Leica Mini II - 35mm Point and Shoot

The Leica Mini II isn’t one of those point and shoot cameras with a cult following like the Contax T2 or the Olympus Stylus Epic, but is it a hidden gem? I’ve had it for a couple of weeks now and I’m ready to share some thoughts and results from it so far.
I also got to try out a roll of Kentmere 400 for the first time and was pleasantly surprised by it!

[@heikinleino]

The more I watch your videos the more I'm amazed by your talent to talk to a camera. It's so genuine and just feels like you'd be talking to a real person. Only very few people have that talent and I think that is one of the key ingredients for making successful videos that are a treat to watch. Keep it up Matt!

[@jvrkruger]

Love the quality of your family images. I'm sure your kids are going to appreciate this visual diary of growing up

[@backtoids]

whats up Matt Day, guys here

[@OperationBlueprint]

Hey Austin, this is guys

[@hoorayforpentax3801]

I love Kentmere 400. I took a chance on a 100ft roll, and it plays nicely with Caffenol once I found the right development time. It also goes onto Patterson reels much more nicely than Tmax 400 does, and it's less harsh on fixer.

[@jbradfordphoto]

Man, after watching this I'm going to have to order up some HP5 to try in my old Samsung Maxima. I've never shot black and white film in 35mm, and you've really inspired me to try the old point and shoot out again. I haven't shot that thing since 2006! Thanks for the motivation!

[@robertoborges1347]

Love the way your videos are looking like with that Fujifilm. I’m finally glad I can tell the difference now.

[@padkirsch]

Love this! Love your channel, thanks for sharing. You keep popping up in my search results when I search for random things. ✅👍💟

[@TimothymakeupsDitzler]

The step up on the video quality is evident for sure! Looks great man!!! I have the Minolta Riva Mini which is basically the same camera...such a cool pocketable P&S! Great vid as always!

[@TGCid01]

Timothy Makeups same. Got mine for $56.

[@stevenglansburg856]

Timothy Makeups do you ever love yourself ?

[@duanemcclun]

Hi Matt This is the first time I've watched one of your video's and it was a very well thought out and informative video! I really like your simplistic approach to photography. Again a great video!! Best of luck in your photography journey. Duane

[@SkylerKing]

I LOVE old film point and shoots. I always wanted to try one of these little Leica minis. Never had the chance, though.

[@andysposato]

the thing of the car! you can't believe how hard i'm laughing, the story plus your face telling it... awesome! by the way great photos, i always like your videos

[@marz444]

Absolutely love the channel Matt.

[@Turnipagenda]

Hi from Australia Matt. Mate your reviews ( and channel) has such a calm easy going sentiment to it. You'd be a good Aussie I think. Haha. Keep up the great stuff .

[@EDHBlvd]

Matt, you said the date imprint does not work. Are you sure it doesn’t need a separate battery? Some of these old film P&S cameras has the date imprint doors as an afterthought, with a separate coin style battery to power it. At 12:06 I almost see what looks like a battery polarity schematic to the right of the film pressure plate. I’m guessing that panel lifts off to reveal the battery. I see a corresponding bulge on the back of the film door which makes me further believe there is a battery in there. Cheers

[@matthewmessner]

What Rediscover Film says! They battery is just to the right of the pressure plate. You will need a little screwdriver.

[@sahalanimation]

this is also my current main camera now, it was handed down by my brother in law, and i love it. fits so well for travel.

[@petejones1957]

Hi Matt, love the video and your overall attitude, very good vibes! I have a mint Mini 11 which I bought new when they were first on sale, I was about to list it on eBay, but after your inspirational review, might well start using it again! ( also may start using the Rolleiflex 3.5F too, that's a lovely camera!}

[@WMARUoriginal]

I know how you feel. I picked up a Nikon L35AF3 a few months ago and shots like 10 + rolls so far and it’s been a blast. Simple autofocus point n shoot with a high quality lens are great to have around for sure,

[@themikepadua]

Love that red dot on a budget! Point and shoots are awesome, fun tools!

