Leica Minilux

[ChadHahn]

I just ordered a Minilux off of eBay. We'll have to see if it is as good as promised 🙂

The last two vacations I was on I stopped in at camera stores that had them clearanced priced and would stop and look. The low price just didn't seem low enough for me though and I would hand the camera back.

When I got home I happened across on on the bay for a seemingly good price and after much debating decided to order it.

Now I can't wait for it to appear. There is nothing to inspire me to get out and take picture like a new camera.

When I get my first roll back I'll post some examples here.

Chad

 

[richard_l]

Congratulations! It's a great camera. Here's one of my Minilux photos.

 

[pvdhaar]

I assume you have the 2.4 summarit version, and not the zoom?

That 2.4/40 is a splendid lens that gives nicely saturated pictures. Shame about the miniscule viewfinder (0.35x). The only other two drawbacks on the Minilux in my view are the noise levels of the auto focus, and the need to press the mode button 6x to cancel the flash everytime the Minilux is switched on.

Other good points are it's speed; it prefocusses when the shutter button is half pressed. And the un-P&S like control you have (exposure compensation, aperture selection, manual focus).

Although not documented in the manual, the distance scale has been made so that there's a nice trick to set hyperfocal distance:

When you line up the green AF symbol on the focus dial with the aperture that you've manually selected, the Minilux is set for hyperfocal use. The depth of field will now cover the distance from half the focussed distance indicated at the green P mark up to infinity.

 

[RayPA]

...When you line up the green AF symbol on the focus dial with the aperture that you've manually selected, the Minilux is set for hyperfocal use. The depth of field will now cover the distance from half the focussed distance indicated at the green P mark up to infinity.

Good tip. I'll have to remember that one. I really like my Minilux. It's my standard P&S for familial events. The 40/2.4 is great lens, contrasty lens mucho saturation. 🙂 I don't mind the flash issue at all. When I need flash I usually select the option I need anyway, no big deal really. I like fill flash for most of the stuff I use it for.

 

[ChadHahn]

Thanks

Thanks

It is the prime lens model. One of the reasons I was debating was the flash situation. I like to keep the flash off as much as possible. Oh well, I'm sure I'll like it 🙂

Nice picture by the way, What film is that?

Chad

 

[richard_l]

It is the prime lens model. One of the reasons I was debating was the flash situation. I like to keep the flash off as much as possible. Oh well, I'm sure I'll like it 🙂

Nice picture by the way, What film is that?

Chad

The flash almost never fires when shooting outdoors in daylight. I don't think it even tries to sense backlit situations, when fill flash would help. So about the only time you really need to turn it off is in low light.

I think that was Kodak Royal Gold, probably 100. By the way, the flash was not turned off, and it didn't fire. I think I had the camera on program AE. It seems to prefer exploiting the fast f/2.4 lens over firing the flash.

There are a few more tips on my old out-of-date web site http://members.aol.com/waponi/photos/tips.htm (I don't even have an AOL account anymore.)

 

[DougK]

There are a few more tips on my old out-of-date web site http://members.aol.com/waponi/photos/tips.htm (I don't even have an AOL account anymore.)

Nice website, good information there. And nice pictures too 🙂

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Just when I brainwashed myself about NOT needing a Minilux (and almost delete my eBay Minilux search), you guys come with all this gushing about the little camera... :bang:

Now... the big stinker I use to deter myself from buying one is the slow top shutterspeed of 1/500 (wouldn't let me use ISO 400 in a very sunny day). How do you guys handle that? 😕

<Sighs, knowing the answer: "Slow film, of course. Why did you ask?">

 

[richard_l]

Nice website, good information there. And nice pictures too 🙂

Thanks, Doug. I'm surprised that the site is still there. It belongs to AOL now, I suppose. Some of the images are very grainy. I was just learning how to scan negatives and didn't always use the unsharp mask judiciously.

BTW, that 40mm/2.4 lens is awesome! People tend to think of the Minilux as just another overpriced posh P&S, but IMO the lens alone is worth the price of the camera. It would be great to have an M mount version, but I guess that would involve extensive redesigning.

Richard

 

[richard_l]

.....Now... the big stinker I use to deter myself from buying one is the slow top shutterspeed of 1/500 (wouldn't let me use ISO 400 in a very sunny day). How do you guys handle that? 😕>.....

I've changed my mind about that. Since most C-41 ISO 400 film (color as well as B/W) works fine rated at 320 or 250 (or even 200), overexposure sufficient to produce blown highlights should be extremely rare.

Now I'm beginning to want a Minilux too. 🙂 I hope my old one (which was taken by a burgler) ended up in a good home.

 

[John Robertson]

Just hope you guys never get the message "E2" on the LCD, means the shutter has gone!!
I had the problem three times, my camera was bought new in 1996. These were reluctantly repaired under warranty by Leica UK. The shutter went again 18 months ago, my local dealer (a very reputable company) told me it was a "known" problem, the estimate to fix was £200, he had had a least five go the same way!!! Yes when it was working the camera took wonderful pictures. I now use the lens as a film magnifier, the rest is landfill!! 😡
P.S. I still have a Leica Mini 3, P/S which I bought in 1999. 32mm Summar f3.2 lens
it cost a fraction of the price of the Minilux, and has had loads of films through it, and still turns out lovely slides, that makes me even more sick!!!! :bang:

 

[ChadHahn]

Photos

Photos

As promised here are some pictures taken with my "new" Minilux. I went down to San Carlos Mexico on the Sea of Cortez for four days.

We had a great time drinking and eating and of course taking pictures.

As you hopefully can see from these flatbed scans the lens is sharp and contrasty and the color rendition is fantastic.

I'm not sure how to post attachments but look in my gallery.

Chad Hahn

 

[richard_l]

The clarity and color of those pictures bring back fond memories of the time when I had a Minilux. Be careful, however: using a Minilux can lead to Leicaddiction.

 

[ChadHahn]

The clarity and color of those pictures bring back fond memories of the time when I had a Minilux. Be careful, however: using a Minilux can lead to Leicaddiction.

I already have leica addiction. I've had two M3s and a M4. Now I have a IIf and the Minilux.

Hopefully those two will be enough for now.

Chad

 

[zpuskas]

I have the Minilux Zoom. It's a great camera too. Even people who don't know much about cameras (my ex-girlfriend) noted how sharp the pictures were and the colors! Unfortunately I bought it new; it was a fortune--for a P&S--and it's much cheaper now. Good luck!

 

[richard_l]

Here is one of my Minilux photos.

 

[vha]

Just when I brainwashed myself about NOT needing a Minilux (and almost delete my eBay Minilux search), you guys come with all this gushing about the little camera... :bang:
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sure everyone needs a minilux, got mine this Monday, traded my tokina atx pro II 28-70 for it, and i like the feel of it, it´s solid.

And when you finally got a minilux you need a M something with a collapsable Elmar.

If it says Leica, you need it . . .

😀

vha

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Great little camera.