The Minolta Freedom Dual C is a 35mm camera. The model was offered by the Japanese company Minolta in the early 90s. The camera was aimed at beginners and occasional users. The range of functions is limited to the most necessary and allows operation without a manual. The 35mm camera was also marketed outside the North American market under the name "Minolta Riva Twin 28".
The camera does not come with a classic zoom, but with two focal lengths that can be switched between. The choices are 28mm and 40mm. You can select them with a button on the top. Focusing is automatic with an autofocus system. However, there is a focus lock to choose the focus more precisely. The closest focusing distance is 28 mm at 65 cm.
The widest aperture is f/4 at 28 mm, at 40 mm it is f/5.6, but this is not really important as the camera sets the aperture itself. The shutter speed is also selected by the technology itself. The light meter reads the sensitivity of the film from the DX code on the film cartridge. Films from ISO 100 to ISO 400 are supported; if no code is present, ISO 100 is always selected. You cannot select the sensitivity yourself.
A flash is built in for shooting in low light or poor lighting conditions. The flash range is from 0.65 meters to 3.4 meters at ISO 100, and the flash can be turned off by pressing a button below the flash during shooting.
On the bottom of the Minolta Freedom Dual C is a thread for a tripod. This is useful in combination with the self-timer, for example. The self-timer has a lead time of ten seconds. The use of a wireless shutter release is not possible with this model.
The camera's housing is made of plastic. With a size of 14.3 x 7.5 x 5.3 cm, the compact camera weighs 270 grams. There is an eyelet for a camera strap on the side. It requires a 2CR5 battery (eBay / Amazon*) for operation. One battery is enough for about 1100 photos. There is no display.
Films for the Minolta Freedom Dual C
What kind of photo films do you need for the Minolta Freedom Dual C? The camera uses 35mm film. 35mm film is still manufactured and is developed without problems at most photo labs. A 35mm film for color photography is the Kodak Ultramax 400*. A possible black and white film is the Ilford Delta 100*. Foma, Adox and also Rollei are still other suppliers of 35mm film.
The negatives of the 35mm camera have a size of 24mm x 36mm. The film transport is automatic. The photographer does not have to advance it. The number of pictures taken is displayed on the top. There is also a button there to rewind the film back into the cartridge before the regular end.
Quartz Date Model
Besides the regular model, there was also a date version. This version can imprint the time and date in one corner of the images. Here you can choose between different formats or even turn off the function completely. Unfortunately, the calendar only lasts until the year 2019.
The model also requires a CR2025 battery (eBay / Amazon*) for the movement. Compared to the normal version, it is ten grams heavier and slightly thicker.