[@JorgeClar]

Thank you for this great video! Love the photo of you shaving your head, too!

[@guenin]

Hey Matt, thanks for another great video. I can't hold a candle to you in regards to photography, but I can offer some advice regarding "buzzing your head." I've been cutting my own hair with clippers for about 20 years and I always go in the backyard to do it. It would take me a week to clean up if I did it in the bathroom. On another note, do you have any tips for bulk loading and where to get film canisters?

[@nicklarsenjazz]

The Culture Abuse record you have in the background is amazing 🤘🤘

[@SteveBrokaw]

Cool review. Sounds like a solid camera to have for everyday use

[@JimVR]

Hi Matt, Love you pictures and your channel. What's your scanning process? your shots are really clean. I shoot HP5 on an M6, process with LC29 which I no issue with, but when I come to scan the negs, its bloody dust city, no matter how hard I try to get a clean scan, any tips?

[@djtoman6875]

Nice review. The video lighting is super nice ; ) The pre-flash you mention @7:20 is for red eye removal.

[@johnilko2964]

Hi Matt, I just looked up this video which I remembered seeing before. I just got home from a Goodwill Bargain store because someone told me to check it out. I couldn't believe what I found. I found a Leica II mini, whit film in it for a whopping 43 cents, and it works. At least it shoots and the flash works. I had to tell you about it.

[@pritush]

Shiit it is for me the most awaited episode ..since I happen to see the live in insta yesterday.. the video quality these days looks just like porta Kodak colors .. congrats

[@francochamps3855]

Nice little camera - I believe it was made by Minolta (called a 'Riva Mini'), though I think you can find it branded by Panasonic too...you may want to try and find a Leica AF-C1 too - similarly made by Minolta, but with a tele option. They're pretty cheap, and I took one to Greece and got some amazing images. Thanks for posting!

[@mamiyapress]

Great news, I have the Mini

[@jessejenkins6930]

I think you would like the Ricoh FF-3 AF point and shoot. It’s great because it’s all automatic but you set the ASA/ISO manually. So it’s great for people like you and me who bulk load all the time. I’ve yet to have a bad photo from it. I do realize this is an older video by the way. But anyway keep up the great work man!!

[@xtdown3281]

Yoooo I peep that Culture Abuse LP 💛💛💛 also great video. I just snagged a Leica Mini on Mercari so I'm binging videos on it till it arrives in the mail haha.

[@EDHBlvd]

Dude Matt, a P&S review. Right on man. Right f**king on! 👍👍

[@larrymccormick3226]

Bet there's a separate battery on the inside of door back for the date function Matt. Thanks for the great informative videos. LarryMac

[@Blofeld76]

I have Leica Mini 3. That has also B-time and it locks exposure when it locks focus. Does Mini 2 have same functions too?

[@TheFlashMoore]

How long does the HC concentrate keep for? In the PDF, they say it keeps indefinitely, but I haven't found information to back that.

[@rubeneverts7191]

Is that the Polaroid one step 2 i see on the back?

[@MOONLIGHTPHOTOGRAPHY]

Amazing video dude! Keep it up

[@stefankoen]

I am looking for a ‘Night out’ camera. Would this work well with 800 film using the flash too?

[@javierfranco5683]

I’ve been waiting for you to get a point and shoot lol

[@ringodanieru]

Great video! Thanks Matt! I wish you did more videos on Leica, it feels like it has been ages since your previous Leica video! I was also wondering how does this camera differs from the Minilux? Is it better/worse?

[@francochamps3855]

Night and day....the minilux has a titanium body, 40mm F2.4 Summarit lens, Aperture priority, manual focus, exposure compensation....its a pro's point and shoot. The only thing they have in common is a 'red dot'... :-)

[@andresjaime9634]

great video and camera, greeting from Bogotá - Colombia

[@Bbarm97]

I was wondering how it would look like to shoot anamorphic on film and get ratios like hasseblad xpan would get you. it would be kinda tricky with the m6 but with an slr it should be doable. I unfortunately dont have any anamorphic lenses or know anyone who has but maybe you do? it would sure make an interesting video. You can show how all the flares and bokeh look on film and the image ratio would be a challenge to nail the mise en cadre

[@alimatthews1874]

I’m pretty sure Mike Raso over at the Film Photography Project has done some DX code stickers. I’m sure I remember something about it on a podcast.

