Styled after Leica's popular screwmount rangefinder series of cameras, the Minolta-35 is a somewhat obscure, yet enjoyable camera. This series brought about the first self-timer on a focal plane shutter camera. This was also Minolta's very first 35mm camera. These cameras were fairly simple in their construction and are commonly found with badly worn shutter curtains and/or very slow shutter speeds ( usually due to the poor construction of the shutter and its curtain design ). The early Model "A" and "D" cameras are scarce. Any Minolta-35 with a serial # below 0900 is considered rare. The very last version of the series - the Model IIB, version II with lever wind is also an extremely rare item.
"Model II" cameras are the most common in the series. Finding any Minolta-35 in complete, and excellent working condition is not an easy task. To date, the published data regarding these cameras and their serial #'s and versions is not well known. I am attempting to verify the different versions along with their manufacturing variations.
*Please note the sale price data shown below is from 2002. Since that time, prices have dropped significantly.
Photo couretesy of Ron Tincher
Model
Verified Body Serial #
Estimated Serial # Range of Model
Lens
Lens Serial #
Markings
Notes and Comments
2002 Sale Price/Condition/Notes
A
0490
0101-0900 ?
45mm 2.8
2749
Chiyoda-Kogaku Osaka
Shutter Speeds include 1/5 and 1/10. Slow speed dial lock. 1947. 24x32mm format.
Shown in HPR Leica Copies Book
A (Ver.II)
0955
0900-1000 ?
45mm 2.8
3459
Chiyoda-Kogaku Osaka
Shutter speeds now 1/4 and 1/8. No slow speed dial lock.
$ 1,000, v. good Ebay
B
1556
1000 ? - 4xxx ?
45mm 2.8
CKS / MIOJ
August 1948. 24X33mm
Rewind knob areaShutter Speed Area curved
Viewfinder Frame Mirror-like finishFlush Front around lens
Rewind Lever positionSlow Speed Dial
Flash Shoe Back Film Door Release
$509 Camera Dealer
B
1649
1000 ? - 4xxx ?
45mm 2.8
2458
CKS / MIOJ
$360, slow shttr, good. Ebay
B
1743
1000 ? - 4xxx ?
45mm 2.8
3455
CKS / MIOJ
B
2583
1000 ? - 4xxx ?
45mm 2.8
CKS / MIOJ
B
4371
4xxx ? - 9000 ?
45mm 2.8
CKS / MIOJ
Feb. 1949. 24X34mm. Slow speeds read from FRONT of camera
Shown in HPR Leica Copies Book
C
5225
4xxx ? - 9000 ?
45mm 2.8
CKS / MIOJ
Slow speeds read upside down from FRONT of camera
$395, poor Camera Dealer
C
6XXX
4xxx ? - 9000 ?
45mm 2.8
CKS / MIOJ
$395, shttr prblm Camera Dealer
C
7977
4xxx ? - 9000 ?
45mm 2.8
1xxxx
CKS / MIOJ
D
9001-10000 ?
Aug. 1949. First Body w/strap lugs
Cut out for Focusing tab on lensNew positioned rewind lever
This camera actually appears to be a Model "D" camera although in the Model "E" sequence of serial numbers. Has no "E" marking and has old flash shoe style.
$295, poor
E
12255
10000-17xxx
45mm 2.8
14971
CKS / MIOJ
E
15311
10000-17xxx
45mm 2.8
17879
CKS / MIOJ
$ 392, Exc+ cond. Ebay
E
15313
10000-17xxx
45mm 2.8
117693
CKS / MIOJ
$173, ok. Ebay
E
16756
10000-17xxx
CKS / MIOJ
2 sequential bodies (below)
Didnt meet resvr Ebay
E
16757
10000-17xxx
CKS / MIOJ
2 sequential bodies (above)
Didnt meet resvr Ebay
E
17127
10000-17xxx
45mm 2.8
19977
CKS / MIOJ
$200-400, est. @ auction, ok
F
21996
20000-25xxx ?
45mm 2.8
135206
CKS / MIJ
Feb. 1952. 24X33mm."Model F" engraved. None of these models were exported from Japan.
Self Timer area has 1-2-3 markings.
Shttr Curt bad
F
22101
20000-25xxx ?
45mm 2.8
134917
CKS / MIJ
$360 Camera Dealer
F
22514
20000-25xxx ?
45mm 2.8
135515
CKS / MIJ
F
23675
20000-25xxx ?
45mm 2.8
1406507
CKS / MIJ
$450, Exc
F
24129
20000-25xxx ?
