Minolta 110 Zoom SLR Mark II
Following on the heels of Minolta's impressive 110 Zoom SLR Mark I, in 1979, the company released an updated Mark II version. Like it's predecessor, the Mark II is a true SLR 110 camera, complete with an integrated zoom lens. One big change between the Mark I and this camera is the design; Minolta eschewed the flat design of the Mark I and styled the Mark II after more of a traditional 35mm SLR form. Additionally, they expanded the range of the zoom lens to run from 25mm (think 50mm in full frame 35mm equivalent) up to 67mm (the equivalent of a decently telephoto 140mm focal length). Minolta even improved on the maximum aperture of the lens, lowering it to a fixed f/3.5 aperture. Furthermore, and like its predecessor, the Mark II's lens has a macro mode that reduces minimum focusing down to about six inches.
Exposure on the Mark II is done via aperture priority. A manually selected f-stop can be set via a dial atop the camera, and an LED display inside the viewfinder will then highlight which shutter speed the camera will use, with a maximum speed of 1/1000. The camera conveniently includes an exposure compensation dial, which proves useful both for adjusting the automatically set exposure value, as well as compensating for the Lomography 110 films that are all rated at ISO 100, despite the fact that their Tiger color film is actual ISO 200.
Rounding out the list of features are a hotshoe, bulb and flash sync shutter modes, and an electronic self-timer. Less noteworthy (but still welcome) features include a screw-on right handed grip that makes the Mark II even more comfortable in hand, a diopter adjustment for the viewfinder, and a viewfinder cover for use with long exposures.
While many might be turned off by the small size of the 110 format, there are some surprisingly good cameras out there for those willing to venture into this format. The Minolta 110 Zoom SLR Mark II should be at the top of many 110 photographers' lists.
za/sd
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