Minox 8x11 - tripods

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The Minox tripod, introduced in 1951, changed designs several times. There have been a number of minor changes in the tripod itself, the box that it was sold in  (see Tripod Boxes) and the leather case (see Tripod Cases).  There are also minor changes in the cable release (see Tripod Release Cables).

The tripod is a a table top tripod but can also be used braced against a wall or on the upper body of the photographer where it is easier to reduce vibrations than hand held.

Earlier models were chrome and had a smaller head than in the later satin finish models. The tripod folds up into a stick the size of a large pencil, the legs nesting into one another. After the first release of the pocket tripod the cable release could also be safely stored in the tripod's thinnest leg. The photograph below shows the first and second release, both with 3/8" thread.

The tripod ball head tightens by twisting the barrel of the leg. The slot in the leg is to take a coin to give a better grip when tightening. Originally there where two coin slots, a longer and shorter one. This was reduced to one slot and then none. The universal joint allows the camera to be held in any position.

The photograph below compares the first release with a later, 3rd incarnation with 1/4" thread. The later release has slightly longer legs and the shortest leg has screw thread to lock the release cable in place when stored.

The 1/4" screw thread also has a thumb wheel collar locking the tripod attachment. The original leather case is secured by pull chords. The later case has space at the top for the tripod attachment, it zips up and has a wrist strap.

The satin finish tripods of the 1980s restrict the movement in flavour of more stability from fully vertical to horizontal. The mechanism of the ball socket head also changed. The earliest form had a loose spring next to the ball. The next version has a shaped disc above a spring coil. The next version has a disc shape, filled with resin at the end of the leg. The high gloss chrome was changed to a matt finish and the socket head now has a slot restricting the free movement of the tripod attachment.

The satin finish tripod was first release with a single slot. This was dispensed with in the 1990s.


Last Updated on 24th October 2005