Minox Spy Camera with Meter

Minox Spy Camera with Meter - Mint Condition

Minox Spy Camera with Meter—a diminutive marvel that has captured the imaginations of spies, photographers, and vintage enthusiasts alike.

The Minox Spy Camera with Meter: A Closer Look

Origins and Design

The Minox Spy Camera, often associated with clandestine operations and intrigue, was the brainchild of Walter Zapp, a Latvian photographic dealer. Inspired by the compact Leica cameras of the time, Zapp set out to create something even smaller. In 1937, the first model—now known as the Riga Minox—was born¹.

• Materials and Dimensions:
  • The Minox was crafted from stainless steel, giving it a weighty feel.
  • When closed, it measured a mere 3 x 1 x 0.5 inches (7.6 x 2.5 x 1.3 cm). However, when opened for action, it extended to 3.75 inches (9.5 cm).
  • The camera's sleek design resembled an elongated index finger, making it inconspicuous and perfect for covert photography.

Key Features

1. Lens and Viewfinder:

   • The Minostigmat 15mm f/3.5 lens was nestled alongside the viewfinder.
   • A slider above the viewfinder allowed the user to apply a light yellow filter over the lens.
   • The fixed aperture of f/3.5 meant that exposure control relied solely on shutter speeds.

2. Controls:

   • The top of the camera featured three essential controls:
     • Two dials adjusted focus (from eight inches to infinity) and shutter speeds (ranging from 1/2 to 1/1000 second).
     • The shutter button lay between these dials.
     • Once the shutter fired, it could not be pressed again until the camera was closed and reopened, tensioning the shutter and advancing the film.

3. Film Loading:

   • To load film, a catch on the base allowed a panel to slide aside.
   • The film was dropped into the body in the form of two linked cassettes, with film wound from one to the other.
   • The film size, originally planned at 8.75mm wide, was later standardized throughout the Minox range at 9.5mm wide.

4. Minox B and the Built-in Light Meter:

   • The Minox B, an evolution of the original, introduced a built-in light meter.
   • Unlike battery-dependent meters, the Minox B's meter was based on a selenium cell. It converted light into electricity directly, eliminating the need for batteries.
   • As a result, the Minox B was 15mm longer than its predecessors, the Riga Minox and Minox-A².

Image Quality

• Despite its tiny size, the Minox delivered surprisingly detailed images on its impossibly small negatives.
• The 15mm lens, though modest in focal length, was of high quality, allowing for sharp and well-exposed photographs³.

So, next time you watch a spy movie and see that sleek, metallic camera emerge from a secret agent's pocket, remember that the Minox Spy Camera was indeed real—a remarkable blend of craftsmanship, ingenuity, and espionage history.