Minolta Miniflex
The Minolta Miniflex is one of the sharpest-looking cameras we have come across in 20 years of business. Featuring a two-tone blue / teal paint scheme, the Miniflex was released by Minolta in 1959, who hoped to capitalize on the brief market craze for 4x4 "baby" TLR cameras started by the Rolleiflex 4x4 two years prior. These cameras used 127 roll film, essentially 2/3 scale 120, that produced 4x4cm slides that fit in traditional slide mounts ("super slides.") While that market evaporated as improved 35mm SLR became dominant, the Minolta Miniflex and its 4x4 brethren still boast an impressive size-to-performance ratio.
Unlike the "full size" Minolta Autocord TLRs, the Miniflex features a large focusing knob on the left-hand side of the camera, similar to a Rolleiflex. Aperture and shutter are uncoupled and controlled via large silver dials surrounding the taking lens, with a combined EV value displayed beneath the lens. The camera is loaded to the "1" with the use of the ruby window on the film door, but subsequent exposures are automatically transported after depressing a button on the side. Film advance is achieved with a small knob at the bottom of right-hand side of the camera, and like the full-size Autocord, the film travels top-to-bottom. Other notable features are the twin cold shoes mounted on either side of the camera (designed for use with a click-in sports finder) and Minolta-specific strap lug posts. The tripod socket is built as part of the body casing and not the film door, improving stability.
Minolta Miniflex cameras are exceedingly scarce, with around 5000 produced in total. The camera was never exported, making finding a copy in the US a challenge. Minolta produced dedicated lens hoods, lens caps, cases, and sports finders for these cameras, which are even harder to find than the bodies. If you come across a Minolta Miniflex, pick it up -- it is a fine photographic tool in addition to a rare piece of camera history.
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