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This category encompasses several formats that are narrower that 35mm film. Often these formats are called subminiature since 35mm was originally called a miniature format compared to medium format films. 110 cameras were the new "instamatic" cameras starting in the 1970s drawing from the 126 market. 110 cameras were "new and improved" because they were small and slender taking very narrow 110 film cartridges similar to the prior 16mm film cartridges used in Minolta 16 Model P below. Like 126 film cartridges, the 110 cartridges were easy to load. Many 110 cameras had advanced features such as dual focal length lenses (tele and wide or normal) and built in electronic flash. 110 cameras also had a rectangular format allowing vertical or horizontal oriented photos (i.e. "portrait" or "landscape"). Unfortunately, the film size was too small for clear photos, especially clear enlargements. A 110 frame dimensions are 17mm x 13mm for an area of 221 square mm. 126 frame dimensions are 28mm x 28mm for an area of 784 square mm; over 3.5 times larger than the 110 frame area. 35mm frame dimensions are 24mm x 36mm for an area of 936 square mm, or 4.2 times that of 110 film. The development of 110 cameras therefore appears to have been primarily a marketing, rather than a technical, decision. The later disc cameras had even a smaller film area with dimensions of 10mm x 8mm = 80 square mm, about a third of the area of 110 film and a tenth of the area of 126 film. Disc cameras had a relatively short life. A final subminiature film format is the Advanced Photo System (APS) format. Kodak explains that in late 1991 Kodak, Fuji, Canon, Minolta and Nikon began a cooperative research and development venture for a new photo system. The system was announced in late 1995 and early 1996. The APS frame size is 16.7mm x 30.2mm or 504.34 square mm or 54% that of 35mm film. Easy loading was still a key marketing point for beginning users. APS film is in a closed container that drops into the camera. The film container can be removed mid roll and re-inserted later allowing users to change to a different ISO film in mid-roll. APS film also has a magnetic strip for recording exposure information, date and time. This information can be used in later processing and printing of the film. This allows three different aspect ratios- the normal or H setting (for HDTV) of 16.7mm x 30.2mm, the C (Classic) setting with a 2:3 aspect ratio and 16.7mm wide, and the P (Panoramic) setting with a 1:3 aspect ratio and 30.2mm long. The frame area is always 16.7mm X 30.2mm, however, and the C and P aspect ratios are achieved by cropping during processing. The length of the C format must be 25.05mm using the proportion 16.7/x =2/3. The width of the P format must be 10.1mm using the proportion 1/3=x/30.2. The film area for the C format would hence be 25.05mm x 16.7mm equaling 418 square mm or 45% that of 35mm film. The film area of the P format would be 30.2mm x 10.1mm equaling 305.02 square mm or 33% that of 35mm film. Kodak explains that print quality meets consumer expectations through better film emulsions and better data available for photo processing as a result of the data recorded on the magnetic strip. It is interesting to note that the film area is roughly equal to that of 35mm half frame cameras such as the Olympus Pen or Canon Demi popular in the 1960s which typically have a frame size of 18mm x 24mm for an area of 432 square mm. (See subclub.org.) APS cameras are less frequently found on the store shelves today with the rapid rise of digital cameras which occurred during the same time frame as the development of APS. For example, one of the earliest consumer digital cameras, the Apple QuickTake 100 made by Kodak, started to be developed in 1992 and was first sold in 1994, a year prior to the introduction of APS cameras. (Wikipedia.) | ||
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![]() Kodak Pocket Instamatic 10 (1973) 25mm f11 fixed focus lens. Fixed shutter speed of 1/90 second, and 1/45 second for flash using magic cubes. Exposure not adjustible. No batteries. I think purchased at a garage sale in the Fall of 2005 for $5 with many other things including two Minolta cameras, three tripods, etc. In cosmetic and operating condition. (There isn't much to go wrong!) |
