The fact that you can control the aperture, let alone the shutter speed, on a camera that tiny is absolutely wild! They seem pretty cheap on eBay too, probably because of the 16mm film. Really cool though, I think the Naked Photographer just did a video about one of these too
My Dad wore polarized sunglasses for driving. Us kids used to borrow them at the lake to see fish in the water. One day my sister and I were squabbling over them and the frame broke. My Dad got mad but then he made a polarized filter for his camera out of one of the lenses and we took pictures of the fish in the water. We did the experiment of rotating one of the lenses in front of the other and it goes light and dark. Very fun days :-)
@@bayareapianist The polarized glasses cut the reflection from the surface of the water and allow you to see through it. You have to try it to understand. You must use polarized glasses. Ordinary sunglasses won't work.
I had a collection of Minoxs for many years; sold most of them. Also, when I started my law enforcement career many decades ago, I had the fun of using a Nagra recorder in my first undercover deployment. They actually had better stuff available back then - late 70s - but it was a carry-over from the agency I was working for at the time - tight budget haha!! I later went on to specialize in organized crime investigations, so throughout the 90s had all kinds of very cool wires, cameras, wiretap equipment, etc. My experience as a radio amateur played a significant role in knowing how to make it all work.
I at 67 & soon to be 68 must be roughly the same age as you. My first good camera I had in 1970 was a Contaflex view finder camera that my Dad's german buddy sold to me as a used camera. I don't know what happened to it & I remember I was disappointed that it was not SLR. It shot beautiful pictures and had I known its value I would have forgiven it was not a single lens reflex camera. Knowing a bit about the history of my dad's buddy I suspect he had bought the camera new in Germany shortly after the war when as a soldier he was stationed in Berlin.
Your spy cam video was very entertaining, thanks. I also was into in darkroom photography as a youngster with a kit from Sears and Roebuck. Your video brought back memories of those tiny "spy" cameras that were advertised in the back of comic books that used tiny rolls of film. I bought one for one dollar back in the 60's along with a pack of film, but never used it. Keep the excellent videos coming and 73's.
I think that is the Minox B, the C had a CdS light meter and electronic shutter according to cryptomuseum. Very cool, the B is the most popular it sounds like.
The original Minox was designed in the 1930’s. They were designed so that you could always carry a good quality camera and not for espionage. They just happened to have been adopted by the security services. I carry one with me all the time, despite the fact that I can get better results from the camera in my iPhone.
I was given a Minox "C" and flash cube accessory plus leather sheath. Never shot pictures with it. Always wondered whether Minolta 16mm cameras took much better snapshot pictures. I think the Minox is in a box with old crystal radio set stuff.
I used to shoot with a Yashica Atoron subminiature camera and developed myself (I preferred Tri-X and Diafine). The irony of a "spy" camera was how much attention it drew for general photography.
GE Magicube. We took them apart and threw the bulbs as a prank in highschool. They did not always go off when treated that way, but it was worth it when they did. Probably go to jail these days.
In 1965 the minimum wage was $1.25, and the median income was less than $3 / hour. So, even used this camera was between 10 and 20 hours wages. That is pretty pricey for anyone, let alone a teenager. I saw a Minox used at a hamfest in the early 1990s and I don't remember what he was asking for it, but I thought it was rather expensive for me. It amazes me that today even cheap cell phones come with pretty decent cameras that can take pictures of documents in room illumination with no problem.
@@viesic So, 2 to 4 months salary. That would be an extremely expensive camera. But, then again it wasn't intended for the average person but for undercover professional work.
gee teach, I was in jr high also! huh, small world! OMG! now hes show us the camera he used 4 sabotage! I knew it! Dark Room!! that's it! I knew U were a Nerd!! wedgy time! super nice camera! good luck!
The fact that you can control the aperture, let alone the shutter speed, on a camera that tiny is absolutely wild! They seem pretty cheap on eBay too, probably because of the 16mm film. Really cool though, I think the Naked Photographer just did a video about one of these too
My Dad wore polarized sunglasses for driving. Us kids used to borrow them at the lake to see fish in the water. One day my sister and I were squabbling over them and the frame broke. My Dad got mad but then he made a polarized filter for his camera out of one of the lenses and we took pictures of the fish in the water. We did the experiment of rotating one of the lenses in front of the other and it goes light and dark. Very fun days :-)
ua-cam.com/video/qaLYdrhmsPk/v-deo.html
Just wondering why you could see the fish with those glasses but couldn't with naked eyes. Then next time I go fishing I can use a 3d movie glasses :)
@@bayareapianist The polarized glasses cut the reflection from the surface of the water and allow you to see through it. You have to try it to understand. You must use polarized glasses. Ordinary sunglasses won't work.
