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Minoltina AL-s

Nobody loves a fat camera

  • Overview
  • Specs
  • Photos

At the time of launch in 1964 this was marketed as the world’s smallest 35mm rangefinder. “Don’t be fooled by the ultra-compact size of the Minoltina AL-s… you get [all of the] features found in the finest 35mm cameras.”

The 6 element, 40mm 1:1.8 lens is fast, critically sharp, and renders professional quality images that would be expected from any Rokkor. With a 58° angle of view it provides a wider angle than the 45mm lens on the Hi-Matic 7s & 9 and a slightly closer focusing range. The film advance lever is on the back of the camera rather than mounted on the top leaving a beautifully clean design comparable to the sophistication of the original Canonet. It is much smaller than that though, and than the Hi-Matic 7s & 9, and slightly bigger than other compact rangefinders such as the later Hi-Matics, the Konica Auto S3, Olympus 35RD etc. The controls are very easy to access and it’s a very useable camera even for larger hands (changing the aperture on the Oly 35RD is very difficult). It’s also fully manual, the later compact models tended to be shutter priority with CdS meters and therefore battery dependent. You need neither a working meter nor a battery to use the Minoltina AL-s.

It has all of the essential features of the 7s and 9 (no Auto mode, no problem with Sunny16) but in a much sleeker, elegant and more compact body which feels solid with a satisfying weight.

Lens:Rokkor QF 40mm 1:1.8
6 elements in 4 groups
AOV:56.8°
Diaphragm:f1.8-f16
Shutter:Seiko SLV
Shutter speeds:B, 1 - 1/500
Viewfinder:Lumi-framed viewfinder with coupled rangefinder and parallax correction marks
Focusing:Coupled rangefinder, double-image focusing spot
Focal range:2.6ft - ∞
Exposure modes:Manual
Exposure meter:Selenium meter, cross coupled with shutter speed and diaphragm
Battery:N/A
ASA:25 - 800
Self-timer:Set V, approx 10 seconds delay
Winding method:Lever-type winding, automatic shutter cocking
Winding distance:140°
Filter mount:40.5mm, screw-in
Dimensions WxHxD:128 x 74 x 60 mm
Weight:540 g / 1.2lb
Year:1964

Download the manual (PDF)

More Minoltina AL-s 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
  • Konica Auto S
  • Minolta Hi-Matic 9 Mahogany
    Minolta Hi-Matic 9 All the quality of the 7s with an improved, faster lens
  • Minolta AL
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    Wednesday 22nd March 2023