Why I’m selling my Minox 35GL

lrg_dsc02773I love the concept behind the Minox 35GL series of miniature ‘pocket’ cameras. They are full-size 35MM cameras, but they are made so small that you can actually fit them in your pocket. This means you are always able to carry a camera, as opposed to your Canon or Minolta SLR’s. As we all know, the camera you carry makes the shot as opposed to the camera you leave at home. 

I can’t always carry my film camera of choice, my Minolta X570, or even my digital SonyA5000, because I can’t always carry a bag or have them around my shoulder. So the Minox 35GL could fill that void so easily…

That is if it worked.

lrg_dsc02778Now when I say “if it worked” I mean if it worked for me. This camera is a work of art. It is well designed, “slim” (for a 35MM) and it looks fantastic. But it does have two serious drawbacks. 

The first problem that I have with the Minox is the film advance. I consistently have put in film only to have it ‘bunch up’ after just 5 shots. I really don’t want to waste film in this manner as film is expensive. I’ve been told on Facebook and other groups that this does happen on a range of “sometimes” to “often”. It’s not this particular camera, its all of the Minox line. But let’s just say if that was the only problem I would invest more time and learn exactly how to spool correctly — it’s my fault — and move forward. But there is another serious problem, again for me.

lrg_dsc02779The second serious problem is ‘zone’ focusing. Lot’s of people love it, street shooters swear by it, but I hate it. Pure hate. I want to look thru my viewfinder and know that my image is in focus. It’s that serious. So a camera with zoom focusing is unacceptable for me. And the Minox is a zone focus camera.

lrg_dsc02780So, I’m selling this camera on eBay (Find a Minox on eBay – click here). I hope that someone who reads this article will find the Minox 35GL adorable and give it the love it truly deserves. Now, I’m back to looking for a tiny 35MM pocket camera. Leave me your suggestions.

Leonard Goffe is an author, writer, and journalist based in South Florida. He is available for your public relations, content development, WordPress design, SEO and technical writing needs.

 

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2 Replies to “Why I’m selling my Minox 35GL

  1. I’ve never tried a Minox but I hear you on the Zone focusing thing – I’ve never liked it either. The only small (none auto compact) 35mm camera I’ve used is the Olympus 35RC. It’s about the size of the trip, but is in fact a true rangefinder. I have full Manual and (IIRC) shutter speed priority AE.

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