small lever on the side, above the release button. The self-timer lever is on the same side and is painted green. There is an M/X selector and a PC synch socket on the opposite side. The shutter name is inscribed between the two lenses: OPTIPER on one side and CITIZEN MVL on the other. There is a Light-Value scale under the taking lens, controlled by a lever at the bottom. The speed scale is on one side of the shutter and the aperture scale on the other; they are interlocked and move together for a given Light-Value setting.
The most common finish is two-tone blue: medium blue hammertone paint for the body shell, back and moving front standard, and light blue lacquer for the viewing hood and the casing surrounding the lenses. The sides and the back have a matching blue-grey leatherette covering. One source says that this finish was called "greenish blue" (グリーニッシュブルー), and that the camera also exists in "silver grey" (シルバーグレー).[2] However, no grey Miniflex has yet been found.
The taking lens is a Minolta Rokkor 60mm f/3.5, and the viewing lens is a View Rokkor 60mm f/2.8. Both have a bayonet filter attachment and a seven-digit serial number.
Commercial life
The Minolta Miniflex was announced in Japanese camera magazines dated May to July 1959, was featured again in Shashin Kōgyō in September, and was briefly advertised in October and November.[3] The October advertisement in Camera Mainichi presents the camera along with the Minolta A3, and does not mention a price.[4] It is said that the camera was sold for ¥12,700 (case ¥1,800 extra).[5]
Various sources say that the production did not exceed 5000.[6] Body numbers are known in the 100xxx, 102xxx, 103xxx and 104xxx ranges, and lens numbers are known in the 1100xxx, 1102xxx, 1103xxx, 1104xxx and 1105xxx ranges. The highest reported numbers are body no.104587, taking lens no.1104775 and viewing lens no.1105049 (on a different camera).
Accessories
Various accessories exist for the Minolta Miniflex. The camera usually comes with a medium blue ever-ready case and neckstrap; the case has the minolta logo at the front. The lens cap is light blue and has the same logo in front of the taking lens. The metal lens hood is medium blue with a silver base, and has minolta at the top; it comes in a medium blue case with a triangular minolta logo.
The external sportsfinder, of the folding frame type, is medium blue with a silver front frame. It is attached to the right-hand accessory shoe, and has a locking knob inscribed L, O and JAPAN. It comes in a small medium blue case.
The original box is red, white and grey, and has a big M in deep blue, shaped the same as on the viewing hood, and a big 44 among other markings.
Notes
- ↑ Anti-dust design: Tanaka, p.29, Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten, p.20.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.407.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.407.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.304.
- ↑ Tanaka, p.30.
- ↑ This page at Pacific Rim Camera, this page of Aya's Camera Site, this page at Manual Minolta.
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 1653.
- 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. Pp.39–40 and 100–1.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.98.
- 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.681.
- 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.50–1.
- 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 2196.
- Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Minolta Camera: nigan-refu kamera" (Minolta Camera: 二眼レフカメラ, Minolta TLR cameras). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.12, October 1988. No ISBN number. Minoruta kamera no subete (ミノルタカメラのすべて, special issue on Minolta). Pp.25–30.
- Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten (私の二眼レフカメラ展, Exhibition of twin lens reflex cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.20.
Links
In English:
- Miniflex at Pacific Rim Camera
- 127 film Minolta cameras and Minolta TLR cameras at the Manual Minolta website
- Miniflex, lot no.693 of auction no.8 (27 November 2005) by Westlicht Photographica Auction (this particular example has no accessory shoe on the photographer's left, for some reason)
- Sales by LP Foto:
- Miniflex, lot no.701 of auction no.17 (7 December 2002)
- Miniflex, lot no.74 of auction no.26 (22 April 2007)
In Japanese:
- Miniflex at Aya's website
- Pages at Asacame:
- Miniflex in the A-Z 127 film cameras
- Miniflex, Walz Automat 44 and Primo Jr
- Japanese 4×4 TLRs, including the Miniflex
- List of 4×4cm TLRs at the 44 Club
