Film cameras
Minox 110S User manual
User manual for Minox 110S. 29 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
29 pagesEnglish6.2 MB PDF
Loading your manual…Open PDF directly
Document details
- Brand
- Minox
- Model / document
- Minox 110S
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 29
- File size
- 6.2 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
Contents
Search available document text
Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 3 · Read text
Please fold out
Regardless of what page you are reading you will
always have the reference pictures with their refe-
rence numbers (as they are used throughout this
booklet) in front of you. On pages 4 and 5 you find
"the most important points in brief". If you have any
questions while reading these two pages, or if you
would like to know more about the features and
functions, or the photographic possibilities of your
Minox 110 S, please read the detailed instructions
which also contain detailed reference pictures. They
start on page 6.
2View original page 3Page 4 · Read text
www.butkus.usPlease fold out page 27
for second reference ® ® ®®0 picture. o
Digitally signed by Mike Butkus Mike DN: cn=Mike Butkus, o=Butkus
camera manuals, ou=butkus.org,
email=mike@butkus.org, c=US Butkus Date: 2020.11.15 11:23:10 -05'00'
® ®®
Connection for Minox elec- 4 Aperture setting wheel 8 Viewfinder eyepiece
tronic flash unit F 110 5 Focusing slider 9 Cable rerease socket
2 Flash cube socket (coupled 6 Automatic depth of field indi- 10 Shutter release button
to film advance) cator on distance scale 11 Camera back
3 Aperture window 7 Distance scale selector for 12 Film identification window
meter/feet indication 3View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
The most important
points in short
Protective front covers
The following instructions assume that the bat- The camera functions only after the protective
teries are inserted correctly and that they check out front covers are fully opened. To open: slide release
satisfactorily. (For battery test see page 7). lever (21) to front of camera; to close: slide it back-
wards.
Film loading and unloading
Loading: operate camera back release (19) and
open camera back (11). Drop in film cartridge. Close
camera back. Press shutter release button. Advance
rapid winder (18) several times until film stops at
picture NO.1 .
Unloading: after the last exposure advance rapid
winder several times until it comes to a stop. Open
camera back (11) and take out film cartridge.
Film advance
After each exposure advance rapid winder (18)
completely twice.
4View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
www.butkus.us
The most important
points in short
Daylight pictures Flash pictures
Exposure: set aperture wheel (4) to the desired Rotate aperture wheel (4) beyond the click stop
aperture. The selected aperture is visible in a aper- at f/2.8 until it reaches the flash symbol. Insert Magi-
ture window (3) on top of the camera and in the cube into the flash socket (2) or attach Minox Elec-
viewfinder (8). After depressing the shutter release tronic Flash unit F 110 to the connections (1) on the
button slightly an arrow may light up in the view- left side of the camera.
finder, in that case, turn the aperture wheel in the Maximum distance for Magi-cubes is approximately
direction of the arrow until the arrow disappears. If 25 feet and for the F 110 flash unit about 15 feet.
the bright yellow arrow stays on at full opening, If possible, focus on the most important subject in
f/2.8, it means that exposure time is too long to take the picture (no double images). The aperture is set
hand held pictures. A tripod or flash should be used. automatically for the distance focused and for the
The correct exposure time is set automatically flash unit used (Magi-cube or F 110).
including time exposures at full aperture. Note: The release button cannot be depressed
Distance: Move focus slider (5) until the principle when all sides of a flash cube are used and the flash
subject in the picture can be seen without double cube is still in the flash socket. The Magi-cube cannot
images in the center of the viewfinder or move fo- be inserted if the aperture wheel has not been ro-
cusing slider (5) to such a position that the two red tated to flash symbol.
lines in the automatic depth of field indicator (6)
cover the desired range of sharpness.
5View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
Batteries
The shutter and the illuminated indicators (long ex-
posure time warning or overexposure warning) work
only if two batteries of the correct type are inserted
correctly in the battery chamber. Used batteries, or
batteries that have been stored for an excessively
long time do not work.
