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The Minolta 16 Camera Models
This page is a gallery of the various models of the Minolta 16 which
may help a prospective buyer to identify the camera he or she is interested
in. Click on the thumbnails for a larger view. For more detailed
specifications, check out The
SubClub, which has information on all the Minolta 16 line, as well
as every other submini camera.
The
Konan-16 Automat, circa 1950. Konan sold out to Chiyoda Optical, which
became Minolta. The Konan design became the basis for the Minolta 16-I.
The
unique Konan metal cassette. The front had a spring-loaded plate that only
opened when the cassette was inserted. This allowed mid-roll changes without
wasting a frame. However, when Minolta redesigned the camera, they also
redesigned the cassette, going with a cheaper
plastic design.
The
Minolta 16-I, on the left, was introduced in 1957. On the right is the
16-II, with more shutter speeds, apertures, and a better lens and viewfinder.
The 16-II was introduced in 1960.
Here
is a rare and interesting hybrid. Back in the early 60's, Japan's most
famous products were cameras and transistor radios. It only seemed natural
that Minolta would combine their 16-II with a 7 transistor AM radio. The
result was the Sonocon. It was not a very big seller, and as a result they
are very scarce today.
Introduced
in 1960, the 16P was Minolta's economy model. The 25mm lens had f/stops
ranging from 3.5 to 16. The single shutter speed was 1/100th of a second.
This
is the Minolta 16Ps circa 1965. The only difference from the 16P was the
addition of a second shutter speed of 1/30th for better results with flash.
The speed is changed by moving the lever located on the front of the camera
between the lens and viewfinder.
The
Minolta 16EE from 1962. The EE stood for Electric Eye, and this was the
first Minolta 16 with an exposure meter, and it was automatic! Pictured
here with the optional neutral density filter attached.
In
1963, Minolta introduced the 16EE-II, also known as the 16Cds. The selenium
light meter was replaced with Cds cell.
The
Minolta 16MG was introduced in 1966, and many of these came back with soldiers
returning from Vietnam. A very stylish camera, and smaller than all but
the 16/16II.
A
very rare gold version of the MG. It came with matching gold flash and
chain. Even the Minolta logo on the case was in gold.
This
close-up shows that the gold version was not labelled as an MG.
Introduced
in 1970, the MG-S used a larger negative size, requiring Minolta to change
to single perforation film. It had automatic aperture preferred exposure
control using a CdS meter. There were many accessories available for the
MG-S. Pictured here is the chrome version.
This
is the MG-S in black finish.
The
Minolta-16QT, circa 1974, the final model to be introduced. Had the
larger negative size like the MG-S, and shared some of the same accessories,
like filters. Only 2 shutter speeds, 1/30th, and 1/250th, with a match-needle
flashing light display in the viewfinder. The only Minolta 16 with a focusing
lens. This is the chrome version.
The
black version of the 16QT.
