Introduction | Astar f2.7 | Cassar | Compur f0.95 | Compur f4.5 | Pantachar f2/25 | Tachon f0.95/52 | Tachar f1.8 | Vario f4.5 | Victor (Ludwig) | Trioplan f3.5
The MiniFex, designed by Fritz Kaftanski, who also invented the Sida and the French Stylophot (in 1956), was manufactured by Fotofex-Kameras in Berlin between 1931 and 1935. It was one of the first still cameras to use 16mm film and took high-quality 13x16mm images length ways across the width of the film, like a half frame cameras. The frame inside the camera has dimensions 13x18mm and a 20mm spool would yield a full 13x18mm negative. The film is un-perforated paper back roll film and had 36 exposures.
A sturdy case was made available to protect the lens and shutter.
The camera is very noticeable by the large round shutter that dominates it's appearance. Various types of shutters were used, such as Compur, Vario and Pronto. Various shutter types and speeds were also available. The Compur shutter was designed by Friedrich Deckel of Munich, about 1912. The Miniflex is the only quality subminiature with Compur shutter. Since the introduction of the Minox all subsequent subminiatures, except the Compass, have either a guillotine or a full focal plane shutter.
Various lenses were also used. The cameras were made under strict quality control and the range included the inexpensive f4.5 lens with a three speed Vario shutter. The most expensive, now rare, model had a Astar Tachon f0.95 lens and Compur shutter to 1/300 second. There where also f3.5, f2.7 and f1.8 lens.
Most,of the lenses had focusing mounts and the camera had a simple viewfinder on the top of the camera and an optional clip-on reflex viewfinder, a Astro-Fokuskop, was made for the more expensive models. Fotofex-Kameras also produced a complete line of filters and accessories including an enlarger and special developing tanks.
A number of cameras have skilfully made modifications, an indication, perhaps, of their use by various police and military forces in Central Europe during this time of turmoil.
A rare motorized version, nick named the MG (Maschiningewehre, German for machine gun) was developed but may not have been marketed. Accessories, such as filters, cable release, developing tank, enlarger, etc. made this the first system subminiature camera.
The Minifex was introduced at the time when photography was making the transition from large format (6cm) negatives to miniature photography. It took advantage of the 16mm film used for home movies.
The short manufacturing may be attributed to the popularity of the 35mm format.
The "book" value on the MiniFex is 600-900USD, but most Ebay listings fail to meet reserve with sellers wanting 1000EUR for the camera.
Instructions: Ebay 2006/07/28 13.51USD
