Minolta "16" Owner's Manual
For every man, woman, and youngster who has ever said, "Oh what I wouldn't give for a camera right now!" The Minolta "16" is smaller than a pack of cigarettes, fitting easily into your pocket or purse, always ready for spontaneous picture-taking. It offers greater versatility than a box camera, meeting the demands of professionals. It's ideal for both black and white photos and color slides, indoors or out.
Camera Overview
The Minolta "16" is a compact subminiature camera. Key components include:
- FLASH TERMINAL: Located on the top left for flash synchronization.
- SHUTTER RELEASE: The button on the top right to take a picture.
- LENS OPENINGS (F STOPS): A dial on the front left controls aperture settings.
- LENS: The primary lens assembly. The camera features a Rokkor 88/25 lens.
- SHUTTER SPEED: A dial on the front left controls shutter speed settings.
- LIFE-SIZE VIEWFINDER: Located on the right side for composing shots.
- COVER RELEASE: A button on the left side to open the camera.
- AUTOMATIC FILM COUNTER: A window on the top that displays the number of exposures remaining.
- BUILT-IN CASE: The outer housing that protects the camera.
Manufactured by CHIYODA KOGAKU-JAPAN.
Getting Started (For Beginners)
If You Know Nothing About Cameras
Practice the following before putting in film:
- SET F-STOP: SET SPEED: Set the lens openings and shutter speed as shown on the exposure table enclosed with each roll of film. This is done by rolling a dial with a red dot opposite the desired speed and opening.
- SIGHT: Pull the camera out of its built-in case as far as it will go and look through the viewfinder.
- COMPOSE: Look through the viewfinder to see the subject as it will appear on film. Keep the camera at least 6½ feet from the subject.
Taking a Picture:
- PRESS RELEASE: Simply press the shutter button. This advances the film, cocks the shutter, and counts the film automatically.
- PUSH TOGETHER: Push the camera back into its built-in case as far as it will go.
- PULL OUT: Pull the camera out of the case again as far as it will go. This advances the film, cocks the shutter, and counts the film automatically.
- TAKE YOUR NEXT PICTURE: To snap your next picture, simply repeat Steps 2, 3, and 4.
Additional Hints for Beginners
HOLDING THE CAMERA: Hold the camera either horizontally or vertically, anchoring it to your brow. The important thing is to hold the camera absolutely steady at the moment you press the release button. Never tip or jerk your finger on the release; instead, squeeze it gently.
Taking Pictures
Indoor Pictures (or any pictures in dim light)
THE FLASH GUN: The Minolta "16" is completely synchronized for flash pictures. When used with the Minolta Baby Flash (described on Page 18), there are almost no limitations. This compact flash gun can be attached to the camera or held in your hand.
Shutter speed should be set at 1/25 or 1/50 depending on the type of flash bulb. Lens opening or F stop is determined by referring to the guide number of the flash bulb type. You can also use any Electronic Flash unit with a compur-type terminal.
TRI-X Film: Where you have fairly good light, you can use TRI-X Film. TRI-X is a very fast film that can be used under minimum lighting conditions. Like all Minolta "16" film, it comes in a 20-exposure cartridge, but should be loaded and unloaded only in subdued light. Suggested lens and shutter settings are included with every roll of film.
Advisable speeds for flash bulbs and electronic flash units
| Type | Shutter Speed |
|---|---|
| F Class Bulb | 1/50 or 1/25 sec. |
| M Class Bulb | 1/25 sec. |
| Electronic Flash | 1/200 or 1/50 or 1/25 sec. |
Color Picture Slides
Yes, you can take color picture slides with your Minolta "16". These slides will come back mounted, to fit any 35 mm projector. They can project to fill an entire screen and be enjoyed by your entire family, or group of friends at one time.
If you don't own a projector, or are thinking of a new one, consider the Minolta Mini-Projector described on Page 20. It is a compact, precision-made, economically priced projector featuring the world-famous Rokkor lens.
