Does Minolta Still Make Cameras

Former Japanese imaging corporation

Minolta Co., Ltd.
ミノルタ
Minolta's quaternary and final logo, designed by Saul Bass in 1981
Industry	Manufacturing
Founded	1928; 94 years agone (1928) (as Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shōten) Osaka, Japan
Founder	Kazuo Tashima
Defunct	August 5, 2003; 18 years ago (2003-08-05)
Fate	Merged with Konica
Successor	Konica Minolta
Headquarters	3-13, 2-chome, Azuchi-Machi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-8556, Japan (1998)
Products	Cameras, film cameras, camera accessories, photocopiers, fax machines, light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation printers

Minolta Co., Ltd. ( ミノルタ , Minoruta ) was a Japanese manufacturer of cameras, camera accessories, photocopiers, fax machines, and laser printers. Minolta Co., Ltd., which is also known only equally Minolta, was founded in Osaka, Japan, in 1928 as Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shōten ( 日独写真機商店 , significant Japanese-High german camera store). Information technology made the outset integrated autofocus 35 mm SLR photographic camera system. In 1931, the company adopted its terminal proper noun, an acronym for "One thousandechanism, Instruments, Optics, and Lenses by Tashima".^[1] ^{[ third-political party source needed ]}

In 2003, Minolta merged with Konica to form Konica Minolta. On 19 January 2006, Konica Minolta announced that it was leaving the camera and photo business,^[2] and that it would sell a portion of its SLR camera business to Sony every bit role of its move to pull completely out of the concern of selling cameras and photographic film.^[three]

History [edit]

Milestones [edit]

1928: Kazuo Tashima [ja] establishes Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shōten ("Japanese-German photo visitor," the forerunner of Minolta Co., Ltd.).
1929: Marketed the company's first camera, the "Nifcarette" (ニフカレッテ).
1937: The Minolta Flex is Japan's 2nd twin-lens reflex camera (after the Prince Flex by Neumann & Heilemann).
1947: Introduction of the long lived 35mm rangefinder photographic camera Minolta-35
1958: The Minolta SR-ii is Minolta'due south outset single-lens reflex photographic camera.
1959: The Minolta SR-1.
1962: John Glenn takes a specially modified Ansco-logoed Minolta Hi-Matic photographic camera into space aboard Friendship seven. The visitor changes its name to Minolta Camera Co., Ltd.
1966: The Minolta SR-T 101 SLR camera is one of the first with TTL (through-the-lens) full aperture light metering. The first is Topcon RE Super from 1963.
1972: Minolta signs an agreement to cooperate with Leica in SLR evolution;
1973: The Minolta CL is the first fruit of this agreement.
1976: The Leica R3 is introduced. Minolta produces the R3, R4, and R5 models in the Leica R series. Subsequent cameras are built in Deutschland by Leica themselves.
1977: The Minolta XD-11 (Due north. America merely, XD-7 worldwide) is introduced, the world'south kickoff 'multi way' SLR offer M, A, S modes, with a 'Program override' in S mode effected by a computer chip, the world's first Program mode.
1981: Implementation of Minolta's invention and patent of TTL (through-the-lens) OTF (off-the-film) exposure metering: the Minolta CLE is the outset 35mm rangefinder camera to characteristic TTL metering and aperture priority autoexposure. The Minolta Ten-700 manual-focus SLR is introduced; this model is sold until 1999 and is enormously successful. The Minolta XD-11 (Model Due east) is the commencement Minolta product branded with an updated logo (in caps), which was in utilise until the 2003 merger with Konica.
1985: The Minolta Maxxum 7000 Alpha Mountain Camera becomes the world'south start autofocus 35mm SLR with in-photographic camera autofocus motor.
1987: Honeywell files lawsuit against Minolta for patent infringement over autofocus technologies.
1991: Minolta'south autofocus design was found to infringe on the patents of Honeywell, a U.Due south. corporation. Afterward protracted litigation, in 1991 Minolta was ordered to pay Honeywell amercement, penalties, trial costs, and other expenses in a final amount of $127.six one thousand thousand ^[4]
1992: Minolta settles out of court with Honeywell.
1994: The company changes its name to Minolta Co., Ltd. considering information technology no longer is primarily a photographic camera company.
1995: Introduction of the Minolta RD-175, a 1.75-megapixel digital SLR camera.
1996: The Minolta Vectis camera is a completely new SLR arrangement designed around the Advanced Photo System (APS) film format.
1998: The Minolta Maxxum 9 autofocus SLR is introduced. This system is targeted toward the professional photographer and has many features not duplicated by the competition.
2003: DiMAGE A1 introduced world's outset sensor-based anti-milk shake, and was the concluding Minolta product branded prior to the Konica Minolta merger.
2004: Minolta and Konica officially merge to become Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
2005: The company announces joint venture with Sony on CCD and CMOS technologies.
2006: Konica Minolta announces it is discontinuing all film and digital camera production, catastrophe a 78-year history equally a camera manufacturer. Terminal models released were Dimage X1 and Z6. Konica Minolta Photograph Image, Inc.'s (the camera business portion of Konica Minolta) avails regarding digital camera technology are transferred to Sony for continued development started from the joint venture.