Recommended battery: Mallory MN625, Varta
7203, Varta 246
Insertion of batteries
Open camera back by pressing slider (19) to the
right against its spring tension. The camera back
opens to a position which is approximately at right
angles to the camera. Open battery chamber by
sliding battery chamber slide lever (on the inside
of the camera back) towards the long narrow film
window. Clean both round sides of the battery with
a piece of rough cloth (sleeve of jacket, etc.). Insert
batteries into chamber, one above the two metal
contacts and one below. The battery side marked
with "+" (positive contact) has to point towards the
bottom of the camera for both batteries. Correct
positioning of "+" and "-" sides is also indicated
on the battery chamber slide lever. Move lever back
towards batteries and close camera back.
6View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Battery test
The clicking noise when releasing the shutter does
not necessarily indicate that the shutter is func-
tioning correctly. It is, therefore, very important that
the batteries are tested before film is put into the
camera.
The protective front covers must be closed and
the film transport must be advanced before the
batteries can be tested. (see also pages 8 and 11.)
Push front cover release slider (21) against spring
tension in the direction of the tripod socket (20).
Batteries are sufficiently strong and have good
contact inside the camera if the battery test light
in window (23) lights up and stays lit even when
the slider is held in that position for a few seconds.
teries are still strong. Both batteries should be re-
Weak batteries should be removed from the ca- placed at the same time.
mera immediately. (Slide battery chamber slider to- With batteries inserted the camera is fully opera-
wards film window and let batteries drop into your tional even without film. You should use this feature
hand.) This procedure should be followed even if no to familiarize yourself with the camera functions be-
new batteries are available and fresh batteries have fore you put in your first film.
to be inserted later. Even new batteries should be
removed from the camera if the camera is not to be
used for a long time.
The battery test does not indicate how long the bat-
tery will last. We, therefore, recommend that both
batteries be replaced with new ones at least once
a year even if the battery test shows that the bat-
7View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
Opening and closing of front covers
When the front covers are closed they protect the
lens, CdS cell, viewfinder and rangefinder windows
against dust and finger prints. They should only be
opened when taking pictures.
When the front covers are closed you can test the
batteries, you can advance the film, and you can setSlide lever to front: front covers open aperture and distance, however, all other functions
are locked. You can release the shutter only when
the front covers are fully opened.
To open front cover: slide lever (21), located on
the right side under the camera, toward the front
of the camera.
To close front covers: slide lever (21) back to-
wards the back of the camera.
It is not harmful to the camera if you close the
covers without using the lever (21 ).
8View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Viewfinder
The brightline frame in the viewfinder indicates
the picture area. The viewfinder features automatic
parallax correction. The brightline frame which is
coupled to the rangefinder shows you the correct
picture area even for close ups.
The selected f-stop is not only visible in the Your picture will show whatever is within the outline
aperture window on top of the camera but also of the brightline finder at the time of exposure.
appears in the viewfinder below the brightline frame. In the picture above the selected aperture is 5.6 (dot
Three f-stop values are represented by dots in between 4 and 8). The bright area in the center is
order to make the scale less crowded, they are 2.8 the measuring patch of the rangefinder.
between flash symbol and 4; 5.6 between 4 and 8;
and 11 between 8 and 16.
Under certain light conditions a red arrow appears
to the left of the f-stop indication in the viewfinder.
It warns against overexposure (page 15). A yellow
arrow may appear to the right of the f-stop indica-
tion. It indicates the need for longer exposures that
can be hand-held (page 16). In the center of the
viewfinder you can see the bright measuring area
of the rangefinder (page 12).
9View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
Correct holding of camera Releasing the shutter
Hold the camera tight and securely. To compen- After selecting your picture area with the help of
sate for the pressure of tripping the shutter release, the brightline frame, depress the red release button
button, press your thumb against the bottom of the until you feel a slight resistance and then gently
camera. This will reduce the possibility of a blurred increase the pressure of your index finger until you
picture. hear the clicking of the shutter. Let go of the release
button only after the exposure is completed.
Be careful while taking a picture that your fingers If an arrow appears in the viewfinder when the
are not obstructing the lens or meter cell. initial pressure point is reached there is a danger of
overexposure (page 15) or of blurring a picture when
taking it hand-held (page 16).
When using longer exposure times (for example
when the camera is placed on a sturdy support or
on a tripod) wait for the second "click" (which indi-
cates the automatic closing of the shutter) before
you let go of the release button. Removing your
finger pressure from the release button too early
means that the exposure will be terminated too early.