[@ashlynposiak5593]

Hey! Quick question- are you still scanning with the v600?

[@coollittleme]

Matt, You need to change the battery. It uses a CR2025 battery for the date. Look on the right of the film door, there's a little screw you have to unscrew to remove change the battery.

[@majoraswrath9590]

But theres also another important shot here And that's this 50/50.

[@10Outta10Baby]

You're the man Matt

[@sinbrujulaamericano7070]

Hola excelente video una pregunta la cámara sólo funciona con rollo fotográfico ??? O también es digital saludos Gracias

[@chrisscottlynn]

Wondering if you or anyone with one of these know how long the battery should last-I’ve got one that’s acting up. I’ve run about 6 rolls in 10 months but it’s suddenly only turning on to show a full battery and the current frame. Wondering if you’ve seen less than full after a few rolls/months.

[@edshotsdotcodotuk]

Been aware of the Panasonic branded one but wouldn't be surprised that it's a Minolta.

[@ilsamalsi5267]

I have the Olympus copy; it's true that it's fun to use!

[@nextinstitute7824]

Hi Matt, I found a Leica Mini II on a market. The battery is working, but... the lens is not zooming. There is no roll in it, perhaps that is the problem (but I don't want to loose a film if it turns out to be broken). So I hope you can tell me if the zoom is broken, or that it just needs a film...? Thanking you in advance :)

[@Davey_Boyle]

Nice shadow shot of you taking a photo

[@Darwin751]

Hi beginner here. Is this the best 35mm camera to carry around 24/7? What camera provides the best quality shots, in the most portable size? I see mention of two other point and shoots in the description, Contax and Olympus. How do these compare? I am willing to shell money for the best quality portable camera, heavy emphasis on portability.

[@kalialexander36]

Any tips on developing hp5 shot @ 6400

[@edmund1245]

You can find Dx label pdf online. I use aluminum sticky tape from the dollar store on top.

[@Manoamurias]

Wich b&w film did u use on your cam ? Thank u😊

[@dariabirk]

I bulk load my film and use it on my olympus stylus epic, and my reloadable cassettes are the black painted metal ones, so i looked up the DX pattern for 1600 speed film, and marked it on the cassettes and scratched the black paint off with the edge of some scissors, and now it works perfectly in my olympus.

[@dariabirk]

another way you could do it is to take the metal cassette and scratch the entire area off so it’s bare metal, and then black out some areas around and in the DX code are with a paint marker (it has to be a marker with a thick paint like the ones you have to pump, sharpies won’t work) and then the DX code should work. There are probably much better ways to do this, but this is what has worked for me.

[@dariabirk]

another tip with using bulk-loaded film in a point and shoot is to make sure the leader you cut on the rolls of film is a smooth, rounded cut so that the film cannot tear apart. It’s rare that the camera will actually tear off the leader or tear the film, but it did happen to me once.

[@FoxOnFilm]

Great vid

[@KandyRedCoi]

Any update or follow up on this camera.

[@SonicBelchFire]

Know anything about the Chinon auto 3001?

[@backtoids]

my rangefinder is the last camera i'm gonna buy!!! *matt day posts a video about a compact* .....guess i'm buying a compact now......

[@hoorayforpentax3801]

Nobody ever said you HAD to go out and buy everything your KZbin heroes do. :p

[@meganhillman7974]

Hey, how do u print the film roll once it's been used? 🙈😂🙌

[@mickelee774]

Minolta has an exact camera like that Leica Mini, much cheaper, but probably quite difficult to find. Minolta's version was called "Freedom Escort"

[@djnato10]

Kentmere is owned by the same Harman Tech as Ilford. They are different emulsions, but you are still supporting Ilford in a sense if you shoot Kentmere.

