The world’s smallest luxury lens-shutter camera with a titanium steel body, superior-quality optics, aperture-priority AE, plus auto and manual focusing.
The Minolta TC-1 is an ultra-high-quality, miniaturized, multi-featured camera with a titanium steel body for long-lasting durability. It is a camera unrivalled in both form and function. Fitting easily in a shirt pocket, the TC-1 is the smallest lens shutter camera available that offers the creative functions and sharp image quality of an SLR. The advanced automated features provide point and shoot simplicity, while the manual overrides and function control dial allow for personal style and creative expression. Also, the TC-1’s superior optics and exposure control let you get the high-quality results you expect from slide films. (c.f. http://filmcamera.multiply.com/photos/album/24 details originally extracted from Minolta Web site http://konicaminolta.com )
The Minolta TC-1 is the ideal companion for those who love to take pictures, have some knowledge of photography, and want a camera that can be taken anywhere, anytime, easily and conveniently.
Superior-Quality Lens
The TC-1 features an ultra-wide-angle 28mm aspherical glass
lens (five elements in five groups) which delivers superior image quality
with edge-to-edge sharpness even at a maximum aperture of f/3.5.
Aspherical lens elements reduce aberrations and also improve the quality
of off-centre images with wide angles of view. Lens performance is further
enhanced by multi-coated surfaces which reduce flare and allow high light
transmittance for exceptionally clear images. The lens system also
features circular apertures which create natural-looking backgrounds and
highlights. Additionally, an all-metal lens housing provides stable and
precise optical alignment even in extreme temperatures. Click
here for depth-of-field table.
Wide Angle Real-Image Viewfinder with
Dioptre Adjustment
For maximum eye comfort, the Minolta TC-1 features a large,
high-magnification viewfinder with the world’s widest angle-of-view. This
real-image viewfinder uses aspherical lenses and glass roof prisms to
provide a bright image and clear displays. Pushing the shutter-release
button partway down displays shutter speed, flash status, focus OK
indicator, and focus distance scale. Viewfinder dioptre adjustment
controls allow the user to set the viewfinder optics from -2.5 to +1
dioptres, to match his or her eyesight requirements.
Auto and Manual Focusing
The TC-1 uses an external passive-type 455-step auto focus
system which is able to focus accurately even on distant subjects, objects
behind glass, or mirror images. An analogue focus indicator displays the
focus distance inside the viewfinder. Manual focus is also available, with
22-step presets in the data panel. Pressing the shutter-release button
partway down activates the AF system and the analogue focus indicator. The
focus indicator is displayed in both auto and manual focus modes.
Aperture Priority AE
The TC-1 provides user-selectable circular apertures of
3.5, 5.6, 8, and 16. The photographer can choose the aperture that best
suits his or her particular needs, and the camera will select the proper
shutter speed. The circular-type aperture provides a beautiful background
blur and circular highlights as opposed to the angular highlights produced
by most lens-shutter cameras.
Elegant and Durable Body Design
The Minolta TC-1 features a strong and lightweight titanium
steel body which is both corrosion proof and shock proof. Titanium
provides a lightweight, long lasting and durable exterior which protects
the inside components while providing a beautiful appearance throughout
the camera’s lifetime. Inside, the TC-1’s film pressure plate and film
guide rails are crafted from aluminium for strength, precise film flatness,
and long life.
Function Selector Dial/Lever
Combination
Instead of numerous buttons, the TC-1 incorporates nearly
all its function controls into a large, easy to operate, all-metal dial.
The dial has settings for +/- exposure compensation, auto and manual focus
modes, flash, red-eye reduction, ISO, self-timer, and a setting lock, with
distinctive click stops for each position. Additionally, a
function-selector lever conveniently positioned in front of the dial
provides easy, one-finger operation.