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Mamiya-16 Automatic (1959) 16mm camera with dimensions of about 10cm x 5cm x 3cm. It is "automatic" only in the sense that it has a Selenium exposure meter, which has died with age in my camera. Shutter speeds from 1/200 to 1/2 second and Bulb. Focal length 25mm. Apertures from f2.8 to f11. Close focus 1 foot. ASA (ISO) to 1600. Made in Japan. Mine is in good cosmetic and working condition except for the meter. Purchased at a San Carlos (San Diego) garage sale on 11-18-07 as part of a group of several items. The seller was an 81 year old gentleman who was the original owner. Comes with gray leather case and gray leather braided hand strap. Very cool and high tech looking. Goes well with the space race, cold war spy camera era! According to submin.com list price in the United States in 1960 was $69.95, which is nearly $500 in 2007 dollars. See also subclub.org and Guide to Classic Cameras. | |
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110 Format | ||
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Minolta 110 Zoom SLR (1976) first single lens reflex 110 camera. Non-interchangeable 25mm to 50mm (50 to 100mm 35mm camera equivalent) f4.5 to f16 zoom lens with macro to 11.3 inches. Aperture set on non-through the lens light meter. Aperture preferred automatic exposure. Settings for A, X and B. X and B settings are manual. Automatic settings are electronic and stepless. Hot shoe. Takes two A76 batteries. Made in Japan. Serial no. 256729. Camera is in good cosmetic condition. Lens, mirror and focusing screen are clear. Focus and zoom work. The aperture generally works, although the openings at 5.6, 8 and 11 are not circles. I suspect these apertures may not be opening fully. The shutter opens but usually only after a second or two of pressing down on the shutter release. I suspect the shutter mechanism is sticking and needs to be cleaned and lubricated. The electrical system and exposure meter generally work in that the shutter fires on automatic mode and red and yellow (but not green) indicator lights come on in the viewfinder. The exposure adjustment switch works for -2 and -1, but it does not turn to +1 and +2. Several web sites discuss the Minolta. Minolta 110 Zoom, Wikipedia, www.submin.com, www.submin.com - manual, service manual and brochures, 110 Cameras, subclub. Subclub indicates the Minolta 110 Zoom SLR had shutter speeds of ten seconds to 1/1000 second. ISO could only be set for 100 and 400 but using the exposure adjustment switch allowed use of film speeds from ISO 25 to 1600. Subclub finally indicates this camera takes very sharp photos despite its small film size. Several sites refer to it as a sandwich camera because you hold it with two hands like you were eating a sandwich. While relatively large for a 110 camera, the "sandwich" design gives it a nice, stable feel with easy access to the shutter release with your right index finger and film advance under the camera operated with your right thumb. Purchased on eBay on 2-25-06 with four other cameras for a total of $4.95 plus $9 shipping (sole bidder). Came with Minolta Auto 25 flash that does not appear to work. The flash has significant corrosion on the battery door, but not elsewhere. The silver colored finishing on the reflector is flaking off. The flash does not fit on the hot shoe indicating there may be something wrong with the hot shoe. Price new in 1978-79 Sears Camera catalog was $189.50, over $575 in 2006 dollars. Additional information in full page ad from July 1977 Modern Photography Magazine. | ![]() |
Minolta 110 Zoom SLR Mark II (1979) (Large Image) 110 single lens reflex film camera with non-interchangeable 25-67mm (2.7X) f3.5 Minolta zoom lens, 12 elements in 10 groups. According to www.subclub.org this is equivalent to a 50mm to 135mm zoom in a full frame 35mm camera. Specifications from manual: "Full-aperture TTL center-weighted" metering, "with pentaprism mounted CdS cell," Takes two 1.5v S-76 or equivalent batteries. Shutter speeds of 1/1000 to 1/4 second plus mechanical "X" (1/125 sec.) and "B." Aperture preferred automatic exposure. No manual control except exposure compensation of -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 stops. 85% viewfinder. Shutter speed indicated in viewfinder by LED lights. Hot shoe. Focusing to 1.1 meter. "Close-up range at 'Macro" setting." Manual states: "film-to-subject distances of approx. 890 to 200mm for respective image magnification on film of 0.07 to 0.19X." I'm not sure what the means. I roughly measure the close focus (subject to film plane) at Macro setting to be about 14cm (140mm) with the focal length set at 25mm. At 67cm focal length I roughly measure the close focus to be about 50cm (500mm or .5m). Pretty impressive close focus. Shutter release socket. Tripod mount. Removable action grip. Film speed automatically set. 40.5mm filter size. Weighs 485 grams. |
