Minox
LX Series
First
introduced in 1978, the Model LX series is still in production today, after 22
years, making it the longest running production cycle subminiature camera Minox
has ever produced. The series was introduced with standard silver tone and
black matte finished models (both now discontinued), and has seen small
production runs since then of commemorative models in gold, platinum and
sterling silver. A gold Walter Zapp signature commemorative model was released
in celebration of Minox, GmbH's 50 year anniversary on 15 September 1995. At
the same time, the current standard model, the titanium clad, black trimmed TLX
was introduced. Since 1995 two other variations have been offered and are still
available: the chromed CLX 60 year commemorative model that comes boxed with a
video taped recording of the inventor telling his story of the Minox, and a
black matte finished, gold accented Millenium Edition, specially issued for the
year 2000.
The LX series is the culmination of Minox engineering in subminiature cameras:
over 268 miniscule glass and metal parts are scattered throughout it's aluminum
body shell, combining to form the most sophisticated subminiature camera
they've ever produced. The electronic shutter now provides a top shutter speed
of 1/2000th of a second down to a full 16 seconds, and is coupled to
an advanced Silicon Blue Cell (SBC) metre for fully automatic exposure
control…even with 4 shot electric flash cubes mounted 
on
the FL-4 accessory flash gun. A tripod socket is integrated directly into the body
shell, the shutter release button and control knobs have been ergonomically
redesigned, and the metre needle has been replaced with high tech green, yellow
and red LED indicators (signaling good battery, low light and over exposure
warnings, respectively). The photograph 
(above
left) shows the black LX open in shooting position in the foreground, while
from left to right in the background are the 8 x 11 electronic flash unit with
adapter mounting foot attached, the FL-4 electric flash cube gun, and the slip
on "hot" shoe adapter to allow mounting of any standard electronic
flash unit.
New LX's range in price from $800 to $2700 (standard TLX shown above to gold finished "signature" commemorative model) depending on finish and where they're purchased; used ones in silver tone or matte black can be had for as little as $450 to $700, depending on condition and finish.
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The 1st production Minox: Riga |
Model III/IIIS (Model A, in Europe) |
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© Sep 2000 by D. Scott Young, all rights reserved