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Minolta AL

  • Overview
  • Specs
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The Minolta AL is a well finished, sturdily built heavyweight rangefinder. It’s slightly smaller—but heavier—than the first generation Hi-Matics and has a superior shutter. The Citizen fires all the way up to 1/1000, and aperture closes down to f22 which is rare in this generation of cameras and adds extra versatility when shooting. There is an EV scale on the shutter speed ring which is handy if shooting without a meter. (EV is equivalent to LV at ISO100 see glossary).

Like the Konica Sii the focusing action is satisfyingly solid and smooth and the focusing ring design feels like an SLR lens of the same period. The lens itself, the Rokkor PF found on the Hi-Matic 7s & 9 is slightly slower at f2 (same as the Konica Sii) and delivers needle sharp professional performance. The viewfinder is bright and has a moving frame for parallax compensation. Unlike the Konica Sii the meter needle isn’t seen in the viewfinder and is only visible on the top of the body.

Lens:Rokkor PF 45mm f2
6 elements in 5 groups
AOV:52°
Diaphragm:f2 - f22
Shutter:Optiper-Citizen MLT
Shutter speeds:B, 1 sec - 1/1000
Viewfinder:Parallax compensated bright lumi-frame finder
Focusing:Direct helicoid focusing coupled to super-imposed rangefinder
Focal range:3ft - ∞
Exposure modes:Manual & Auto
Exposure meter:Built in selenium meter cross coupled with shutter
Battery:N/A
ASA:10 - 800
Self-timer:Delay up to about 10 seconds
Winding method:Single full stroke
Winding distance:220°
Filter mount:40.5mm, screw in
Dimensions WxHxD:130 x 85 x 75
Weight:769g / 1.7lb
Year:1961

Download the manual (PDF)

More Minolta AL photos

About Ilott Vintage

A valuable reference for anyone wanting to learn more about rangefinder cameras, manual film photography, or both, this website is intended to serve not only as a resource to discover some amazing objects but also as a place to learn more about them, to understand exactly what they are capable of, and why. Read More

See Also
  • Canon Demi EE17 A fully manual half-frame classic
  • Fujica V2 Super sharp shooter
  • Fujica 35SE Beauty meets Beast
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    Wednesday 22nd March 2023