Minolta Prod-20'S

[Swift1]

I recently acquired a Minolta Prod-20'S point and shoot film camera, in basically new condition. There very little info out there about these cameras, except the general consensus that they are not as good as their retro metallic appearance might first lead you to believe. I had read most of the available info and kinda knew what to expect, and the camera actually has (mostly) all features I either wanted or could live with, so I took the plunge and ordered one.
The Prod-20's is a Japan only, limited edition, 1990 era plastic P&S camera, done up retro style, with metal top and bottom plates, and metal front. It features an autofocus 35mm f/4.5 lens, built in flash, and only auto exposure. The only available controls are the shutter button and self timer switch that's shaped like a mechanical lever, but is just a switch.

Yesterday I managed to run a quick test roll through, and these are so of the results. The film was old expired Fujicolor Superia 400. I'll probably get better results with some better film.

 

[cassel]

I had one of these...Really wanted to like it: Great looks, easy to use.

Results were pretty bad- didn't really matter what film I used. Image quality was poor--- flat/low contrast in most light, vignetting, poor flash coverage🙁 I don't feel like it was a bad sample-- pictures were in focus and exposure was ok- just bland photos. Hard to describe exactly but I didn't keep it for long.

Occasionally, when I see them for sale, I think I want to try again (they are just so cool looking!) Maybe ? I just had bad luck... nah-- there are lots of other cameras to try.

That said- your pictures look decent enough🙂 Especially for test shots... just work with its limitations and play to its strengths.

 

[Ranchu]

I like these car shots.

 

[Swift1]

I like these car shots.

Thanks 🙂

Here's a shot of the camera.

 

[Swift1]

Here's another from the test roll.

 

[Ranchu]

Good dog. It's not the greatest lens ever, but it has a nice rendering. The colors and contrast are good, and the DR of film. It reminds me of those little polaroids.

🙂

 

[Swift1]

Good dog. It's not the greatest lens ever, but it has a nice rendering. The colors and contrast are good, and the DR of film. It reminds me of those little polaroids.

🙂

The lens does seem to have a very unique rendering.

 

[Swift1]

So, the camera does perform better with non-expired film.
The lens vignettes, has lots of barrel distortion, and isn't real sharp (especially in corners), but it's definitely usable, and does produce images with a unique look.

The was on Lomography Color 400.

 

[Swift1]

Here's another from the roll.
I think it's a capable camera, all in all.

 

[Ranchu]

You probably had something to do with it, man.

🙂

You should look into the pentax pc35af. The look seems similar to me. My pc35af had af problems, pics looked good to me though. I have a PC35AF-M but I haven't gotten around to it, the finder is smaller..

 

[Swift1]

You probably had something to do with it, man.

🙂

You should look into the pentax pc35af. The look seems similar to me. My pc35af had af problems, pics looked good to me though. I have a PC35AF-M but I haven't gotten around to it, the finder is smaller..

Haha, thanks 🙂
Actually, I have a really nice PC35AF, plus the little accessory motor drive Pentax made for it.
I'd love to use it, but due to my health, I lack the motor skills to handle it 🙁
I kinda need a proper neck strap to be able to use a camera.

 

[Ranchu]

Huh, good job on the product-20 then! There's this epoxy called JB WELD that I use a lot, it works really well, and the set up time is really slow so you don't have to hurry (I hate that). Maybe you can stick on some eyelets of some kind, it would definately hold, imo. The main thing is you have to clean the surfaces with something other than alcohol, I use windex. I don't bother with the sandpaper, powdered abrasives don't need to be anywhere near cameras imo. Just an idea...

http://www.jbweld.com/collections/epoxy-adhesives/products/j-b-weld-twin-tube

 

[Swift1]

Huh, good job on the product-20 then! [/URL]

All the above photos were shot blind with the camera kinda resting on my knees.

 

[Swift1]

Another from the roll.

 

[Swift1]

and another...

Untitled by Daiku_San, on Flickr​

 

[Ranchu]

Great eye, man.

 

[Swift1]

Great eye, man.

Thank you 🙂

 

[Huss]

and another...

Untitled by Daiku_San, on Flickr​

Excellent!

 

[Swift1]

Excellent!

Thank you 🙂

 

[Swift1]

another from same roll,