I am selling off some of the gear I have collected over the years. This is a rare Minion 35B made by the Tokyo Camera Company. It is in good/fair condition, the glass looks good. There are no signs of mold, fungus of any scratches other than a faint cleaning mark (if that). The camera shutter is going to need an CLA and only fires at speeds of 250 and 500 and sometimes hangs up on those. The good thing is this shutter is a Seikosha Rapid and should be easily repaired. The viewfinder on this camera is really bright as well and the quality of this gem is amazing (Built Like an Brick Outhouse). There is one screw missing as seen in picture 1, which will not affect it's use, you could find one in Lowes or an Hardware store if it bothers you. It is also very tiny, no ruler on hand but I would say 4 inches or so in length, very pocketable. The film is inserted like the old Leicas, by removing the base of the camera. The lens is a toko 1:3.5 F=4cm. There is very little to go by on the internet on these cameras and nothing recently sold on Ebay. I did find on that had sold at an auction house several years back for 240.00. Since this isn't a perfect example cosmetically, but can be working wise with an CLA how about 175.00 shipped anywhere in the CONUS. International buyers welcome, but please email me about shipping fees. PM ME DIRECTLY if interested please. Thanks, Mike.
The Minion 35B also takes 24×32mm exposures but it has a body release. The release button is larger than the advance unlock button of the Minion 35A and it is similarly placed. The connecting rod between the body release and the shutter is visible above the shutter housing. The body release simultaneously unlocks the film advance and the camera thus has double exposure prevention.
This model was featured in Japanese magazines dated 1949.[5] Kokusan kamera no rekishi also mentions an article published in the October 1948 issue of Ars Camera, describing a Minion 35 II, apparently the original name of the Minion 35B. (The camera is mentioned as having an interchangeable lens.)
The Minion 35B also takes 24×32mm exposures but it has a body release. The release button is larger than the advance unlock button of the Minion 35A and it is similarly placed. The connecting rod between the body release and the shutter is visible above the shutter housing. The body release simultaneously unlocks the film advance and the camera thus has double exposure prevention.
This model was featured in Japanese magazines dated 1949.[5] Kokusan kamera no rekishi also mentions an article published in the October 1948 issue of Ars Camera, describing a Minion 35 II, apparently the original name of the Minion 35B. (The camera is mentioned as having an interchangeable lens.)
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