[@sergeyusik9934]

Nothing can beat Olympus Mju-ii (Stylus Epic) at this range: size/price/35mm F2.8 optics and its performance/spot metering existing. Speaking of true BW film, I have prepared labels with desirable speed in order to fake it for DX reader for the cam. Also, the algorithm of Stylus Epic is amazing too, since it tries to keep an aperture to be wide open as long as you reach the maximum shutter speed. Which is very good for portraiture.

[@anachronismic]

Sergey Usik which price you talking about? The price has skyrocketed in the last year, curious about if you think that about. The current price.

[@sergeyusik9934]

I am sorry Max, it seems like I stuck at 50 to 100$. I'd say that the current price is at an insane point. But luckily I've bought mju-1 and mju-2 about 5-6 yr ago.

[@stoffi]

I agree that the Mju-II is a really, really nice camera overall, but the slow and laggy Yashica T4 and T5 have that 0.5% edge over it in terms of image quality. It's mostly the colors. The Olympus has this inherent blueish/magenta tint, whereas the Yashicas are more neutral. The Mju-II is such a sleek and well-designed camera though; with a much snappier shutter actuation, so that slight loss in image quality compared to the Yashicas is totally fine with me, when I want to bring along a small profile and seriously competent camera. It's sexy as hell too!

[@graemeaitken8359]

Had one and passed it on to someone who is now interstate. They can't seem to get the film loaded at all. Local photo shop couldn't help. I only ever shot one film - nice, but I don't shoot much film now. I can't remember any issues loading the film - maybe I was lucky. Might have to send a replacement camera unless she can get it sorted.

[@Coconut7403]

Have you tried a contax g2

[@btrdangerdan2010]

I’ll have to get my hands on kentmere film haven’t tried it heard of it though. Hey Matt I reckon you can get a hold of this uncommon film and try it out and maybe do a thoughts or review video on it. It’s a Chinese made film called Shanghai GP3 medium format 120 mm black and white Negative film. You can find it on eBay when still available.

[@anachronismic]

Sun and D-970 I've heard that the backing paper like transfers onto the neg for that film.

[@jd-py5nm]

for the right price i would take one of these i loved my minilux till it died (should have repaired) and i love my panasonic camera with leica lense that said that shutter button is just a sign of an issue with build quality

[@somephotovideos]

Adding this to my list of cameras to snag…

[@amyleemarie]

I just inherited some film (and digital) cameras from my Grandpa. The ones I'm most excited for are a Rollei 35 and a Leica Mini Zoom. I'm hoping the mini zoom yields similar results to the mini 2 that you have here. The photos are gorgeous. Do you have an instagram?

[@TheHoleshotking]

Rollei 35, got 5 of them :D Very fun cameras.. I primarily use them for B&W

[@ivanmolotilov4779]

try to hold flash button until it starts flashing, it would remember flash settings for next shoot

[@jessicamdenham]

Just picked up this camera today. Great review.

[@eliagard3437]

Hey, me too! How much did you pay?

[@icinfin117]

@@eliagard3437 How much did you pay?

[@eliagard3437]

@@icinfin117 A little over 200€.

[@icinfin117]

@@eliagard3437 Are you happy with it? I’m considering the Mini 2 or 3.

[@eliagard3437]

@@icinfin117 Yes, it's a very good point and shoot in my opinion!

[@youreworthlessss]

Yo, is that a Culture Abuse LP on the shelf behind you?

[@marshall1oo627]

Ilford makes Kentmere so you’re supporting them either way

[@JonBushell]

Lovely.

