Minox BL 8x11 subminiature camera

Minox BL is a mechanical shutter camera with battery driven photo sensor.

 

Lens: MINOX 1:3.5, 15mm

 

Mechanical shutter: B,2,4,8,15,30,60,125,250,500,1000.

 

Battery, one 1.5v 625 silver oxide cell

 

Minox BL is my favorite subminiature camera, because its shutter is

pure mechanical, like a Minox B, but with more sensitive CdS meter cell,

capable provide accurate exposure indication at low light condition.

I carry Minox BL to Cambodia in 2006, photographing

the sculptures of Angkor Wat.

 

However, In third day at Angkor Wat, the Minox BL shutter jammed.

 

When back in Toronto, I sent it to Dagcamera, Dag did an excellent overhaul job, he replaced the damaged shutter blades, oil and lube the camera. It works perfectly.

 

BL is my favorite Minox, the battery last a long time.

Edited December 21, 2020 by MTC Photography

Press Meter button to activate meter, turn the shutter dial

to move the red color matching needle overlaps the black indicator needle which moves according to lighting condition

Correction: Battery is not 625

 

The proper battery, according to Minox BL manual

is Mallory 675, Varta 7001 or equivalent.

 

675 replacement: Mallory 44 adapter +

 

silver oxide 392

 

I use Energizer PX76, the diameter of px76 is slightly different from px675, but the height is the

same.

 

I usually file both ends of battery with a metal filer

to ensure proper contact.

Edited December 21, 2020 by MTC Photography

Ludmilla, you are right, these Minox subminiature cameras are exactly the James Bond spy cameras

The image characteristics always remind me of a good newsprint photo when viewed from standing distance. Really not to be compared to other larger formats. But when used and respected for what it is... really quite nice. Tonal gradations happen in a very compacted space. I usually print small and tend to shoot simple uncomplicated subjects... somewhat like a photo booth.. but without restrictions of subjects & more background options.

Due to the small size of negative, film developer must be prepared

with diluted water in order to minimized the effect of dust on film.

At the final step in film development, I immerse the film strip

in a container with one litre distilled water and 10 drops of Kodak wetting

agent to minimize water drop dry mark on film

I usually enlarge Minox negative to 8x10 inch photographic paper with a plustek scanner

 

The Minox film strips are prepared by slitting Ilford 35mm BW film with a film cutter

(film slitter) with either a Acmel - Minox slitter or with a Jimmy Li stainless steel slitter

 

One 36 exposure 35mm BW film can be slitted in to 4 rolls of 8x11 36 exposure film

and two rolls of 16mm 36 exposure films

Edited December 23, 2020 by MTC Photography

Both Acmel-Minox film slitter and Jimmy Li roller cutter are high precision device.

 

But Jimmy Li stainless steel roller cutter and Acmel - Minox film slitter are now hard to

find items.

Edited December 23, 2020 by MTC Photography

A Jimmy Li stainless steel film cutter.

An Acmel-Minox film slitter