Film Handling
Loading the Camera
- Pull camera (A) out of built-in case (B) as far as it will go.
- Depress clasp (C) so that the camera can be pulled entirely out of the case.
- Lift the film door on the other side of the camera.
- Drop in the film magazine.
- Close the film door.
If the door does not close, it is because the magazine has not gone all the way in.
To correct this, push sliding plate (F) in slightly and try to press the film in. If still unsuccessful, push the sliding plate in again slightly, and repeat. This will work every time.
- Turn number dial (D) counter clockwise until the letter "S" lines up with the red line.
- Slide the camera back into the built-in case, depressing clasp (C).
- The catch (G) (which moves up and down when the clasp is pressed) should be seated in the opening to the right of the Film Counter Window.
- Move the camera out and in twice. The number 20 will now appear in the Counter Dial Window, showing you have 20 pictures to take. Pull the camera out a third time and take your first picture.
Removing the Exposed Magazine
- Keep taking pictures until the "O" appears in the Counter Dial Window.
- Now push the camera in and out of the case three times - until an "E" appears in the Counter Dial Window.
- Depress Clasp (A) and pull the camera out of the built-in cover, as you did when loading.
- Open the film door and remove the magazine. That's all there is to it!
Further Information for Advanced Photographers
The f:3.5 Rokkor 25 mm lens provides extreme depth of field, allowing you to be in sharp focus from 6 feet to infinity.
For close-ups, two lens attachments are included with your camera. They enable you to close in to 21 inches.
Depth of Field Scale
| Lens Opening | Without Close-up Lens | With No. 1 Close-up Lens | With No. 2 Close-up Lens |
|---|---|---|---|
| F 3.5 | 11 Ft. to 34 Ft. | 3.38 Ft. to 4.43 Ft. | 1.77 Ft. to 2.2 Ft. |
| F 4 | 10.5 Ft. to 40 Ft. | 3.3 Ft. to 4.46 Ft. | 1.74 Ft. to 2.23 Ft. |
| F 5.6 | 9 Ft. to 90 Ft. | 3.2 Ft. to 4.70 Ft. | 1.67 Ft. to 2.4 Ft. |
| F 8 | 7.5 Ft. to Infin. | 2.98 Ft. to 5.18 Ft. | 1.57 Ft. to 2.62 Ft. |
| F 11 | 6.2 Ft. to Infin. | 2.82 Ft. to 6 Ft. | 1.37 Ft. to 3.5 Ft. |
How to Load Your Own Bulk Film into the Minolta "16" Magazine
(If you so desire)
IN TOTAL DARKNESS
Before starting, arrange all parts of the magazine so that you can locate them in the dark. Also practice loading, with your eyes closed, until you know it to the last detail.
- Cut an 18" strip of film. Wind it into a small roll with the emulsion side in. Don't touch either side with your fingers.
- Place the 18" film roll in the smaller chamber of the magazine (A), threading about an inch through slit (B) so that the end of the film protrudes.
- Put the cover tightly over the smaller chamber. At this point, it should look like the drawing.
IN DIM LIGHT
- Secure the cover to the magazine with a piece of pressure sensitive tape.
- Stick a piece of pressure sensitive tape on the film so that half of the adhesive part hangs off as above.
- Hold the film winding drum (C) on your fore finger, like a thimble. Place it on a flat surface, line it up with the film, and fix the hanging end of the tape.
- Wind 1½ times around the drum, making sure it rolls straight, and place it in the larger chamber, threading through the slit.
- It should now look like this.
- Fit the remaining cap over the large chamber and secure with pressure sensitive tape. Label the magazine as to film type. If you do not immediately load into your camera, wrap the magazine in light-proof paper for storage.
Accessories
MINOLTA BABY FLASHGUN
The Minolta Baby Flashgun is engineered for indoor photos. It is conveniently carried in an attractive vinyl zippered carrying case. The Minolta Baby Flashgun is an extremely compact unit with the modern B-C (long-life battery) design and a fan-type, collapsible reflector. When folded into its case, the Baby Flashgun is just about the same size as the tiny Minolta "16".
