In the early 2000s several one-third scale classic cameras that use the Minox film cartridge were made by Sharan Megahouse. These were manufactured in Japan under the Sharan label. The Minox Leica IIIf is an OEM version of the Sharan Leica IIIf, similarly the Minox Leica M3 and Leica 1F although it appears that the lens may be different. All the Sharan Classic Miniatures use a AZONO F/5.6 15mm lens.
Although the appearance from the front of the camera match those of the original few of the buttons or levers are functional. The models of SLR (the Nikon and Pentax) have a pop up view finder. The Rolleiflex does have a more authentic viewer and pops up to be used like the original.
The basic mechanism on all models appears to be similar with a single shutter speed (1/250th) and fixed aperture. In good summer light conditions these produce excellent results. For more normal lighting conditions the results are disappointing by Minox standards. Do not expect these to even approach the flexibility of a 50 year old Minox A and a modern Minox ECX would be a better choice for taking photographs.
There are reports on the lens quality being varied, so some produce un-acceptable results and others far better.
The standard case is a transparent presentation cube box. Lens caps and basic strap are included. There is a real leather case for each model. Wooden box sets with either flash, tripod and cases or a pair or more cameras are also available.
More details at http://www.sha-ran.co.jp/net-shop.htm and the family shown at http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~eq2k-cn/main.htm
Amin Camera Ltd
210-18-3-3 Shinkanaoka Street
Sakai City Osaka
Japan
Fax:81-72-252-9401
E-mail:amin@asahi.email.ne.jp
The Sharan range was expensive in Japan. There is not a used market for Sharan in Japan, and it's market price is very fixed onto their current list price (May 2002, Feb 2004) such as:-
| Model | Yen (JPY) | May 2002 | Feb 2004 | ||
| £ (GBP) | $ (USD) | £ (GBP) | $ (USD) | ||
| Asahi Pentax Sp | 29800 | 169 | 280 | 151 | 293 |
| Contax I | 35000 | 198 | 350 | 178 | 344 |
| Hasselblad SWC | 39800 | 226 | 380 | 202 | 391 |
| Nikon F | 24000 | 136 | 250 | 122 | 236 |
| Nikon F black | 32000 | 182 | 295 | 163 | 314 |
| Nikon F EX | 29800 | 169 | 500 | 151 | 293 |
| Nikon SP | 29800 | 169 | 169 | 151 | 293 |
| Leica If | 35000 | 198 | 350 | 178 | 344 |
| Leica IIIf | 29800 | 169 | 250 | 151 | 293 |
| Leica IIIf Swedish Army | 32000 | 182 | 295 | 163 | 314 |
| Leica IIIf EX | 29800 | 169 | 295 | 151 | 293 |
| Leica M3 | 29800 | 169 | 295 | 151 | 293 |
| Leica M3 black | 32000 | 182 | 330 | 163 | 314 |
| Leica M3 Gold | 100000 | 568 | 1100 | 508 | 983 |
| Leica M3 Military | 32000 | 182 | 330 | 163 | 314 |
| Olympus Pen-F (black or chrome) | 24000 | n/a | n/a | 122 | 236 |
| Robot I | 29800 | n/a | n/a | 151 | 293 |
| Rolleiflex 2.8F | 38000 | 216 | 380 | 193 | 373 |
| Sharan B (12 models) | 13300 | n/a | n/a | 67.60 | 130 |
Fujicolour ultra compact MC007 29,800YEN This is not Sharan but uses Minox size film.
Rolleiflex case is $150, Contax I and Leica M3 cases are $120 and the other cameras $110
1GBP = 176JPY, 1USD = 126JPY, 1EUR=117JPY (May 2002)
1GBP = 196JPY, 1USD = 102JPY
Thanks to Takashi Kikkawa for the price information.
Fitted to the original cameras:-