The exposure button is locked:
• When the protective front covers are closed (no
picture in viewfinder)
• When the film has not been advanced
• When all exposures on the film have been taken
• When a flash cube is inserted but the bulb in the
ready position has already been fired.
10View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Film advance
Wind the rapid winder (left on front of camera)
twice after each exposure.
If you inadvertently do not complete one of the
two strokes you may complete the film advance by
partially winding a third time.
On the right side of the long and narrow film
window in the back of the camera, you can see the
number of the picture you just took or are about
to take.
The appearance of the next number in the film
window does not necessarily indicate that the film
advance has been completed. Always advance until
the winding lever comes to a stop.
Before the first exposure and after the last one
continue advancing the film until you come to an
automatic stop even if it takes more than two
winding strokes.
When trying out your camera (without film) you
need to advance the rapid winder only once rather
than twice in order to release the shutter.
11View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
Distance scale
The Minox 110 S features two distance scales, one
calibrated in meters and one calibrated in feet.
However, only one scale is visible at a time. To
switch from one scale to the other: move focusing
slider to the left (indicator points to infinity) then
insert fingernail, tip of ball point pen, or similar tool
into indentation at foot of arrow and move ,liding
insert up or down depending on the direction indi-
cated by the arrow.
Rangefinder
Split images of your principle subject in the bright
Focusing rectangle in the center of your viewfinder indicate
that the camera is not focused on that subject.
Focusing range: 2' to infinity. The correct distance Move focusing lever until both images merge into
is set with the focusing slider which is located be- one.
hind the distance scale. The white triangle in front Focusing is easiest on an edge which separates a
of the distance scale serves as an index mark. very light area from a very dark area. Depending on
You will probably seldom use this as your Minox the shape of the light/dark edge you may find it
110 S has a built-in rangefinder plus an automatic easier to hold your camera perpendicular to it while
depth of field indicator. focusing.
12View original page 13Page 14 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Depth of field
The gap in the red line above the distance scale
automatically indicates the depth of field for the
aperture selected.
Example: the aperture selected is f/8. Move focus-
ing slider until the right side of the gap coincides with
the infinity mark on the distance scale. The left side
of the gap now points to about T. This indicates that .
the zone of sharpness streches from about l' to
infinity. (see illustration on top)
It is not recommended to use the above method
when photographing landscapes because the main
subject is optically located at infinity. For pictures of
landscapes set the white triangle at the infinity mark.
The left side of the gap indicates the distance at
which the area of sharpness begins. Example : At f/11
and with white triangle pointing to the infinity mark
the depth of field starts at 10'. (see illustration on
bottom)
The automatic depth of field indicator is also
operative when you use flash, even though the aper-
ture is not set manually but automatically by the
flash. (see page 19)
TOP: Setting for maximum depth of field
BOTTOM: Infinity setting for landscapes
13View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
Automatic exposure The electronic shutter automatically sets the cor- rect exposure time for all exposures without flash depending on the brightness of the subject and depending on the aperture selected. The automatic exposure system takes also into consideration fu- ture films with higher ASA ratings (approximately 27 DINI ASA 400). Exposure times are continuously variable from 1/1000 of a second to about 4 seconds. Aperture setting For daylight exposures without flash you can set apertures from 2.8 to 16. Just rotate the aperture Aperture selection setting wheel, located on the top of the camera, until the desired aperture is visible in the aperture window above the letter «M.. of the Minox name. You need to change the selected aperture only. The same aperture is also visible on the bottom of when the automatically indicated depth of field the viewfinder image (f stops 2.8, 5.6, and 11 are range is too small (switch to smaller aperture), represented by dots). when you need the shortest exposure time pos- A small aperture (for example 11 or 16) results in a sible for a moving object (switch to larger aperture), greater depth of field range than a larger. aperture when an arrow lights up while you are depressing (such as 2.8 or 4), but it also necessitates a longer the release button which means that a different exposure time. aperture is recommended. The most convenient method of taking pictures in If you use the depth of field indicator instead of bright daylight is as follows: select a medium aper- the rangefinder remember that any change in aper- ture - 5.6 or 8 - and leave the rest to the automatic ture causes the depth of field range to change (keep exposure system. an eye on the automatic depth of field indicator). 14View original page 15
Page 16 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Lighted arrows in the viewfinder
When observing your subject through the view-
finder and while depressing the red shutter release
button to the initial pressure point, a red arrow may
light up to the left of the f-stop number on the
bottom of the viewfinder image, or a yellow arrow
may light up to the right of that number. The ap-
pearance of an arrow indicates that the selected
aperture is not favorable under the existing light
conditions. In such a case turn the aperture wheel
in the direction indicated by that arrow until the
arrow disappears.
