AI Summary on repairability on Minox 35's

The Minox 35 series cameras have moderate to difficult repairability due to their compact, complex electronic design, and the increasing scarcity of specific spare parts. While many common issues are well-understood and can be fixed by specialists, do-it-yourself repair is challenging for most users

Common Issues Affecting Repairability

Minox 35 cameras are known for several recurring problems, largely due to age and their electronic nature:

Shutter Problems: This is a very common issue, often due to sticky solenoids or a screw that comes loose. While sometimes a simple cleaning or tightening can fix it, other times it indicates a deeper electronic problem.
Electronic Failures: The cameras are heavily electronic, and over time, capacitors can fail, or wiring issues can arise. Models like the 35 ML are particularly prone to major electronic failures for which parts are no longer available.
Physical Durability: The plastic body is light but can be prone to flexing, which can lead to light leaks or affect film winding.
Lack of Parts: Original spare parts are very scarce, especially for unique components like certain shutter mechanisms or focus dials on specific models (e.g., the AX or some ML versions). Repair usually depends on a technician having a stock of old parts or using parts cameras.
User Error: Incorrect battery usage or amateur repair attempts are common and can make a camera unrepairable

Professional Repair Options

Professional repair is generally recommended due to the delicate and complex nature of these cameras.

Specialist Technicians: There are only a handful of specialists worldwide who can service Minox 35 cameras effectively. These technicians have the specific skills and accumulated spare parts needed.
Cost: Due to the specialized skills required, professional repair costs can sometimes exceed the purchase price of the camera.
Availability: MS Hobbies in the UK (from AI, not inserted by ourselves )is a prominent example of a specialist that offers repairs for most models of the Minox 35

AI Summary on repairability on Minox 8x11mm Cameras

Minox 8x11 cameras are repairable, but due to their intricate miniature mechanics and age, repairs require highly specialized expertise and spare parts can be scarce, especially for older models like the Riga or AX

Repair Options

Specialist Repair Services: Several independent specialists, such as MS Hobbies in the UK, are renowned for servicing and repairing Minox 8x11 cameras (including models A, B, C, BL, EC, LX, etc.). These specialists are recommended by the repairer and often offer a one-year guarantee on their work.
Manufacturer Service: The current Minox company (Blaser Group) in Wetzlar, Germany, also offers a technical service for their products. You can send the camera directly to them for an inspection and cost estimate. NB. Blaser actually refers camera repair enquiries to ourselves.
Self-Repair: Detailed instructions and guides for self-repair (e.g., for common electrical problems in the EC model or shutter issues) are available online for those with patience and technical aptitude. However, the complex, hand-built nature of some models means this can be challenging. Note that many copies of the original microfiche scans are incomplete on-line. No manual for the VEF, A, B or C cameras has been found by ourselves.

recommended by minox GERMANY FOR 8x11mm and 35mm camera

Reliability

Every repair has a one year guarantee. No arguments no weasel-like statements of plausible deniability. We do not cover accidental damage caused by user failure (for example, incorrect battery usage, battery explosions, etc). Customs procedures are tricky. We can advise per country in the EU to avoid duty before you send: describe as 'used camera for repair and return with no transfer of ownership'.

Turnaround

We aim for a maximum of three weeks (not three-six months). Repairs with a demanded timescale will have a 25% surcharge. Customs details are explained on the form.

Costs

The specialist skills and parts needed to service and repair these cameras means that typical servicing repair costs have a range from £99-£399. Most are low-to-mid-range. Riga and Minox II repair costs reflect the relative complexity and technical difficulties from a 1930s-1940's camera.

We always clean the lenses all cameras as standard.

We tend not to estimate repairs unless requested. By the time we have traced the problem, it is as well do complete the repair: especially on the 8x11mm's.

8x11 Camera Repairs: standard

We can repair the following standard models:

A,B,C,BL,EC,LX,CLX,EC-X

8x11 Camera Repairs: VEF

We can repair many VEF Minox Riga camera faults. Common repairable faults to all Minox 8x11 but particular to the VEF model. Riga repairs are more expensive, reflecting the individual nature of the cameras: all were hand built with adjustment per camera. Parts are very scarce.

8x11 Camera Repairs: II 'film lens'

We can repair most faults with the Minox II and verify the presence (or sadly not) of a 5 element lens. We cannot retrofit the film lens once removed. Minox would discreetly replace the five element film lens with a III-type Complan lens. Parts are scarce.

8x11 Camera Repairs: AX

Our repair offerings on AX cameras are restricted. This is because of the non-availabity of parts unique to the AX, such as the shutter and focus dial: these were based on but different to than those on the LX. We can perform most repairs, however.

8x11 Camera Repairs: Gold

Our repair offerings on any Gold (Au) cameras may be restricted. This is because of the non-availabity of parts unique to these cameras such as the shutter and focus dial. AX repairs are also restricted.

Types of 8x11mm Repair

Shutter
Stuck dials
Jammed camera
Wind on
Frame counter
Viewfinder cleaning
Back catch
Dirty lenses
Replace Viewfinder
Dent removal (not on all dents but many)
Battery chamber cleaning
Meter rebuild owing to leakage (BL)
Wiring faults (most)
ASA dial repair
Meter window replacement (LX/TLX/CLX)
Shutter re-attachment
Front/rear element lens fungus removal

35mm Camera Repairs

We can repair most Minox 35's up to economic repair levels. We can repair and service the following models:

EL/GL/PL/PE/GT/AL/MB/ML/MDC/GT-E/GT-S/GT-X/GSE

We cannot restore the crumbly finish of a GT-E II/GT-X

The MDC and MDC gold cameras are easily dented, and we cannot get the dents out of these.

Types of 35m Repair

Shutter jam (very common)
Aperture jam (very common)
Flash
Rewind Crank
Jammed camera
Wind on (common)
Frame counter
Back catch
Dirty lenses (common)
Replace Viewfinder (common)
Battery chamber cleaning (common)
Battery Check Button
2x exposure button (usually caused by a faulty repair)
Wiring faults (most)
Meter correction (G/P/E 35mm cameras)
LED fix (ML/MB)
ISO plate replacement (35)
Fixing previous user-attempted repairs (becoming more common)
Fixing previous mis-repaired cameras (becoming very common)
Front/rear element lens fungus removal

Accessory Repair

We can repair the following accessories. These are relatively expensive to repair because of limited

repair data from Minox themselves:

35 Flashes (FC/TC/MF)
8x11mm Flashes (ME1 - sometimes) ME2 batteries are unobtainable but we do stock ME2 chargers
Projectors (HP24)
Enlarger bulb wiring