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The Model AX was introduced somewhere in 1992-93, as a limited
edition, silver tone, all mechanical camera intended to celebrate
it's origins. Essentially a model BL/LX hybrid camera in a cut down
LX body, it retains the ergonomically redesigned control knobs,
shutter release and integral tripod socket of the LX body style,
while providing the purist with the all mechanical, meterless, precision
works of an earlier time.
The mechanical shutter timing mechanism, referred to as “Hemmwerk”
by Minox, is actually taken from the workings of a Model BL camera.
The film countdown mechanism is taken from an LX camera, and the
top deck, also from an LX model, has been slightly modified to allow
for this. Both the outer body shell and the lens assembly are taken
from the LX camera as well, albeit slightly modified for the new
AX.
In September of 1994, 250 gold finished models were produced in
time for Photokina, the most limited edition model known to have
been made at that time.
The following September, in 1995, a gold finished Walter Zapp "signature
model" known as the Gold AX II was released in an unknown quantity
to celebrate 50 years of Minox as a German company. It was showcased
along side a gold “signature model” LX also released
as part of the 50 year celebration. Both models were presented in
an elegant wooden case with a soft, brown “glove leather”
camera case and matching gold measuring/security chain.
Somewhere after 1996, approximately 222 black matte finished AX
models were released on the market by Minox.
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