minolta al 45/2 B-1/1000
Minolta began production of this true rangefinder in 1961. The viewfinder has an integrated rangefinder with full parallax correction. The lens is a super sharp Minolta Rokkor PF 1:2 with a 45mm focal length. There is a selenium meter with a coupled match needle on the top (but full manual settings are also available). The meter can be set for film speeds from ASA 10 to ASA 800. The Optiper Citizen MLT shutter has speeds from 1 to 1/1000 sec.
Minolta AL
All the normal controls are in the expected places except for the frame counter, which is on the bottom. Aperture and shutter speed settings are on the lens and are set up in such a way that rotating them together keeps the camera set to a constant exposure value. The EV numbers are also marked on the lens. The lens accepts 40.5mm filters. There is a PC connector to compliment the cold shoe, and X and M sync are provided. As with all older cameras, use of the self-timer is considered risky.
Most ALs these days will need new door seals. Sticky shutters are easily dealt with by a partial tear-down of the lens and a swab of the shutter blades with alcohol. The meters on all three of mine work perfectly. Unlike the later Himatic 7 family with their CdS meters, the AL'sselenium meter requires no battery. The trade off is the loss of low light performance, but a good hand held meter can take care of that, and the f/2.0 lens is fast enough for most situations. Occasionally, a sticky rangefinder will be found, but removal of the top will reveal a pivot that can be lightly oiled to restore full function.
Minolta AL
All the normal controls are in the expected places except for the frame counter, which is on the bottom. Aperture and shutter speed settings are on the lens and are set up in such a way that rotating them together keeps the camera set to a constant exposure value. The EV numbers are also marked on the lens. The lens accepts 40.5mm filters. There is a PC connector to compliment the cold shoe, and X and M sync are provided. As with all older cameras, use of the self-timer is considered risky.
Most ALs these days will need new door seals. Sticky shutters are easily dealt with by a partial tear-down of the lens and a swab of the shutter blades with alcohol. The meters on all three of mine work perfectly. Unlike the later Himatic 7 family with their CdS meters, the AL'sselenium meter requires no battery. The trade off is the loss of low light performance, but a good hand held meter can take care of that, and the f/2.0 lens is fast enough for most situations. Occasionally, a sticky rangefinder will be found, but removal of the top will reveal a pivot that can be lightly oiled to restore full function.
