The Minolta-35 was launched in the spring of 1947 by Chiyoda Kogaku. It was the first successful new 35mm rangefinder camera with Leica specifications to emerge on the market after World War II that uses the 39mm screw lens-mount .

Jan 17, 2024 · The Minolta 35 had a horizontal cloth focal-plane shutter with speeds T, B, and 1 to 1/500 second, separate shutter speed dials with a front dial setting speeds below 1/35 second, and a knob advance. It pioneered some features beyond its German contemporary in that it had a combined rangefinder/viewfinder window and a self-timer.

Oct 11, 2020 · This is a Minolta 35 Model II rangefinder made by Chiyoda Kogaku starting in 1953. Despite the Roman numeral II in the name this was actually the 7th variation of the original Minolta 35, first released in 1947.

Mar 27, 2025 · After World War II, Minolta resumed camera production, releasing the Minolta-35 in 1947, which became Japan's first 35mm camera with a coupled rangefinder. Minolta's breakthrough came in 1958 with the Minolta SR-2, its first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera.

Jan 23, 2015 · But go back to the 1940s/1950s and you’ll discover a prestigious range of Minolta 35mm rangefinder cameras that rivaled and, some would argue, bettered the Leicas of the time. Quick pause for an explanation for those unfamiliar with rangefinder cameras.

The Minolta 35 was Chiyoda Kōgaku's/Minolta's only camera that featured the Leica thread mount and closely matched the Leica's specifications, if not features, but it certainly wasn't the company's only 35 mm interchangeable lens rangefinder camera.

Jan 13, 2010 · I have 2 Minolta AF 35-105's. Both older versions with the macro switch and one has the crossed xx logo. Both lens are very sharp starting at (sweet spot) F7.1 through to F11.

In the post-War period, they made a series of Leica clones, the Minolta 35 rangefinder. In 1962, Chiyoko changed its name to Minolta. They are famous for the first SLR with fully coupled metering, the SR-7 and the first model with built-in motor drive (SR-M).

The Model IIB is the best Minolta 35 variant ever made, with superior convenience features (such as a lever style film advance mechanism), as well as numerous technical improvements. These include a larger magnification viewfinder, full frame image area, and an improved effective rangefinder base of 32mm.

Nov 30, 2022 · The Minolta-35 range of cameras was very successful and was one of the first Japanese cameras to see success outside of Japan after the war. It is considered as one of the 3 best Leica alternatives in Japan with the Nicca and Leotax.