LEICA MINI
1991

Serial n.1830741

Characteristics and functions
The Leica Mini, introduced in 1991 was produced by Minolta on behalf of Leica
Elmar lens and equipped with 35mm. It is an autofocus camera, motorized withbuilt-in electronic flash and a pre-flash system to reduce the "red-eye" effect.
The lens is a Leica Elmar 35mm. f./3.5. The active-type infrared autofocus withcancelable lock focuses from a minimum distance of 0.65m. The programmed
exposure meter works from EV 6 to EV 16 with 100 Iso films (from 1/5sec. andf.3.5 to 1/250sec. and f.14). The range of film sensitivities allowed ranges from50 to 1000 Iso with decoder DX loaders; while with magazines without DX
decoding the camera sets 100 ISO always.
The camera looks like a parallelepiped with rounded edges. At the extreme rightof the upper side there is a rectangular button that is used to switch the camera
on and off (ON / OFF). Just to the left we find the shutter button, with a squareshape, which has a double function: when pressed halfway, it activates theexposure meter and focus by blocking and memorizing the distance; pressed at
the end of the stroke it triggers the shutter and advances the film to the next
frame. On the upper side we find, on the far left, the liquid crystal display thatprovides all the information on the status of the settings: there is an efficient /exhausted battery signal (the completely black battery symbol indicates that thebattery is efficient, if the symbol is white means that the battery is running low, if
the white battery symbol flashes it means that the battery has to be replaced
immediately). The additive counter also has the countdown function to highlightthe recovery of the exposed film (when the frame returns to "0" again, the film iscompletely rewound and the back can be opened. If you press the Self-Timerbutton (located on the far left of the top of the camera, under the liquid crystal

display, a red LED is activated on the front of the camera (the shot will takeplace with a 10" delay). This self-timer signal active remains solid red for sevenseconds, flashes for two seconds and finally lights up steadily in the last second
before shooting. The self-timer function can be locked and canceled by simply
turning the camera off ("ON / OFF" button). At the right end of the display theindications of the "flash" settings appear: "AUTO" for a completely automaticmanagement of the flash, "ON" for the forced activation of the flash and "OFF"to completely exclude the flash. When the camera is turned on, it sets the flash
with "AUTO". The "MODE" button to the right of Self-Timer button sets themode of the flash (AUTO, ON, OFF) and also to set the lock focused at infinity.
On the far right is the small push-button for the intentional recovery of the film
not completely exposed with the relative symbol (to activate the function, presswith a pointed object in the small hole). The back zipper is located on the left
side of the camera. On the right side of the camera is attached the wrist strap
for transport and the back release system (move the 3mm slider in the directionof the arrow - "Open"). The door of the film compartment completely occupies
the rear part of the camera, in the upper part there is the window of theeyepiece. In the viewfinder appear the light frame with parallax references inclose-up shots, the focus area with cancelable memory and along the upperside a green led that comes into operation with the shutter-release button
partially pressed and indicates: focus / exposure locked ". The LED, if it flashes
quickly, indicates that the subject is too close to a correct focus (the shutterremains locked), if it pulses slowly it indicates that the camera sets slow times risk of blur. On the right side of the door is the window for viewing theintroduced charger. There are 6 vertical lines in relief allowing a better grip evenwith the right hand only. On the front side we find an asymmetrical shaped
window that contains the electronic flash, the autofocus system with theviewfinder in the center and the exposure meter cell and the red self-timer led.
Continuing towards the right is marked "Leica" positioned in a circular field ofred. The front of the Leica Mini is ergonomically shaped so that the user
successfully support the right index finger, right, and index and middle fingers of
his left hand in order to have a firm grip, but also that your fingers do not gointerfering with lens and flash. Below the flash there are the words "Leica Mini",
screen-printed in white. When the camera is turned on, the lens mount comesout of the camera body and settles into the working position. The lens iscontained under an anti UV protection glass. Under the lens is the white words:"Leica Elmar 1: 3.5 / 35On the lower side we find the thread for the use of thestand (on the extreme left, in a very advanced position), the word
“Manufactured in Japan for Leica Camera GMBH” and the engraved serial
number. Just on the right front edge of the cap is located in the battery
compartment scroll (one 3v. Battery type DL 123A is required). There is also aversion with a back date (QD) scheduled until 2019.
Weight 160g. Length 118mm. Height 65mm. 38.5mm depth (In the version,
without date back and without batteries).