Minox 35 MB

Searching for a Minox ML I often find MBs.<br />

I read the only difference between ML and MB is the lack of an automatic

programme.<br />Since I will not miss this feature I'm wondering if this is a

good replacement for the ML?

MB has aperture priority, but no P mode (ie, programmed mode)

in all other shape and form, it looks exactly like ML. It is not

a replacement for ML, more like a replacement for GT

Thank you Martin.<br />So except for the P mode there are no difference? Should I consider it because it is a better camera than a GT (E/X/S)?

GT-E has Minoxar lens, which is supposedly better than Minoctar on ML/MB.<P>

IMO, you should wait for a ML or M.D.C

Ok. That is realy making a difference. Why not a GT-E than ?:-)

...just out of curiosity, why do people think the ML's etc. are so much better than the standard GT/L... series Minox 35's?

ML or M.D.C has two useful features not found on other models, namely

exposure lock and P mode; the exposure lock feature allows you to

point the camera at one position, stores the exposure in memory

then point the camera at a different position for composition purpose;

during travel I usually set my ML at P mode, let the camera takes care

of aperture and shutter speed.

 

I have a GT-E, a nice camera, bought it brand new from Minox GmbH, I shot at most two rolls of film with it. On the other hand I travelled

with ML thru Greece, Hungary, Czeck Republic, Italy, Spain, Austria

China, Cambodia...

 

M.D.C is the flagship of Minox 35, it has all the features o ML (exposure lock, P mode) plus the multicoated Minoxar lens. I don't

use my M.D.C as much as ML, because it is hard to find the original

leather case to fit.

 

ML is like a M.D.C plus (in Toyota sense) :)

I am not sure whether MB has exposure lock, probably not.

Thanks Martin... ML and M.D.C.s have historically seemed way too expensive for me to consider... don't know where they've come down to now though... ( I love the digital revolution ;)

 

Personally, I would never shoot the camera in P mode though and I doubt the exposure lock would be that useful given the wide field metering that these cameras use... maybe it is for some.

 

Are the shutters any better on those cameras? Looks the same to me...

The shutter of M.D.C was the latest electronics shutter, presumely better than ealier models. I don't see difference from picture from

Minoctar vs Minoxar<P>

 

P mode on ML, M.D.C like the ones on Leica R is useful during travel, one moment you are in broad daylight, next you go under verandah, then

inside a cave, with P mode, you don't need to figure out what aperture

to use, without it, if I forget to change the aperture, I end up with

underexposure<P>

I don't have it digitized, but I got a lovely exposure using the ML's Program mode with 400 ISO film in Times Square. The lighting conditions were, to say the least, varied.

 

The exposure lock, in experienced hands, is as close as you can get to manual exposure control without having manual exposure control.

 

Did I mention I use a 35ML? Also, the small Zing belt pouch is perfect as a carry case for the 35mm Minoxes.

"ML and M.D.C.s have historically seemed way too expensive for me to consider... don't know where they've come down to now though"

 

------------------------------------------------------------

 

They definitely have come down. I got a like-new ML on ebay a while ago for 50GBP, with all packaging, manuals, flash, e-r case. I just put my first roll of Sensia through it. After 3 years of shooting nothing but digital it felt wonderful to be shooting film on a Minox again.

 

John

As far as I know no MB got the updated electronic shutter of the MDC.

When the MDC was released Minox incorporated all the sophisticated improvements of the latest ML. The ML was given a new shutter "making it more reliable than ever". IX/92 covering serial numbers 7171451-7178701.

 

The MDC shares the same square style of the ML, the same LED shutter speed display in the view finder, same battery compartment (taking a PX28), the same MF35SF and MT 35 electronic flash units and also has a close focus of 90cm. Besides taking all the latest improvements in shutter and electronics from the ML it has the same MC Minoxar lens of the GT-E, but without the skylight filter.

 

The housing on the inside is still of Makrolon, however the front and rear have an aluminium coated with Titanal, a titanium aluminium alloy, giving a steel grey appearance. The lens cover door pulls down like on the GT-E, without the locking button of the 35 ML.

 

MDC lacks one feature of the ML, the aperture is not continuously variable.

 

All later model cameras match the ML in image quality but I have not seen any that better it. If the program as well as aperture priority AE modes are useful then look for a later serial number ML. Otherwise it is whether you prefer the swing needle meter of the GT series or the LED display of the ML/MB/MDC.

 

The finish of the GT-E seems robust. The finish of GT-X seems okay but those of the GT-E II and GT-S will rub off. Perhaps the best GT family camera is the goldtop with the databack. The built quality is higher and it has a more solid feel in the shape and finish than the other models.

 

Prices of 35ML have dropped, particularly from Germany. Check out the pages at http://www.submin.com/35mm/collection/minox where the results of Ebay auctions are listed for each model. I would now aim to pay under 50EUROs for a camera on it's own and spend $60 with DAG to service it. Getting a late serial number 35ML is not easy and I doubt worth a premium. Look out for the special edition sets with flash unit. These can be had for $50.

 

Gerald

<p>I note the MDC lens is the same as the ML save for the lack of a 'skylight' filter.<br>

Was there any lens correction or additional coatings to allow for this removal w/o a lessening of image?<br>

Any testing done by NASA to determine if the built in filter had any benefit or was unnecessary?<br>

Steve</p>

<p><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5807352-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="530" /><br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/5786343-md.jpg" alt="" width="678" height="425" /><br>

MDC has a MINOXAR lens, same as Minox GTX,GT-E<br>

ML has a color Minoctor lens, not the same as MINOXAR</p>