+/- Exposure Compensation
This allows the user to deliberately over expose or under
expose the shot up to +/-4EV, in 0.5 EV increments. Exposure compensation
is very useful with predominantly white or dark subjects or scenes, scenes
with strong highlights or shadows, strongly back-lit subjects out of flash
range, landscapes with a large portion of sky, or for bracketing
exposures.
Spot Metering
The TC-1 is equipped with the same spot metering system as
some of today’s SLR cameras. The diameter of the spot meter circle is
5.5mm, and the EV range is 2.5 - 17 (at ISO 100). Spot metering is very
helpful in unusual lighting situations where accurate subject exposure is
critical, since it allows the user to base the exposure on a small and
specific area of the scene. To take a spot meter reading, place the
viewfinder’s spot meter circle on the subject, press and hold the spot
button, and press the shutter-release button down to take the picture.
Built-In Flash
The built-in flash has a guide number of 23 ft. and
provides 28mm lens coverage. It features off, on, fill, night portrait,
and red-eye reduction (via lamp) modes. In backlit scenes, fill/night
portrait mode properly exposes the subject while slightly overexposing the
background to maintain a backlit appearance. At sunset or with illuminated
night scenes, the same mode uses a slow shutter speed to balance the flash
illumination on the subject with the background’s ambient light. In
red-eye reduction mode, the TC-1 fires three bursts from the red-eye
reduction lamp to close down the subject’s pupils before the exposure
flash is fired.
Automatic Film Transport
The Minolta TC-1 features a miniaturized film transport
motor (developed from SLR technology) which is 60% the size of
conventional film transport motors with the same power output. This
high-power motor provides automatic first frame setting, auto film
advance, and auto rewind. In addition, power rewind may be activated at
any time.
Additional Features:
Pan Focus
To maximize depth-of-field, set the manual
focus to 3m and the aperture to f/16. This will provide the greatest
depth-of-field within the focus range.
Highlight Compensation
To accurately reproduce a highlight, set +2 to +2.5
EV compensation and spot meter the highlight.
Shadow Compensation
To accurately reproduce shadow areas, set -2 to -2.5
EV compensation and spot meter the shadow.
Dual-Mode Self-Timer
Once activated, this function delays shutter release
by either two seconds or ten seconds, depending on the user’s setting. The
two-second timer is recommended along with tripod mounting to prevent
camera shake in low-light situations with slow shutter speeds. The
ten-second setting allows the user to set up the shot and appear in the
photo. To signal countdown, the red-eye reduction lamp blinks with
increasing speed.
Data Panel Illuminator
If the light is low, the user can illuminate the
body data panel simply by pressing the illuminator button located to the
left of the viewfinder eyepiece. The data panel will remain lit for 5
seconds after the button is pressed.
Auto Power OFF
To conserve battery power, the TC-1 automatically
shuts off if not used for 5 minutes
Type:
35mm compact auto/manual focus, aperture
priority, built-in flash camera.
Lens:
28mm f/3.5mm; 5 all-glass elements in 5
groups; 3 aspherical surfaces.
Viewfinder:
Real-image type with 0.4x magnification.
85% field of view at 9.8 ft.; dioptre adjustment from -2.5 to +1.
Focus:
External, passive-type AF with focus lock;
built-in LED-type AF illuminator activated automatically in low light or
low contrast situations; AF illuminator range: 8.2 ft. Maximum
magnification 1/13.5x.
Focusing Steps:
455 for auto focus; manual focus with 22
selectable zones.
Focus Range:
1.47 ft. to infinity.
Exposure:
Aperture-priority program; manual aperture
settings f/3.5, 5.6, 8, and 16. At EV 11.5 - 12.5, the aperture will be
smaller than f/5.6.
Shutter:
Programmed automatic electronic type;
speeds: 4 - 1/750 sec.
Metering:
2-segment centre-weighted/spot. Centre-weighted:
EV 1.5 - 17 (f/3.5, 4 sec. - f/13.5, 1/750 sec.). Spot: EV 2.5 - 17 (f/3.5
2 sec. to f/13.5 1/750 sec.).
