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***INSIDE THE FLASH

* ANNOUNCING: THE MINOX MEMO ON-LINE
* MHS ON-LINE ENCYCLOPEDIA: TAKE ANOTHER LOOK!
* MHS MYSTERY MUG COMING SOON!
* TECH TIP
* EYE ON THE WEB

** ANNOUNCING: THE MINOX MEMO ON-LINE

The Minox Historical Society is pleased to announce the availability of the new "Minox Memo Online". The Minox Memo Online will bring to the Minox community, selected articles from the Minox Memo, past and present. As many readers will know, the Minox Memo was originally published by the Minox Processing Labs from 1956 - 1972. Publication resumed in 2001 under the auspices of the Minox Historical Society. Current offerings of the Memo online include
glimpses into Minox's past, with articles such as:

How Much is Enough Film? - Winter 1956-57
Today's Woman Ready for Anything with Giant Handbags - Summer 1959
History of the Minox - The World's Smallest Precision Camera – Summer 1970

To articles of current interest, such as:

Interview With Thorsten Kortemeier - Autumn 2002
Alternative Repair Services - Summer 2002

The Memo Online is available at the MHS website at:
http://www.minox.org

** MHS ON-LINE ENCYCLOPEDIA: TAKE ANOTHER LOOK!

Larry Feldman has done a remarkable amount of work on the MHS web site recently, posting a number of new entries to the MHS web encyclopedia of Minox, not to mention rolling out the Minox Memo On-Line, mentioned above. The Encyclopedia now features entries on almost every original 8x11 Minox camera, a biographical entry on Walter Zapp ("Z", for Zapp...<g>), and more is coming. Can we interest anyone in a few entries on the 35mm Minox cameras, or any of their other products? How about historical notes or anecdotes?

** MHS MYSTERY MUG COMING SOON...

As you know, with the publication of each new edition of the MHS Minox Memo, we traditionally release a new mug in the continuing series of Minox cameras. I won’t spoil the surprise, but will remind you that, with the publication of the next edition of the Memo just a few short weeks away, your chance to get the current Model BL mug is slipping away fast.

** TECH TIP

Ever run into a Minox flash hot shoe adapter that seems to be built backwards, i.e., it doesn’t seem to fit properly on your camera unless you mount it so that the flash gun faces toward you, and not the subject? It’s not you, and you’re not going mad: the Minox hot shoe adapter is designed to press fit into place over the PC flash synch contact on all Minox cameras from the Model IIIs to the AX (with the obvious exception of the EC series; also note that the IIIs camera will have it’s viewfinder obscured when this adapter is mounted, making it a bit impractical to use: the adapter gets its best use with Model B and later cameras). However, you may occasionally run into one as described above, apparently having been assembled backwards, or possibly experimented upon by a previous owner. The fix, for you can fix it yourself, is remarkably simple. Remove the leatherette covering on the inside of the adapter that protects the camera’s finish when mounting and dismounting the adapter. With a fine Philips head (multi-slot) screwdriver, carefully undo the four screws on the inside of the adapter, and lift the metal top off. Inside you should see a circular contact, and two tiny springs in holes on either side of it.

If the springs have fallen out, simply replace them carefully before putting the two halves back together again. Reverse the direction of the top cap, replace the screws and carefully tighten them back down to be flush with the inside surface of the adapter.

Thoroughly clean the inside of the adapter of dirt, residual adhesive, etc., and carefully re-glue the leatherette covering back in place. If you ruined the leatherette covering in removing it (as I did on mine), simply use self-adhesive laminating sheets trimmed to size. These are available in many stationary and office supplies stores in a small, 4 x 5 inch size for laminating wallet size photos, driver’s licenses, etc. at home - they do not require a laminating machine.

** EYE ON THE WEB

Minox Processing Laboratories (MPL) www.minoxlab.com

Minox Processing Laboratories is, of course, the American company that imports and distributes Minox products to America, and provides film and processing services to it’s American customers. They work so closely with Minox, GmbH in Germany that many people mistakenly think of them as the American "subsidiary" of Minox, GmbH - they are, in fact, their own independent company. MPL has had a web presence for some time, but recently, they have had their site completely redesigned from the ground up, so much so, that they deserve a new look.

Months ago I had taken a look at the new site without realizing that it was very much under construction...I mourned the demise of the old site. Now that I’ve had a chance to see the completed work, I can tell you that the very first impression that strikes you on seeing the new look, if you’ve been familiar with the original site, is "elegance": this site is clean and stylish in design and layout, and vastly more easy to use than the previous site. Major areas are easily visible in a left side frame, and all links appear to be fully active...and chock full of information and up to date pricing for services. It looks as if all the best of the old site has been preserved and brought forward, except it’s now in a new, visually exciting, and, forgive me for saying so, but far more professional looking style. The site is well worth a second look as much information on products, pricing, services and availability has changed.

With snow still on the ground and temperatures into the freezing range, it’s a wee bit too chilly for me to want to head outside; this could be a perfect afternoon to put my Minox to work around the house...<g>...’til next year, Happy Minoxing!

D. Scott Young
Secretary
Minox Historical Society