Minox 35GT with Kodak Color Plus 200

[@MattJNeale]

I just found an 8 year old comment on Flickr which explains some of the exposure problems I had. Thanks to Thomas Bayes for this: ‘Watch out for the fact that the metering isn't centre-weighted. If you have something bright in the periphery of the picture this will affect the exposure. If you want to expose for the darker areas in an image, use the 2x switch.’

[@65PCH]

Also, if you have the accessory rangefinder mounted on the flash hot-shoe, you can risk activating the little switch on the front left side of the shoe, which sets the shutter to 1/125th (for flash). If you have a look at the plastic hot-shoe protector, you'll see it has a little cut-out on the left side towards the front.

[@matsnotfat]

Hi Matt. Great review. I just bought a barely used Minox 35 GTE, which takes modern batteries. On reliability, I came across a post from someone who'd got a tip from a guy who used to service Minox cameras. The most common problem with old Minoxes is shutter not firing. He said this is from lack of use, because although the shutter timing is electronic, it does have mechanical parts. To prevent shutter freezing the recommendation is to take out the batteries but leave the camera wound on, if it's not being used for a time. Hope some others come across this and keep as many of these unique, superb little cameras working for decades to come.

[@MattJNeale]

Hi there, thanks for the info, that will come in handy for sure. I agree these cameras and unique and superb, I haven’t used mine in a long time, time to get back to it! Thanks

[@keegancurry2593]

I found one of these at a thrift store this week for 30 Euros. I was considering just selling it for the profits but I think you've convinced me otherwise. The lens is just SO SHARP. Wow.

[@MattJNeale]

That is a real bargain, well done. Yeah the lens on this thing is tack sharp isn’t it. I hope you enjoy using it!

[@marinastancill8418]

just bought mine at a second hand film store today! your video was the first i stumbled across and it has been so helpful. thank you :)

[@MattJNeale]

Awesome, hope you like it, thanks Marina!

[@LeicaM11]

When visiting the US back in 1984, I decided choosing a Minox 35 GT over a whole SLR equipment. I got home with fantastic slides and best pictures I ever saw before. I know everything about this camera, still owning her, but not using her today. The chassis of the MINOX 35 GT is made of glass fiber reinforced Macrolon! Skyscraper fassades were made of Macrolon or car‘s headlights. 😉

[@MattJNeale]

Thank you for this interesting story. I did not know the Minox was made out of reinforced Macrolon, what a little beast!

[@psvisualdesign]

nice video! Just bought my Minox 35GL yesterday :D

[@MattJNeale]

Thanks a lot. I haven’t used the Minox for a while, a session is due. Enjoy the GL!

[@psvisualdesign]

@@MattJNeale I love the camera! it's so petite :D You have to take her on a trip again - maybe with some experimental film?

[@MattJNeale]

@@psvisualdesign Yeah it’s real tiny! Yeah that’s a good idea. I’ve got several rolls to get through and then I’m going to purchase another batch, there’s some cool experimental film I’ve been looking at, so not a bad idea at all! Thanks

[@psvisualdesign]

@@MattJNeale you're welcome. Keep us updated =)

[@son_o_day]

Man the pictures from that are SO nice.

[@MattJNeale]

Impressive for a tiny camera ay!

[@zguy95135]

Its worth getting the slightly more expensive SR44 batteries because they hold a constant voltage much better than the LR44s.

[@MattJNeale]

Thank you for the tip Joseph, I didn’t know that.

[@steved5518]

Yes, silver button cells have a very sharp 'knee' and keep the proper voltage until camera says to change them

[@lensman5762]

The average meteing system can be fooled if pointing the lens to a primarily light or dark areas. As your GT does not have exposure compensation you could still overcome this issue by altering the ASA dial to compensate a stop here and there. I set the camera to F11 and use hyperfocal distance accordingly.

[@martynwaters2764]

Well done again, brother! Love these

[@MattJNeale]

Much appreciated Marty!

Amazing quality man! It is an amazing lens, shocked by how sharp it is for a camera of that size amazing vid as always 👏🏼👏🏼

[@MattJNeale]

It is incredible for the size! Thanks for the love mate.

