The Minolta 110 Zoom SLR was first released 1976, a high end camera for Kodak 110 pocket film*(see below).
The company made quite a range of pocket cameras, including this SLR
model, it was in production only until 1979 and had a Mark II successor
of completely different shape.
*
110 film was introduced by Kodak in 1972. The film sits in a cartridge,
like Kodak's earlier 126 film, but is much smaller. A frame is 13mm ×
17mm, has one perforation per image to control film advance and 24
frames per cartridge (12 were also available). The film is protected by
a backing paper like 120 film. The frame number is visible through a
window at the back of the cartridge. The basic film is ordinary 16mm
film which was already on the market, so it could be processed in
existing machines. The small picture size made very small, pocketable
cameras possible.
Kodak introduced with its 110 film a line of
Kodak Pocket Instamatic cameras which were followed by
cameras from other manufacturers. Most cameras were cheap
point-and-shoot, but very sophisticated models were also made. Small
digital cameras made 110 film obsolete. Bit by bit manufacturers stopped making 110 format film (Fujifilm in 2009), but in 2012 (and 2019) Lomography made a large batch of 110 film, followed by other firms.
The
Minolta 110 Zoom SLR has, as its name suggests, a real zoom and is a real
SLR with a microprism ring in the viewer for easier focussig. It's an
aperture priority automatic system. It has advanced features, a
built-in close-up lens and exposure compensation. Its main features are:
25-50mm F4.5 Rokkor zoom lens, 10 elements in 10 groups, F4.5-F16, min. focus 1m, 0.3m with close-up Electronic shutter, B, 10s (!) - 1/1000, 1/150 for flash, B Size 132x108x53, Weight 430 gr. 100 and 400
ISO, automatic setting, aperture priority automatic exposure with exposure warning in the finder, SLR with microprism ring, built-in close-up lens, exposure compensation, hot shoe
Camera, shade folded.
Camera, shade extended.
The zoom lens.
Seen from above. On the lens barrel: Distance
setting, zoom setting. If you push the ring towards the body, you can
turn beyond 25mm for the makro setting. Front to the right: meter and
aperture setting. Exposure compensation slider. Mode wheel: A=automatic
shutter, X=flash setting (1/150s) and B setting. Hot shoe. Shutter button with cable release thread. On/off slider.
Back view. The
window shows the film type and the frame number. Finder and back opening button.
Seen
from below. Film advance.
Right side. Tripod socket and strap lug. Under the shutter mode wheel: unlock button. Left side. Strap lug and battery
compartment. Takes 2 LR/SR44 batteries.
Camera film compartment open.
This
camera is very easy to use, switch it on and it's ready.
It has
manual aperture setting, the shutter is automatic. It has overexposure
warning and slow shutter speed warning. You have only to
focus and frame, which is easy via the SLR finder. There is a hot shoe
for electronic flash, but the camera deals well with available light.
After taking
a picture, you have to advance film and cock shutter via the
single-stroke lever under the camera. Putting
a film is easy as well,
you drop the film into the compartment, advance to the first frame and
that's it.
For today's standards the finder is a bit dim, but perfectly usable.
The zoom lens makes it big and heavy compared to other 110 cameras. But
there is not much choice in 110 SLR cameras.
It's
a very good camera
with very good picture quality, good quality
finish in a big and heavy body. It's fun to use. However the Pentax
Auto 110 SLR is half the weight with 2 lenses. So it's a choice to make.