Minox 35GT - battery test readout is off with PX27G Alkaline 6V battery

Huss · Dec 22, 2021

albireo said:
I do not doubt it's potentially a good lens - I'm saying that something seems to be off with my sample. It's perhaps due to errors on my side, but there's probably more.

I have been pixel-peeping the focus on a test shot I did - camera on tripod, f/8, self-timer. This shot has good centre sharpness, and good sharpness towards the right side of the frame. However, sharpness around the left side of the frame is noticeably off. I suspect some sort of misalignment, to do with lens assembly or focus plane or both. The pressure plate seems to be in good condition. I wonder if the camera was badly handled which might have misaligned the lens. Visually, the camera is in truly spectacular condition, and bears no obvious signs of mishandling.

Either way, as it is the pictures are not satisfactory. Pity because I got 38 well exposed shots on my second test roll, suggesting the shutter is doing well for the time being. I might try my luck with another sample as it does seem to have a good form factor, and I can see myself carrying one of these in my pocket at all times.

Yeah it seems that something is off in the build of your camera. I had the lens taken out of a broken one (remarkably easy to find!) and attached to an LTM mount. That lens was really sharp!

Another option is the Ricoh FF1/FF1s (only difference is the addition of a self timer). SEARS had a re-labelled version called the Mini 35 Programmed, Same size as the Minox 35, same look/form factor. Super sharp lens. Super reliable - I had three of them until I gave one to a friend! Forgot to mention - used regular currently available batteries!

gone · Dec 22, 2021

Yes, just adjust your ISO to allow for variations. Might want to be gentle w/ that camera, I've owned a few and they all worked....for a while. When the shutter stops working (and all 3 of mine died rather quickly w/ no warning), they're a paper weight.

albireo · Dec 22, 2021

Thanks both. I have to say I'm almost abandoning the idea that a small point & shoot can act as a compact, high IQ, surrogate for an SLR + prime lens. Admittedly my experience is based on only two cameras, a Yashica T3 (with a Tessar lens) and this Minox. The Yashica works perfectly. The Minox - still not sure but as said I suspect something is faulty.

Either way, neither of those two can even remotely approach what I get with a Nikon F90X + humble AF-D 50mm 1.8 or with my other beater, an Olympus OM2n with a couple of Zuiko primes (28mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.8). The OM2n + Zuiko 50mm cost me 90 Euro some years ago and delivers negatives that are on a completely different level wrt the point & shoot cameras above.

Wish I could find a Zuiko 40mm f/2 pancake for a reasonable amount, accept I'm going to need slightly bigger pockets, and call off the search for a 35mm everyday carry.

Huss · Dec 22, 2021

albireo said:
Thanks both. I have to say I'm almost abandoning the idea that a small point & shoot can act as a compact, high IQ, surrogate for an SLR + prime lens. Admittedly my experience is based on only two cameras, a Yashica T3 (with a Tessar lens) and this Minox. The Yashica works perfectly. The Minox - still not sure but as said I suspect something is faulty.

Either way, neither of those two can even remotely approach what I get with a Nikon F90X + humble AF-D 50mm 1.8 or with my other beater, an Olympus OM2n with a couple of Zuiko primes (28mm f/2.8 and 50mm f/1.8). The OM2n + Zuiko 50mm cost me 90 Euro some years ago and delivers negatives that are on a completely different level wrt the point & shoot cameras above.

Wish I could find a Zuiko 40mm f/2 pancake for a reasonable amount, accept I'm going to need slightly bigger pockets, and call off the search for a 35mm everyday carry.

In good light - where the lens would be stopped down - a Ricoh FF1, Minox 35, Rollei 35 will give results indistinguishable from a 35mm slr set up with similar lens. But when you need to open up to max aperture, the results with an SLR will be superior just because you can precisely focus the camera. In those conditions the DOF on the compacts is too shallow to bail you out of focusing errors.

Ricoh FF1:

albireo · Dec 22, 2021

Thanks for sharing Huss - those look great.

