Minox IIIS |
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Manufactured or assembled in Germany from 1954 to (After) 1958.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 13242
See the complete technical specifications
Chronology of cameras Minox
"The" Minox has become an icon of spy cinema, especially in the hands of James Bond. Some deduce that it dates back to the Cold War, but in reality, it was created in Latvia by Walter Zapp at the end of the 1930s. It is a device using a 9.5mm film. Its overall form will persist until the early 21st century. The original patent describes it well.
U.S. Patent 2,169,548 dated August 15, 1939, with inventor Walter Zapp from Riga, Latvia. The applicant is Valsts Elektrotechnika Fabrika (VEF).
Excerpts from the description:
One objective of the invention is to create a camera of such small dimensions that it can be carried in the vest pocket.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a camera that can be manipulated very quickly and through which a plurality of successive exposures can be quickly achieved.
Another objective of the invention is to construct the camera in a way that minimizes protruding parts as much as possible. Specifically, the usual rotating handle for advancing the film is eliminated.
Another objective of the invention is to construct the camera in a way that protects the lens and viewfinder when the camera is not in use.
The models are numerous:
Model | Years | Marking | Lens | Speed | Battery | Color | Misc. | |
UR | c. 1936 | To be considered as a prototype. | ||||||
Riga | 1938-40 | Made in Latvia |
Minostigmat 3.5/12.5mm |
1/2 to 1/1000, B, T | No | Stainless steel | ||
Riga | 1941-42 | Made in USSR |
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Riga | 1942-44 | Nazi eagle | Swastika | |||||
Riga | 1944-45 | Made in USSR |
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Riga | ![]() |
1946-48 | VEF Minox RIGA | |||||
(A) II | 1948-50 | Wetzlar | Pantar | Aluminum | III in USA |
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(A) III | ![]() |
1951-53 | Complan 3.5/15mm |
Aluminum / Black |
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(A) IIIS1 | ![]() |
1954-69 | Aluminum / Black / Gold |
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B | ![]() |
1958-66 | Made in Germany | Aluminum / Black |
Selenium cell in lattice | |||
B | ![]() |
1967-72 | Aluminum / Black |
Selenium cell in honeycomb | ||||
C | ![]() |
1969-72 | Complan 3.5/15mm or Minox |
7 ou 10 to 1/1000 | Yes | Aluminum / Black |
Automatic | |
BL | ![]() |
1972-73 | Minox 3.5/15 mm |
1/2 to 1/1000, B | Aluminum / Black |
coupled CdS cell |
||
LX | ![]() |
1978-95 | 15 to 1/2000 | Aluminum / Gold / Platinum / Silver / Black | ||||
EC | ![]() |
1981-97 | Minox 5.6/15mm |
8 to 1/500 | Black | |||
AX | 1992-95 | Minox 3.5/15mm |
1/2 to 1/1000, B | No | Aluminum / Black / Gold |
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TLX | -96 | 100 Jahre Walter Zapp 04,09,1905-04,09,2005 | 15 to 1/2000 | Yes | Titanium | |||
CLX | -98 | Made in Germany | Aluminum | |||||
LX édition 2000 | -2000 | Minox LX Edition 2000 Made in Germany | Yes | Black and gold | ||||
Aviator | -2001 | Aviator Made in Germany |
Black | |||||
ECX | ![]() |
1998-2004 | Minar 5.6/15mm |
8 to 1/500 | ||||
MX | ![]() |
1998-2003 | Japan | Minox 4.8/15mm |
1/125 | No | Grey |
1The models feature a flash sync socket starting from the IIIS.
Beyond the movie anecdote, the Minox gained notoriety through various incidents. In 1950, two journalists from Chicago managed to sneak a Minox into the execution chamber of a prison in the Chicago area. They concealed it in the heel of a shoe, passed through X-ray screening, and captured photographs of James Morelli in the electric chair.
![](../../minox/images/Chaussure.jpg)
![](../../minox/images/James_Morelli.jpg)
__________
The Minox IIIS is a specific designation for one of the three models of the Minox A.
This Model A was launched in 1948 and went through three iterations: II, then III (1950), and III-S (1954). All three are manufactured in aluminum (highlighted in advertisements as a selling point). The differences among them include the optical formula and the addition of a flash sync socket, located at one of the two ends of the camera (on the right in the photo).
This model continued to be manufactured until the end of the 1960s, running concurrently with the B model, which is the version equipped with a light meter.
![Minox IIIS](../../minox/images/minox_IIIs.jpg )
Interesting links or bibliography :
![]() Photo-Revue de 1951 |
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