Leica Mount Cameras:
Leica-mount Lenses:

 

Minolta 35
Model II Type 1

by Karen Nakamura

 

Overview and Personal Comments

Very few people know that Minolta made a series of Leica-screw mount clones in the immediate post-war period. Using the text or images on this website without permission on an ebay auction or any other site is a violation of federal law.

Indeed, when I first saw this camera at auction, I thought it was one of the lesser expensive fixed-lens rangefinders that were produced in the 1960s. Imagine my surprise when the lens screwed off revealing a standard M39 rangefinder mount! The RF actuating cam has a roller on it, smaller than a Leica but still at spec.

I was determined to get this camera (along with the Canon IVsb that was in the same lot). Both were in near-mint condition, apparently owned by a single collector who bought them in 1953. The Canon even came with the original warrantee papers.

The Minolta 35 series was Chiyoda Kogaku Seisakusho's attempt at a Leica clone. The post-war period saw a number of these from a variety of manufacturers. As clones go, this is nicely done. It has a separate slow speed dial (seen to the right here) and a self-timer with two settings ('1' and '2'). The styling is very reminiscent of the Leica III series, however it uses a combined RF and viewfinder window (45mm normal view).

The shutter's top speed is only 1/500 sec. unfortunately. The shutter speed progression is also non-standard as you can see. The original Minolta 35 Models A-E have a 24x32mm or 24x34m film gate, which is smaller than the current 24x36 standard. This saved film and enlarged to 8x10 paper more easily.

With the Model II Minolta expanded the film gate to the standard 24x36mm because Americans were having problems with Kodachrome slide processing automatic film cutters, which chopped up the film into bits. The same will happen if you have film shot with the first models and try to get them processed at an automatic lab. Instead -- have the pro lab process your film (negative or slides) and asked for them to be returned "uncut, and sleeved." This will allow you to hand cut your film / scan it / process it manually.

One area that Minolta did improve on the Leica was in the viewfinder/rangefinder which had a built-in diopter adjustment (below). Even the Leica M7 doesn't have this feature to this date. Also, the back swings open for easier loading, rather than the bottom loading of the Leica rangefinders. This camera is knob-wind and knob-rewind, like the original Leica.

 

 

 

Interesting quirks

The Minolta shutter is a clone of the Leica: horizontal running and is made of rubberized cloth. However, unlike the Leica shutter which is legendary for its durability, the Minolta shutter is quite fragile. Very few cameras have made it to the current period with their original shutters. Most of the Minolta 35s you see on eBay either have broken shutters or are being sold by people who "know nothing about cameras. As-is." Be careful! Ask that the shutters are good.

There's a lever under the wind knob, marked "R", this is the rewind release.

The shutter button is on a stalk, which makes it easier to shoot but much harder to attach a remote-release. I'm looking into whether any remote releases were available.

There are two subtypes of the Model II. The easiest way to tell them apart is the top plate. My own, a Type I, has the initials "C.K.S." for Chiyoda Kogaku Seisakusho. The Type II models, released in 1955 are engraded "Chiyoda Kogaku" and have a reduced viewfinder window.

Interestingly, mine is not stamped "E.P." for Export Permit.

Ms. Nakamura:

I came across your informaiton about your Minolta 35mm S.K.S. and read with great interest. I have had one for over 40 years. Mine does not have a type on it and on the bottom it is stamped "made in occupied Japan".

The shutter (curtain) was bad and it took several years to find a repairman that I felt was capable of replacement. I had this done about 8 years ago. I take a few pictures once in awhile, have them developed, just to make sure it's still working. As you know the prints have to be done by hand because of the 24x32 or 24x33mm sizing. Took some about a week ago and it still takes great shots.

I wanted to thank you for putting the information on line. It's been hard to find any information about this camera. I knew it was a Leica copy as I was a photographer in the Army and we used Leicas.

Thanks again and best of luck in all that you do.

Gary Hood
Arkansas
2007.08.01

 

Technical Details

Camera Name Minolta 35 Model II Type 1
Manufacturer Chiyoda Kokagu Seisaku
Place of Manufacture Japan
Date of Manufacture 1953.3-58
Given the year my unit was bought and the serial #, it was most probably made in 1953
About 20,000 produced
Focusing System

Coupled rangefinder (40mm base length)
x.00x magnification factor
Diopter adjustment

Lens Mount

Leica M39 screw mount compatible
Standard lenses: 45mm f/2.8 Super Rokkor

Shutter

Horizontal focal plane shutter (cloth)
1 sec - 1/500 sec + B

Metering System

None built-in

Flash

External cold shoe
PC cable connector on back side

Film type

Type 135 film (35mm standard)
24x32mm short frame size for the Model I
24x36mm standard frame size for the Model II

Battery type none
Dimensions and weight

Body: xx x xx x mm, xxx
Body+lens: xx x xx x xx mm, xx g w/ 45mm f/2.8

Copyright © 2005-07 Karen Nakamura / Photoethnography.com. Use of this chart, text, or any photographs in an eBay auction without permission will result in an immediate IP violation claim with eBay VeRO. Violators may have their eBay account cancelled.

