Minox 8×11 Cameras

Reference guide to cameras in the Minox 8×11 system. This reference is updated as further primary and original printed documentation is reviewed.

This page documents Minox 8×11 mm camera models using original Minox documentation where available, supplemented by later factory documentation and system notes where necessary to clarify operational behaviour and historical context.

Documentation notes

The Minox C instruction manual, issued in 1968, was the earliest Minox publication to provide verified technical information for the 8×11 mm camera system. Earlier Minox literature does not include detailed technical specifications for 8×11 cameras.

In some cases, United States marketing material from the period refers generally to camera size and weight, but without supporting technical detail or specification tables.

Minox 8×11 EC

The Minox EC is an ultra‑miniature camera designed for use with the Minox 8×11 mm film cassette system. Exposure is automatically controlled by an electronically timed leaf shutter.

Technical data

Type	Minox EC ultra‑miniature camera
Minox model code	10.500
Film format	Minox 8×11 mm
Film transport	Push‑pull rapid transport; operates only after releasing the shutter
Film pressure plate	Pressure plate lifts during film transport and film changing
Shutter	Electronically controlled leaf shutter, 1/500 s to 8 s (at 25 ASA)
Metering cell	CdS cell
Film speed range	Stepless adjustment from 25 to 400 ASA
Light signals	Red LED for slow‑speed warning (longer than 1/30 s) and battery check
Lens	15 mm Minox lens, 4‑element construction, fixed focus, f/5.6; depth of field from 1 m (3½ ft) to infinity
Lens hood	Built‑in
Viewfinder	Bright‑line finder
Frame counter	Counts back from 30 to 0 or from 15 to 0; set by milled button
Flash connection	Special connection for Minox 8×11 electronic flash or FE 4 cube flash adapter
Dimensions	8 × 3 × 1.6 cm
Weight	45 g (without battery)

System notes

The Minox EC is compatible with dedicated Minox 8×11 accessories, including the Minox 8×11 electronic flash. Automatic flash exposure behaviour is determined by the camera’s fixed f/5.6 lens aperture.

Source: Minox EC Instruction Manual (III/91).

Minox LX

The Minox LX is an electronically controlled 8×11 mm ultraminiature camera with automatic exposure control, using a silicon photo diode (SBC) meter and a stepless electronic shutter providing exposures from 1/2000 s to approximately 15 s in automatic mode.

Film format	Minox 8×11 mm
Negative size	8×11 mm
Films	Minox 8×11 mm cartridges for 15 or 36 exposures
Film advance	Push‑pull rapid wind; operates only after shutter is released
Shutter	Electronically controlled double‑blade shutter. Manual: 1/2000 s to 1/30 s. Automatic (A): 1/2000 s to approx. 15 s. Flash automation (⚡): 1/2000 s to 1/30 s.
Meter cell	Silicon photo diode (SBC)
	Terminology: The LX manual uses “SBC” for the meter cell. This reflects the German technical designation Silizium‑Brennschicht‑Cell, a specific fast‑response silicon photodiode. It is more precise than the generic English term “SPD”.
Film speed	Adjustable from 12 to 400 ASA (12 to 27 DIN)
Lens	15 mm f/3.5; focusing range infinity to 8 in / 20 cm; full aperture only
Filters	UV filter as permanent lens window. Approx. 4× ND filter can be switched into the light path.
Lens hood	Permanently built in
Finder	Bright‑frame finder with automatic parallax compensation; red warning mark for ND filter
Exposure counter	Counts backwards from 36 to 0; short‑film scale from 15 to 0
Flash contact	X contact
Tripod bush	Built in (¼″)
Dimensions	10.8 cm closed; 12.4 cm open; 2.8 cm wide; 1.6 cm high
Weight	88 g without battery or film; 98 g with battery, without film; 100 g with battery and film
Manufacturer	Minox GmbH, D‑6300 Giessen 1, West Germany

Light signals

Green	Battery check
Yellow (steady)	Slow speed (automatically selected exposure time longer than 1/30 s)
Yellow (blinking)	Timing preview; blink duration equals the automatically selected shutter time (even when faster than 1/30 s)
Red (steady)	Overexposure warning; insert ND filter
Finder red mark	ND filter is in position

Flash exposure

Automatic flash exposure: For flash shots set the shutter speed dial to the flash symbol (⚡) for automatic flash exposure control.

Historical note: The lightning‑bolt symbol (⚡) applies only to flash cube automatic exposure. The Minox 8×11 Electronic Flash (produced until 1991) required the shutter speed to be set to 1/125 s. Later TLX, CLX and LX2000 manuals reused the original 1978 LX text and do not mention the electronic flash.

Automatic ranges with flash cubes

Film speed	Without ND filter	With ND filter
25 ASA / 15 DIN	1.0–3.0 m (3–10 ft)	0.5–1.5 m (1½–5 ft)
64–100 ASA / 19–21 DIN	2.0–6.0 m (6–20 ft)	1.0–3.0 m (3–10 ft)
200 ASA / 24 DIN	3.0–9.0 m (10–30 ft)	1.5–4.5 m (5–15 ft)
400 ASA / 27 DIN	4.0–12 m (12–40 ft)	2.0–6.0 m (6–20 ft)

Model numbers

10.610	Chrome finish, metric distance scale
10.620	Chrome finish, feet scale
10.630	Black finish, metric distance scale
10.640	Black finish, feet scale

Source: Minox LX Owner’s Manual, Printed in Germany VIII/78.

Note on CLX and TLX finish:
CLX and TLX cameras are mechanically identical to the LX. Both represent later production with improved external finish and cosmetic refinement. These changes are not documented in the manuals, which otherwise remain unchanged in operational content.

22 02 26 EC LX