[just arrived] Minolta ALS rangefinder

[Fawley]

unfortunately it seems broken. The film take up spool does not turn 🙁
will have to take it to a repair guy 🙁

I wonder if this is a common problem on these Minoltas. I have a Minoltina Als, which I enjoyed useing for a year or two, until this very thing happened. I have looked for a replacement but they have become unreasonably expensive on eBay. A wonderful small light camera.

 

[daniel~]

I wanted a ALS, but got an AL instead, which is before the compact version. Even though the AL is a bit heavier, I love it. (This guy seems to like his, too. http://www.djcphoto.com/index.php/minolta-al-35mm-rangefinder-camera/)

Yes I can see something familiar traces in its style, including that beautiful case. I'm glad that Minolta continued their design effort on the AL series with no compromise on the lens.

PS. I noticed the news about the hurricane. I hope everything's alright with you in NYC.

 

[racoll]

All of the Minolta "A" cameras are wonderful from the A5 through the AL, AL-S, and the AL-E. I've owned all of these and find the AL to be my favorite. The AL-S is like a miniature version of the AL and is a dream to use. The lens is also a sharp one with good color and contrast. The AL-E is a hard one to find here in the states, but it's a great one as well. The A5 is a 4-element 2.8 lens, not as fast as the f/2 in the AL or f/1.8 in the AL-S and AL-E, but it's amazingly sharp. Awesome cameras, all of them!

Andy

 

[HLing]

Yes I can see something familiar traces in its style, including that beautiful case. I'm glad that Minolta continued their design effort on the AL series with no compromise on the lens.

PS. I noticed the news about the hurricane. I hope everything's alright with you in NYC.

Thanks for thinking of us here in NYC. For some it was devastating, for others it was not as bad, (I was luckily in the 2nd category) but NYC as a whole is literally shut down due to the complete subway system shut down. We are counting our blessings and volunteering to help others less fortunate. Things are just beginning to move again, little at a time.

 

[kanzlr]

good news...my ALS is back from CLA and it works superbly now!
Thanks for the offer on the donor AL-S, but I do not need that any more, thankfully 🙂

I also head the seals replaced, the meter adjusted to 1.5V, etc.

It is really a pleasure to use and looks wonderful (I added the red softie, a Gordy strap with red binding and a silver vented hood)...I have to put up a new photo 🙂

The rangefinder is not as contrasty as the green/yellow in the Yashica Electro, but still pretty usable even in dim light.

 

[beezus]

nice camera, I also want to have anyone know where that is still selling this camera 🙂

 

[Shafovaloff1]

I recently bought a Minoltina AL-s on ebay with a broken shutter. After cleaning the shutter leaves with zippo and a qtip it seems to work just fine. Replaced the light seals and inserted film! The rangefinder contrast is super, same color as that on my Canon L1. Just amazing. This AL-s is going to travel as a partner to a CLE that I have [the rangefinder image is better on the AL-s]. Though I have heard that the Minoltina P with a 38mm 2.8 is not in demand the one I have is in great shape too... and sharp..though the match needle is off 1 stop. The Compur shutter on the Minoltina P, with manual settings, is ok..the manual has the graph showing what the actual shutter speeds starting at 1/250 and lens openings are at the EV settings. The lens is sharap on the P. I had been looking for another AL-s as the one I had been using had a broken finder mirror and the rangefinder image was a little difficult to use...now though I have something like new...with the case!
An update..The Minoltina P is still the sharpest rangefinder lens, 38mm f2.8 that I have encountered. The MInoltina Al-S is also very sharp. I have some parts for the AL-S after switching out the rangefinder unit including a lens with nice glass. I would post pictures but I have not been able to learn how that is done.

 

[Shafovaloff1]

Tried my Komura 200mm f4.5 on the Canon L1 and something does not match up, however, using same lens on Canon VI-L no problem....suspect top light shield contacting rangefinder coupling so...using lens on the VI-L. Received leather never-ready Canon case ...nice. Camera sounds like precision engineered...more so even than the VI-L!

Found another Komura 200mm f4.5 L39 lens that operates nicely. The most accurate focus I have found to be on a Leotax "f" and the Canon 7. I have used the focus scale and rangefinder at distances out to 50 feet. These other camera rangefinders are even more accurate than the Canon VI-L and L-1 that I have, probably because these are in need of CLA!