Minolta-35's back to life

[dxq.canada]

I've had a couple of Minolta-35 cameras on my bench sitting in numerous pieces for the past 8yrs that were a constant reminder that I still have work to do.
These are Chiyoda Kogaku's copy of the Leica ... not really a copy but an alternative. These are 1950's model, but even the older models shared the same unique internal mechanisms quiet different than a typical Leica Barnack.

I finally got around to a cleaning, a little lube, both shutter curtains replaced, and some new leather ... the lens needed some work also.
My blog has info if you want to work on this camera.

 

[nhchen]

I’ve also got a big box of these that I have accumulated and have been planning to fix. All of them have bad shutter curtains that have gone sticky. It must have been the material that they used. I remember replacing the curtains to be easier than that of a Leica style.

Nathan

 

[Zuiko-logist]

Very pretty cameras.

 

[dxq.canada]

I’ve also got a big box of these that I have accumulated and have been planning to fix. All of them have bad shutter curtains that have gone sticky. It must have been the material that they used. I remember replacing the curtains to be easier than that of a Leica style.

Nathan

Looking at a Canon IV Sb that I took apart, it does appear that all the rollers are not as accessible as the Minolta ... though I have not actually done a shutter replacement with that type of camera.

 

[Muggins]

I agree! Very cute.

 

[dxq.canada]

The Emperor has no clothes ... for those interested if Minolta copied Leica.
Each curtain has their own pair of rollers. Curtain gap is controlled by all those top gears and levers.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

forgive my ignorance. Is this the same as Leica?

 

[dxq.canada]

The Minolta-35 was made many many years after the Leica Barnacks were brought on the market.
It is more Leica inspired ... it was a 35mm roll film rangefinder camera using the M39 screw mount.
The internal design of the camera is not like the Leica ... but it somewhat has external physical aspects that are similar.

Other cameras, like the Canon and Nicca are internally copies of the Barnack

 

[aw614]

I think I read somewhere the Minolta 35 has a shutter that is closer to the Exakta SLRs of the same time period?

 

[frank-g]

I've had a couple of Minolta-35 cameras on my bench sitting in numerous pieces for the past 8yrs that were a constant reminder that I still have work to do.
These are Chiyoda Kogaku's copy of the Leica ... not really a copy but an alternative. These are 1950's model, but even the older models shared the same unique internal mechanisms quiet different than a typical Leica Barnack.

I finally got around to a cleaning, a little lube, both shutter curtains replaced, and some new leather ... the lens needed some work also.
My blog has info if you want to work on this camera.

 

[frank-g]

I have Just acquired a Minolta 35 model 11 and it is in great Condition, but the fast speedsdon't sound right to me , and I dont feel confident enough to start messing aboutwith it as it is in such nice condition..any ideas where I could safely send it to be checked over. Thanks