It was the first successful new 35mm rangefinder camera with Leica specifications to emerge on the market after World War II that uses the 39mm screw lens-mount.
1 - Minolta-35 (Model A) On entering the miniature camera business, Chiyoda Kogaku had decided to make the frame size 24×32mm, a logical proposition at the time since most photo copies were made on paper closer to this format.
Accessory mounted in the shoe on top of the camera is secured by a spring-loaded ball that sometimes mistakenly is assumed to be a flash synchroniser contact, which it is not.
At about serial number 1500 the inscription at the top of the camera was simplified from the full company name, Chiyoda-Kogaku Osaka, to the initials C.K.S.
The engravings on the lens and on the slow speed dial were turned to be read as one holds the camera for picture taking!
By now the film frame length has been increased to 34mm, and carrying strap eyelets has been added at either end of the camera body.
6 – Minolta-35 Model F A year later at about serial number 17,000, the flash synchronization became available using a standard coaxial PC socket.
During the production run several changes were made, allowing for a second version possibly introduced about serial number 70,000: The most notable feature is the deeper drawn top and base cover plates.