The price in 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog was $229.50, equal to $609 in 2008 dollars. The price was comparable to a decent 35mm SLR at the time. For example, a Minolta XG-1 with 45mm f2.0 lens was $239.50 and came with a $25 rebate coupon. A Pentax K1000 with 50mm f2.0 lens was $159.50. Granted the 35mm SLRs did not include a zoom lens which was expensive at the time with a Sears 35 to 70mm f3.5 zoom selling at $189.50. The 35mm SLRs did, however, produce a negative which was 3.9 times greater in area. (110 film has a 17mm x 13mm frame for 221 sq mm. 35mm film has a 24mm x 36mm frame for 864 sq mm. 864/221 is approximately equal to 3.9. You can also compare the areas to a medium format frame of 60mm x 60mm with an area of 3,600 sq mm or over 4 times that of 35mm film and 16 times that of 110 film. A Yashica Mat-124G sold for $179.50 at the time.) The Mark II is a very cool camera that feels nice in ones hands. In my opinion a 35mm SLR was a better choice, however, given 35mm film's larger negative and hence better image quality (other things being equal). My Mark II was a generous donation. It had belonged to the donor's father who passed away. After putting in two new batteries it seems to work like a charm. It still has film in it and I may just keep shooting with that film. It also came with a Minolta Auto 118X flash ($38.50 in 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog) which works with new batteries despite prior battery leakage. Also included is a case ($12.50 in 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog) and the manual. On page 25 of the 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog with the Mark II, I have also included the competing Pentax Auto 110 camera which had interchangeable lenses. |
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16mm Format | ||
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Minolta 16 QT (1972) According to Submin Club, the Minolta 16QT was the last of the Minolta 16mm cameras and arrived just before Kodak changed the market with the introduction of 110 film. The two shutter speeds of 1/250th and 1/30th (for low light or flash) are adjusted by a lever on the top of the camera. The 23mm lens has apertures from f3.5 to f22 adjusted with ring on top. It is the only Minolta 16mm camera with adjustable focusing. There are four zone focusing icons for head (4 feet), upper body (7 feet), full person (12 feet) and mountain (30 feet +). The focusing slide lever is on the bottom of the camera. Film speeds are ASA (ISO) 50, 100, 200 and 400. Film advance is with a thumb wheel on top-right-rear of camera. 12mm x 17mm negative size compared to 13mm x 17mm for 110 film. 18 exposures. The manual is available at butkus.org. The camera can be operated without the battery. The battery operates the light meter. You set the shutter at 1/30 or 1/250. You then adjust the aperture ring with the circuit button down until the two arrows in the viewfinder say OK. The circuit button is really an integral part of the aperture ring. My camera is in very good cosmetic condition. It comes with its case in fair condition. My camera works, although initially the shutter was not firing and it still seems a little fussy. The battery is a large PX30 battery or 2 PX-825 batteries. These 3 volt batteries are hard to find. You can, however, apparently use a 3 volt button battery like a CR2450 with pennies used a spacers. I haven't tried out the meter yet. I purchased my Minolta 16 QT with a Polaroid Polavision camera and viewer, a Minolta SRT 101, and some other items for a total of $30 from an ad on Craigslist for the Polavision Viewer in the North Park area of San Diego on 5-10-10. | |
Advanced Photo System (APS) Format | ||