Huss · Dec 22, 2021

albireo said:
Wish I could find a Zuiko 40mm f/2 pancake for a reasonable amount, accept I'm going to need slightly bigger pockets, and call off the search for a 35mm everyday carry.

I just saw one for $2120!!!

https://www.camerawest.com/used/olympus-40mm-f2-pancake-108208

The Voigtlander 40mm f2 pancake 35mm SLR lens (series 1 through 3) is an absolutely super lens, and is made in Nikon, Canon and I think Pentax mounts. I use the Nikon version. Also there is the Nikon 45mm 2.8 AI-P pancake which is tiny.
The new series 4 version is the same optically but much bigger.

If you want a very small P&S auto focus camera with an excellent 28mm lens, I recommend the Nikon LiteTouch AF which I think is also called the AF600. It is the same size as the Minox 35.

Taken with the LiteTouch AF in the 'panorama mode' (which just screens off the top and bottom, but is still fun to use as it makes you view the scene differently.

Thwyllo · Apr 30, 2022

benjiboy said:
I use 2 Duracell CR 1/3N 3volt Lithium batteries in My Minox 35 GT I buy from Amazon, and have no problems.

Belated response but I've recently acquired a couple of GLs - do these batteries fit straight in with no adaptation? I was just a bit confused by someone below saying they are narrower and longer than the originals? Thanks!

Nitroplait · Apr 30, 2022

Thwyllo said:
Belated response but I've recently acquired a couple of GLs - do these batteries fit straight in with no adaptation? I was just a bit confused by someone below saying they are narrower and longer than the originals? Thanks!

That was me. CR 1/3N (3V lithium) are narrower and two are slightly longer than one S27PX (6V Silver Oxide) - but if you read the follow ups, you can see claims that they fit regardless, and I have no reason to doubt the posters.

I haven't tried myself because my S27PX is still fine.

Since 6V is 6V there is no harm in trying

benjiboy · Apr 30, 2022

Thwyllo said:
Belated response but I've recently acquired a couple of GLs - do these batteries fit straight in with no adaptation? I was just a bit confused by someone below saying they are narrower and longer than the originals? Thanks!

I'm not familiar with the GL model, but if they take the same batteries as the 35 GT, then 2 lithium CR 1/3N fitted one on the other fit and work without modification, and they last a long time.
P.S the S 27 PX batteries if they are still made are as rare as rocking horse droppings, but they do supply the correct 5.6 voltage.

Thwyllo · May 1, 2022

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. The GL preceded the GT by two years and is the same camera effectively but without the self timer I think?

Is there any reason I couldn't just use LR44s for which I know there's an adapter available (or a bodge with aluminium foil!)? They are slightly thicker I think but in all other respects better and longer lasting?

Nitroplait · May 1, 2022

Thwyllo said:
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. The GL preceded the GT by two years and is the same camera effectively but without the self timer I think?

Is there any reason I couldn't just use LR44s for which I know there's an adapter available (or a bodge with aluminium foil!)? They are slightly thicker I think but in all other respects better and longer lasting?

Never use alkaline. Use Silver Oxide or Lithium.

Thwyllo · May 1, 2022

Nitroplait said:
Never use alkaline. Use Silver Oxide or Lithium.

So SR44s, but why not alkaline...? Shorter life? Should I default to CR3/1Ns as suggested?

Nitroplait · May 1, 2022

Thwyllo said:
So SR44s, but why not alkaline...? Shorter life? Should I default to CR3/1Ns as suggested?

Because of their discharge curve and leaking properties.
Lithium is preferable - it also have a very long shelf life.

Thwyllo · May 1, 2022

Nitroplait said:
Because of their discharge curve and leaking properties.
Lithium is preferable - it also have a very long shelf life.

Great, thank you.

benjiboy · May 1, 2022

Thwyllo said:
Great, thank you.

The shelf life of Lithium batteries is ten years, and they have much better discharge characteristics than alkaline ones. I have had 2 of the Lithium ones in my Minox 35 GT for about 6 years.

Minox 35GT - battery test readout is off with PX27G Alkaline 6V battery

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