I have several BASIC operation questions for my new old Minox B. 1st off,can anyone direct me to an online equivalent of a user's manual? (I've started poking around Sub Club and D Krehbiel's sites, but can't find these specifics yet...) otherwise, pls bear with me:

1. How do you reset the counter? Does it just go forever? I have yet to put film in it, but it looks like if you open & close the camera without taking a picture, it advances 1 frame anyway. Is this the case?

2. How many f-stops does the ND filter count for? And The yellow?

3. Am I assuming a correct aperture of f/3.5 based on the engraving on the front?

4. Am I missing something here? With a fixed aperture, you get one exposure setting per film speed, plus one additional for the ND filter, right?

5. How do you attach the chain? There is a little spring-loaded button on the end opposite the flash shoe, but it doesn't seem to do anything like pop out.

Thanks,

Don Minton

-- Don Minton (dpm3k@yahoo.com), November 17, 1999

Answers

Don, Minox III/IIIs/B/C/LX/TLX/CLX counter goes in one direction forever. You must push-pull N times( with LX/TLX/CLX/C, press shutter release too ) to advance N position.

ND filter 1 stop, color filter slightly less.

See"How to set Minox B meter " thread for additional info on using meter.

Minox B has only one aperture F3.5, used at wide open. But because of the short focal lenght 15mm, it is equivalent to F12.6 on a 50mm lens of 35mm camera. hence great depth of field. It is not the f3.5 of your 35mm camera.

Yes, with one chosen film ASA, under a given light condition, you get one shutter speed. But you have the option to use a lower or higher shutter speed, as the shutter dial is set manually by you. For example you meter indicate 1/100, you can use 1/100, or ignore it and use 1/50 or 1/200. or 1/25.

To attach the chain, align the T shape key at the chain with the [ ] mark at camera end, PUSH IT in, and turn 90 degree, left or right, until it click.

To remove chain, push in the key, twist 90 degree, it will pop out

There are only three types of chain connector,

1. plug type for III/IIIs,B,C
2. screw type fo LX/TLX/CLX
3. Clip type for EC/ECX

See "how to load film in B"

Have fun !

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), November 17, 1999.

Minox B manual at: http://www.minoxlab.com/minoxb.htm Regards, Bob

-- Bob Wright (rew@impulse.net), November 17, 1999.

I have just recently bought a Minox B and am yet to load a film bacuse of this same thing:

"I have yet to put film in it, but it looks like if you open & close the camera without taking a picture, it advances 1 frame anyway. Is this the case?"

Can anyone advise whether this is standard operation - everytime you open the camera you must take a photo - or could there be a problem with the camera?

-- gz76 (gz76@hotmail.com), April 16, 2001.

gz76

Yes, Minox IIIs and Minox B advances a frame, if you open the camera, even if you haven't taken a picture. Some other subminiature camera has the same problem, for example Rollei E110 camera. This problem was fixed in Minox C. Minox C, LX, TLX, EC, ECX allows one to open the camera without advancing a frame, as long as the shutter release is not pressed. This mechanism is some times called "freewheeling".

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), April 17, 2001.

Hello, I have just won a Minox B and have yet to receive it. I'm wondering, does it require a battery for operation? Must the light meter be properly calibrated, or can it just be "off" for picture taking?

-- Anthony (anthony@valentino.to), May 10, 2002.

Hi Tony, Minox B uses selenium meter, and the shutter is mechanical so you don't need battery at all. That is one advantage of B.

However you need to set the meter with respect to the ASA of film see How te set ASA/DIN of Minox B

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), May 10, 2002.

how long is the film good for? The one I won will ship with a couple rolls from 1973. What are my chances of being able to use these to test whether the camera works or not? or would it just be a waste of developing fee?

-- anthony (Anthony@valentino.to), May 11, 2002.

Film is good for a couple of years. 73 film may still be developed, by the image will not be good. Better to get a roll of new film.

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), May 11, 2002.

lets see if I can get this question out with a straight face. Any chance of finding new flashbulbs for the B flash adapter? Does anyone still manufacture them?

Also, what kind of battery does the flash adapter take?

-- anthony (Anthony@valentino.to), May 15, 2002.

Where can I get the empty film cartridges for slitting your own film. I remember seeing them listed as $3 SOMEWHERE, but now that I have a slitter I can't seem to find them again.

-- anthony (Anthony@valentino.to), May 27, 2002.