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Minolta-35 Rangefinder Cameras 1947-1958
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[ NOTE: ARTICLE WRITTEN IN 2002
]
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.
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Photo couretesy of Ron Tincher
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Model
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Verified Body Serial
#
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Estimated Serial # Range of
Model
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Lens
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Lens Serial #
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Markings
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Notes and Comments
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A
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0490
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0101-0900 ?
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45mm 2.8
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2749
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Osaka
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Shutter Speeds include 1/5
and 1/10. Slow speed dial
lock. 1947. 24x32mm
format.
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A (Ver.II)
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0955
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0900-1000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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3459
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Osaka
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Shutter speeds now 1/4 and
1/8. No slow speed dial
lock.
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B
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1556
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1000 ? - 4xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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August 1948. 24X33mm
Rewind knob area
Shutter Speed Area
curved
Viewfinder Frame Mirror-like
finish
Flush Front around
lens
Rewind Lever position
Slow Speed Dial
Flash Shoe
Back Film Door Release
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B
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1649
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1000 ? - 4xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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2458
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CKS / MIOJ
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B
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1743
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1000 ? - 4xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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3455
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CKS / MIOJ
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B
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2583
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1000 ? - 4xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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B
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4371
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4xxx ? - 9000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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Feb. 1949. 24X34mm. Slow
speeds read from FRONT of
camera
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C
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5225
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4xxx ? - 9000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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Slow speeds read upside
down from FRONT of
camera
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C
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6XXX
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4xxx ? - 9000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIOJ
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C
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7977
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4xxx ? - 9000 ?
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45mm 2.8
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1xxxx
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CKS / MIOJ
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D
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9001-10000 ?
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Aug. 1949. First Body w/strap
lugs
Cut out for Focusing tab on
lens
New positioned rewind
lever
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E
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10216
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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90574
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CKS / MIOJ
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. Feb. 1951. "Model E"
engraved. 24x33mm.
Diopter Adjustment addded.
Sync added
Flash shoe changed
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E
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11039
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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14771
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CKS / MIOJ
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D or E
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11XXX
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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9811
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CKS / MIOJ
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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.
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E
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12255
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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14971
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CKS / MIOJ
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E
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15311
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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17879
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CKS / MIOJ
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E
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15313
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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117693
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CKS / MIOJ
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E
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16756
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10000-17xxx
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CKS / MIOJ
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2 sequential bodies
(below)
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E
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16757
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10000-17xxx
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CKS / MIOJ
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2 sequential bodies
(above)
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E
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17127
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10000-17xxx
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45mm 2.8
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19977
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CKS / MIOJ
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F
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21996
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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135206
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CKS / MIJ
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Feb. 1952. 24X33mm."Model F"
engraved. None of these models
were exported from Japan.
Self Timer area has 1-2-3
markings.
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F
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22101
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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134917
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CKS / MIJ
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F
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22514
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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135515
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CKS / MIJ
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F
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23675
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1406507
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CKS / MIJ
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F
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24129
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20000-25xxx ?
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F
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25356
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20000-25xxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIJ
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II
(Ver. I)
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35947
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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139639
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CKS / MIJ
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1953-55. No screw in slow
speed dial
Film Door Latch
Changed
Viewfinder Frame now has
matte finish, also
smaller
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II (Ver. I)
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38XXX
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1400825
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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40209
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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40927
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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41829
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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42014
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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46603
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1405800
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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50576
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1412935
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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57927
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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CKS / MIJ
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II (Ver. I)
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58022
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35000-7xxxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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18511
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CKS / MIJ
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Up to this point, leather
looked like
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II
(Ver. II)
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70570
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1414172
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan.
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1955-57
Leather changed to
Sync Post Changed
Rewind knob area
changed
Shutter Speed area angular
now
Film gate marking
added
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II (Ver.II)
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72906
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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45mm 2.8
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1417147
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan.
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II (Ver.II)
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72317
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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5cm 2.8
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15xxxxx
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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73857
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku
Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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73987
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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5cm 2.8
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1501126
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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74164
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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50mm 2.8
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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35mm lens sold at this
auction is very scarce
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II (Ver.II)
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75607
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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80892
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku
Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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81489
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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50mm 2.8
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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II (Ver.II)
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93259
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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50mm 2.8
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1511385
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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Post Manufacturing - Gold
Plated
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II (Ver.II)
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95516
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7xxxx-9xxxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku
Japan
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II B (Ver. I)
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10xxxx-112xxx ?
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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1958. Change to 24x36 format.
Unsure if this model ever had
knob wind or went right to
lever wind as below
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II B (Ver. II ?)
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106915
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10xxxx-112xxx ?
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50mm 1.8
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X203617
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Chiyoda-Kogaku
Japan
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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
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II B (Ver. II ?)
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112405
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10xxxx-112xxx ?
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50mm 2.8
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Chiyoda-Kogaku Japan
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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 )
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Super Rokkor 45/2.8 Layout
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