MINOLTA ER1963

Serial Nr.101794
Minolta Code 0149
Lens: Rokkor-TD 1:2.8 45mm. Serial Nr.1104297
Characteristics and functions
In 1963 the Minolta-ER was presented. This device has remained the only
example of a SLR camera with a fixed lens produced by Minolta. The MinoltaER production is divided into two batches identifiable by the different engravingson the upper cap between the prism and the winding lever: “CHIYODAKOGAKU” or “MINOLTA CAMERA CO.LTD”. This camera is equipped with a
Minolta Rokkor-TD 45mm lens. f.1:2.8 with 4 elements placed in three groups;
while, by means of additional afocal adapters, a 35mm wide-angle focal length
can be obtained. f.1:5.6 and an 85mm tele. f.1:5.6. The focus ranges from90cm. (3 feet) to infinity. The shutter is a central Seikosha SLV (317-E) withblades that works from 1/500" to 1/30" and pose B.
The Minolta-ER can work automatically with shutter priority coupled to the builtin selenium exposure meter or manually by setting times and apertures with aworking range that goes from EV 8 (1/30" with f.1: 2.8) at EV 17 (1/500” withf.1:16) with 100 Asa film. The admitted sensitivities range from 10 to 400 Asa(11-17 Din). The device has a socket for the sync-flash cable with X and Msynchronization.

The Minolta-ER has a very similar design to the contemporary SR; the massive
appearance is given by the huge upper casing which is very projected above
the lens since it must contain the selenium exposure meter in addition to thepentaprism. However, the line is clean. On the left we find the foldable crank forthe recovery of the film and in the immediate vicinity the engraving of the black
symbol of the film plane. Continuing to the right we meet the large pentaprism
cover with the accessory slide, which has the serial number engraved inside it,and the word MINOLTA-ER in the forward part. The last part of the uppercasing contains the shutter button with, inside it, the thread for the flexible
shutter, the writing "CHIYODA KOGAKU" or "MINOLTA CAMERA CO.LTD", thelong loading lever and the window of the frame counter additive with automatic
reset when the back is opened. On the front, just below the shutter button, thereis the word "minolta" followed in the center by the large exposure meter window
located just above the lens from which only the striped black plastic ring for
focusing protrudes. On the front, next to the lens, there is a very small circularchrome frame that contains a glass that transmits green light along the left sideof the viewfinder when the 'A' function is set. On the left side of the prism at theheight of the black plastic there is the sync-flash socket for the cable. On thesides of the lens are located the two black cursors for setting the speeds (B, 30,60, 125, 250, 500) on the right, with the related data shown in white for
exposure B and in red for the other speeds. On the left, on the other hand, theaperture cursor is positioned with the respective data: 'A' (red - position withclick beyond the aperture scale) for setting the apertures in the automaticfunction and those for manual work (2, 8 - 4 - 5.6 - 8 - 11 - 16 - 22) shown inwhite. On the front, the lens has two chromed rings on a black field of which theinternal one is threaded (d.46mm.). Inside this last ring there are the lens data:"MINOLTA ROKKOR-TD 1:2.8 f = 45mm 1104297" and more externally the Asaand Din scales for calibrating the exposure meter according to the sensitivity of
the film used. The references of the two scales are placed before the "R" ofRokkor and after the second "m" of millimeters.
In the lower part of the lens we find the two meters / feet scales, the words
Seikosha-SLV, painted in white on a black background. Further to the left is asmall metal cursor with the three positions M, X and V where M and X are
painted in white, while the V position of the self-timer is painted in green. Alongthe front corners are placed the rings for the shoulder strap. The back releasesystem is positioned along the left side: the little tongue must be raised by about
6mm. To close the back you have to bring the parts together and lower the tabagain. The back is hinged along the right side of the ER. On the back side,
above the back door, there is the black plastic frame with the circular eyepiece.
In the viewfinder you can see the reflex image that is formed on a frosted glasswith a smooth crown and a central part with an image split stigmometer. On theback there are: the attachment for the stand, the release button of the clutch forthe recovery of the film and a large recess that allows a glimpse of the lower
part of the back door. This flare in the bottom serves to facilitate the introductionof the magazine since the film recovery crank cannot be elevated as on the SR.
Weight 860g. without shoulder strap and accessories.
Length 141mm., Height 93mm., Depth 78mm.