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Minolta Vectis S-1 (1996) A single lens reflex, APS system camera. It utilizes a mirror system instead of a pentaprism; hence, the lack of the pentaprism hump. The hot shoe is under a cap on top. It also has a built-in flash. The viewfinder displays exposure information. The camera also has an LCD information panel on the back and a thumb wheel to make selections. It has multiple program, automatic and manual exposure modes. Overall, it is a fairly small and sophisticated SLR. The less sophisticated Vectis S-100 below was released after the S-100. These two models are the only Minolta SLR APS cameras. Mikeeckman.com has detailed information on the Vectis S-1 including some Popular Photography articles. My Vectis S-1 is in excellent cosmetic condition. The rubber around the lens has some white deterioration, although it comes off. Mine comes with the 28-56mm, f4-5.6 lens. (I assume this is the actual focal length and that there may be some "crop factor" due to the smaller APS format. I have not researched this, however.) The lens has no manual focus. My camera comes with front and rear lens caps, a lens hood and a body cap, as well as the original box and a pamphlet on lenses but no instruction manual. The camera takes two CR2 three volt batteries. I don't have these readily available and hence I have not tested the camera as I write this in December 2022. I acquired this camera many years ago probably at a garage sale. I assume I did not pay much. | |
![]() Minolta Vectis 20 (circa 1997) APS camera with 30 to 60 mm f4.0 lens with 7 elements in 7 groups. Close focus .4m. Dimensions 113.5 x 59 x 37.5mm. 170g. See introduction regarding Advanced Photo System. In excellent working condition. Purchased on eBay on 12-15-05 for $3.75 with $3.85 shipping. Actual shipping was $5.75 from Anchorage, Alaska. Three rolls of 25 exposure APS film, Tam Sport compact case, CR2 3 volt lithium battery, instruction manual and warranty card included. Warranty card states it was originally purchased on 5-10-97. Photo above compares APS and 35mm film. Serial no. C8603676. A review at ecoustics.com refers to purchasing one around 1999 for $180 at K-mart. ![]() |
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Pentax Auto 110 (introduced 1978) this and the later Pentax Auto 110 Super were the only 110 cameras made by Pentax, to my knowledge the only 110 single lens reflex cameras with interchangeable lenses, and to my knowledge the smallest single lens reflex cameras. The body measured only 56mm high x 99mm wide x 32mm deep (2.2" x 3.9" x 1.3"). The standard lens increased the total depth to 45mm or 1.8". The body weighed only 159 grams (5.6 ozs.) or 172 grams (6.1 ozs.) with the standard lens. It looks very much like a toy version of a 35mm single lens reflex camera. They had programmed through the lens metering. No manual, aperture preferred or shutter preferred modes were available. The shutter and aperture blades are combined in the body. The lenses therefore do not have a separate aperture adjustment. All maximum lens apertures were f2.8. A kit was available with three lenses: 18mm, 24mm, and 50mm, equivalent to 35mm, 50mm and 100mm in a 35mm film format. In 1981 three other lenses were added: an 18mm fixed focus lens, a 70mm lens and a 20-40 zoom lens. The film advance on the auto 110 requires two strokes. This was reduced to one stroke on the Auto 110 Super. The Auto 110 a very cool little camera, but I question the wisdom of making such a sophisticated camera for such a small film format. The price in the 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog was $149.50 with the standard 24mm f2.8 lens. $149.50 then is equal to $397 in 2008 dollars. 18mm wide angle and 50mm telephoto leneses, as well as a power winder, sold for $54.50 each. The Pentax AF 100P flash was $29.50. The kit, at least purchased separately, would have therefore more than doubled the price. I purchased my kit, including the body, three lenses, flash, winder, original box and owner's manual, for $50 in National City, CA on 1-6-08 from an ad on Craigslist. It was a little dirty, but everything, including meter, appears to work, except I have not yet gotten the winder to work. Many sites have excellent information including: subclub.org, cameraquest, and Wikipedia. On page 25 of the 1980-81 Sears Camera Catalog with the Pentax Auto 110Mark II, I have also included the competing Minolta 110 SLR Mark II camera which had a non-interchangeable zoom lens. | |
