The secrets of the minox distance dial

[tjwspm]

For those interested in subminiature camera mechanics, I recommend checking out my new description of the Minox distance setting mechanism:
https://moments-of-now.com/minox-distance-dial/
What happens in the Minox when I turn the distance dial? And what distance should I set? Here are the simple answers.

The small article explores the design and offers some insights into its precision and the patent behind. Please don't be bothered by the fact that some things are explained that are obvious to you, but completely new to children of the digital age.

Thoughts on this design? I would be interested to know whether other historical cameras also feature this type of design that "goes around the corner".

 

[Flighter]

A nicely set-out description.

That looks a very elegant solution. The only subminiature camera I have experience of is the (much larger) Mamiya 16 Automatic which has a more basic, but probably cheaper to manufacture, focus mechanism which uses a linear slider to set the focus distance.

The following picture shows the camera with the front (and bottom) covers removed. Focus is set by a linear slider (yellow arrow) which has a notched protrusion on the inside (blue arrow) which engages with a lever (red arrow) mounted on the carrier for the front lens element. Another lever on the lens carrier (green arrow) is attached to a long spring to counter any slop or backlash in the mechanism.

 

[auntiemaryscanary]

A nicely set-out description.

That looks a very elegant solution. The only subminiature camera I have experience of is the (much larger) Mamiya 16 Automatic which has a more basic, but probably cheaper to manufacture, focus mechanism which uses a linear slider to set the focus distance.View attachment 462112

The following picture shows the camera with the front (and bottom) covers removed. Focus is set by a linear slider (yellow arrow) which has a notched protrusion on the inside (blue arrow) which engages with a lever (red arrow) mounted on the carrier for the front lens element. Another lever on the lens carrier (green arrow) is attached to a long spring to counter any slop or backlash in the mechanism.View attachment 462113

Thanks, I've always fancied a Mamiya 16 of some description.

 

[tjwspm]

That's very interesting!

The Mamiya 16 is a really great design. It's bigger than the Minox, but the negative format is also larger.

The ingenious thing about its design is, as you say, its simplicity. This not only makes it easier to manufacture but also makes it much easier to maintain and repair. The materials used are of good quality; almost everything is made of metal.

A favorite camera!