Minox: Difference between revisions
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The Minox cameras use 8x11mm film in a small cartridge containing a strip of film 9.2mm wide, less than one-quarter the size of [[135 film|35mm]], capable of holding up to 50 frames. The fact that the camera holds the small negative in a "curved film plane" makes the sharpness of the tiny negative uniform to the very edge of the frame, resulting in more usable image area. The Minox enlarger holds the negative in this same curve. |
The Minox cameras use 8x11mm film in a small cartridge containing a strip of film 9.2mm wide, less than one-quarter the size of [[135 film|35mm]], capable of holding up to 50 frames. The fact that the camera holds the small negative in a "curved film plane" makes the sharpness of the tiny negative uniform to the very edge of the frame, resulting in more usable image area. The Minox enlarger holds the negative in this same curve. |
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[[Image:minoxA.jpg|thumb|right|Minox A camera]] |
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[[Image:Minox.jpg|thumb|right|Minox B subminiature "spy" camera, with incorrect measuring chain]] |
[[Image:Minox.jpg|thumb|right|Minox B subminiature "spy" camera, with incorrect measuring chain]] |
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Revision as of 22:36, 4 June 2007
The Minox, the archetypal sub-miniature camera, was invented by engineer Walter Zapp, in 1936. Production in Riga, Latvia at VEF ran from 1937/1938 until 1943. After WWII, production was re-started in Germany from 1948. The company Minox GmbH is based in Wetzlar.
Although primarily marketed as a luxury item, the Minox was also used as an espionage camera. Its close-focusing lens and small size made it perfect for covert uses such as surveillance or document copying. The Minox was used by both Axis and Allied intelligence agents during World War II. Later versions were used well into the 1980s. The Soviet spy John A. Walker Jr., whose actions against the US Navy cryptography programs represent some of the most compromising intelligence actions against the United States during the Cold War era, used a Minox C to photograph documents and ciphers. An 18 inch measuring chain was provided with most Minox cameras, which enabled easy 8x10 or 8.5x11 inch document copying. The espionage use of the Minox has been memorialized by Hollywood movies, and some Minox marketing efforts have played up the "spy camera" story.
The Minox cameras use 8x11mm film in a small cartridge containing a strip of film 9.2mm wide, less than one-quarter the size of 35mm, capable of holding up to 50 frames. The fact that the camera holds the small negative in a "curved film plane" makes the sharpness of the tiny negative uniform to the very edge of the frame, resulting in more usable image area. The Minox enlarger holds the negative in this same curve.
Minox 8x11 camera models
- Riga (attempts to call this model I failed)
- A (Europe there was no distinction made between the three A models)
- II
- III
- IIIs - flash synch
- B - ultralight aluminium shell, selenium meter, produced from 1958 to 1972
- C - introduced in 1969, electronic, used by spy John A. Walker, Jr.
- BL - 1972 with cadmium sulphide meter (requiring a battery), no longer winds film with each open/close cycle
- LX - electronic
- EC
- ECX, replacing EC
- TLX, titanium titanal eloxat coated
- CLX, chrome plated
and special editions
- AX - similar to the A (all mechanical) but built using LX components
- LX Sterling - 925 sterling silver hallmarked
- LX Selection - gold with black dials
- LX Gold II - anniversary edition, all gold, with Walter Zapp's signature
- LX Platin - Limited edition platinum Minox LX
- CLX - with Walter Zapp's signature
- LX 2000 - brass black anodized with gold trim
- Aviator - black anodized with luminous dials, logo and script limited edition of 300
- EC - with Minox Historical Society logo limited edition of 100
- EC - 1st German Minox club in blue with club logo limited edition of 111.
The earlier mechanical cameras are collector's items. Newer electronic versions, such as the Minox TLX, remain in production yet today, essentially unchanged in general features since the 1970s.
Other products
Minox has also produced a very compact Makrolon-bodied 35 mm camera series. These well made cameras feature a drawbridge style lens cover that can be lowered to reveal a high quality 35mm f/2.8 Minotar lens with glass elements. The camera offers aperture priority exposure, with the option of manual settings.
- Minox EL, 1974
- MINOX GL, 1979-1981
- MINOX GT 1981-1991
- MINOX GT-Golf 1984
- MINOX GT-E 1988-1993
- MINOX GSE 1991-1994
- MINOX PL 1982-1983
- MINOX ML 1985-1995
- MINOX AL 1987-1988
- MINOX AF 1988-1990
- MINOX MB 1986-1999
- MINOX MB Touring 1900
- MINOX Goldknopf 1991-1993
- MINOX MDC 1992-1995 This is the flag ship of Minox 35mm series. MDC differs from all other models by its anodized aluminium body; with two styles: a gold plated model and a titanium coated model. MDC has a mulitcoated Minoxar 35mm/2.8 lens.
- MINOX MDC gold Collection 1993-1994
- MINOX GT-X 1998-1999
- MINOX GT-E(II) 1998-2001
- MINOX GT-S 1998-2004
Also sold were 110 film cameras and Minox binoculars. Recently, Minox introduced a line of compact binoculars and a range of digital cameras and Classic cameras Minox Leica IIIf, Minox Leica M3, Minox Leica 1F, Minox Hasselblad SWC, Minox Contax I.
Sharan Megahouse of Japan extended the Minox range with 8x11 miniatures of the Rolleiflex TLR 2.8, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus Pen and Robot I.
Company
After a management buyout in August 2001 and a reduction of Leica-held shares down to 49%, and finally completed in 2004, Minox is no longer a division of the Leica company.
See also
Books on Minox
- Hubert E. Heckmann: MINOX Variations IN 8X11, Wittig Books, ISBN 3-88984-153-8
- Morris Moses & John Wade: Spycamera THE MINOX Story, 2nd edition ISBN 1-874707-28-6
- D. Scott Young, Minox: Marvel in Miniature, ISBN 1587210681
- Gunther Kadlubek, Classic Camera Collection Verlag Rudole Hillebrand
External links
