Minolta Vectis S series

Minolta Vectis S-1.

The Minolta Vectis S-series comprises two APS system models of film SLR cameras made by Minolta, the flagship model Vectis S-1 and the Vectis S-100. The cameras feature a compact design, owing to the use of prisms instead of mirrors in the viewfinder.

The Vectis V-lenses used by these models are not compatible with any other lens mount, including Minolta's 35mm A-mount and SR-mount systems, and there are no options to adapt them to other camera systems since the aperture and focus are controlled electronically, the image circle of the lenses captures the APS formats, and the flange focal distance of the V-mount is only 36.00 mm. Only an early DSLR camera body, the Minolta Dimâge RD 3000, also used the V-lens mount.

The Vectis brand was also shared with a number of small APS rangefinder cameras with fixed lenses, including the waterproof Vectis Weathermatic and Vectis GX series. The model numbers of these cameras don't include the S prefix used for the SLR series.

Lenses

List of V-mount interchangeable lenses:

• Prime lenses
  • V 17 mm f/3.5 RD (#2764)
  • V 50 mm f/3.5 Macro (1:2) (#2305)
  • V 400 mm f/8 Reflex (#2307)
• Zooms
  • V 22-80 mm f/4-5.6 (#2301)
  • V 25-150 mm f/4.5-6.3 (#2309)
  • V 28-56 mm f/4-5.6 (#2303)
  • V 56-170 mm f/4.5-5.6 (#2304)
  • V 80-240 mm f/4.5-5.6 Apo (#2302)

The 17 mm lens is specified to work with the RD 3000 only, but can be used on the S-1 and S-100 as well. The 400 mm reflex lens as well as the 25-150 mm and 56-170 mm zooms may not perform to their full potential on the RD 3000, however.

References

1. Information about the Vectis S-1 and S-100
2. Models and manuals for Minolta Vectis series cameras