Early cameras [edit]

Relying heavily on imported German language technology, Nichi-Doku turned out their first product, a bellows photographic camera called the Nifcarette, in March 1929. By 1937, the company reorganized as Chiyoda Kogaku Seikō, One thousand.Chiliad. (Chiyoda Optics and Fine Engineering science, Ltd.) and built the outset Japanese-made twin-lens reflex camera, the Minoltaflex, based on the German Rolleiflex.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 1947, the Minolta-35 was introduced. It is based on the Leica rangefinder camera concept with the 39mm screw lens-mount. It uses the standard 35mm pic in cassettes. The standard lens is the Super Rokkor 1:ii.viii 50mm.^{[ commendation needed ]}

In 1950, Minolta developed a planetarium projector, the first-ever made in Japan, beginning the company'southward connection to astronomical optics. John Glenn took a Minolta Hi-Matic rangefinder 35 mm photographic camera aboard the spacecraft Friendship vii in 1962, and in 1968, Apollo 8 orbited the moon with a Minolta Infinite Meter aboard.^{[ commendation needed ]}

In the belatedly 1950s and 1960s, Minolta competed in the medium-format ringlet flick camera marketplace with the Autocord series of TLR (twin-lens reflex) cameras.

Minolta XD-11 (XD-vii, XD)
Overview

Type	35mm SLR
Lens
Lens mount	Minolta SR-mount
Focusing
Focus	Manual focus
Exposure/metering
Exposure	Shutter and aperture priority autoexposure
Flash
Flash	Hot shoe and PC terminal
Full general
Dimensions	51 x 86 x 136 mm, 560 yard

Single-lens reflex cameras [edit]

In 1958, Minolta introduced its SR-two unmarried lens reflex (SLR) 35mm camera which was equipped with a bayonet mount and instant render mirror. In 1966 Minolta introduced the SR-T line which included TTL metering. Although well-made and widely regarded every bit some of the most innovative SLR cameras of their time, Minolta cameras were not as robust equally competing Nikon models. Minolta SR/SRT pattern used sleeve bushings instead of bearings on its focal airplane spindles and had greater tolerances between working parts. This occasionally caused problems in very cold weather or with extremely high levels of use. Minolta SLRs also lacked important professional person features such equally a motor drive, removable pentaprism, and removable back. Minolta cameras appealed to amateur photographers with their lower prices and loftier-quality optics.^{[ citation needed ]}

From the late 1950s through the 1980s, Minolta was the showtime Japanese manufacturer to introduce a bayonet lens mountain rather than a screw mount; and the starting time manufacturer to introduce multimode metering. They also introduced the first commercially successful autofocus SLR line with the Maxxum series.^{[ commendation needed ]}

In 1972, Minolta drew upwards a formal cooperation agreement with Leitz. Leitz needed expertise in camera trunk electronics, and Minolta felt that they could learn from Leitz's optical expertise. Tangible results of this cooperation were the Leica CL/Minolta CL, an affordable rangefinder camera to supplement the Leica M range. The Leica CL was built past Minolta to Leica specifications. Other results were the Leica R3, which was in fact the Minolta XE-1 with a Leica lens mount, viewfinder, and spot metering system, and the Leica R4 was based on the Minolta XD-11. Additionally, v Minolta lenses were repackaged every bit Leica R lenses: the Minolta 24/2.8 MC Rokkor-X eyes are found in the Leica 24/ii.8 Elmarit-R, and similarly for the Minolta 35-70/3.5, 75-200/4.5, 70-210/4, and sixteen/2.8.^{[ citation needed ]}

First "plan" focal plane shutter 35mm SLR: the XD-11 [edit]

In 1977, Minolta introduced the XD-xi, the kickoff multimode 35 mm compact SLR to include both aperture and shutter priority in a single torso. It was also the first camera to employ a computerised chip, which in shutter priority mode overrode the chosen speed if necessary to give a correct exposure, thus offering the showtime-ever 'programmed style'. The XD-11 was the terminal attempt by Minolta to enter the professional and semiprofessional 35 mm SLR market until the Maxxum 9 in 1998. Elements of the XD-xi design (called the XD-7 in Europe) were utilized past Leitz for the Leica R4 camera.^{[ citation needed ]}

