Minolta Miniflex

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 Miniflex has an advance knob at the left and a big focusing wheel at the right. There are two accessory shoes, one on each side. The finish is blueish grey in two tones, with matching leather covering.

The Miniflex is equipped with a Rokkor 60/3.5 taking lens, a Rokkor 60/2.8 viewing lens and a shutter to 1/500.

Commercial life

The Miniflex was probably sold for a short time, because today it is quite rare. The common belief is that the production did not exceed 5000.

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
• 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