Minox-Marvel in Miniature

by D. Scott Young


Formats

Softcover
£15.00
Softcover
£15.00

Book Details

Language : English
Publication Date : 01/08/2000

Format : Softcover
Dimensions : 8.25x11
Page Count : 200
ISBN : 9781587210686

About the Book

No other camera has ever fired the public's imagination so much as the legendary Minox 'spy camera'. The unique push - pull film advance design in a camera no bigger than a package of chewing gum is universally recognized as that indispensable tool of the professional spy. Among people who might not be able to tell you the difference between a Nikon and a Hasselblad, that tiny Minox conjures up romantic images of daring missions by heroic men and women, the thrill of danger and most of alluring of all, the hint of a secret stolen.

Ironically enough, the Minox works in Germany have steadfastly refused to acknowledge, through over 50 years, any intent to design the camera as an aid to intelligence gathering. From the first camera developed in 1936, inventor Walter Zapp has always maintained that his cameras and accessories have been designed solely for the gentleman or lady who desired to participate in photography. Indeed, this sophisticated, full featured camera was designed so that it's complete system of accessories could be carried with the camera, in one's pockets or purse.

The Minox camera was a technological marvel in miniature at the time of its introduction, and remains so today. This is no mean feat in an age when miniaturization and electronics combine to give us computers small enough to fit in our pocket, watches that can store memos and speak to you, and television sets small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. And yet, close examination of a modern Minox will startle you: the basic design concept and functioning of the camera remains virtually unchanged from almost 60 years ago. More than anything else, this speaks of near perfect engineering, of form gladly and closely following function...of getting it right the first time around. Very few products made in this century can make this claim, and the Minox is the vehicle that launches Walter Zapp into the ranks of the world class designer/inventors. It should hardly come as a surprise to learn that many of the earlier models, now over 50 years old, are still functioning as reliably and accurately as the day they were made.

The exciting history of the inventor and his one of a kind camera are yours to explore in this invaluable guide to the Minox enthusiast. A complete description of every camera model and most accessories available are covered in detail. As an added bonus, a beginner's primer on photography is also included, designed to allow one to get the most out of their unique camera system. Updated information through 1999, a personal interview with the inventor and numerous photographs make this book an indispensable reference work for both the collector and the user of these fine cameras.


About the Author

D. Scott Young retired honourably as a combat veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corps after a 20 year career. Bitten by the 'shutter bug' at the age of 9, he has been a life long enthusiast of photography in general, and Minox subminiature photography in particular. A Minox camera of one sort or another has been in his pocket for 25 years, documenting his assignments throughout America and Europe.

He and his wife Maria returned to America from Germany in 1998, where he now works as a technical manager for an independent information technology company. He writes in his spare time, and is currently working on his second book, a novel.