The last manual-focus 35mm SLR cameras: the X-700 series [edit]

Minolta connected to offer 35 mm manual focus SLR cameras in its X-370, X-570, and 10-700 from 1981, only slowly repositioned its cameras to appeal to a broader marketplace. Minolta decided to abandon the high level of design and parts specifications of its earlier XD/XE line. The new amateur-level X-570, X-700, and related models offered boosted program and metering features designed to appeal to newer photographers, at a lower cost. The advanced vertical metal shutter blueprint of the older cameras was rejected in favor of a cheaper horizontal cloth-curtain shutter, reducing flash sync to a slow ane/60th second. Further cost savings were fabricated internally, where some operating components were changed from metal to plastic.

The first version of the X-370, the chrome version that was made in Japan, was a rugged, all-metal camera that sometimes had greater appeal than the "plasticky" X-570, Ten-700, or later blackness versions of the Ten-370 (known as the Ten-7A) to photographers who place a premium on build quality.

Every bit Minolta's autofocus Maxxums were proving successful, Minolta invested fewer resources in its manual focus line as time progressed.^{[ commendation needed ]}

Compact 35mm flick cameras [edit]

Minolta entered the highly competitive 35mm compact photographic camera market in the 1980s and transitioned from older rangefinder designs to "point-and-shoot" (P&S) electronic autofocus/autowind cameras. Minolta, like other major manufacturers faced with low-cost competition from elsewhere in Asia, found it hard to build quality P&S cameras at a cost the consumer was willing to pay, and was forced to offshore production, gradually redesigning successive cameras to reduce cost and maintain turn a profit margins.^{[ citation needed ]}

Autofocus SLRs [edit]

Infrared negatives fogged by the infrared beam frame counting machinery of a Minolta Maxxum 4

Minolta purchased the patent rights to autofocus lens engineering from Leica Camera in the 1970s.^[five] In 1985, Minolta introduced a new line of autofocus (AF) SLR cameras. In Due north America, they used the name Maxxum; in Europe, the cameras were called Dynax; and in Japan, they were named Alpha. They were Minolta'due south start line of automatic focus SLR cameras, and the first commercially successful autofocus SLRs the world had seen.^{[ citation needed ]}

Minolta's marketing agency of record, The Manhattan-based William Esty Company branded the Minolta Maxxum, which was named by Creative Director George Morin. The round Minolta logo was developed by Art Managing director Herbert Clark with internationally renowned designer Saul Bass. The Minolta Freedom line of autofocus compacts were also branded at The William Esty Company, and named by Senior Copywriter Niels Peter Olsen. The Minolta Freedom line also included the Minolta Talker, the first point & shoot camera to incorporate a vox-scrap that assisted with autofocus and flash operations. As a result of their innovations, the products that Minolta launched with The William Esty Company increased their photographic camera sales from tertiary, behind Canon & Nikon, to first in the U.S. marketplace.^{[ citation needed ]}

With the Maxxum line, the heavy duty metal bodies of earlier Minoltas were abandoned in favor of lighter and less expensive plastics. The Maxxum 7000, the near popular of the new Maxxums, introduced the innovation of arrow buttons for setting aperture and shutter speed, rather than a shutter speed punch on the body and an aperture ring on the lens. That way, the only control necessary on the lens is the manual focus ring (plus the zoom ring in the example of zoom lenses).^{[ citation needed ]}

The Maxxum 7000 had two eight-bit CPUs and six integrated circuits. A excursion on the lens relayed aperture information to the camera body, and the motor for autofocus was contained inside the camera body. An LCD showed discontinuity, shutter speed, and frame count, while an infrared beam counted sprocket holes when advancing the film from frame to frame (this prevents the use of infrared film). The 7000 had TTL phase-detection focusing and metering, autoexposure, and predictive autofocus. All Maxxum cameras employ the Minolta A-mount; before transmission-focus Minolta SR-mount lenses are incompatible with the new AF cameras.^{[ commendation needed ]}

Unfortunately for Minolta, its autofocus blueprint was found to infringe on the patents of Honeywell, a U.S. corporation. After protracted litigation, in 1991 Minolta was ordered to pay Honeywell damages, penalties, trial costs, and other expenses in a concluding amount of $127.vi million.^{[half dozen]}