Please note that an arrow wi ll only appear if the ·4·
camera is ready to shoot. that is. when the front
covers are fully opened and when the film has been
properly advanced.
Overexposure warning
Light red arrow (see picture above) indicates that
even the shortest automatic shutter speed (1/1OOOth
of a second) would be too long for the aperture
selected. Do not release the shutter as the picture
would be overexposed. Simple remedy: use smaller
aperture (rotate aperture wheel in direction of arrow).
15View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
Gelb largest aperture (2.8) light conditions are such that hand-held exposures at 1/30th of a second or shorter
Yellow without flash are not sufficient. However that does
Jaune twonot meanchoices:that you cannot take a picture. You have
I 1. You can use flash: A Magi-cube or the Minox ·16 4I11III[ electronic flash unit F 110. To use flash, rotate the
aperture wheel beyond the click stop at f/2.8 to the
flash symbol. More about flash on page 19.
2. Expose longer than 1/30th of a second. The
automatic exposure control chooses correct ex-
Long exposure warning posure times up to 4 seconds. Correct exposure,
therefore, is no problem. You just have to make sure
Yellow arrow on right side (see picture above): The that the camera does not move during the exposure
necessary exposure time is longer than 1/30th of a by putting it on a tripod (page 22), on the edge of a
second. There is the danger of blurring the picture table, or by holding it against a door jamb or tree.
if the camera is hand-held without flash. Take your finger off the shutter release button only
Use a larger aperture by rotating the aperture wheel after you have heard the second «click». Normally
in the direction of the arrow until the arrow disap- long exposures are only used when static subjects
pears. If the yellow arrow does not disappear at the are photographed.
16View original page 17Page 18 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Film loading
The Minox 110 S takes all film cartridges with the
format designation 110. Most 110 films are available
in 12 or 20 exposure cartridges.
Slide the camera back release against its spring
tension and swing the camera back open. Drop the
cartridge into the camera. This can only be done
correctly. It does not fit any other way. Close the
camera back. It snaps closed by itself. If the shutter
is cocked (rapid winder cannot be advanced) press
the shutter release button. Then advance the rapid
winder several times until it stops. You can now
see exposure number 1 in the film window on the
back of the camera. The camera is now ready for
action.
Film unloading
If you advance the rapid winder twice, as usual,
after the last exposure on your film you will find
that the shutter release is locked. Arrows in the
film window tell you to advance the film to its end
where the rapid winder stops automatically. At this
point nothing is visible in the film window (no
numbers, arrows, etc.). Open the camera back, and
take out the film cartridge.
17View original page 18Page 20 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Flash pictures
For flash pictures with the Minox 110 S you have The flash cube is automatically advanced (rotated)
two choices: X-cubes or the Minox electronic flash when you advance the film.
unit F 110. The Minox 110 S is automated to a high The shutter release is locked if a used section of
degree for flash pictures. When you turn the aperture the flash cube is advanced into firing position so
wheel beyond 2.8 to the flash symbol you turn your that you cannot waste an exposure.
Minox 110 S into a special flash camera: the shutter When the Minox electronic flash unit F 110 is
is set to a 1/40th of a second, the aperture is se- connected to the camera it will only function when
lected automatically for the type of flash used and the aperture wheel is turned to the flash symbol.
for the distance focused (flash/aperture automatic), It will not function when you switch back to daylight
the aperture range (for daylight 2.8-16) is increased automatic.
to f/22 for flash pictures. The automatic depth of field indication is also
Only after turning the aperture wheel to the flash operative with flash. Do not be surprised when the
symbol can you insert an X-cube. When using the gap in the red line becomes larger or smaller as you
normal daylight automatic setting, the X-cube socket focus different distances. This is so, because with
is locked and an X-cube cannot be inserted so that flash automatic aperture selection depends on the
you cannot inadvertently use an automatic daylight distance focused and the aperture in turn controls
exposure which might be wrong in combination with the depth of field range. (flash/aperture automatic)
a flash cube.
