Blast from the Past - a really small camera
Aug 19, 2017 12:00:40 #
During my project of scanning all my old media, I came across this picture, which I tentatively list as having been taken in 1986. Yes, I know this is not art. Yes, I know this is not technically wonderful. I did think the subject was of interest here. In case you're having trouble parsing this picture, you are seeing a 110 cartridge with a "camera" {the red/white thing with a few pieces of black plastic} clipped over what would normally be its open side. This is a really basic camera, a crude viewfinder, a basic film advance device, and a very simple shutter; I don't remember what "pictures" from this thing looked like - I guess I'll need to go through the stuff he left behind and see if I can identify any 110 pictures.
Aug 19, 2017 12:24:49 #
I seem to recall seeing an article about tiny WW2 cameras that were used in espionage. Anyone remember?
Aug 19, 2017 12:26:29 #
barbie.lewis
Loc: Livingston, Texas
I remember those!
I think John F. is referring to the Minox cameras.
I think John F. is referring to the Minox cameras.
Aug 19, 2017 12:39:22 #
I don't recall ever seeing one of these gadgets. Pretty cool though.
Aug 19, 2017 12:45:54 #
James Slick
Loc: Pittsburgh,PA
I remember seeing this or something like it advertised in the 70s. Basically just a lens that attached to the cartridge. I'm struggling to remember if the one I saw was 110 or 126. I think it sold for a buck!
Aug 19, 2017 12:52:35 #
If you were to take a digital camera out of a cell phone, imaging how small that would be?
SS
SS
Aug 19, 2017 14:21:53 #
barbie.lewis wrote:
Yes, but Minox was something different. A quality rangefinder body - but much smaller than 35mm; quality film in quality canister - but much smaller than 35mn. This was a cheap thing.I remember those!
I think John F. is referring to the Minox cameras.
I think John F. is referring to the Minox cameras.
Aug 19, 2017 14:31:18 #
James Slick
Loc: Pittsburgh,PA
rehess wrote:
Yes, but Minox was something different. A quality rangefinder body - but much smaller than 35mm; quality film in quality canister - but much smaller than 35mn. This was a cheap thing.
The original Minox camera used film that was only 9mm wide! (smaller than 110). Amazing tech for the 1940s! Minox still exists, The even make a 1/3 scale "Leica" looking 14Mp digital camera.
Aug 19, 2017 16:11:16 #
Minox camera came after WWII. German made 1950s, All the James Bond type people use them in the 1950s and 60s. Minox camera is not hard to find today. Film, you will have better luck finding gold at the end of a rainbow. What kind of camera was use during WWII, I have no idea.
Aug 19, 2017 17:21:02 #
James Slick
Loc: Pittsburgh,PA
Quinn 4 wrote:
Minox camera came after WWII. German made 1950s, All the James Bond type people use them in the 1950s and 60s. Minox camera is not hard to find today. Film, you will have better luck finding gold at the end of a rainbow. What kind of camera was use during WWII, I have no idea.
The original Minox (Riga, also known as the Minox I) was introduced in 1937 two years BEFORE World War Two. The later A,B and C came after the war when production went to Germany from Latvia.
Most people think of Minox as a cold war invention but Nazi spys had them well before.
Aug 19, 2017 19:19:57 #
Aug 20, 2017 05:52:00 #
Georgews
Loc: Wellington, New Zealand
Had a minox for a while, also a couple of Minolta 16mm ones. Got a roll of prof movie film and loaded my own cartridges. They were great fun and a talking point. If I was careful I could get a 10 x 8 from them
Aug 20, 2017 06:03:27 #
Aug 20, 2017 06:56:48 #
Aug 20, 2017 07:29:29 #
Yep I had one somewhat similar. It also 'used' a 110 film and although the overall shape of the camera was not quite the same, the size was about the same. Mind you, the image quality was terrible because the plastic lens was so poorly made. Still, seeing the picture brought back the memory.
I don't know what happened to it but I kind of wish I still had it just for the novelty.
I don't know what happened to it but I kind of wish I still had it just for the novelty.
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