[just arrived] Minolta ALS rangefinder

[kanzlr]

hi,

I received a lovely little Minolta ALS rangefinder camera from the 1960ies. I tried googling it, but besides a few flickr entries and a short article on camerapedia, I have not found much about it.

It uses a Seikosha SVL shutter, mercury batteries as far as I can tell, has a CdS meter, goes to ISO 800 setting and is all in all a wonderful little package with a surprisingly big and bright viewfinder (although without parallax correction).

The lens is a QF-Rokkor 40/1.8, my favorite focal length 🙂

Does anybody know anything about her?

 

[daniel~]

Hi. It's nice to know you also got one of these beautiful Minolta cameras! They surely are not that common to find. The Campedia page incorrectly states the lens as being "Rokkor 1:1.8/45mm", but we know better anyway.

As you said, it's a wonderful little package. Have you taken pics with your ALS yet? I find the 40/1.8 Rokkor-QF lens excellent though somewhat prone to flare. That vented hood looks like a good idea.

 

[kanzlr]

cute as cute can, Daniel 🙂

I have yet to push a film through it. The meter seems a bit whacky, certainly wouldn't rely on it for slides 🙂
I wonder if I should push some bw or color film through it during the weekend. Usually I use rangefinders for bw films, as I love using colored filters 😉

I have 40.5mm vented hoods abound from the 40mm M-Rokkor and the Ricoh GXR…just ordered a silver one that should look nicer on the ALS

 

[daniel~]

I'm only testing it too, being unfamiliar with the matching needle metering. I think I've shot only half a roll with it ever since I bought it used last year.

The camera I use more often is Minolta AL-E, the successor of ALS with the same 40/1.8 lens.
AL-E lacks the slower shutter speeds of its predecessors, but its f/stop read-out looks much more assuring.

My ALS actually came with the original hood. Nice, but maybe I'd get some generic one so I don't have to worry about losing it.

 

[kanzlr]

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

 

[btgc]

Nice to see thread! Did you notice threads abot FL RF's are rapidly vanishing here during few last years?l

kanzlr, you say take up spool doesn't move. Do you mean advance lever moves but spool stays dead?

 

[daniel~]

Oh that's a pity. With that soft release and fine leather strap (by A&A?) obviously you have set it ready for a spin... I hope it'll be repaired soon.
I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only person on RFF using ALS & AL-E.

 

[Retrotech68]

Kanzlr, the camera looks great. I am sorry to hear about the take-up spool issue. I have been looking for one at the big auction site, but without luck it seems. The ALS is an uncommon camera, at least from my own experience...
And Daniel~, the AL-E isn't that common either. Both models are literally submerged by much higher figures of Hi-Matic variations. I also guess that most people, even some enthusiasts, know little about these fine, pre-Hi-Matic rangefinders and as a result don't look for them. Sometimes, the lack of a dedicated following can do more harm that good.

Alex

Edit: Btw Daniel~ nice website you have there! I liked the photography and also (of course) the write up on the ALS and AL-E.

 

[kanzlr]

It's at a repair shop now. Maybe it is just gunk inside. When I opened the bottom, some fell out. But I did not want to disassemble the top, as I also want it converted to 1,5v, etc. A little CLA won't hurt and I do not have time to do it myself 🙂

 

[nosmok]

I had an AL-E awhile back-- loved everything but the comparatively large size. (haven't carried an SLR for years for the same reason-- if a camera's that big I'll go 6x4.5 or 6x6.). That lens was really good though!

 

[daniel~]

Jon, that's very generous of you! I'd have grabbed it, were it not for I got mine already.
That dented filter ring may look painful, but shouldn't stop anyone from getting this beauty. I imagine an old-fashioned clamp-on hood would instantly bring back its good look.

Minolta ALS, with original clamp-on lens hood

 

[daniel~]

And Daniel~, the AL-E isn't that common either. Both models are literally submerged by much higher figures of Hi-Matic variations. I also guess that most people, even some enthusiasts, know little about these fine, pre-Hi-Matic rangefinders and as a result don't look for them. Sometimes, the lack of a dedicated following can do more harm that good.

Alex

Thanks, Alex. So you know I've already become a happy owner of the mini series (Minolta AL-S, ALS, AL-E).
For me these are among the most attractive compacts ever made. Later the Hi-matic models continue to evolve & prosper, but they don't share the elegance in styling.

 

[daniel~]

Nice to see thread! Did you notice threads abot FL RF's are rapidly vanishing here during few last years?l

You mean, less & less threads in the forum? I noticed it. Probably it's 'cause more & more people have turned to digital nowdays. I once hoped that Konica can have its own sub-forum on RFF, but now I think I'm grateful to have just any RF forum as long as it lives.

 

[kanzlr]

I think people who are interested in these cameras already have them and use them. No need to search for much info any more, as most is documented on camerapedia and other sites.

 

[daniel~]

kanzlr, good point.
So, do many people in Austria still shoot film? Or is it like, most have turned to digital and shooting film becomes something the lomographers would do?

 

[kanzlr]

Lomography originated in Austria 🙂

there are quite a few labs around, but I often times have the feeling i am the only customer 😉
All in all I do not see many people with film cameras. As long as I can mail order my Ilford stuff, I am happy

 

[daniel~]

I see. Similar in Taiwan. There're still photo labs around, but the amount of print orders drop considerably, since many people would just exchange digital pics through the internet nowadays.

 

[HLing]

Oh that's a pity. With that soft release and fine leather strap (by A&A?) obviously you have set it ready for a spin... I hope it'll be repaired soon.
I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only person on RFF using ALS & AL-E.

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/)

 

[kanzlr]

Oh that's a pity. With that soft release and fine leather strap (by A&A?) obviously you have set it ready for a spin... I hope it'll be repaired soon.
I'm beginning to wonder if I'm the only person on RFF using ALS & AL-E.

its a Garlap strap, btw 🙂
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Leather-cam...ehör_Taschen_Schutzhüllen&hash=item53ef9af4e8

and an Abrahamsson small softie I had left over from my M 🙂

 

[daniel~]

Thanks for the info about the accessories. I've never heard of "Garlap" strap before, and I'm surprised to see seller location is in Taiwan. Still I'd guess those are actually made in China.
Anyway, it seems very well-made! I might get one if I can get it cheaper, since it'd be just domestic shipping.