After the 4-digit Maxxum i line, which included the 3000i, 5000i, 7000i, and 8000i, came the 1-digit Maxxum xi line; followed by the three-digit si line; the 1-digit line without letters (Alpha/Dynax/Maxxum iii, four, 5, 7, ix); and finally, the Maxxum 50 (Dynax xl) and Maxxum 70 (Dynax 60).^{[ citation needed ]}

APS format cameras [edit]

Minolta as well invested in APS (Advanced Photo System) film-format cameras, most notably with the Vectis line of SLR cameras starting time in 1996. APS afterward proved to be a technological expressionless end, as the cameras did not sell as hoped. Digital photography was entering the marketplace, and Minolta eventually discontinued all APS camera production.^{[ citation needed ]}

Other developments [edit]

The get-go Leica compact camera, made past Minolta (1989-1991)

Minolta introduced features that became standard in all brands a few years subsequently. Standardized features that were first introduced on Minolta models included multisensor light metering coupled to multiple AF sensors, automatic flash balance organization, wireless TTL flash control, TTL-controlled full-time flash sync, and speedy front and rear wheels for shutter and discontinuity control. Special features introduced by Minolta are interactive LCD viewfinder display, setup retentiveness, expansion program cards (discontinued), heart-activated startup, and infrared frame counter.^{[ citation needed ]}

Merger with Konica [edit]

In an effort to strengthen market share and acquire additional avails in film, film cameras, and optical equipment, Minolta merged with another long-time Japanese camera manufacturer, Konica Ltd., in 2003. The new corporation was called Konica Minolta Ltd.^{[ commendation needed ]}

Until Konica Minolta appear their withdrawal program in 2006, they fabricated Maxxum/Dynax digital and film-based cameras (retaining the different names in the unlike markets), improving the design while maintaining the basic concepts. The Maxxum 4 is a depression-priced 35 mm SLR with an A-type bayonet mount, built-in wink, autoexposure, predictive autofocus, electronically controlled vertical-traverse focal aeroplane shutter, and through-the-lens (TTL) phase-detection focusing and metering. In ad literature, Minolta claimed that the Maxxum 4 was the most compact 35 mm AF SLR, and the second fastest at autofocusing, while the Maxxum 5 was the fastest at autofocusing. These cameras were, yet, intended for the consumer end of the marketplace.^{[ citation needed ]}

Minolta fabricated one concluding attempt to enter the amateur and professional market with the Maxxum (Dynax) 9 in 1998, followed by the Maxxum 7 in 2000, which used a full LCD readout on the rear of the photographic camera. Though well received by the photographic printing, the 7 and nine did not sell to expectations or attain whatever significant breakthrough with their intended client base, who had largely gravitated to the Canon or Nikon brands. All of these cameras were eventually discontinued in favor of the less-expensive Maxxum 50 and seventy, which were sold under the Minolta name until 2006, when Konica Minolta ceased production of all film cameras.^[2]

Digital cameras [edit]

Minolta had a line of digital point-and-shoot cameras to compete in the digital photography market. Their DiMAGE line included digital cameras and imaging software as well equally film scanners.^{[ citation needed ]}

Minolta created a new category of "bridge cameras," with the introduction of the DiMAGE 7. Designed for use by people familiar with 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras but without the added toll or complication of interchangeable lenses or optical reflex viewfinders, the DiMAGE incorporated many of the features of a higher-level picture photographic camera with the simplicity of smaller meaty digicams. The camera had a traditional zoom ring and focus band on the lens barrel and was equipped with an electronic viewfinder (EVF) rather than the direct optical reflex view of an SLR. It added other features such as a histogram, and the cameras were compatible with Minolta's flashes for modernistic picture show SLRs.^{[ citation needed ]}

Nevertheless, the DiMAGE seven (including the DiMAGE A1, A2, and A200) and similar bridge cameras were not really adequate substitutes for professional person SLR cameras, and initially there were many reports of irksome autofocus speed and diverse malfunctions (this surfaced when a Sony-designed CCD fleck would malfunction, rendering the camera useless. Minolta, still, issued a CCD alert and fixed faulty units free of charge; after Konica Minolta's withdrawal from the photo business concern, Sony took over the CCD alarm until the warranty repair service was terminated in 2010). Minolta subsequently innovated in this line by being the first manufacturer to integrate a mechanical antishake system (Minolta's antishake is based inside the camera trunk as opposed to the photographic camera lens, common with Catechism EF and Nikon AF lenses).^{[ citation needed ]}