 

 

Comparison between the Minolta 35 Model II and other Rangefinders of the 1950s and 1960s

Camera Name Minolta 35 Model II IIIg M3 SP
Manufacturer Chiyoko Leica Leica Nikon
Place of Manufacture Japan Germany Germany/Canada Japan
Date of Manufacture 1953-58  1957~1960 (~1966) 1954~1968 1957~1965
Production ~20,000 ~40,000 ~225,000  22,348
Focusing System

Coupled rangefinder (40 mm base length)
x.00x magnification factor

Coupled rangefinder (39mm base length)
1.5 x RF magnification. 58.5 mm effective baselength.
Parallax compensation
Framelines for 50/90mm. (non-selectable)
Coupled rangefinder (69.25mm base length)
0.92 x magnification factor; 63.731 effective baselength. Separate viewfinder / rangefinder. Parallax compensation
Projected framelines for 50/90/135 mm. (auto-selected; manually selectable on later M3s)
Coupled rangefinder (58mm base length)
1.00 x magnification factor. 58mm effective baselength.
Parallax compensation
Framelines for 50/85/105/135mm (manually selectable). Auxiliary viewfinder for 28/35mm.
Lens Mount

Leica M39 screw mount compatible

Leica M39 screw mount Leica M bayonet mount Nikon bayonet mount
Shutter

Horizontal focal plane shutter (stainless steel)
1 sec - 1/500 sec + B

Horizontal focal plane shutter (rubberized cloth)
1 sec - 1/1000 sec + B & X (1/50sec)

Horizontal focal plane shutter (rubberized cloth)
1 sec - 1/1000 sec + B & X (1/50sec)

Horizontal focal plane shutter (cloth and then later titanium foil)
1 sec - 1/1000 sec + B + T
Metering System

None

None None None
Flash

External cold shoe
PC cable connector on rear

External cold shoe
Proprietary connector on rear
1/50 sec X flash sync
External cold shoe
Proprietary connector on rear
1/50 sec X flash sync
External cold shoe
PC cable connector on left side
1/60 sec X flash sync
Battery type None None None None
Dimensions and weight

  Body: 138mm x 77mm x 36mm; 595g.  
Copyright © 2005 Karen Nakamura / Photoethnography.com. Use of this chart, text, or any photographs in an eBay auction without permission will result in an immediate IP violation claim with eBay VeRO. Violators may have their eBay account cancelled.

 

 

My Leica Mount Lens Collection

(15mm , 25mm, 28mm, 35mm, 40mm, 45 mm, 50mm, 52mm,
85mm, 90mm, 100mm, 135mm)

 

 


 

About Minolta

Minolta began making cameras in 1928 as the "Nichi-doku Shashinki Shokai" (Japanese-German Camera Factory) and in 1937 was renamed Chiyoda Kogaku Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha or Chiyoko for short. One man was the heart of the company, Kazuo Tashima. He ran the company from 1928 to 1972. Before the war, Chiyoko made medium and large format cameras and began making 35mm cameras after the war. They started using the Minolta brand in 1937. In the post-War period, they made a series of Leica clones, the Minolta 35 rangefinder.

In 1962, Chiyoko changed its name to Minolta. They are famous for the first SLR with fully coupled metering, the SR-7 and the first model with built-in motor drive (SR-M). They also produced the first camera with integral autofocus, the Minolta Maxxum 7000 (aka Alpha 7000) in 1985. I remember when in 1986, my dad brought home his shiny new Minolta 7000 and handed me down his old Pentax Spotmatic SPII (which still have). Ironically, the Pentax still sees more use than the Alpha because of its ability to run fully manually.

In any case, Minolta continues to make great 35mm SLRs as well as an increasing array of interesting digital cameras. In 2003, Minolta announced a merger with Konica, Japan's oldest camera manufacturer. Hopefully the merged company (Konolta? Monica?) will have enough financial resources to continue to produce high-end film-based SLRs and rangefinders.


On the Net

 


Copyright © 2002-10 by Karen Nakamura. All rights reserved. This page and its images may not be reduplicated in any form. Use in ebay auctions strictly prohibited, violaters will be reported. Please do not jeopardize your feedback ratings by engaging in copyright violations, it is a violation of Federal and International Copyright law as well as ebay terms of service.
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