minox 8x11 Q and A

8x11mm cameras were designed to be used with film from speeds between 10-25ASA. is acceptable. Films greater than 50 ASA will be disappointing to use.

Here is why:  Even in bright sunlight, using a 100 ASA film will mean you have to slide the Neutral Density filter across. This cuts the the film pseed down. If you used a 25 or 50 ASA film, it is unlikely you will need to use the ND filter.

Avoid 100 ASA where you can - we stock the folloowing slow flms (Velvia 50, Agfa CMS20, Rollei APS 25, Orthchrome 20 ASA, Orwo 25 ASA). 

Only use 100 or 400 ASA films in BW if you want to emphasis grain. Using 100 /400 ASA Colour negative films is too grainy.

Black and white,

7x5 inches is the optimum size for a MInox scan or print of excellent quality, with slow film. 4 1/2 x 3 1.2 is generally accepted to show the Minox to be sharp and grin-free. So when you scan, look ar the print  size before asessing the image.

Colour

For slide film, 7x5 is acceptable: but it will never be as good as a projection of a slide onto a bright screen. 

For colour negative, really 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 is the limit for a print or scan display size

You should of course enlarge the scan in photoshop to remove large dust and scratch marks, then reduce to print size to print.

Set 'canvas size' to reflet the size of the print, as opposed to the paper size.

Always remember that a Minox negative is 8x11mm in size, compared with 24x36mm, the standard for most scanners. Remmber that scan resolution (5400dpi,63000ppi,4000dpi) applies to a full frame 24z36mm frame.  Any scanner has to scan an area nine times smaller to resolve a Minox negative. 

1. Use native resolutions where possible
2. Do not use interpolated resolutions
3. The higher the resolution the better
4. Use a scanner with selective focus (Nikon, Minolta,Canon,Imacon)
5. Use a specialist slide holder (35mm to 8x11mm) or a holder that keeps the negative flat.
6. If using glass holders, make sure they have anti-newton coatings.
7. Black and white scans will show every mark and scratch unless you use a softlight scanner (Imacon Precicion III, Flextight X5) or a Minox enlarger.

File sizes vary on resolution: from 4MB to 30MB. Do not link file size with resolution: a poor negative is still a poor negative, even dressed up with a high-resolution scanner.

Remmber to clean the Minox lens at all times before  use or your images will be lower contrast.

The lens of the 3 element Riga is excellent, so why was it denigrated by Minox, in the 1960's? Well, the Riga used a flat plane lens - look at the Riga, and compare with a A or B, with their curved planes. Unless you had a RIga enlareger, enlarging negativies with the Minox II enlarger would be out of focus at the edges, because the film carrier and lens was designed for a CURVED fiilm plane. Use a late Minox II enlarger or a film scanner to get the best results for a Riga.