The significance of...

[markplawchan]

...a "Wetzlar B" vs. "Minox B". Is one seriously more desireable

than the other? Or are they essentially the same camera?

Thanks.

[MTC Photography]

Mark, all Minox Bs were made in Wetzlar. The Wetzlar B refers to the Minox B model which has a sideway "B" letter at the back, it is relatively rare, thus more valued by collectors, functionally it is the same as other Minox B

[subminiature]

When the Minox B was first made Minox HQ was located in Wetzlar. Later in production with the move to Giessen they dropped the engraving 'Wetzlar'.

 

Cameras imported to the USA where engraved 'B'. These are normally imperial (scale in feet and inches and ASA settings). Some metric cameras have the B engraving but this could because of changing the shell during service.

 

Imperial cameras from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and UK have no B engraving. Hence calling them 'English' and 'USA' as matched the handbook with is marked 'a' for USA and 'e' for other English speaking counties.

 

It was reported that the Wetzlar version of the B was in higher demand than the later version. HOWEVER the users prefer the honeycomb cell window. In practice there is no difference in prices seen as working meter and condition are more important and whether lattice window or honeycomb or 'B' engraved depends on what the collector has so far in their collection.

 

The hardest to find are the Minox B with Minox lens and true flat plate backing. A few cross over production cameras are marked MINOX but have complan lens.

 

See <a href="http://www.submin.com/8x11/collection/minox">http://www.submin.com/8x11/collection/minox</a>

 

Gerald