[@filmniyom]

Love leica mini❤️

[@paologattone858]

Thanks man, I also wasted 3 rolls before it took it properly

[@LS-cs9rq]

would love to watch a video on minilux

[@langmeng825]

I think kentmere is more like tri-x. Great film great value

[@JP1050x]

Great review! But dang dude, those small camera issues you mentioned sound like they might out weigh the pros of the camera. Time to trade it in for a Nikon L35AF (version1)! :D

[@hoorayforpentax3801]

It's a Leica. People put up with the downsides because of the red dot. :p

[@Frantixj]

Show us your fridge :) My wife hates me because there's film everywhere in our fridge lol

[@alskarmode]

What is the purpose or benefit of keeping film in the fridge? I’m new to cameras

[@Frantixj]

@@alskarmode keeps the film and emulsion on it fresh, prevents it from fading and makes it possible to store it for years even after it's expiration date. That's why there's a lot of expired film being sold on ebay etc. If the film was in the fridge the whole time it's safe to get it and shoot normally. If not and it was kept, say, in a box in the attic, higher temperatures may have had impact on the emulsion and the photos can come out faded, smudgy etc. Think of film as a very lasting yoghurt :P

[@alskarmode]

@@Frantixj thanks so much! That’s good information to know

[@Frantixj]

@@alskarmode no problem, if you need to know anything else feel free to ask me, been shooting film for a few years now

[@mertnarcn4280]

I had Minolta Riva Mini/Pico a few years ago. It's the exactly same camera with this Leica Mini 2. Shot a couple rolls of film with it. At the begining it was fine. After a week or so since i bought it. Had issue with frame spacing. All of the photos crossed each other. It couldn't be fix. Had to return it to seller.

[@TheHoleshotking]

is it the same camera?

[@johnnyrinsma]

I got one but I think the quality is very fragile... im scared to break it!

[@nathanvaldez4870]

What are your thoughts on the Olympus Mju 2?

[@SkylerKing]

For what it's worth, everyone I know who has one, LOVES it. Great little camera.

[@JP1050x]

I have a Mju 2 (Stylus Epic). I don't love it. It's meh. Feels fragile, slippery, noisy, annoying flash, and has inconsistent auto focus.

[@OperationBlueprint]

Ilford make Kentmere film 👍

[@nathanhill2638]

Hey nice Culture Abuse record in the background there

[@Zenger]

i was crying by the end

[@mikaelcarlsson1281]

Olympus TRIP AF MINI is basically the same camera too

[@terryfrancis7639]

Why has this video backed out & audio dropped out?

[@xjandyx]

Peach ❤️

[@parranoic]

@9:37 you have cheap rechargeable ones that can last a few rolls (10-20)

[@harryshort2281]

MATT!!! Ilford make kentmere 400!!!!

[@harryshort2281]

www.ilfordphoto.com/kentmere400-135

[@klaushuxley3342]

Nice haircut, bro.

[@klaushuxley3342]

[@LyndonPatrickSmith]

Let's 1 year old play with his Leica = trusting dad! 😀

[@MaxLamdin]

Kentmere is made by Harman who also make Ilford products

[@pramodjois822]

hi matt i want to start taking film camera photos so i have zero knowledge on film camera so which camera should i buy and were and info about film ? & i stay in india plz let me know

[@TheHoleshotking]

Buy one and use it with your heart, it will guide you to your creative successes :F

[@josephsaunders5369]

great review Matt as always! I wrote a blog about this camera a few years back if people want some more info on the camera. www.joseph-saunders.com/blog/2015/5/29/leica-mini-review

[@josephsaunders5369]

they also sell stickers somewhere for DX coding. for the data back did you replace the separate battery?

[@the92project]

this is the kind of territory that for me belongs to digital, my Ricoh GR does wonderful for low light indoor chasing-my-kid kind of photography.

[@mattdayphoto]

The Cantrell Project My wife is actually looking at getting a digital GR soon!

[@the92project]

it is a beast of a camera and it actually completely erased my canon 7d with L glass. Molly will love it!

[@CarlosCarreter]

Kentmere is made by Ilford, it has less silver and a more fragil base. HP5+ is a better film.

[@normannormi9006]

Panasonic c-625af 😉

[@TheHoleshotking]

Sold Leica Mini I, Kept Minolta Freedom Escort, Leica Mini II, and the Panasonic c-625af :D