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Minox 8×11 Cameras
Reference guide to cameras in the Minox 8×11 system. This reference is updated as further primary and original printed documentation is reviewed.
This page documents Minox 8×11 mm camera models using original Minox documentation where available, supplemented by later factory documentation and system notes where necessary to clarify operational behaviour and historical context.
Documentation notes
The Minox C instruction manual, issued in 1968, was the earliest Minox publication to provide verified technical information for the 8×11 mm camera system. Earlier Minox literature does not include detailed technical specifications for 8×11 cameras.
In some cases, United States marketing material from the period refers generally to camera size and weight, but without supporting technical detail or specification tables.
Minox 8×11 EC
The Minox EC is an ultra‑miniature camera designed for use with the Minox 8×11 mm film cassette system. Exposure is automatically controlled by an electronically timed leaf shutter.
Technical data
| Type | Minox EC ultra‑miniature camera |
| Minox model code | 10.500 |
| Film format | Minox 8×11 mm |
| Film transport | Push‑pull rapid transport; operates only after releasing the shutter |
| Film pressure plate | Pressure plate lifts during film transport and film changing |
| Shutter | Electronically controlled leaf shutter, 1/500 s to 8 s (at 25 ASA) |
| Metering cell | CdS cell |
| Film speed range | Stepless adjustment from 25 to 400 ASA |
| Light signals | Red LED for slow‑speed warning (longer than 1/30 s) and battery check |
| Lens | 15 mm Minox lens, 4‑element construction, fixed focus, f/5.6; depth of field from 1 m (3½ ft) to infinity |
| Lens hood | Built‑in |
| Viewfinder | Bright‑line finder |
| Frame counter | Counts back from 30 to 0 or from 15 to 0; set by milled button |
| Flash connection | Special connection for Minox 8×11 electronic flash or FE 4 cube flash adapter |
| Dimensions | 8 × 3 × 1.6 cm |
| Weight | 45 g (without battery) |
System notes
The Minox EC is compatible with dedicated Minox 8×11 accessories, including the Minox 8×11 electronic flash. Automatic flash exposure behaviour is determined by the camera’s fixed f/5.6 lens aperture.
Source: Minox EC Instruction Manual (III/91).
Minox LX
The Minox LX is an electronically controlled 8×11 mm ultraminiature camera with automatic exposure control, using a silicon photo diode (SBC) meter and a stepless electronic shutter providing exposures from 1/2000 s to approximately 15 s in automatic mode.
| Film format | Minox 8×11 mm |
|---|---|
| Negative size | 8×11 mm |
| Films | Minox 8×11 mm cartridges for 15 or 36 exposures |
| Film advance | Push‑pull rapid wind; operates only after shutter is released |
| Shutter |
Electronically controlled double‑blade shutter. Manual: 1/2000 s to 1/30 s. Automatic (A): 1/2000 s to approx. 15 s. Flash automation (⚡): 1/2000 s to 1/30 s. |
| Meter cell | Silicon photo diode (SBC) |
| Terminology: The LX manual uses “SBC” for the meter cell. This reflects the German technical designation Silizium‑Brennschicht‑Cell, a specific fast‑response silicon photodiode. It is more precise than the generic English term “SPD”. | |
| Film speed | Adjustable from 12 to 400 ASA (12 to 27 DIN) |
| Lens | 15 mm f/3.5; focusing range infinity to 8 in / 20 cm; full aperture only |
| Filters |
UV filter as permanent lens window. Approx. 4× ND filter can be switched into the light path. |
| Lens hood | Permanently built in |
| Finder | Bright‑frame finder with automatic parallax compensation; red warning mark for ND filter |
| Exposure counter | Counts backwards from 36 to 0; short‑film scale from 15 to 0 |
| Flash contact | X contact |
| Tripod bush | Built in (¼″) |
| Dimensions | 10.8 cm closed; 12.4 cm open; 2.8 cm wide; 1.6 cm high |
| Weight |
88 g without battery or film; 98 g with battery, without film; 100 g with battery and film |
| Manufacturer | Minox GmbH, D‑6300 Giessen 1, West Germany |
Light signals
| Green | Battery check |
|---|---|
| Yellow (steady) | Slow speed (automatically selected exposure time longer than 1/30 s) |
| Yellow (blinking) | Timing preview; blink duration equals the automatically selected shutter time (even when faster than 1/30 s) |
| Red (steady) | Overexposure warning; insert ND filter |
| Finder red mark | ND filter is in position |
Flash exposure
Automatic flash exposure: For flash shots set the shutter speed dial to the flash symbol (⚡) for automatic flash exposure control.
Historical note: The lightning‑bolt symbol (⚡) applies only to flash cube automatic exposure. The Minox 8×11 Electronic Flash (produced until 1991) required the shutter speed to be set to 1/125 s. Later TLX, CLX and LX2000 manuals reused the original 1978 LX text and do not mention the electronic flash.
Automatic ranges with flash cubes
| Film speed | Without ND filter | With ND filter |
|---|---|---|
| 25 ASA / 15 DIN | 1.0–3.0 m (3–10 ft) | 0.5–1.5 m (1½–5 ft) |
| 64–100 ASA / 19–21 DIN | 2.0–6.0 m (6–20 ft) | 1.0–3.0 m (3–10 ft) |
| 200 ASA / 24 DIN | 3.0–9.0 m (10–30 ft) | 1.5–4.5 m (5–15 ft) |
| 400 ASA / 27 DIN | 4.0–12 m (12–40 ft) | 2.0–6.0 m (6–20 ft) |
Model numbers
| 10.610 | Chrome finish, metric distance scale |
|---|---|
| 10.620 | Chrome finish, feet scale |
| 10.630 | Black finish, metric distance scale |
| 10.640 | Black finish, feet scale |
Source: Minox LX Owner’s Manual, Printed in Germany VIII/78.
22 02 26 EC LXLast revised: 22 February 2026.
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