"new version" Minox 35 shutters M D C, GTE

Would the new version shutters that went into Minox MDC's and GTE's be described as vastly better, a step up, or

same old ****, compared to older versions?

Newer electronics shutter that went into ML, GT-E and M.D.C are more reliable.

Allegedly the newer ones are more reliable, personally i've had a variety of old and new(er) GT, ML(my fave and still not a good one) etc and they all had shutter issues to a lesser or greater degree.

Simple fact is these cameras like many others dislike being neglected and shoved in a drawer, if they're not used they get dust inside which causes electromagnet probs and so on, battery conductivity decreases if stored with batteries in as is common.

Having decided to not bother, ( kept one GT which work more often than it errors because I love the clarity of the lens), I decided to give the much lauded Oly XA a bash, I've had 5 or 6, metering is often erratic and cannot be entirely trusted, closest in metering I kept, but regardless of what XA users say and one on here in particular who is a big fan of all the Minox's and XA cameras I've used the lens is not a patch on the Minotar, they all blow the XA away in clarity and sharpness, note this is subjective but in my experience and side by side comparison that's the way things go.

Long and short, I rarely use either now and use a digi compact instead unless i'm out with my A or B.

For a carry round all purpose the XA is great, watch for metering innaccuracies and foam deterioration, I got one fom Ebay which was allegedly 'excellent' and the seller turned very nasty when I queried the knackered foam and 3 stop innaccurate meter.

So to stop waffling I think they're much of a muchness, ironically if you can find a more regularly used Minox you'll likely get a good one, my GT has battle scars but works far better than any 'clean' camera i've had.

If you can swallow the hefty CLA price Minox charge, (very good guarantee though), you'll be guaranteed a good working camera for the next two years at least, use it like it was meant to be and even longer and the pictures you get will be reward enough.

Another addition.

If you truly and seriously want a Minox to shoot with work on the principal that you will have a CLA done and factor this into the cost, I think it was about 200 GBP last I checked.

If you simply want to try one get a cheapie and see how it goes

I have both an XA and Minox GL... I think I've been lucky with the GL... still working perfectly... agree that the lens in the XA is kind of very so-so... my Stylus Epic is definitely sharper... but when the XA came out is was a super WOW new modern design (I bought mine when it was released).

oh yeah, regarding the actual quesiton... when I found that the GTE was being discontinued, I bought a new one from B&H, defective, got two replacements that were both defective... don't buy the big improvement coming from the temp Leica management (whatever, I stopped following it)... so in my sample of 3, 2 had electronics problems out of the box and the last had a nasty cosmetic blemish in the softcoating...

So I finally found a late ML, "NOS" (although slight tripod marks suggest otherwise! oh well). Came as a kit with the MT35

flash and box. Works well so far, though the meter is a stop off and the shutter is slightly erratic, about a 1/3 stop variance,

but really, that's close enough for me. ASA dial adjusted, and a test roll of E100GX inserted, it's good to have a working 35

again!

 

Wish me luck. :)

I have many Minox cameras, particularly MLs and MBs. Few had problems and only one could not be repaired. Average service cost was £40 and not likely to be much more now. The results from the ML are still the most stunning even if the goldtop, MDC, GT-E, GT-E II, GT-X and GT-S match it; which in my subjective testing they do.

 

It does seem that these cameras do like to be in regular use and if they are I doubt that you get a problem. If left, particularly if the battery is left in then they may need more TLC.

 

On the GT-E II the soft finish is suspect. I have so far been lucky with it, but the flash (only taken in and out of the case for a couple of photos and to remove the batteries when I put it away) shows signs of wear. The Minox CD150 worn off the soft texture before I finished off the first 36 roll of film. The feel and handling is very nice, slightly warm to the touch but it looks battle scared too quickly. Same applied for the DC1311 and other cameras using this finish. Okay on my hi-fi and speakers from 1983, they do not get carried around.

 

The last GT-E and GT-S cameras where possibly sitting on the shelf at Minox, the distributors and shops for some time. Fortunately a new one is under a three year point of sale warranty. Assuming Minox continue to be able to repair them.

 

On other Minox 35mm I had a GT-E that worked when I got it but a year later salt had eroded the PCB and it was completely non-repairable.

 

Lacks to Andrew Britton of MS Hobbies all the other Minox 35mm camera have been fixed and run very smoothly.

 

Best Minox 35mm - I like the ML and if not it then the Goldtop. I prefer the LED meter to the swing needle. MDC is heavier and click stop aperture making the ML slightly more flexible. Other than historical interest the EL, AL, PL and GL are not impressive although I can't technically tell you why they disappoint, most people think they come from a top line SLR. GSE and GT - I haven't tested enough to put either on the ML/GT-E or EL side.