[@Marcffoto]

Another excellent video. I have 2 favourites. The skater dudes and the bridge portrait. Great work again. Look forward to some digital stuff next time. Welcome back to our world haha

[@MattJNeale]

Cheers Marc. Yes, digital is making a temporary come back!

[@donball9777]

just bought the AL , looking forward to shooting with it.

[@MattJNeale]

They’re a great set of cameras Don, enjoy!

[@NunoAlmeidaPhotography]

Crazy how sharp it is! Awesome images!

[@MattJNeale]

It really is super sharp, fantastic for a camera this size! Thanks Nuno

[@tonymckeage1028]

Great Film camera Vlog, thanks for sharing

[@MattJNeale]

Cheers Tony!

[@lexihunter3407]

Honestly Great video. Very calming

[@MattJNeale]

Thank you Lexi

[@thehealthpotions]

This was great, Matt!

[@MattJNeale]

Thank you mate

[@pggrootde6726]

Nice video, Matt. I like your style...

[@MattJNeale]

Thank you kindly

6:29 uhhhhh 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@MattJNeale]

One of my favourites!

[@raybeaumont7670]

Ha! Meenox my arse. It's Min, as in Mini. Ir does rely on those replacement batteries - it can die quite quickly and unexpectedly. But when it works the results can be superb from that crackin' little lens.

[@samrichon]

Love the video man, what is the accessories that you have on at 07:03 ?

[@MattJNeale]

Thanks Sam, that is a rangefinder. It’s a device that helps to find the correct focal range. If you search for vintage rangefinder you should find some models. The one I have is made by Medis, but I don’t know the model number unfortunately.

[@samrichon]

@@MattJNeale thank you so much matt !! is yours made for minox ? or does it go on any camera ? i would love to get one for my minox35gt as well

[@MattJNeale]

@@samrichon No worries. It fits any camera with a standard hot-shoe mount.

[@samrichon]

@@MattJNeale and it allows you to make focus more easely than zone focusing ?

[@MattJNeale]

@@samrichon It basically gives you the exact distance. However, I’m not so sure it makes it easier to be honest. If you’re using something like f/8 I think zone focusing will work just as well. This thing was finicky, slow and hard to look through! It’s just allows you to nail it on. As another viewer pointed out you’ll probably get more out of the camera by learning / judging zone focusing, making for a better overall experience.

[@fariquverse]

Nice opening😂 sorry i don't really understand about the battery but what if you use the LR44 battery for a long time? will it affect the camera performance? Thank youu, will definitely be waiting for our next video🎉👍

[@MattJNeale]

Yeah I didn’t really explain it that well did I haha. As I understand it, when using LR44’s the voltage decreases over time which will affect the exposure, eventually resulting in underexposed images. Thanks for watching :)

[@solene4388]

hey, can you give me the name (and ref if you have) of the little object you use on the top of the minox? it will be very helpfull to me!! thanks

[@MattJNeale]

Hey Solène, the brand of rangefinder I used is Medis. Unfortunately there is no model number on it and it wasn’t included in the eBay listing either. You may want to bear in mind what another commenter mentioned in that this particular rangefinder is actually a bit large for the Minox. There are smaller rangefinders out there which may suit the camera better. I suggest you search for ‘vintage rangefinder’ and see what comes up, eBay is a good starting point. Good luck!

[@michaelh.gerloff3659]

I don't know how you put in the LR44 (or SR) batteries, and maybe you know already: they should be surrounded by a non-metal "case" like a shrinking rubber sleeve, even a fitting piece of an old film negative rolled as tube could do, or you get an adapter. Otherwise a short circuit could happen when the metal batteries and the metal parts of the battery box have contact, this could harm the electronic.

[@MattJNeale]

Thank you for this information Michael, I didn't know. I'll do what you send to protect the electronics!

[@michaelh.gerloff3659]

@@MattJNeale I received a Minox 35 GS last week, used a piece of a negative for the LR44. And can't wait to finish my first roll of film to see how it works 📸

[@MattJNeale]

@@michaelh.gerloff3659 Nice, I hope you have fun with it Michael!