I had a collection of Minoxs for many years; sold most of them. Also, when I started my law enforcement career many decades ago, I had the fun of using a Nagra recorder in my first undercover deployment. They actually had better stuff available back then - late 70s - but it was a carry-over from the agency I was working for at the time - tight budget haha!! I later went on to specialize in organized crime investigations, so throughout the 90s had all kinds of very cool wires, cameras, wiretap equipment, etc. My experience as a radio amateur played a significant role in knowing how to make it all work.
I at 67 & soon to be 68 must be roughly the same age as you. My first good camera I had in 1970 was a Contaflex view finder camera that my Dad's german buddy sold to me as a used camera.
I don't know what happened to it & I remember I was disappointed that it was not SLR. It shot beautiful pictures and had I known its value I would have forgiven it was not a single lens reflex camera.
Knowing a bit about the history of my dad's buddy I suspect he had bought the camera new in Germany shortly after the war when as a soldier he was stationed in Berlin.
Your spy cam video was very entertaining, thanks. I also was into in darkroom photography as a youngster with a kit from Sears and Roebuck. Your video brought back memories of those tiny "spy" cameras that were advertised in the back of comic books that used tiny rolls of film. I bought one for one dollar back in the 60's along with a pack of film, but never used it. Keep the excellent videos coming and 73's.
Cool....had a Minolta 16 about 50 years ago. Good fun. Always enjoy your posts. Thanks
I think that is the Minox B, the C had a CdS light meter and electronic shutter according to cryptomuseum. Very cool, the B is the most popular it sounds like.
I received your hidden message with my decoder ring. LOL
The original Minox was designed in the 1930’s. They were designed so that you could always carry a good quality camera and not for espionage. They just happened to have been adopted by the security services. I carry one with me all the time, despite the fact that I can get better results from the camera in my iPhone.
I was given a Minox "C" and flash cube accessory plus leather sheath. Never shot pictures with it. Always wondered whether Minolta 16mm cameras took much better snapshot pictures. I think the Minox is in a box with old crystal radio set stuff.
I used to shoot with a Yashica Atoron subminiature camera and developed myself (I preferred Tri-X and Diafine). The irony of a "spy" camera was how much attention it drew for general photography.
also: cue Peter Gunn theme
Cool. I've got an early 80's, (all plastic but sturdy), copy of the Minlolta, made by Hanimex. It took great photos.
The names..Walker..Franko Walker 007.
@@andymouse LOL. 🧀
Cool spy camera! I have one that was purchased at a PX in Vietnam in the late 60's. Never did find a source for good film for it though.
Super interesting video!
GE Magicube. We took them apart and threw the bulbs as a prank in highschool. They did not always go off when treated that way, but it was worth it when they did. Probably go to jail these days.
I'm a Minolta collector and certainly had a 16, maybe a different one. But it is lost somewhere..... It's hard to get 16mm film now.
In 1965 the minimum wage was $1.25, and the median income was less than $3 / hour. So, even used this camera was between 10 and 20 hours wages. That is pretty pricey for anyone, let alone a teenager. I saw a Minox used at a hamfest in the early 1990s and I don't remember what he was asking for it, but I thought it was rather expensive for me.
It amazes me that today even cheap cell phones come with pretty decent cameras that can take pictures of documents in room illumination with no problem.
First Minox Riga camera price in 1938 was 248Ls and average worker salary in month was about 100Ls - 120Ls.
@@viesic So, 2 to 4 months salary. That would be an extremely expensive camera. But, then again it wasn't intended for the average person but for undercover professional work.
My Dad had one of these. I still have some film cartridges. I think my brother got the camera.
Fresno!
Did you manage to catch the shooters on the Grassy Knoll....??
gee teach, I was in jr high also! huh, small world! OMG! now hes show us the camera he used 4 sabotage! I knew it!
Dark Room!! that's it! I knew U were a Nerd!! wedgy time! super nice camera! good luck!
This Minolta was copied as Kiev 30.