Minolta was a Japanese manufacturer of cameras, photographic accessories and other technical devices. The company was founded in 1928 as Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shōten in Osaka. In 2003, the company merged with Konica. Three years later, the new company Konica Minolta left the photography business.
Background on Minolta
Minolta, an important company in the history of photographic technology, was founded in 1928 in Osaka, Japan, as Nichi-Doku Shashinki Shōten. The company became known primarily for its innovative camera developments and made significant contributions to photography and related fields.
Minolta was characterised early on by its collaborations. In the 1970s, the company worked with Leica to develop the Minolta CL and Leica R3, which were modified Minolta products. This partnership also led to the introduction of the Minolta XD-11, the first “multi-mode” SLR camera with different shooting modes and a programme mode controlled by a computer chip.
Another significant milestone in Minolta’s history was the introduction of the Minolta Maxxum 7000 in 1985, the world’s first autofocus SLR camera with an integrated autofocus motor. This groundbreaking innovation set new standards in camera technology.
Minolta was not only active in the camera sector, but also in the development of other technical devices and systems. The company also manufactured laser printers, scanners and multifunctional office systems. In addition, Minolta was a leading supplier of optical systems for medical imaging and produced systems such as imaging plate systems and medical X-ray films.
In 2003, Minolta merged with Konica, another major Japanese technology company, to form Konica Minolta. This merger marked the end of Minolta’s independent existence as a camera and film manufacturer. Konica Minolta officially withdrew from the camera and film business in 2006, although the company continues to produce optical components and systems for various industries. The digital SLR camera rights and technologies were transferred to Sony, leading to the development of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100, which was heavily influenced by Minolta’s design and technology.
