Antique & Classic Cameras

Styled after Leica's popular screwmount rangefinder series of cameras, the Minolta-35 is a somewhat obscure, yet enjoyable camera. This series brought about the first self-timer on a focal plane shutter camera. This was also Minolta's very first 35mm camera. These cameras were fairly simple in their construction and are commonly found with badly worn shutter curtains and/or very slow shutter speeds ( usually due to the poor construction of the shutter and its curtain design ). The early Model "A" and "D" cameras are scarce. Any Minolta-35 with a serial # below 0900 is considered rare. The very last version of the series - the Model IIB, version II with lever wind is also an extremely rare item.

"Model II" cameras are the most common in the series. Finding any Minolta-35 in complete, and excellent working condition is not an easy task. To date, the published data regarding these cameras and their serial #'s and versions is not well known. I am attempting to verify the different versions along with their manufacturing variations.

Standard "Super Rokkor" 45mm F2.8. The standard lens for the Minolta-35 Camera until about 1955.