Film is sensitive to heat, so store it in a cool area.
Minox produced the compact 35mm EL camera in 1974. The camera measures 101mm-by-62mm-by-35mm and features an aperture priority exposure with the option of manual settings. The drawbridge front cover, when lowered, pulls out a Minotar lens, which is designed to keep images sharp and distortion to a minimum. This model comes with a flash mount, which will accommodate any flash with a square foot and hot shoe contact.
Instructions
Basic Operations
1. The battery required to power the Minox 35 EL is a 5.6-volt battery (such as an EPX27 or PX27.) A coin-opened chamber above the lens houses the battery. Without the battery, the shutter and exposure indicator located in the viewfinder will not operate. To test the battery, lower the lens cover and turn the advance lever twice. Push down the battery test button (next to the flash mount) and look into the viewfinder. The needle to the right should be lifted to or above 125.
2. To load film, flip the cover lock (bottom of camera) to the left, which will reveal a red dot, and slide the back cover off the camera. Install the film onto the spool to the left with the film tail pointing to the right. Slide the tail into one of the lips of the film advance pole on the right and turn the film advance wheel until the film is taut without feeding it out. Replace the cover.
3. To take the picture, lower the front cover all the way down to leave way for the lens. (When the cover is closed, the shutter can't be released, and all electronic components are turned off.) Set your film speed on the underside of the camera by turning the wheel to the proper speed for your film. When framing the picture through the viewfinder, the indicator needle inside will help you determine which f-stop your shot requires. (The indicator works only when the camera front is open and the film has been advanced.)
4. For average conditions, setting the f-stop (located on the ring surrounding the lens) to 5.6 covers most situations. The Minox 35 EL has an f-stop range of 2.8 to 16. Use lower numbers for darker situations and higher numbers for brighter situations. Higher f-stop numbers and faster shutter speeds will result in sharper, crisper images. Ideally, you want the indicator needle to fall between 500 speed and 30 speed (a shutter speed of 1/500th of a second and 1/30th of a second.) If the needle is above 500, raise the f-stop number until you are within range of the desired speed. If the needle is below 30, lower the f-stop number.
5. Hold the camera firmly and focus the lens, keeping your fingers clear of the shot. Keep your elbows tucked close to your sides. This will help to steady the camera and avoid blurry images. After you've framed your subject in the viewfinder, squeeze the shutter release button to snap the picture. The button is located on the top right side of the camera (if you're viewing the camera from the back.)
6. The exposure counter, above the advance wheel, lets you know how many pictures you have left, and it resets when the back of the camera is opened. Roll the film advance wheel two strokes to the right with your thumb for the next picture. When the entire roll has been exposed, the film advance lever won't turn anymore. Don't try to force it, as you may pull the film out of its protective canister. When you're ready to unload the film, fold out the rewind crank (under the camera on the right side) and turn it clockwise. You will feel some resistance, but keep cranking until you feel the film pull free of the advance wheel lip. The crank will then turn freely, and you can open the back and remove the film.
Tags: advance wheel, film advance, advance lever, film advance wheel, flash mount