Minoltas, two of them

[Doug T.]

Hi again!
I've had these for a while, and thought it might be fun to put them up for comparison.

They're almost twins but the one is AF, has a self timer, and the lens barrel is a bit different. The lens cap from the AF-2 doesn't fit on the S2.
It's not easy finding good examples of rangefinders that show the transition from manual to motor wind, manual to auto focus, mechanical to electronic, etc.
Maybe the quality wasn't there, or they were viewed as consumables, I don't know, but not too many seem to be collecting this type.
That's good for me! I get them cheap, and enjoy them immensely!
Life is good ;D

Doug

[daveh]

For me they belong to the 'ugly era' of cameras. They don't have the prettiness of many cameras - not the sort of thing to collect at all. Which, of course, is what makes them extremely collectible particularly, as you say Doug, spanning the change in 'internals'.

[Randy]

That's great if they work, every time I got one of them they were broken. Good to see them added to a collection.

[photax]

I dont think that they are ugly, they have the kind of 1980`s "dry charme"
Maybe the consumer products we used will be the collectible classics of tomorrow.

MIK

[grenouille]

In a practical way these cameras were quite useful, they could be carried easily everywhere and without attracting any attention, if and when is required.

Hye

[Doug T.]

Hye,

As large as I am, it doesn't really matter WHAT kind of camera I'm carrying. I get spotted every time.
You're right though, they are quiet, and not intrusive. It's possible to do some very sneaky things with them

Doug

[grenouille]

Doug,
A shirt pocket size camera and a silent one is best for sensitive places or where they charge you for having their photos taken, Regards

Hye