[@michaelh.gerloff3659]

@@MattJNeale Thanks, I have. Just finished my first film, took a while to get used to the very sensible release - I guess there will be some unwanted photos :)

[@leilameansnight]

Hi Matt! I just bought this treasure from a thrift shop in Romania for 15 euros, and can't wait to test it. Talking about the batteries -- I took two Varta CR-1/3N. Can you please share the link with this rangefinder? Thanks in advance.

[@MattJNeale]

That is an absolute bargain. Good luck with it. I bought the rangefinder from eBay, so there’s no link to share unfortunately. There are many online, if you search hot-shoe rangefinder you should find one.

[@ZeebergMoller]

Wow! This was super helpful. I just inherited a Minox 35GT recently, and have been trying it out. I'm very excited to develop the first roll in a couple of days (though I'm sure most of the pictures are blurry - don't have a rf). Did you try it out at night?

[@MattJNeale]

Glad it was helpful! You've inherited a great camera, congrats. If you don't have a RF you can look up zone-focusing. I found the 35GT to have a pretty deep DOF and sharp corner to corner at f/8.0. I haven't tried it out at night yet but is something I should try soon. Thanks for watching Emma!

[@0scartheCat]

Andy Warhol used a Minox 35 with Tri-X 400 ( & Flash ) when he took the candid's of 70's celebrities in New York Club Studio 54 such as Robert De Niro & Cher

[@randallstewart1224]

Contra the video introduction, this Minox isn't a spy camera and never will be. It is not made with the technical craft and precision of the real Minox spy cameras. In fact, it isn't really made by Minox, but by a German company historically making fairly cheap consumer cameras named Balda. The user sets the lens aperture, but the camera automatically sets the shutter speed, so the user has no practical control over the exposure. There were about a dozen model variations made over the years, and the early ones had some quality control problems, so stick to the late models if you dive in. Overall, it's a pretty good, self-contained pocket camera selling fairly cheaply, making you have to wonder why folks waste their money on relatively crappy alternatives like the whole line of Olympus XA cameras.

[@c7ntysvenny]

Hey, Which ISO/ASA did you set? 200? Had too dark photos the first time I used it. I am taking pictures with the Kodak Gold 200 film. Hope you can help

[@MattJNeale]

Yea I shot this at film speed, 200. It’s worth investing in a light meter as then you’ll be able to set the correct exposure settings.

[@pedromendonca2963]

How does it compare to Olympus XA, specially image quality and weight?

[@MattJNeale]

If you’re going to go with the XA or a Minox I’d say it’s probably best to go with the XA. It’s not a camera I’ve used but it has good image quality, uses a much more easy to find battery, and is apparently much more reliable. As for the weight the Minox is 200g and the XA around 221g so there’s really not much difference there. I’m not really sure about image quality, I think the Minox just about beats the XA on that but due to the other issues I’ve mentioned I think the XA will last you longer.

[@pedromendonca2963]

@@MattJNeale Thank you

[@plasticpaddy5278]

4lr44 is a bit too big for my gl. i use 4 x a675 hearing aid batteries as 1.4v x4 =5.6v which matches original mercury battery. check regularly as they expire after a few months and leak but dirt cheap, 12 batteries is 9 € or so for street photography set distance at 3m or 5m and shoot accordingly at waist level - point and guess. ultimate candid pics. practice with fomapan 100 as this easily developed at home.

[@MattJNeale]

I missed this very useful comment! I will definitely take your advice on board and give it a go. I haven’t used this camera since the first time so I’m due a session with it. Thanks for sharing Paddy, going to check those batteries now!

[@sebvz89]

i have this camera and i use zone focusing :D

[@MattJNeale]

I'll most probably go to zone focusing next time I use it. The rangefinder is a little fiddly, but it is novel!

[@saulartis]

a very beautiful voice...

[@MattJNeale]

first time anyone has said that to me Saule, I’ll take it! thanks