MINOLTA
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1928
1931
1934
1937
1947
1948
1957
1958
1971
1973
1985
1928
1931
1934
1937
1947
1948
1957
1958
1971
1973
1985
Kazuo Tashima
founds the company Nichi-doku Shashinki Shokai (literally, Japan-German Camera
Company). With the assistance of Willy Neumann (who had previously worked
at Krauss Optische Werke), Tashima produces the Nifcalette. This is a folding
camera, which derives its name from NIppon Foto
CAmeras. These generally have Japanese bodies
and German lenses.
Company
name is changed to Molta, which is derived from Mechanism,
Optics and Lenses
by TAshima.
The Minolta
name appears for the first time with the Semi-Minolta. The name Minolta derives
from Machines, INstruments,
Optics and Lenses
by TAshima.
The
company reorganises, and changes its name to Chiyoda Kogaku Seiko Kabushiki
Kaisha.
The
first Minolta Leica copy, the Minolta 35 l (Original, or Model A) is marketed.
This has an unusual film frame size of 24 x 32mm. This is followed by the
Model B, which has no locking catch on the slow speed dial, and different
shutter speeds.
Minolta
35 l Model C introduced, with a changed image size of 24 x 33mm. This is followed
by the Model D (1948), E (1951), F (1952), ll (1953) and the llB (1958).
Minolta
plan to introduce the Minolta Sky, a camera that has some similarity to the
Leica M3. Although designed to use Minolta M mount bayonet lenses, an adapter
for 39mm screw mount lenses is available. Probably less than 100 are made,
and these are not sold publicly.
Introduction
of the first Minolta SLR camera (Minolta SR-2).
Minolta
sign an agreement with Leitz for the production of rangefinder cameras (probably
as a result of high labour costs in Germany).
Introduction
of the Leica CL (also produced by Minolta under licence and sold as the Minolta
CL).
Death of
Kazuo Tashima, on his 86th birthday.