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Samsung Impax 300i, APS camera with 28-80, f4.2-11 zoom lens. Shutter speeds 1/3 to 1/400 seconds. Purchased on eBay on 12-11-05 for $1.26 with $5.53 shipping. The camera is in like new condition. Like new manual and a new CR2 battery included. It turns on and the zoom works. The manual says the camera does not fire without film, however. Samsung is a Korean company and the camera was made in Korea. The earliest reviews at Amazon.com are in January 2000. It is still for sale at some places on the Internet. "Regular" price at one site was $200 on sale for $100. Another site lists it for sale at $170. Samsung Electronics is huge electronics firm making a variety of products such as plasma and LCD televisions and monitors, camcorders, cameras, and household appliances. According to Wikipedia - "Samsung Electronics", "In 2005, Samsung overtook Sony as one of the most valuable brands, and is now ranked #20 in the world." |
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![]() Vivitar Tele 815, belonged to an aunt. 24mm/48mm f5.6 lens, fixed focus, fixed exposure. Made in Korea. Shown with exposed film cartridge and batteries for electronic flash. Battery compartment shows some leakage and flash does not work. According to Sub Club, 1/125 shutter speed, with focus range of 5 feet to infinity. Dates from 1985 according to that site. It is also listed in the Sears 1980-81 Camera Catalog, however, with a price of $42.50. The catalog states 1/250 second shutter speed and minimum focus of 5 feet. $42.50 in 1980 is equal to about $113 in 2008 dollars. |
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Yashica Palmatic 20 (1974) The specifications in the included owner's manual indicate: 110 film camera with a negative size of 13mm x 17mm, a 26.5mm f9.5 3-element optical glass lens, fixed focus of 5ft to infinity, a mechanical shutter with a daylight speed of 1/120 second, uses "batteryless Magicube" with a flash photography distance of 5 to 10 feet, optical glass viewfinder and tripod socket. See also Subclub.org which also indicates the shutter speed with flash is 1/60 second. Yashica-Guy.com in it's battery chart of all Yasishica cameras indicates the Palmatic 20 was sold in 1974 and had no battery. The manual also indicates the standard print size was 3.5" x 4.5" with color enlargements up to 5" x 7". The camera takes 12 or 20 exposures. The warranty in the manual is not by Yashica. Rather it is waranted by IMC Division, Interphoto Corp., 220 Clay Avenue, Lyndhurst, N.J. 07071. It is made in Japan. I'm curious if the camera was made by Yashica or someone else. My first Palmatic 20 camer in a Kodak case which fits it exactly. The camera has dimensions of about 5" x 2.25" x 1-1/16" (about 12.7cm x 5.5cm x 2.7cm). The inside of the box states: "Yashica Palmatic 20 Because . . . -It takes Better Pictures. -Flash Shooting requires NO batteries. -Drop-in Film Loading is sure and simple." I purchased two of these. The first one was purchased with about 7 other point and shoot cameras from the 50s to 70s for $25 at a La Mesa, CA garage sale on 1-16-10. It is in excellent condition and came with the owner's manual. I purchased the second one on 1-18-10 on eBay on 1-18-10 for $4.99 (Buy It Now) with $10.92 shipping from Pittsburg. That's pretty high including the shipping for a very simple 110 camera, but the eBay sale included the original box which I will have photos of when I get the camera. The camera (and many others like it) is a good example of marketing very compact and simple cameras, although a poor overall design since, like many other 110 cameras, the lack of adjustiblity and the very small negative size limits its ability, in my opinion, to take better pictures. | |
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Yashica Samurai 4000ix, Advanced Photo System (APS) camera with 30mm to 120mm zoom lens. Viewfinder (not through the lens) viewing. Autofocus. 3V 123 battery. A nice camera with a wide zoom range but relatively small maximum aperature especially at the long end of the zoom ranging from f4.5 at 30mm to f9.9 at 120mm according to the following Japanese site. It is shaped and styled like a camcorder. About 8cm heigh, 11cm long and 5cm wide. Lens extends out an additional 6.5cm from the front when at 120mm focal length. Assembled in China of parts made in Japan. The Japanese site above gives a date of 1998, which I am guessing is when it was first sold. Most of the entries on the Internet were European or Japanese sites. Therefore, I'm guessing this specific model may not have been sold in the US. There were many Yashica Samurai models, several of which were half frame 35mm format. I purchased this on 7-7-07 for $5 at a La Mesa, CA garage sale. It has some scratches on the body, but it appears to be in working condition. I can't figure how to open the film compartment, however. |
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