| Minolta-35 Rangefinder Cameras 1947-1958 |
[ NOTE: ARTICLE WRITTEN IN 2002 ]
Styled after Leica's popular screwmount rangefinder series of cameras, the Minolta-35 is a somewhat obscure, yet enjoyable camera. This series brought about the first self-timer on a focal plane shutter camera. This was also Minolta's very first 35mm camera. These cameras were fairly simple in their construction and are commonly found with badly worn shutter curtains and/or very slow shutter speeds ( usually due to the poor construction of the shutter and its curtain design ). The early Model "A" and "D" cameras are scarce. Any Minolta-35 with a serial # below 0900 is considered rare. The very last version of the series - the Model IIB, version II with lever wind is also an extremely rare item.
"Model II" cameras are the most common in the series. Finding any Minolta-35 in complete, and excellent working condition is not an easy task. To date, the published data regarding these cameras and their serial #'s and versions is not well known. I am attempting to verify the different versions along with their manufacturing variations.
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| Photo couretesy of Ron Tincher |
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Model
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Verified Body Serial #
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Estimated Serial # Range of Model
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Lens
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Lens Serial #
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Markings
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Notes and Comments
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A
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0490
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0101-0900 ?
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45mm 2.8
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2749
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Osaka
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Shutter Speeds include 1/5 and 1/10. Slow speed dial lock. 1947. 24x32mm format.
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A (Ver.II)
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0955
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0900-1000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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3459
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Osaka
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Shutter speeds now 1/4 and 1/8. No slow speed dial lock.
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B
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1556
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1000 ? - 4xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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August 1948. 24X33mm
Rewind knob area Shutter Speed Area curved
Viewfinder Frame Mirror-like finish Flush Front around lens
Rewind Lever position Slow Speed Dial
Flash Shoe Back Film Door Release
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B
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1649
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1000 ? - 4xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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2458
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CKS / MIOJ
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B
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1743
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1000 ? - 4xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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3455
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CKS / MIOJ
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B
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2583
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1000 ? - 4xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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B
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4371
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4xxx ? - 9000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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Feb. 1949. 24X34mm. Slow speeds read from FRONT of camera
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C
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5225
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4xxx ? - 9000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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Slow speeds read upside down from FRONT of camera
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C
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6XXX
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4xxx ? - 9000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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C
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7977
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4xxx ? - 9000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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1xxxx
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CKS / MIOJ
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D
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9001-10000 ?
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Aug. 1949. First Body w/strap lugs
Cut out for Focusing tab on lens New positioned rewind lever
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E
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10216
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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90574
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CKS / MIOJ
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. Feb. 1951. "Model E" engraved. 24x33mm.
Diopter Adjustment addded.
Sync added
Flash shoe changed
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E
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11039
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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14771
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CKS / MIOJ
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D or E
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11XXX
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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9811
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CKS / MIOJ
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This camera actually appears to be a Model "D" camera although in the Model "E" sequence of serial numbers. Has no "E" marking and has old flash shoe style.
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E
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12255
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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14971
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CKS / MIOJ
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E
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15311
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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17879
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CKS / MIOJ
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E
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15313
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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117693
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CKS / MIOJ
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E
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16756
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10000-17xxx
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CKS / MIOJ
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2 sequential bodies (below)
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E
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16757
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10000-17xxx
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CKS / MIOJ
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2 sequential bodies (above)
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E
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17127
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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19977
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CKS / MIOJ
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F
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21996
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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135206
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CKS / MIJ
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Feb. 1952. 24X33mm."Model F" engraved. None of these models were exported from Japan.
Self Timer area has 1-2-3 markings.
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F
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22101
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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134917
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CKS / MIJ
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F
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22514
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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135515
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CKS / MIJ
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F
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23675
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1406507
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CKS / MIJ
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F
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24129
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20000-25xxx ?
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F
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25356
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIJ
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II
(Ver. I)
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35947
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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139639
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CKS / MIJ
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1953-55. No screw in slow speed dial
Film Door Latch Changed
Viewfinder Frame now has matte finish, also smaller
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II (Ver. I)
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38XXX
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1400825
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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40209
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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40927
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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41829
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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42014
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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46603
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1405800
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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50576
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1412935
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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57927
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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58022
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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18511
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CKS / MIJ
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Up to this point, leather looked like
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II
(Ver. II)
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70570
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1414172
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan.
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1955-57
Leather changed to Sync Post Changed
Rewind knob area changed Shutter Speed area angular now
Film gate marking added
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II (Ver.II)
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72906
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1417147
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan.
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II (Ver.II)
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72317
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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5cm 2.8
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15xxxxx
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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73857
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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73987
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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5cm 2.8
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1501126
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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74164
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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50mm 2.8
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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35mm lens sold at this auction is very scarce
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II (Ver.II)
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75607
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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80892
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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81489
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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50mm 2.8
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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93259
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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50mm 2.8
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1511385
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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Post Manufacturing - Gold Plated
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II (Ver.II)
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95516
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II B (Ver. I)
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10xxxx-112xxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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1958. Change to 24x36 format. Unsure if this model ever had knob wind or went right to lever wind as below
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II B (Ver. II ?)
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106915
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10xxxx-112xxx ?
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50mm 1.8
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X203617
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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Lever Wind Replaced Knob Winding
Marked "IIB" on face of camera. Many chrome knobs now black. Self Timer lever changed. Font on body changed. Camera begins to look like the Minolta Super A camera that arrives in 1957
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II B (Ver. II ?)
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112405
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10xxxx-112xxx ?
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50mm 2.8
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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MINOLTA-35 STANDARD LENS INFORMATION
Standard "Super Rokkor" 45mm F2.8. The standard lens for the Minolta-35 Camera until about 1955.
The Super Rokkor is a 5 element, Heliar-like designed lens that was considered excellent in its day.
Changes noted on this lens from 1947-55:
· 4 Digit Serial # Lenses likely only fitted to Models A,B,C. There is a circular "window" on the face of the lens which displays the lens aperture selected. In addition, the letter "o" has an accent mark.
· 5 Digit Serial # Lenses likely only fitted to Models D & early E models. "Window" remains; the accent mark is gone and slight font change. Lens scale in meters. Focusing Lever added.
· 6 Digit Serial # Lenses likely fitted to late Models E's, all Model F's & early Model II's. "Window" gone, font reduced. Filters can be screwed into black front lens retaining ring ( 21.5mm size filters ) in addition to outer lens threads.
· 7 Digit Serial # Lenses likely fitted to late Model II's and early Model IIb's. Font reduced or altered. Lens scale in feet. Can no longer use filter on lens retaining ring - only outer lens threads.
See a collection of the great cameras including the SUPER RARE, Model IIB - Version II with Lever Wind ( last camera shown )
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| Super Rokkor 45/2.8 Layout |
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