How good is the Minox 8x11 resolution?

[tjwspm]

It wouldn't leave me alone. My comparison of the Minox A, Mamiya Super 16, and Edixa 16 also focused on the lenses. Unfortunately, I had to use estimated resolution values because no published values were available (except my own for the Minox A).

Now I've taken the restoration of a Mamiya as an opportunity to measure its lens resolution and, of course, that of the Edixa as well. Since I used the same test procedure for all three cameras, the results can be easily compared.



The surprise: Minox does not fare best in practice. Here is my report:

Challengers to Minox A

Three of the 20th century’s most brilliant camera engineering minds tackled the same challenge: Minox A, Mamiya super 16, and Edixa 16.

moments-of-now.com

 

[loccdor]

That's very interesting! They all did better than I expected.

I noticed in your test you used Ektar and noted its fine grain - my understanding is its fine grain does not imply higher resolution and in some cases Kodak reformulated their films to be finer grain at the expense of some resolution.

If I owned any of these cameras I think I'd shoot Scala 50/HR-50 or Acros for B&W and Fuji slide film for color. Maybe Kodak Aerocolor for color negative.

 

[xkaes]

Several years ago, I compared the resolution of my Minox IIIs lens to my best 16mm, 35mm and 4x5 lens. I photographed a resolution chart to make a 2x2mm size image of the chart on the same film -- Agfapan 25. I enlarged each 2x2mm section to the same maginifaction -- 50X -- using the same enlarging lens. That's a 16x22 INCH print for the Minox; 12x15 FOOT for the 4x5". The results were comparable when the 2x2mm resolution chart was the enlarged to the same size, but I think the Minox was the winner. Still, the larger formats will be the winner under normal situations -- for example, where the 2x2mm section on 4x5" film would be 25x25mm. That's like comparing an 8x10" print to an 8 foot mural.

http://www.subclub.org/library/page2.html

 

[tjwspm]

That's very interesting! They all did better than I expected.

I noticed in your test you used Ektar and noted its fine grain - my understanding is its fine grain does not imply higher resolution and in some cases Kodak reformulated their films to be finer grain at the expense of some resolution.

If I owned any of these cameras I think I'd shoot Scala 50/HR-50 or Acros for B&W and Fuji slide film for color. Maybe Kodak Aerocolor for color negative.

Thanks for your comment about the films. Yes, you're right, in principle, the shape of the grains can be used to achieve different resolutions or edge sharpness for the same grain size.

However, when I look at the modulation transfer function of Ektar (https://business.kodakmoments.com/sites/default/files/files/products/e4046_ektar_100.pdf) and Aerocolor (https://www.kodak.com/content/pdfs/amc/KODAK-AEROCOLOR-IV-Negative-Film-2460-datasheet-en.pdf), I can't see major differences overall.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

Certainly an interesting read. I messed around a lot with microfilm in 110 cameras during covid. Had to do something to stay occupied. I started using Minox cameras the year before after a couple decades of intent. At this point because of the qualities of the Minox images and how they look combined with the ease of use of the Minox, I find it a superior format. I'd like to try some 16mm cameras but none of them seem to be "right." I just don't see that much of an advantage with 16mm. The biggest problem I think is the cassettes. I have something like 40 or 50 Minox cassettes at this point. I rarely ever see any 16mm cassettes for sale.

I shoot Eastman XX in the Minox and find the images to be just about perfect though obviously not high resolution, but I am not after that. I can and do throw the Minox in my pocket when I leave the house. It is the ultimate film take with you camera.

I wouldn't mind trying out some actual 16mm cameras. Anyone know one that focuses and has a meter and a full range of shutter speeds that also has cassettes easily available? I suppose the meter isn't that big a deal, but the rest are.

 

[loccdor]

I've taken the middle-ground of using half-frame and cropping when necessary. This is a 6x6 millimeter crop from the Olympus Pen on Aerocolor that I felt held good detail. Probably could pull more out of it if I used more extension tubing to digitize.

I haven't yet figured out how to buy a Minox or similar at a reasonable price in good working order.

 

[xkaes]

I wouldn't mind trying out some actual 16mm cameras. Anyone know one that focuses and has a meter and a full range of shutter speeds that also has cassettes easily available? I suppose the meter isn't that big a deal, but the rest are.

GO TO TOWN:

http://www.subclub.org/shop/16mm.htm

You're asking a lot to put into a 16mm camera which means bigger, heavier & costlier. I recently ran across a Feinwerk MEC 16 SB -- the first camera of ANY format to have a TTL meter. It also has Rodentsock f2.0 focusing lens.