Ensign Midget 55 Built in the UK in 1935, this pocket-sized masterpiece wraps a 53 mm Ensar lens and a giant film gate into a a leather case that feels more like an elegant cigarette case than a technical tool. What happens when 1930s glamour … Continue readingThe Tiny Giant You Need to See
When I first started taking photos with subminiature cameras, the big question for me was how to turn them into the best possible digital images for wall displays or my online gallery. The first hurdle was digitization, but I don’t want to talk about that … Continue readingFrom Minox negatives to perfect digital images
A lot of things came together for this report on the Cooke triplet of the Minostigmat lens: So here is my article, which recalculates the theoretical performance of the first Minox lens, the Minostigmat, and compares it with my earlier practical results. It’s also an … Continue readingA Trip to Riga and Its Consequences
Burkhard Fenner’s article here on this website about his restoration of a VEF Minox Riga last year has generated a great deal of interest. Now, here is another article by him about a very mysterious artifact related to this camera. As we’ve come to expect … Continue readingA Mysterious 90-Year-Old Minox Tool
No, it wasn’t Walter Zapp. He is known as the inventor of the Minox, but he had nothing to do with the development of the Minox lens. And without this brilliant optical design, the Minox would have been a flop from the start. A year … Continue readingLens Development in 1935 – Who Invented the Minostigmat?
A CLA is more than maintenance; it’s a conversation with the past. Step into the quiet, tactile world of subminiature precision as we disassemble a 1950s masterpiece. There is a profound, silent happiness in the act of disassembly. Explore the meditative journey into the heart … Continue readingThe Soul of the Mamiya super 16
What happens when three of the 20th century’s most brilliant engineering minds tackle the same challenge? Join me as I place the Minox A, Mamiya super 16, and Edixa 16 side-by-side. From Walter Zapp’s uncompromising pursuit of miniaturization to Heinz Waaske’s precision engineering and Seiichi … Continue readingTwo men who challenged Minox
The VEF Minox Riga: a true icon of subminiature photography, a piece of history that fits right into your palm. This isn’t just a camera; it’s a testament to 1930s engineering and a faithful companion for countless “moments of now” captured across the decades. But … Continue readingA VEF Minox Riga restoration – described for the first time
Are you worried about your camera’s shutter speeds? How critical are inaccurate shutter speeds in historical cameras? Take pictures with your Minox, even if the shutter speeds may be significantly off. Here I’ll show you why it works. What I discuss in this article applies … Continue readingMinox shutter speeds: Use the film latitude
I love capturing the world in vivid color with my small cameras. But Minox film processing can be a challenge if you don’t want to develop the rolls yourself. Figuring out how to develop those tiny 8×11 mm color films was a challenge – until … Continue readingMinox color film processing at any photo lab
The ausgeknipst 9.2 mm development reel performed reliably in testing, with a robust build, secure fit in the Jobo 1510 tank, and consistent development results, including uniform edge-to-edge processing. Its compatibility with standard development methods offer practical benefits over the discontinued Minox daylight tank, though … Continue readingNew development reel for Minox 8×11 film – A Review
Why choose the Minox EC over more conventional options? Let’s delve into its remarkable quality, historical significance, and technical capabilities. … Continue readingMinox EC – High-Quality Subminiature Photography