MINOX CAMERAS
(1948 - 1955?) After the war, the company, and many of the workers, relocated to West Germany. Like all post-WWII Minoxes, these models were aluminum-bodied. Made in Geissen, Germany, though stamped Wetzlar since that remained the legal address of Minox until 1961. It had a different lens design than the original Riga; in this model the rear element of lens actually touches the film surface. Unfortunately this leads to problems with scratching the film unless everthing is spotless. Size: 82 x 28 x 16 mm
(1948 - 1955) This is a very confusing designation for three different Minox models -- used only for these models marketed in Europe. The "Minox A" is really either the Minox II (above), Minox III, or the Minox IIIs (below). To avoid this confusion, the label "Minox A" is not used here. Please refer to the specific Minox models -- II, III, or IIIs.
(1948 - 1955) New lens design, essentially the same as all later Minoxes (except the EC), called the "complan". The lens no longer touches the film. Still completely manual with no meter. Very compact with top quality lens. This and later models are all fine shooters. Size: 82 x 28 x 16 mm
(1955 - 1969) Just like the III, but with flash synch and a PC connector. Size: 82 x 28 x 16 mm
(1958 - 1972) The first Minox to be bigger than all the previous models. The extra space is taken up by the built-in selenium cell light meter (ASA 25-400). Its shutter speeds are T,B,1/2-1/1000. You still set the exposure (shutter speed) manually, but it is coupled to the meter. Has green and neutral-density (ND) filters. Size: 97 x 28 x 16 mm
(1972 - 1977) This is basically a Minox B with the selenium cell meter replaced by a CdS meter. Uses one 675 battery. Size: 100 x 28 x 16 mm
(1969 - 1978) Still longer than the B; this one is the biggest Minox submini; where a IIIs is about 3-1/4" including PC flash connector, the C is about 4-1/2" long. This is the first Minox submini with auto-exposure; it has a CdS cell light meter, which can control the shutter speed (which can also be manually set). But you can't tell what speed the meter will set. Size: 120 x 28 x 16 mm. Uses PX27 batteries.
Later models of the C (as well as the LX, AX, TLX, etc.) have a modified complan lens, changing the film focus to a flat plane rather than the curved plane of earlier camera. So, they have a flat pressure plate.
(1978 - 1996) Shorter than the C (but larger than the originals); auto-exposure, as well as manual. The first Minox whose shutter speed goes up to 1/2000. Speeds of 15 seconds - 1/2000 in Auto mode, and 1/30 - 1/2000 in manual mode. Built-in 4X ND filter. Available in many colors: silver, aluminium, black anodized aluminium, titanium, platinum, gold and sterling silver, not to mention special editions (see below). Size: 108 X 28 x 16 mm. Uses four 386 batteries.
(1998 - ?) An LX without the meter (and auto-exposure). As a result, the size is reduced to about the size of the originals. Some gold cameras made. Size: 80 x 28 x 16 mm
(1981 - ?) This is targeted as a mass-market point-and-shoot, with a fixed-focus lens that focuses 6 feet to infinity. Size: 80 x 30 x 18 mm. Uses PX27 batteries.
The LX in a titanium body.
A black LX sold, along with a watch, in a fancy, silk-lines, wooden, presentation box.
The LX in black with gold dials. Very attractive.
(1998 - ?) A continuation of the LX. The camera is its chrome-plated and highly polished. The back is engraved with the signature of Walter Zapp and icons of the Minox A and the Minox LX. Size: 108 X 28 x 16 mm
(1998 - ?) The evolution of the EC. Closed dimensions of 8 x 1.8 x 3 cm (3.15 x 1.2 x 0.7 in.). Black body of Novodur GV, it weighs 56 g (2 oz) with the four A76 batteries. The viewfinder includes a red LED for slow-speed warning (longer than 1/30s), a battery check, and a new "Film Cartridge is in Camera" LED indicator. A special flash contact is provided for connecting a new MINOX 8x11 flash. The ECX is an automatic exposure camera with a computer-controlled leaf shutter (aperture priority). ISO 25 to 400 at shutter speeds between 1/500 and 8 seconds, automatically adjusted to the preset aperture (f/5.6). Newly designed Minar 15mm f/5.6 lens.
It's the same as the Sharan Leica IIIF, but the lens on this one is designated a Minoctar
15mm f5.6! Obviously made by Sharan. The main differences are the name change of the lens, and the ubiquitous Sharan
"RED DOT" is now black. The camera itself does not come in the common, clear, Sharan, acrylic case, but
in silk-lined, wooden boxes marked either "Minox" or "Leica". It was available in chrome
or black.
Digital versions of this camera also exist which were undoubtedly made by Sharan as well, since Sharan is a major
player in digital surveillance technology. Appearing in different colors, different focal length lenses,
and different resolutions, these digital cameras can be confusing because they frequently have a large red dot
on the face-plate -- like the Sharan "RED DOT" -- but indicating the number of mega-pixels. You
can tell if you have the film version if the focal length is 15mm.
It's the same as the Sharan Leica M3, but the lens on this one is designated a Minoctar
15mm f5.6! Obviously made by Sharan. The main differences are the name change of the lens, and the ubiquitous
Sharan "RED DOT" is now black. The camera itself does not come in the common, clear, Sharan, acrylic
case, but in silk-lined, wooden boxes marked either "Minox" or "Leica". It was available
in chrome or black.
Digital versions of this camera also exist which were undoubtedly made by Sharan as well, since Sharan is a major
player in digital surveillance technology. Appearing in different colors, different focal length lenses,
and different resolutions, these digital cameras can be confusing because they frequently have a large red dot
on the face-plate -- like the Sharan "RED DOT" -- but indicating the number of mega-pixels. The original version looks almost the same as the film version. Later
models were modified so much that this model can't figure out how to use this
model! You can tell if you have the film version if the focal length is 15mm.
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