Subminiature photography

Minox, followed by Tessina, GaMi, Rollei, Yashica, Mamiya, Gemflex, Stylophot and Minolta are the best-known manufacturers.

Getting film and processing for most smaller cameras is a challenge as they are no longer manufactured or supported.

While many subminiature cameras were inexpensive and poorly manufactured (thus giving the format a bad name), Minox, Gami, Edixa, Rollei, Pentax and Minolta made quality cameras capable of producing fine results—even when enlarged.

Some of these formats, or non-standard cartridges loaded with an otherwise standard ciné format, are best described as specialised (e.g., Minox or Sharan); half-frame 35 mm uses standard 35 mm film; cameras such as 110 and disc were aimed at the mass market.

The first subminiature single lens reflex is the Russian Narciss camera produced in 1961-65.

Minox also offered a developing tank that can be loaded with cassettes in daylight, which has continued in popularity, and copied by Minolta, and Yashica for its own models.

For example, full-frame 35 mm cameras, such as the Minox 35 and the Olympus XA, were made as small as possible.

Autofocus or through-the-lens focusing systems are not used on subminiature cameras to reduce the size requirements.

Minox cameras for these purposes come with a 24-inch measuring chain attached, with markings corresponding to certain distances, to assist in focusing at these short ranges.

Few subminiature cameras have interchangeable lenses, which reduce the advantages of a small size system.