First version of Minolta 'A' with early-style rewind knob, 'Chiyoda Kogaku' on shutter bezel. |
The Minolta A was launched by Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō in April 1955[1] as the first of their new series of rangefinder cameras. It featured an optical viewfinder with superimposed coupled rangefinder, a shutter speed thumb wheel on top of the camera and a rapid wind advance lever. Earliest version had two-blade Konan Flicker shutters with speeds B, 1/2sec to 1/200sec. The second version had Optiper -MX shutters with B, 1-1/300s and the version released in 1956 had Citizen -MX shutters with B, 1sec to 1/300sec[2]. All were M and X flash-synchronized. Its coupled 45mm f3.5-22 'Chiyoko Rokkor' lens, with 4 elements in 3 groups, was the first in a Japanese camera to use an equally spaced linear aperture scale[3].
It was an entry level camera for advanced 35mm photography that was ahead of more expensive popular American rangefinder camera models. The Minolta 'A' series was developed through the A-2, A-3, A-5, and then into the AL series that were marketed alongside the Hi-Matics.
Links
Column in the October 1955 special issue of Photo Art. |
In English:
In French:
- Minolta A on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand