Camera & Set

Background
Camera Set

Background



Proof of ConceptVEF Prototype PhaseSerial ProductionUnofficial Production
Year1932-19361936-19381938-(1942)1942-unknown





Made byWalter Zapp & Co.VEFVEFUnknown
(original VEF parts)
Made inEstoniaLatviaLatviaUnknown
(Latvia, Germany,etc)
Serial Numbers-No.0001-0120*No.01000 - 15200*15200-17320 (20981)*
Cameras made1 (1936)120142002120 





Camerasilver-coated
stainless steel shell
unknown body		xstainless steel shell
brass body		stainless steel shell
brass body
Dimensionsxx80 x 27 x 16 mm80 x 27 x 16 mm
Weightxx125 - 130 g*130 g*





Focus  (Metric)∞, 2, 1, 0.6, 0.4,
0.3, 0.24, 0.2m		x∞, 2, 1, 0.6, 0.4,
0.3, 0.24, 0.2m		∞, 2, 1, 0.6, 0.4,
0.3, 0.24, 0.2m
Focus  (Imperial) x
x
∞, 7', 3', 2', 1'4'', 1', 10'', 8''x





Viewfinderparalax correctedxparalax correctedparalax corrected





Lens"Minostigmat"
3-element
uncoated Anastigmat		x"Minostigmat"
3-element
uncoated Anastigmat
"Minostigmat"
3-element
uncoated Anastigmat
Propertiesf-stop 1/3.5
focal length = 12,5 mm		xf-stop 1/3.5
focal length = 15,0 mm		f-stop 1/3.5
focal length = 15,0 mm
Filterno filterx2X Yellow
Glassine sheet & Glass composite		2X Yellow
Glassine sheet & Glass composite





ShutterGuillotine / Single bladexGuillotine / Single bladeGuillotine / Single blade
Shutter speedT,B, 1/5,1/10, 1/20, 1/50,
1/100, 1/200, 1/500, 1/1000 		xT,B, 1/2, 1/5,1/10, 1/20, 1/50,
1/100, 1/200, 1/500, 1/1000 		T,B, 1/2, 1/5,1/10, 1/20, 1/50,
1/100, 1/200, 1/500, 1/1000





Film transport12-toothed spool
(telescope transport)		x12 & 3-toothed spool
(telescope transport)		3-toothed spool
(telescope transport)
Film format8.75 mm film width
(unperforated 35mm / 4)		x9.5 mm* film width
(unperforated 35mm / 3)		9.5 mm* film width
(unperforated 35mm / 3)
Image dimensions6.5 x 9 mmx8 x 11 mm8 x 11 mm
Film availableexperimentalxVEF 10/10 (50exp)*
VEF 13/10 (50exp)*
VEF 17/10 (50exp)*
VEF 10/10 (50exp)*
VEF 13/10 (50exp)*
VEF 17/10 (50exp)*





Survived1(1)?630
4.0/100 cameras		186
9.0/100 cameras
*estimated production range; serial numbers of 18000 and 20000 may not be VEF, The traditional 9.5 mm film width could not be accurately determined (measurememts point to 9.3-9.4mm), advertised camera weight is 125 g the actual weight accoriding to hubert Heckmann is however 130 g.
VEF Minox film may have been cut from unperforated Agfa film stock but supporting evidence is missing


Technical Notes
Minox Camera (US Patent #2,169,548)

Design objective stated in the original patent application
  1. Small enough to be carried in vest pocket
  2. Quickly manipulated, allowing rapid successive exposures
  3. Constructed in such a manner, that protruding portions are avoided
  4. Lens and viewfinder are protected when the camera is not used

Camera Lens 

Paralax-corrected Viewfinder

Shutter Mechanism

Film & film advance mechanism

The Camera Set


If you bought a Minox camera, it came with a small little sale box. Inside the box was a little certificate which carried the Serial number and was signed with an initial confirming that it underwent quality checks before it left the factory. The sale assistant would then stamp the certificate in his shop and enter the sale date. From that moment on you had 12 month factory guarantee. In addition, the sales assitant would hand you out a camera manual. This was provided in at least 5 languages (some claim 6).

The manual did not fit inside the salebox but many owners wrapped the manual around the camera and stuffed it inside the box (see here). Thats why many are found in this roled up state today. Interestingly the dimensions of the box allow 2 Minox film tins to be included (see here). I do not know however if the film was included inside as a "starter" pack like today or if you had to purchase it seperately.