Traduction de Manuel M

Caution! Absolute rarity…

There were only 700 to 1000 specimens produced as from May 1947. For the eye not informed, it is difficult to make the difference compared to one 35 type b or c.

To my knowledge, the only characteristic suitable for the type has, is the pin of locking of the barrel slow speeds. It is placed in a notch of V form opposite the position 1/25 s; it should be rocked backwards to reach at the slower speeds. The sequence of those is different here: 1,2,5,10,25, whereas one has 1,2,4,8,25 starting from the type b, readable of face then by the top.

The format of exposure is of 24 x 32 mm, which will increase gradually to 24 x 36 more orthodox starting from the 35IIB (which is not the 35 b type). But certain type b precisely have also this format… which, as opposed to what one can often read, thus does not make it possible to decide. It is necessary to have in the head that the production of these cameras began at the end of the war, during one rather chaotic period, and that probably batches of parts of the first series could be used thereafter. It is thus frequent to meet atypical models. What can add an interest for the collector!

Engraving “Osaka” following “Chiyoda Kogaku” also seems to concern only this first type, perhaps also the very first b. Marking CPO on the button of advance indicates that this camera was bought in a military store, and brought back to the USA where it remained until I buy it

This specimen (n°699) is functional, which is all the more remarkable. It should be known that nearly 80% of Minolta 35 have a problem of curtain which is not involved any more. Nothing like it here, and the two curtains function. Speeds, including the slow ones, seem right.

Some characteristics complementary to the data sheet which you will find in bottom of this page:

- Selector slow speeds separate, lockable on the position 1/25.
- Self-timer with two positions.
 

Help to identify the Minolta 35 models

by Renaud Laemmli

*Serial number