FLASH AND TRIPOD ADAPTER CLAMP
The Minolta Clamp secures the Baby Minolta Flashgun or any tripod to your Minolta "16". This unique "wraparound" clamp safely locks the camera and accessories together.
Minolta Filter Bank
To bring out truer tones, and give you better looking pictures.
There are 4 filters in this unique, handy pack:
- 1. Ultra-violet Filter: For daylight photographs, to improve distant scenes by eliminating haze effects.
- 2. No. 80 A Filter: Converts daylight type Kodachrome or Anscochrome for use with photoflood lights indoors.
- 3. Yellow Filter: To deepen sky tones, bring out cloud effects, and for better tonal rendition of bright outdoor scenes - particularly on sea, snow or sand.
- 4. Filter 81 A: To be used with electronic flash.
Image Description: The document shows two sky scenes. The top image, labeled "WITHOUT FILTER", depicts a sky with noticeable haze. The bottom image, labeled "WITH YELLOW FILTER", shows a sky with deeper blue tones and more defined clouds, illustrating the filter's effect.
Minolta Mini Projector
The Minolta Mini Projector is a compact, light-weight projector of unique design. Like the tiny Minolta "16" which provides "big camera" performance in subminiature size, the Mini Projector is engineered to give "big projector" performance. It casts unusually brilliant on-screen images with its short focal-length f:2.5 lens. Its projection rivals many 500 watt machines of much greater size. Carriers for the Minolta "16" slides and 35 mm frames are available for the Mini Projector. In addition, accessory automatic slide-changers and film strip carriers make the Minolta Mini Projector a versatile instrument for both amateur and professional.
Minolta Mini Enlarger
For use with Minolta "16" film. It will provide excellent enlargements up to 5x7 in size on the baseboard. Complete with f:3.5-25 mm coated Rokkor lens. Diaphragm stops down to f:11. The enlarger comes complete with 16 mm film carrier and 100 watt bulb.
Other Famous Minolta Cameras
MINOLTA 'A'
Fully automatic: Single-stroke lever advances film, counts exposure, resets shutter. Rokkor 45 mm, 4-element f:3.5 lens, completely coated and color corrected for color film. Single window range/viewfinder. Shutter speeds from 1 sec. to 1/300 and bulb. MX flash synchronization.
MINOLTA SUPER 'A'
Coupled exposure meter system, available (automatically sets shutter speed); interchangeable lenses; fully synchronized at all shutter speeds; ultra-brilliant "Lumi-Frame" viewfinder, single window range/viewfinder; shutter speed from 1 sec. to 1/400 & bulb; automatic film counter resets itself; single-stroke lever advances film, counts exposure and resets shutter; rapid film rewind; with Rokkor 50 mm f:1.8 lens, completely coated and color corrected.
MINOLTA 'A 2'
Same automatic features as the "A", plus a 5-element Rokkor f:2.8 lens. Brilliant "Lumi-Frame" range/viewfinder. Shutter speed to 1/400 and built-in self-timer.
MINOLTA AUTOCORD
Fully automatic, film advance and shutter cocking. 4-element Rokkor coated f:3.5, 75 mm lens and matching f:3.2 viewing lens. Shutter speeds from 1 sec. to 1/500 and bulb. One-hand operation with helicoid focusing from 3.3 ft. to infinity. Direct reading light value scale.
MINOLTA AUTOCORD "L"
Same exceptional features as the AUTOCORD, plus built-in exposure meter correlates with simple light value scale.
This is Where Your Minolta Comes From
HEAD OFFICE & OSAKA FACTORY
ITAMI FACTORY
SAKAI FACTORY
TOYOKAWA FACTORY
CHIYODA KOGAKU SEIKO K. K. OSAKA, JAPAN. Printed in Japan.
