The Minox Subminiature Camera
The Minox is the world's spy camera. It has been clandestinely used
for espionage since its inception, even though it was meant to be more
like a fine piece of jewelry than a spook gadget.
The Minox is small, so small, it will hide in the smallest hand. Every
Minox has a feel of wonderful quality. The controls glide into place, the
surface is silky smooth and the shutter clicks with assuring certainty.
It is obvious that the German craftsmen who created this tiny masterpiece
are masters of their art.
Below is a compilation of the different Minox cameras that you might
own, or wish to own. The older models are no longer being made, but are
still widely available. A good source is a quality photo shop that sells
used equipment. Used Minox cameras can also be found on the Ebay
auction site and Ebug.se.
Most Minox cameras have survived decades of use as everyday shooters.
Many others have withstood the tests of real spies working for real government
agencies. During World War II, the US military could not acquire enough
Minox cameras to supply their intelligence agents, and ended up buying
many of the cameras from private citizens. It is well documented that the
CIA, the FBI and the KGB all issued Minox cameras to their clandestine
service corps. During the Cold War, many spies used Minox cameras. Read
how the Soviet KGB issued the famous "Falcon and Snowman" spies a Minox
to copy secret satellite photos! The notorious spy John Walker actually
wore out several Minox C cameras in taking an estimated 1,000,000 photos
of US Navy documents for the Soviets. You can find more information about
the sexy, dangerous world of Minox spying at Retro
Magazine's site. The magazine article also has great info about Minox
in the movies. The CIA has a lackluster (though proof giving) tidbit
at this site. Please don't be confused, their info is a complete
misinformation campaign. Even the photo is backwards!
RIGA (1938)
The original Minox. This camera had a stainless steel housing and distinctive
circular viewfinder eyepiece. A collectors item that many collectors shoot
everyday. It is said that Walter Zapp, the inventor of the Minox, has carried
his for the last 52 years. These cameras are expensive, but rugged. The
factory was originally in Riga, Latvia, thus the camera's name. The Minox's
intrigue began early, with both Nazis and the Soviets trying to control
such an obvious strategic advantage. For a time both controlled the factory
with troops, and produced versions with both Russian and German markings.
They also produced cameras with no markings at all for their spies.
Model A/Model II (1948)
The second version of the Minox with a new lens and lightweight aluminum
housing. The lens was the 5 element Complan (compensated plane). Widely
accepted as the sharpest lens Minox ever produced. However, since the fifth
element of the lens actually touched the film at the film gate, it caused
scratches on the film. The model II was sold in North America, and the
Model A in Europe. Both cameras are identical.
Model III This
model introduced the modified 4-element version of the Complan to the world.
An extraordinary innovation was conceived to compensate for the lack of
the fifth element. The film is actually curved by the pressure plate to
eliminate aberrations in the final picture. The results are outstanding.
This Complan lens design would last until 1970. Many of the model III cameras
where also coated and corrected for color film.
Model IIIs
This camera is the same as the III, but it has an additional flash sync
capability.
Minox B (1958)
The first Minox to have an integrated exposure meter. A battery less meter
was coupled to the shutter speed. This camera made shooting Minox photos
easier. The Complan lens coupled with the exact exposure gives excellent
results. Some later models began to use the new Minox lens that would be
the standard of the next generation of Minox cameras.
Minox C (1969)
This is the first auto-exposure Minox model available It had an electronically
controlled shutter, and the user had only to focus and snap away! In 1970,
the Complan lens gave way to the MINOX lens which was computer designed
and eliminated the curved film gate. Because of the CdS meter, this camera
almost always gives perfect exposures. This camera uses the PX27 battery.
Minox BL (1972)
This is the refinement of the Minox B. The selenium meter of the B was
replaced with a more modern and sensitive CdS meter. Other refinements
include the newer Minox lens, more shutter speeds, and a free-wheeling
mechanism that doesn't allow the film to advance until the shutter is fired.
Minox LX
(1978) This camera also has auto-exposure, but allows the user to set the
exposure as well. The LX is the first Minox whose shutter speed goes up
to 1/2000. This camera is available in many colors: silver aluminum,
black anodized aluminum, platinum, gold and sterling silver.
Minox EC (1981)
The first subminiature Minox not made of metal. One of the easiest Minox
cameras to use. Just point and click, the pictures are always outstanding.
No focusing or exposure adjustment is necessary, though experienced EC
shooters will tweak the setting to add their own personality to each print.
This camera uses PX27 batteries.
Minox AX (1992)
This camera was a modernization of the model A camera. It is a pure mechanical
gem. It is one of the smallest Minox, and with the new lens, it outdoes
the originals in every respect. It was made in limited quantities as a
collectable, and was available in chrome, black, and gold.
Minox TLX
This is the LX camera in a space-age titanium case.
Minox CLX
This camera is a continuation of the LX. The highly polished chrome
body is engraved with the signature of Walter Zapp, the Minox inventor
and icons of the Minox A and the Minox LX.
Minox ECX
This is the next step in the EC concept. Just as easy to use as the EC,
this camera is very popular. The black Novodur GV body weighs only 56 g
(2 oz) with batteries. The viewfinder includes a red LED for slow-speed
warning (longer than 1/30s), a battery check, and a Film Cartridge is loaded
LED indicator. A special flash contact is provided for connecting a new
MINOX 8x11 flash. The ECX automatically adjust exposure with a computer-controlled
leaf shutter. The lens is the new computer designed Minar lens.
Minox MX This
camera is not made in Germany by Minox. Instead it is made by the Japanese
company Acmel. The Minox version is handicapped by a fixed shutter speed
and therefore must have a separate gray filter available for it. the Japanese
version called the Acmel MD does not have this handicap
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