dayne_a

<p>You may need to spend a little time on ebay to get a couple of original Minolta cartridges, often you can get a Minolta P or PS for next to nothing and there will be a cartridge inside. I don't think Goathill sells cartridges but Joe will sell you reloads, either send him your cartridge and he'll reload or he'll send you your choice of film, B&W, Color, Slide, Microfilm. More than reasonable and quick to respond. There is also a supply of various Minolta 16mm films from another vendor on eBay, about $10 a roll. He's made his own cartridges, some are against them but I've used them with no problems. I've also bought Kodak 7222 B&W movie film for reloads. D96 recommended but D76 works. I've used BlueMoonCamera for processing both Minox and 16mm. A little high but a great group, and let's face it, how many people in the US advertise processing the submini films? They now also offer glossy prints, which means you can scan them or have them scan the negatives for about $20. Good luck with the EE.</p>

I have several of both the Minox MX and the Acmel MD units, I have had good results with both, though the Acmel is

my preferred of the two since it varies shutter speed up to 1/500 while the Minox MX is a fixed 1/125. Blue Moon

does a good job and returns quickly, I just wish they would either print larger than the "wallet size" or at least offer

scanning services or print to glossy paper making for better scans. I was the photographer at my son's wedding a

couple of years ago, a task I accomplished with a combination of digital, 35mm, and Minox, or as my daughter-in-law

calls it, my "Batman" camera. In truth, the Acmel MD took as good a photo as either of my other two, on Minox Pro

100, 36 exposure. And it's true, subjects are much less intimidated by a camera the size of a pack of gum. I have

quite a stash of color and black and white film in the freezer, but will be trying some slit film this year. I don't have

scans right now of my better pix, but just for fun, here are two from my Minox MX:

 

http://www.jeteyemister.com/gallery.html

 

By the way, BlueMoonCamera.com is also selling Minox film, though a couple weeks ago all they had was 400

speed color and B&W. Frugal Photographer also has B&W film in stock, or did a couple of weeks ago when I placed

an order.

I recently finished an email exchange with Krystal, a nice customer service lady at Dwayne's photo. They process 110 slide film, and can process 16mm Ektachrome film, returned unmounted. I confirmed with her that the Ektachrome 7285 16mm movie film can be processed through their E6 service, and that it does not have a remjet coating. They need about 1.5 to 2 inches non-photo leader at each end to splice them for their processing. The cost would be that of a 24 exposure roll of 110 slide film plus shipping.

 

The Ektachrome 7285 (true 100 ISO) can be found fresh, in 100 and 400 foot rolls for $37 - $40 respectively through the Film Emporium. A 100 foot roll would be good for 50 to 60 rolls of 20 exposure film, giving you a reliable and convenient to load film for less than $1 a roll.

 

If you have a working MGS or QT, you can order 12x17 Gepe slide mounts from Adorama and mount them yourself. Earlier models render a 10x14 image. I think Dwayne's or possibly any other 110 slide printer can make prints.

 

Before this I've been slitting C41 film and getting processing through Blue Moon, now also a "recognized" Minox processor, though I really wish they'd (1) make larger prints and (2) print on glossy paper.

I bought the units from KBCameras, and while they were supportive, that was the end of it. The US Minox group was clueless, they gave me an email addy for Minox Germany, multiple emails didn't even get me a "Ich spreche nicht Englisch." The instructions accompanying the Mixox MX refer to the flash sensor both in form and in function. I have learned the sensor is linked to the camera's ISO speed (which you set on the Acmel MD, but not the Minox MX). I've decided this was some snafu that Minox didn't care about because they didn't make the camera anyway. Still, flash pictures turn out fine, but they're serious about that 6 feet limit with ISO 100 film. BTW, the MX takes very nice daylight photos, though the ND4 renders it less pocketable (for fear of scratching the plastic). Thanks to all for the input. <BR><BR>

 

BTW:<BR><BR>

 

<a href="http://www.jeteyemister.com/images/MINOX_MX_FLASH_COMP.jpg" target="_new">Comparison Photos of the flash units in question</a>

I recently purchased 3 Minox MX refurbished sets, and on two of the

flash units, the flash sensor is covered or missing. On the third,

it's present. Has anyone read any explanation of this, is it a

manufacturing glitch, or is the sensor perhaps there, and the dimple

for the sensor just didn't pop out cleanly? Any assistance

appreciated.