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In September of
2002, Minox produced a special edition classic EC camera set
exclusively for the members of the Minox Historical Society.
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When Minox introduced the EC in 1981, they brought out a truly
revolutionary design that represented a radical departure from the
style and layout of the “classic” metal bodied 8 x 11
cameras that came
before it, and in so doing, established several “firsts”
for a Minox subminiature camera:
1. It was the first and only model made where the body shell detached
completely from the body for film exchange.
2. It was the first and only model of 8 x 11 camera they made with
an all high impact plastic body shell.
3. It was the first and only subminiature camera with a fixed focus
(3 feet to infinity) lens, as well as being the first and only 8
x 11 camera with a fixed aperture of F/5.6 (actually, an F/3.5 design,
with an F/5.6 mask fixed in place in front of the lens).
4. It was the first and only subminiature Minox with a proprietary
electronic flash (the “8 x 11 flash”) designed specifically
for it; a special adapter foot was later marketed to allow it to
be fitted on other Minox models.
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Interior shot, Minox ECX.
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The tiniest and lightest of all of Minox’s
subminiature camera designs, the EC series has been designed from
the ground up to be as automatic and effortless for the shooter
as possible, the closest thing to a “point and shoot”
camera Minox has come out with to date. With only two controls to
work with, a knurled cylinder the user turns to set the film speed
rating, and a 3 position sliding switch to alternate between battery
check, A for automatic, and a lightning flash symbol for when flash
is used, this camera is a perfect shooter for the beginner and yet
it still takes the sharp and contrasty photographs the entire line
is known for. Just as important, the new and innovative design instantly
made it the most affordable Minox subminiature ever made.
The "8 x 11 Electronic Flash" was specially designed for
it, and clips directly to the viewfinder end of the camera via 3
hooked contacts and a pinch locking lug. An accessory flash adapter
foot is available and fits onto this flash to enable it to be used
with other models of Minox subminiature cameras. A manual unit not
much larger than a small box of wooden matches, it was powered by
a single readily available AA size battery, and had a guide number
of 14 with ISO 100 film.
The EC did not take any of the standard accessories in the classic
Minox line; instead, a special slip case, a combination wrist/neck
cord, and a special EC wallet “combi-case” that housed
the EC and flash unit together were produced as optional accessories.
The EC was enhanced and updated to be the Model ECX in the mid-1990’s
when production of the original EC ended. The primary difference
in the new ECX is a silver coloured bezel around the lens opening,
a different lens coating, and the addition of a “film loaded”
indicator: moving the function switch to the left (battery check
position) will cause a green LED to light up if film is loaded in
the camera. The companion ECX flash unit has also been updated,
shaped more like a miniature "potato masher" style flash,
attaching the same way as the original unit. These units can be
used interchangeably, and utilize the same adapter foot for use
on other Minox subminiature models, although it should be noted
that the new flash unit has a guide number of 12 with ISO 100 film.
It is especially interesting to note that shortly after the introduction
of the original EC, when computers were skyrocketing in popularity,
a company called MicroTec (now defunct) began offering specialized
modifications to subminiature cameras for law enforcement and intelligence
agencies. Among them was the removal of the lens mask that fixed
the EC at an aperture of F/5.6. Doing this allowed the camera to
operate at F/3.5 for better low light usage, but more importantly,
it allowed the camera to obtain a fixed focus range of approximately
18 – 24”, a perfect distance for shooting the then standard
15” computer monitors of the time.
In September of 2002, Minox produced a special edition classic EC
camera set exclusively for the members of the Minox Historical Society,
the first time they have ever produced a special edition for any
Minox enthusiast group. The limited edition run of 100 cameras consisted
of the classic EC with the MHS logo on the outer body shell, a special
belt case, a wooden storage case with the MHS logo laser engraved
into it, a velvet counter display mat and the video production of
“The Minox is My Life” as narrated by the Minox inventor,
Walter Zapp, himself. The cameras are serially numbered from 1 to
100, making this the most limited special edition ever produced
by Minox.
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