Shttr Curtain gone
F
25356
20000-25xxx ?
45mm 2.8
CKS / MIJ
II
(Ver. I)
35947
35000-7xxxxx ?
45mm 2.8
139639
CKS / MIJ
1953-55. No screw in slow speed dial
Film Door Latch Changed
Viewfinder Frame now has matte finish, also smaller
$499, mint- Dealer
II (Ver. I)
38XXX
35000-7xxxxx ?
45mm 2.8
1400825
CKS / MIJ
$395, bad shttr
II (Ver. I)
40209
35000-7xxxxx ?
CKS / MIJ
$ 97, poor. Ebay
II (Ver. I)
40927
35000-7xxxxx ?
45mm 2.8
CKS / MIJ
$214, poor. Ebay
II (Ver. I)
41829
35000-7xxxxx ?
CKS / MIJ
$83, parts cam. Ebay
II (Ver. I)
42014
35000-7xxxxx ?
45mm 2.8
CKS / MIJ
II (Ver. I)
46603
35000-7xxxxx ?
45mm 2.8
1405800
CKS / MIJ
II (Ver. I)
50576
35000-7xxxxx ?
45mm 2.8
1412935
CKS / MIJ
II (Ver. I)
57927
35000-7xxxxx ?
CKS / MIJ
$103, shttr prblm. Ebay
II (Ver. I)
58022
35000-7xxxxx ?
45mm 2.8
18511
CKS / MIJ
Up to this point, leather looked like
II
(Ver. II)
70570
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
45mm 2.8
1414172
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan.
1955-57
Leather changed to Sync Post Changed
Rewind knob area changedShutter Speed area angular now
Film gate marking added
II (Ver.II)
72906
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
45mm 2.8
1417147
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan.
$ 100, good
II (Ver.II)
72317
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
5cm 2.8
15xxxxx
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
$ 205, ok. Shttr slow, hazy lens
II (Ver.II)
73857
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
II (Ver.II)
73987
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
5cm 2.8
1501126
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
$ 153, ok
II (Ver.II)
74164
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
50mm 2.8
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
35mm lens sold at this auction is very scarce
$370, w/35mm + 50mm lenses, exc. Ebay
II (Ver.II)
75607
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
$ 199, Good
II (Ver.II)
80892
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
$ 224, v. good
II (Ver.II)
81489
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
50mm 2.8
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
$ 175, good, shttr poor
II (Ver.II)
93259
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
50mm 2.8
1511385
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
Post Manufacturing - Gold Plated
II (Ver.II)
95516
7xxxx-9xxxx ?
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
II B (Ver. I)
10xxxx-112xxx ?
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
1958. Change to 24x36 format. Unsure if this model ever had knob wind or went right to lever wind as below
II B (Ver. II ?)
106915
10xxxx-112xxx ?
50mm 1.8
X203617
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
Lever Wind Replaced Knob Winding
Marked "IIB" on face of camera. Many chrome knobs now black. Self Timer lever changed. Font on body changed. Camera begins to look like the Minolta Super A camera that arrives in 1957
Shown in HPR Leica Copies Book. RARE. Email me if you want to sell one !!
II B (Ver. II ?)
112405
10xxxx-112xxx ?
50mm 2.8
Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
The 50/2.8 was not the original lens for this version.
MINOLTA-35 STANDARD LENS INFORMATION
Standard "Super Rokkor" 45mm F2.8. The standard lens for the Minolta-35 Camera until about 1955.
The Super Rokkor is a 5 element, Heliar-like designed lens that was considered excellent in its day. Changes noted on this lens from 1947-55: ·4 Digit Serial # Lenses likely only fitted to Models A,B,C. There is a circular "window" on the face of the lens which displays the lens aperture selected. In addition, the letter "o" has an accent mark. ·5 Digit Serial # Lenses likely only fitted to Models D & early E models. "Window" remains; the accent mark is gone and slight font change. Lens scale in meters. Focusing Lever added. ·6 Digit Serial # Lenses likely fitted to late Models E's, all Model F's & early Model II's. "Window" gone, font reduced. Filters can be screwed into black front lens retaining ring ( 21.5mm size filters ) in addition to outer lens threads. ·7 Digit Serial # Lenses likely fitted to late Model II's and early Model IIb's. Font reduced or altered. Lens scale in feet. Can no longer use filter on lens retaining ring - only outer lens threads See a collection of the great cameras including the SUPER RARE, Model IIB - Version II with Lever Wind ( last camera shown )
Super Rokkor 45/2.8 Layout
Popular Ebay Auctions for 35mm Rangefinder Cameras
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