For a long time I have had a little informal tradition when traveling: somewhere along the way I will find and purchase an old camera…then try to clean and service it and shoot a few photos with it while on the trip. I did this with the Agfa Jsolette I wrote about in another post (“J comes before I…”) and I have a few other vintage cameras that came to me in this manner, including a pre-1920 Graflex–a single lens reflex camera that I affectionately refer to as what a WWI era Hasselblad would have been. Sometimes these camera finds prove to be duds–interesting additions to a collection but otherwise nothing that useful; and other times they are long sought after additions or otherwise become a constant companion on future travels. One example of the latter is a 1954 Minox III that I purchased a few years ago while on a business trip in Portland, Oregon.
I’ve owned a Minox before–it was a model B with its coupled metering system….but I always wanted a III….or ideally an original Riga model of WWII vintage. (those early ones from the plant in Riga are a rather high dollar item, and likely not the best to carry everyday as you will soon find out) The Minox III lacks the metering system of the B model but it is a little bit smaller–small enough to hide in one’s hand, and the size and shape more closely match the Riga models. It is of course very easy to use, and has the distinction of being a true spy camera–examples of which played roles on both sides of the Cold War. Many of you may not know the name Minox, but you likely saw one in an old James Bond or similar film. Like all Minox cameras, the III is a well built precision instrument that not only looks good but functions well under a variety of conditions and will (apparently) survive some unplanned abuse that would make 007 proud.
I purchased this camera from Blue Moon Camera and Machine in Portland. If you have never heard of them-look them up. …and if you are in Portland, pay them a visit….wonderful, friendly, and knowledgeable people. If I lived there I would consider working for them, although much of my paycheck might get spent before I got out the door at the end of a day. Nevertheless, a great full service REAL camera shop!
When purchased, film was not readily available due to a problem at the factory. This turned into a protracted issue and as a result, Blue Moon began working to produce their own film. At the time, they were still sorting out the bugs in the process, fitting jigs and slitters, etc to get the film into a production status. They were, however, willing to make me and my new-to-me Minox a part of their test program: They’d give me a numbered test roll….I’d shoot it, make any notations about jamming or other flaws (not common but it did happen) and then send it and the written notes to them that detailed the information and what, if any issues there were and how I dealt with them….pay for the processing and then they’d send back my prints, negs, and a new test roll. This went on for about a year or so…maybe a little longer. They are now producing and selling rolls of film for the Minox under their “Spy Film” name. If you have one of these cameras, go order some film and use it!
This little camera, in addition to my Hasselblad gear, pretty much goes everywhere. I have some rare and some not-so-rare accessories for it as well…..and it’ll all stuff in a pocket or two. This camera has traveled with me all over the country, through Canada, and into the Arctic. I have even used it to shoot photos of the Aurora Borealis (something I have been told no one else has been doing with a Minox) Its diminutive size has made it possible to have it on hand all the time.
The small size, however, also lead to its near destruction this past fall. It is small enough to be lost or forgotten rather easily. While on our trip to the lower 48, I got out of the shower at my mother-in-law’s house and I could hear a distinct and rather loud banging noise. To my sickening horror, I soon realized I had done something so utterly stupid that the ghost of Walter Zapp (it’s inventor) should have considered haunting me. I had left the camera in my pants pocket, something I had never done before. ….a pocket that at this very moment was now tumbling and banging around in a hot dryer after having been through a wash and spin cycle! Bang! Banga-Bang! Thump! Whump! Bang! The sort of sounds that remind one of the old luggage commercials with the gorillas beating the baggage to pieces. Elizabeth promptly retrieved it and brought it to me. The leather carrying case and measuring chain were pretty much demolished and the camera itself was hot to the touch. Not a good sign at all. I opened it and removed the film cartridge. Then left it open and placed it in a desk drawer for a few days. I felt sick. Never have I done anything to cause damage to a precision tool, certainly not anything so plainly stupid. At this point I pretty much resigned myself to the idea that it was FUBAR’d and would be nothing more than a curious paperweight from that day forward.
Later I got curious and removed it from the drawer. To my pleasant surprise I found that the camera was now dry, free of evidence of moisture, and that the focusing, advance, and shutter all seemed to work smoothly and the shutter even sounded correct. So I reloaded it and shot two more rolls of film with it during the remainder of the trip. It was still an unknown of course–just because a camera’s mechanicals “seem” right does not mean they are, and even if they are, the optical system may or may not be in good order after a wash, spin, and tumble dry. Upon having the film processed, it was discovered that all is well..they were even able to get the roll that went through the wash and dry to yield images! This little camera has lived up to the James Bond legend of indestructibility. I am not certain that a modern camera would be so forgiving, nor do I recommend trying this again. It will continue to travel with me, and I will be more careful about my pockets….and Walter won’t need to do any haunting on my account.
Oooo aaaaah… I want one now!