19View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
Flash with X cube (Magi-cubes) Flash with Minox electronic flash unit F 11 0
Only the special Minox electronic flash unit F 110
can be used with the Minox 11 0 S because only this
unit guarantees that the flash/aperture automatic
functions properly. The Minox 110 S does not have
a hot shoe since other flash units with guide numbers
which are not adjusted to the camera might result
in wrong exposures.
Flash range for the Minox electronic unit F 110
is 2' to 15'. Connect the Minox electronic flash unit
F 110 to the left side of the camera by first hooking
Use X-cubes only. Do not use cubes which need it in to the smaller opening in front and then swing-
a battery. Flash range from 3' to 25'. ing it back until it snaps into pOSition in the larger
First switch camera to flash (turn aperture wheel socket. The flash unit is automatically turned on
beyond fl2.8 to the flash symbol) then insert X cube when you set the camera to flash. Release the
into flash cube socket. Focus on main subject by shutter only after the ready light on the back of the
using the built-in rangefinder (page 12). Aperture flash unit has come on to indicate that the flash
and automatic depth of field indicator are set auto- is now ready. Aperture and depth of field indicator
matically. One flash cube is good for four flashes. work automatically when you focus on the main
In case you forget to remove the cube after all four subject as usual (use rangefinder for focusing).
flashes are used, you cannot release the shutter
for your next picture. Never rotate cube in the
camera by hand.
The arrow on top of the camera next to the flash
cube socket indicates the rotation of the cube. When
using up a partially used cube advance film first and Note: The Minox £Iectronic Flash unit F 110 will be
then insert cube with an unused section in firi ng available sometime after the introduction of the
position Minox 11 0 S camera. Please ask your photo dealer.
20View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
www.butkus.us
Flash ranges Extender for flash cubes
The indicated flash ranges (flash cube approxi- When you photograph people with wide open
mately 3' to 25'; Minox F 110 approximately 2' to 15') pupils (normally in dark rooms) it can happen that
are calculated for rooms with normal reflection from the interior back of the eye of a person who is
walls and ceiling. The flash ranges will be unchanged looking at the camera will be fully illuminated. The
for future films of high speed (approximately 27 DIN! normally black pupil will then appear red on a color
ASA 400). If you use such films in your Minox 110 S photo. You can avoid this "red eye" effect when you
the filter is automatically moved in front of the lens put a flash cube extender (not available from Minox)
to compensate for the difference in film speed. between the camera and the flash cube. It increases
Negatives films for printed pictures can take cer- the distance between the flash cube and lens. No
tain amounts of overexposure without noticeable "red eye" is caused by the Minox electronic flash
loss in quality. When using these films you may, unit F 110 since the distance between light source
therefore, get closer to your subject than the 3' limit and lens is greater than with the flash cubes.
for flash cubes. If necessary you may flash as close
as 2'. (this is not recommended for color slide film.)
21View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
Tripod exposures
A tripod socket is located on the bottom of the
camera. Exposures on a tripod should only be made
with the help of a cable release. Screw the cable
release into the cable release socket of the right of
the red shutter release button on the top of the
camera.
A very practical miniature tripod is the Minox pocket
tripod (see illustration). It can be used as a table
tripod, chest tripod or wall tripod. Sail and socket
head and cable release are built in. Still, the tripod
in it unassembled form is hardly bigger than a pencil.
In order to swing your Minox 110 S camera also into
vertical position you need a small spacer in addition
to the Minox pocket tripod.
Self-timer. The cable release socket will also accept
a self-timer. Please do not use any self-timer of the
hydraulic oil pressure type but only a timer with
mechanical spring mechanism. If you use a self-
timer which features an adjustable stroke for the
Minox 110 S camera on Minox pocket tripod. Use release pin try . the smallest stroke first. Increase
spacer as shown between camera and ball and stroke slowly until it is long enough to release the
socket head. shutter. Do not increase stroke beyond that point.
22View original page 23From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.