FEINWERK 16mm SUBMINIATURES

The MEC 16mm camera was the only submini camera made by Feinwerk, but it came in different styles. They all required double-16mm perforations to advance the film -- you could try single perforated film, and you might get lucky! Like many 16mm cameras, Feinwerk used their own cassettes. They were used as a pair -- one was a feeder cassette, and the other a take-up cassette. While they are almost identical, there is one big difference. The feeder cassette is sealed and cannot be taken apart -- which makes sense because it came from the factory -- while the take-up spool can be taken apart -- in order to remove the film. The top and bottom caps are easily removed. A take-up cassette can be used as a feeder cassette, but using a feeder cassette as a take-up cassette is a challenge. The film is more likely to jam during the film advance, and if all of the film ends up in the cassette, you have to destroy the cassette to get the film out. The good news is that other 16mm cassettes, that have removable caps, can be used as feeder cassettes, if you need one, such as Meopta Mikroma, Rollei 16, Rada, Steky, and perhaps others -- although you will need to cover up any spindle holes with opaque tape.

Mec 16

(1950) A top-of-the line submini, it comes with a focusing Color-Ennit 20mm f2.8 (4/3) lens. Shutter speeds of B, 1/30-1/1,1000. The camera uses the sprocket holes of the film to advance the film with small lever on the top and bottom of the film plane. The viewfinder slides out of the body which helps keep the hefty camera, compact. Available in black, gold, silver, or black with white or grey. The Mec-16 used a slightly modified RADA cassette. It is the same shape as the original RADA, but all metal, and about 1mm taller and wider. It adds an inner brass support for the film -- similar to the Minicord 16mm cassettes. Each cassette has an indented line on the top to make sure the cassette is aligned with the film plane. All setting are on the top of the camera in THREE dials. The f-stop is set with a dial on the front left corner, while the distance is set on a dial on the front -- in the center. All marked distance have detents, and there is a GREEN "S" mark for the hyper-focal distance. (Cameras destined for the US market are marked in feet, while those designed for metric markets are marked in meters -- there's just not enough room for two scales.) The shutter speed is set with a dial on the front right corner. It has a tripod socket, cable release connection, and a PC plug. You can tell the difference between this original model and the later models because the shutter release is on the front of the camera on the original model. In addition, this model has the lens designation on the lens cover -- "Color-Ennit 1:2,8/20" -- and the body is NOT marked "SB".

Mec 16 SB 2.8

(1960) This was a new, updated model of the Mec-16 with a built-in behind-the-lens metering system. In fact, this camera made photographic history since it was the first camera of any format with TTL metering. It came with a new, built-in Gossen selenium meter. You can't actually see the selenium meter, but it's in there -- PLUS, closing the camera's cover keeps light from hitting the cell -- so these meters usually are in fine condition. It retains the same Color-Ennit 20mm f2.8 lens. The lens focuses from 1 foot to infinity -- and is marked in feet or meters (not both), depending on the marketing destination. Shutter speeds of B, 1/30 - 1/1,000. A set of seven filters was available. What more could you ask for?

Mec 16 SB 2.0

(1960) You asked for it, and you got it. This was a deluxe model of the Mec-16 SB 2.8 with a six-element Rodenstock Heligon f2.0 lens -- making it one of the fastest submini cameras ever made. All other features remain the same

Since the two SB models look the same, how can you tell if a MEC SB is an f2.8 or f2.0 model? It's easy if you have it in hand, or if you have good pictures. With the lens covered, it shows either "Rodenstock Heligon 1:2/22" or "Color-Ennit 1:2,8/20". You can also check the f-stop dial and see if it rotates to f2.0 -- or only to f2.8. Another way is to look at the f-stop, distance, and shutter speed dials. On the f2.8 model, these are black with white lettering, while on the f2.0 model, these are white with black lettering (see photo at top of page).

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FEINWERK 16mm SUBMINIATURES

Mec 16

Mec 16 SB 2.8

Mec 16 SB 2.0