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Minox EC |
 Version française |
Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1979 to (After) 1984.
Index of rarity in France: Infrequent (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 11569
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Minox
"The" Minox has become an icon of spy cinema, especially in the hands of James Bond. Some deduce that it dates back to the Cold War, but in reality, it was created in Latvia by Walter Zapp at the end of the 1930s. It is a device using a 9.5mm film. Its overall form will persist until the early 21st century. The original patent describes it well.
U.S. Patent 2,169,548 dated August 15, 1939, with inventor Walter Zapp from Riga, Latvia. The applicant is Valsts Elektrotechnika Fabrika (VEF).
Excerpts from the description:
One objective of the invention is to create a camera of such small dimensions that it can be carried in the vest pocket.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a camera that can be manipulated very quickly and through which a plurality of successive exposures can be quickly achieved.
Another objective of the invention is to construct the camera in a way that minimizes protruding parts as much as possible. Specifically, the usual rotating handle for advancing the film is eliminated.
Another objective of the invention is to construct the camera in a way that protects the lens and viewfinder when the camera is not in use.
The models are numerous:
| Model | Years | Marking | Lens | Speed | Battery | Color | Misc. | |
| UR | c. 1936 | To be considered as a prototype. | ||||||
| Riga | 1938-40 | Made in Latvia |
Minostigmat 3.5/12.5mm |
1/2 to 1/1000, B, T | No | Stainless steel | ||
| Riga | 1941-42 | Made in USSR |
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| Riga | 1942-44 | Nazi eagle | Swastika | |||||
| Riga | 1944-45 | Made in USSR |
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| Riga |  |
1946-48 | VEF Minox RIGA | |||||
| (A) II | 1948-50 | Wetzlar | Pantar | Aluminum | III in USA |
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| (A) III |  |
1951-53 | Complan 3.5/15mm |
Aluminum / Black |
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| (A) IIIS1 |  |
1954-69 | Aluminum / Black / Gold |
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| B |  |
1958-66 | Made in Germany | Aluminum / Black |
Selenium cell in lattice | |||
| B |  |
1967-72 | Aluminum / Black |
Selenium cell in honeycomb | ||||
| C |  |
1969-72 | Complan 3.5/15mm or Minox |
7 ou 10 to 1/1000 | Yes | Aluminum / Black |
Automatic | |
| BL |  |
1972-73 | Minox 3.5/15 mm |
1/2 to 1/1000, B | Aluminum / Black |
coupled CdS cell |
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| LX |  |
1978-95 | 15 to 1/2000 | Aluminum / Gold / Platinum / Silver / Black | ||||
| EC |  |
1981-97 | Minox 5.6/15mm |
8 to 1/500 | Black | |||
| AX | 1992-95 | Minox 3.5/15mm |
1/2 to 1/1000, B | No | Aluminum / Black / Gold |
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| TLX | -96 | 100 Jahre Walter Zapp 04,09,1905-04,09,2005 | 15 to 1/2000 | Yes | Titanium | |||
| CLX | -98 | Made in Germany | Aluminum | |||||
| LX édition 2000 | -2000 | Minox LX Edition 2000 Made in Germany | Yes | Black and gold | ||||
| Aviator | -2001 | Aviator Made in Germany |
Black | |||||
| ECX |  |
1998-2004 | Minar 5.6/15mm |
8 to 1/500 | ||||
| MX |  |
1998-2003 | Japan | Minox 4.8/15mm |
1/125 | No | Grey | |
1The models feature a flash sync socket starting from the IIIS.
Beyond the movie anecdote, the Minox gained notoriety through various incidents. In 1950, two journalists from Chicago managed to sneak a Minox into the execution chamber of a prison in the Chicago area. They concealed it in the heel of a shoe, passed through X-ray screening, and captured photographs of James Morelli in the electric chair.
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This is the first MINOX to succumb to the plastic. Despite that, it remains a true MINOX, but fully automatic and fixed-focus. The arming process is classic, reminiscent of Minox, with the gesture symbolizing the spy taking a photograph.
It was sold in a presentation box, complete with a soft case, a chain, a dedicated flash, a battery, and a "MINOX mino color 2" color negative film with 15 exposures.
Its lens is a 5.6/15 mm. The viewfinder is surprisingly comfortable and clear. It comes with a battery test.
All it takes is to set the film sensitivity, choose whether or not to use the "flash" position, frame the subject, and take the photo.
Its weight, without film or battery but with its case, is only 50 grams.
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