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Two men who challenged Minox

tjwspm

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Dec 23, 2023
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379
Location
Germany
Format
Sub 35mm
Minox may be legendary, but it's not the be-all and end-all when it comes to subminiature cameras. I took a closer look at two alternatives that are certainly not to be outdone:



What happens when three of the 20th century’s most brilliant engineering minds tackle the same challenge? I have immersed myself deeply in a direct comparison, examining not only their legendary history but also assessing their practical applicability in today's context.

What do you think of these cameras? Has anyone had experience with these 16mm cameras? I haven't finished testing them yet and would love to hear your opinions. Read on here:

Challengers to Minox A

Minox A, Mamiya super 16 and Edixa 16 shown on the same scale Minox A, Mamiya Super 16 and Edixa 16 Three outstanding designers have developed three
moments-of-now.com
 
Very interesting. I was largely unaware of the Edixa 16 camera.

Looking forward to the next installment!
 
Me too. The Edixa 16 is half of half-frame, it could be called quarter-frame.

The image quality is surprisingly charming:

 
The comparisons are pretty much endless -- and not just in the 8x11mm format, where I use the Minox and Acmel/Asanuma -- which is the same size, but adds a focusing lens and automatic shutter exposure control. For 10x14mm I normally use the Minolta 16 II and Minolta MG (which adds a meter), but recently found the MEC SB. It is larger, but it has a TTL meter and a f2.0 Rodenstock lens. For 12x17mm, I like the Minolta MG-s which has auto & manual exposure control, and for 13x17mm, I use a Kiev Vega 2 and 30 -- which have focusing lenses.
 
xkaes said:
recently found the MEC SB. It is larger, but it has a TTL meter and a f2.0 Rodenstock lens. For 12x17mm,
Click to expand...

xya said:
the Mec 16 SB seems to be the summum to me...
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Yes, the mec 16 SB is something special. However, it's sitting in my drawer because I can't find any double-perforated film for it. And of course, it can't be included in this comparison because it's too big and too heavy. Here is a size comparison: on the right is the mec 16 SB, on the left is the Edixa 16 M (the largest camera in my comparison test):



It's a shame, because technically it's a masterpiece. Does anyone have any ideas about the film?
 
Then I really have to read the brochure carefully. “Can” then means “may”?

 
I made a mistake by saying the MEC SB made 12x17 images. It does not. It makes 10x14mm.

Also, there are two versions of the SB, one with an ENNIT 20mm f2.0 -- same lens as on the original MEC -- and the other SB with a RODENSTOCK 20mm f2.0. Otherwise they are the same except for minor cosmetic differences.

Also, you only need ONE MEC cassette to use the camera. The MEC cassette must be the take-up spool. You can use Rollie 16 casssettes, Meopta, and perhaps others, like Steky if you cover up the spindle holes with black tape -- for the feeder spool. That's what I do to get twice as many rolls. The MEC cassettes are larger than RADA cassettes and the take-up spool keeps the film where it should be.

The camera was designed for double perf film and has TWO tabs that push the film into the take-up cassette -- one on each side of the film, close to the take-up cassette. You might be able to use single perf, but don't be surprised if things jam.
 
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I own both of these cameras. The Mamiya is just so-so, but the Edixa 16 is surprisingly good. Using a 50x scope, I observed that the image quality is even slightly finer than the Rollei 16s (under the same conditions, I'm being as precise as possible). The MEC 16 SB is too expensive. In China, double-perforated film isn't a problem for us; we can easily buy 16mm film perforators.
 
Additionally, I need to add that the Edixa 16 has an external light meter, while the Mamiya Super 16 seems to have a very rare accessory: a front viewfinder that mounts in front of the lens. I've only seen it once on Yahoo! Japan Auctions.
 
I'd love to expand my sub-mini camera "collection" but the cassettes are too hard to find in quantity these days. I've accumulated somewhere around 50 Minox cassettes (which would be very difficult to do now) and have dabbled with reloading 110 with microfilm since that is easy enough to do, but kind of a pain as well. I really wanted to get a Mec 16 at one point but again, the cassettes... If cassettes were readily available it would be a no brainer.
 
With many subminis, the easiest way to find cassettes is to buy a camera that has one. It's even better if the camera is dead.

I got a Minolta 16 MG last month. It was in a box of "camera stuff" -- just a few pictures. I could tell it had an MG in a camera case in a system box. What I couldn't see was that it came with an unused roll of film and the two MG filters, instruction manual & more.
 
APL said:
In China, double-perforated film isn't a problem for us; we can easily buy 16mm film perforators.
Click to expand...
Interesting. Can you tell us more about them? What do they look like and how do you use them?
 
tjwspm said:
Interesting. Can you tell us more about them? What do they look like and how do you use them?
Click to expand...

A film punching machine capable of drilling 2mm round holes, plus a 3D-printed auxiliary guide rail with fixed-spaced protrusions to assist in drilling. By changing the guide rail, it can drill single-sided or double-sided holes.
 
APL said:
By changing the guide rail, it can drill single-sided or double-sided holes.
Click to expand...

And presumably different spacing -- 16 mm cine film vs. 110 perfs.

Are these available to US buyers? I've got a pretty good 110 camera that I'd like to be able to reload for...
 
Donald Qualls said:
And presumably different spacing -- 16 mm cine film vs. 110 perfs.

Are these available to US buyers? I've got a pretty good 110 camera that I'd like to be able to reload for...
Click to expand...

Actually, all you need is a hole punch; you can 3D print the guide rail yourself.
 
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