Exposure Compensation:
+/- 4 EV in 1/2-step increments.
Film Speed Setting:
Automatic setting for DX-coded print or slide
films; manual setting available. Non-DX-coded film set to 100.
ISO Range:
(auto): ISO 25 - 3200 in 1/3 EV increments;
(manual): ISO 6-6400 in 1/3 increments.
Flash:
Built-in fixed type with auto, cancel, fill, and
night portrait (slow shutter sync) modes. Range at ISO 100: 1.47 - 6.5
ft.; recycling time 5 seconds; guide number 23 feet.
Red-Eye Reduction:
Cancellable, lamp type.
Film Transport:
Automatic motorized film transport, first frame setting, film advance and
film rewind; manual start of film rewind and film rewind stop also
possible.
Self-Timer:
10 or 2 second delay; cancellable; lamp
signals countdown.
Power:
One 3V CR123A/DL123A lithium cell.
Battery Performance:
Approximately 13 rolls (24-exposure film with
flash on 50%).
Dimensions:
3.89 x 2.32 x 1.16 in.
Weight (without battery):
6.5 oz. 185g
ULTRA-COMPACT, BUSINESS-CARD SIZE LS CAMERA
99.0 (W) x 59.0 (H) x 29.5mm
with a built-in flash
Miniaturization Technology
miniaturized layout and components
IMAGE QUALITY BETTER THAN OR EQUAL TO AN
SLR WITH A FIXED FOCAL LENGTH LENS
G-Rokkor 28mm f/3.5 lens
5 all-optical glass elements in 5 groups
2 aspheric lenses, 3 surfaces coated
All metal optical mechanics
high accuracy, temperature resistant
Perfect circular aperture creates natural backgrounds and highlights
High accuracy AF (455 steps, built-in AF illuminator)
DIGNIFIED APPEARANCE
Titanium Body (strong, lightweight, corrosion and shockproof)
All metal function dial
Rubber finger grip (added camera control)
High magnification viewfinder (world's widest angle of view, large, easy viewing
eyepiece with dioptre adjustment)
VERSATILE FEATURES FOR PERSONAL STYLE
Fastest lens-shutter speed of 1/350, at maximum aperture of f/3.5
Aperture priority AE (f 3.5, 5.6, 8, 16)
Centre weighted/spot metering
Exposure compensation ñ4EV, 0.5 increments
Analogue focus distance display in viewfinder
Manual focus (0.45m to infinity, 26 zones)
Fill-in flash (Daytime-sync, Slow-sync)
Red-eye reduction
Ebay
2003/05/29 659.95USD
2003/05/29 404EUR
*2003/06/07 296EUR
2003/06/08 404EUR
2003/06/11 423.50EUR
2003/07/16 692.90USD
2003/08/13 445.44EUR
2003/08/16 401EUR
2003/09/09 4.50EUR - brochure
2003/09/14 605EUR
2003/10/21 510USD
2003/11/16 310GBP
2004/01/09 426EUR
2004/05/13 510EUR
2004/07/17 643.33USD
2004/12/19 1EUR (brochure)
2004/12/20 269.88EUR
2004/05/29 598EUR
2005/05/29 321EUR
2005/10/16 394EUR
2005/10/16 312EUR
2005/11/08 385GBP
2005/11/12 317.66EUR
2006/04/14 690CAD (342.27GBP)
2006/04/16 421EUR
2006/06/29 600USD (box)
2006/11/20 535USD (box)
2006/11/28 306EUR (box)
2006/11/29 265.50GBP (box)
2007/10/17 421.52EUR
2007/19/29 718USD (case)
2008/01/31 206.50GBP (box)
2008/01/31 595USD (box)
2008/04/20 660USD (box)
2008/04/29 250GBP (box)
2008/05/01 475USD (box)
2008/06/11 930USD
2008/08/17 192GBP
2008/08/19 499USD
Last Updated on 29th September 2008