OT: Subminis

[XAos]

This is OT I know, but I figure anybody as eccentric as rangefinder nuts are bound to be more likely than average to be submini fans as well. Anyone here into them? I'm interested in the Minolta 16's in particular, but really anything that's decent and hasn't gotten too expensive or collectible yet. I've found a few web pages, but it's always good to hear from your friends. Anything I should look for besides a 16 MG or a 16 II?

 

[furcafe]

For submini RFs, I use a couple Zeiss Ikon Tenax II's (24x24mm square negs.). They're great, but aren't cheap. For submini SLRs, the Olympus Pen series rocks.

 

[jyl]

I'd really like a Pentax 110 but alas the limitations of 110 film selection make that impractical IMO.

 

[Doug]

Back in the mid-60's I had a Minolta 16-II, got it in Turkey, used it there and in Paris, and I don't know what happened to it back in the States. Kinda cute little rig.

For 20 years or so I've had the Pentax Auto 110, and I think I still have one unexposed roll of Verichrome Pan for it. It's capable of amazingly good results but demands extreme care in the darkroom. Got a 30mm Minolta enlarging lens just for this format...

I've also used half-frame 35's, but I'm not sure if this qualifies as "sub-mini", or just "mini". 🙂 Indeed I just "won" a second Pen FT on the 'bay this evening, I must be nuts.

And furcafe, didn't I see you bidding on a 20mm Zuiko for the Pen? 🙂

 

[ray_g]

Not to hijack the thread, but anyone have sample photos taken with the Pen? What would be a fair price for a body?

 

[furcafe]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/olympuspenfc196366/

For fair prices on bodies, that would depend on the body (Olympus made a variety of cameras bearing the Pen name, including RFs & SLRs).

Not to hijack the thread, but anyone have sample photos taken with the Pen? What would be a fair price for a body?

 

[furcafe]

Since 35mm is mini (& 120 is medium, etc.), 1/2-frame 35mm is definitely sub-mini. Yes, I've bid on a 20mm Zuiko in Pen mount on occasion.

I've also used half-frame 35's, but I'm not sure if this qualifies as "sub-mini", or just "mini". 🙂 Indeed I just "won" a second Pen FT on the 'bay this evening, I must be nuts.

And furcafe, didn't I see you bidding on a 20mm Zuiko for the Pen? 🙂

 

[pshinkaw]

I personally don't categorize a film size larger than 16mm to be submini with the exception of the Tessina 35mm, which is very small and I think has a frame size smaller than half-frame.

If you are collecting feature rich subminis, the Mamiya 16 and deluxe cameras had everything you could thing of back in the late 50's. Not very useable today however.

I have the collapsible Minolta 16, which uses the same 16mm cartridge that the later MG and QT use. The cartridge is easily reloadable and seems to be much sought after. My cartridge supply is probably worth several times more than the camera itself.

The Minolta is all manual, no batteries required, and can be loaded with 16mm or double 8mm film. It's also possible to buy or make a slitter and respool from 35mm stock.

I also have a non-functional Yashica Atoron which uses Minox cartidges. That film size is still available, and Atorons are very affordable.

-Paul

 

[XAos]

I sat down scratching the other evening, probably as a result of starting to get my mill set up after a looong time ;-) and basically reinvented 24x24 (I'd heard of half frame, but never seen any 24 squares), and looked at my drawings and figured out that the XA is very very very close to the smallest possible theoretical size that a 35mm can be. Focal length limits the thickness, the viewfinder limits the height, and its as narrow as a full frame 35mm can get.

As for the 16mm's though... I know the QT's have a much larger film area, but the cameras for the format seem to be missing basic features like shutter speeds. It is basically a toy though. I develop B&W at home, and Tri-X is available in 16mm perf (I don't know if its' the same Tri-X as 35mm. I seem to recall there are some brands which are dramatically different between formats for the same label.) but I'll slit if I need to.

 

[ray_g]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/olympuspenfc196366/

For fair prices on bodies, that would depend on the body (Olympus made a variety of cameras bearing the Pen name, including RFs & SLRs).

Thanks for the link. Nice photos.

 

[pshinkaw]

The original Minolta 16 and Minolta 16 II both have manual selectable f-stops and shutter speeds (fixed focus lens though) as well as flash (PC) contacts

With a 3-element f3.5 or 4-element lens (respectively) they are much more versatile than the later Minolta models.

This is a good reference source for sub-minis:

http://www.subclub.org/

-Paul

 

[qaiade]

I have a Canon 110 ED. It has a rangefinder and manual aperture control. Ive shot two rolls with it, but I have yet to develop them. I love its solid feel and portability.

 

[pshinkaw]

The 110 ED is one of the most amazing values available today. It actually has the key to utilize 400 speed film and unlike the Kodak Trimlite 48, it uses a still obtainable battery. All you have to do to get the full film speed is to trim the key tab with a pocket knife.

-Paul

 

[Doug]

Not to hijack the thread, but anyone have sample photos taken with the Pen? What would be a fair price for a body?

Hi, Ray -- Here's a few from a Pen FT while trying out a "new" 25mm f/2.8 with Kodak Portra 400VC...

 

[ray_g]

Nice, Doug. I think I'm going to start looking for a nice F Gothic. 🙂

 

[Doug]

Thanks, Ray; it's a good little camera but you've gotta fight off the collectors! Eyeball some of the prices on KEH...

 

[qaiade]

What's the key tab?

 

[XAos]

Found a Minolta 16 II , now it's my turn to sing "Please Mr Postman" again.
Sunny 16 gets a little fiddly on the math when you're shooting ISO 1250 🙂

 

[jyl]

Hmm, maybe I dismissed the 110 format too quickly.

Can one buy B&W bulk roll film, run it through a film slitter, then reload it into 110 cassettes? Or are the perforations wrong or perhaps the cassettes not re-usable?

 

[Doug]

I saw an article somewhere on the web describing various options for stringing your own film, both Minolta 16 and Instamatic 110 as I recall. Here's one place to start digging...
http://www.subclub.org/shop/110.htm

Oops I think Paul already gave a similar URL... 😎