In January 2002, Minolta again created a new category of photographic camera, introducing the Minolta DiMAGE X, an ultracompact digital with a 3x folded zoom lens. With the folded approach, no moving parts of the lens are external to the photographic camera. Instead, a 45-degree mirror bounces light to a conventional zoom lens safely tucked inside the photographic camera body. Fast startup times are ane potential benefit of this design (since nothing needs to extend), but slow focus and shutter lag times marred the reward of this innovation.^{[ citation needed ]}

According to a press release past Konica Minolta they "Konica Minolta Photograph Imaging Inc. ceased its Camera Business Operations as of 31 March 2006, and ceased the unabridged customer services for Konica Minolta cameras and related products equally of 31 December 2010"^[7]

Equally of January 1, 2017, Minolta digital cameras are exclusively manufactured nether license by Elite Brands Inc in the United States. Some of the products manufactured past EBI for Minolta are instant cameras, indicate & shoot digital cameras, bridge/long-zoom cameras, waterproof cameras, dash cameras, movie cameras / camcorders and other digital photo & video related product. For over 40 years, Elite Brands Inc. has been known for its outstanding quality, operation and value. With seven primary brands and several more sub-brands, EBI has become a premier manufacturer of consumer electronics. This worldwide reputation is founded on innovation and technology that effect in the finest, most affordable products in the industry. Since 1979, Elite Brands products have been synonymous with unparalleled quality and integrity. EBI continues to deliver on our stellar reputation by providing superbly engineered and innovative products at prices that are affordable. Aristocracy Brands markets its products in the United states and worldwide, nether its own and many private label make names. All of its products are made in its own facilities under strict quality control standards and are pre-tested before shipment. EBI's mission is to offer value, top-tier quality and competitively priced products with personalized service. ^[eight]

Digital SLRs [edit]

Although Minolta had launched their kickoff digital SLR organization as early as 1995, the RD-175 — a 3 sensor (3 x 0.38 megapixel) photographic camera based on the Maxxum 500si — was never successful, and in 1998, it was superseded past the Minolta Dimâge RD 3000, a 3-megapixel DSLR based on the Minolta V-mount of Minolta'southward APS format SLR camera line, which was equally unsuccessful and short-lived.^{[ citation needed ]}

While Minolta was the inventor of the modern integrated AF SLR, it took Konica Minolta a long fourth dimension to enter the digital SLR market, a delay that may have proved fatal. Konica Minolta was the final of the large camera manufacturers to launch a digital SLR camera (Maxxum/Dynax 5D and 7D) using the 35 mm AF mountain. During July 2005, KM and Sony negotiated on a joint development of a new line of DSLR cameras,^[nine] where information technology was believed that Konica Minolta and Sony would market their DSLR line to the masses (much like the joint marketing and development of Pentax and Samsung K10/GX10 DSLRs).^{[ commendation needed ]}

On xix January 2006, KM announced that all DSLR production would continue nether Sony's direction;^[2] DSLR camera avails were transferred to Sony during the Konica Minolta withdrawal phase until March 31, 2006, where technical support for these cameras (primarily Konica Minolta'southward other digital cameras) was assumed by Sony, who appear the first Konica Minolta-based Sony SLR — the Blastoff A100 — on June five, 2006. Sony continued the industry of DSLRs using Minolta technology until 2010 when the company phased out DSLRs for its SLT system but retained the Minolta A-mount.^{[ citation needed ]}

References [edit]

^ "Well-nigh Us — Minolta Digital". Retrieved 2020-03-11 .
^ ^a ^b ^c "News release details-News Releases - KONICA MINOLTA". Retrieved 2015-08-16 .
^ "News release details-News Releases - KONICA MINOLTA". Retrieved 2015-08-sixteen .
^ NY Times
^ "Late to Digital, Leica Slow to Refocus", Wall street Periodical, September xvi, 2008, p. B1
^ Minolta Credit Rating Downgraded by Moody'due south, Company News/Business section, The New York Times, 11 July 1992
^ "Photographic camera & Photo Support | KONICA MINOLTA". ca.konicaminolta.com . Retrieved 2017-04-23 .
^ "Nigh Us".
^ "News release details-News Releases - KONICA MINOLTA". Retrieved sixteen August 2015.

Bibliography [edit]

Photoxels.com. Cursory History of Minolta. Retrieved on 2005-11-29 from https://web.archive.org/spider web/20060206183204/http://www.photoxels.com/history_minolta.html.
Sony Corporation announced a new brand for digital Unmarried Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras which Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. has developed.

External links [edit]

Media related to Minolta at Wikimedia Commons

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minolta#:~:text=2006%3A%20Konica%20Minolta%20announces%20it,were%20Dimage%20X1%20and%20Z6.

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