The Minolta Zoom 80 is a camera from Minolta. It is a snapshot camera. The model was presented in the early 2000s. The camera was built in a factory in China. It was aimed more at beginners and casual users and is easy to use even without a manual.
The 35mm camera comes with a fixed lens. The zoom lens is named "Minolta Aspherical Lens Zoom 38-80mm". The lens has a focal length range of 38mm to 80mm. The zoom factor is equivalent to 2.1, and the maximum aperture is f/6 or f/12 at 80mm. The 35mm photo camera is equipped with autofocus. The minimum distance to the subject is 90 cm.
The 35mm camera has an exposure meter. It is designed for films with an ISO value of ISO 100 and ISO 400. The film speed is determined by the DX code. If this code is not present on the cartridge, ISO 100 is set by default. The Minolta Zoom 80 can set the aperture and shutter speed automatically. There is no influence on the exposure settings and the film speed setting.
A flash is built in for pictures in low light. The power reaches up to 3.5 meters in wide angle at ISO 100. A red-eye prevention mode is built in. The current mode can be seen on a display on the top. The flash can also be turned off or used as a fill light in backlit situations.
The photo camera has a self-timer and a tripod thread on the bottom. The self-timer takes a picture after ten seconds of pressing the shutter button. There is an attachment for a wrist strap on the side.
According to the manual, the camera weighs 155 grams and measures 11 x 6 x 4.6 cm. The camera requires two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*). You can get the batteries very cheap almost everywhere. Of course, you can also reach for rechargeable batteries. According to the instructions, one charge is enough for 16 rolls of film with 24 pictures each.
Films for the Minolta Zoom 80
The Minolta Zoom 80 is loaded with 35mm film. 35mm films are still manufactured today. For black and white images, you can reach for the Kodak T-Max 100*. For color images, the Kodak Portra 400* is an option. According to various reviews, they are good for everyday shooting and produce solid results.
The color film is processed using the C-41 process. This is offered by almost every photo lab. For example, you can drop off your films for development at many drugstores in Germany. The black and white film has to go into an extra developer, like Rodinal or the T-Max developer.
The film is automatically transported by the Minolta Zoom 80. A special feature of this model is that the camera transports the complete material from the cartridge out of a spool after loading the film. After each photo, a piece of the film is then rewound back into the cartridge. If you accidentally open the camera, almost no pictures are lost with this method.
Minolta Zoom 80 Date
Additionally, another variant of the 35mm camera was sold. The Zoom 80 Date is almost identical in terms of functionality, but additionally offers the possibility to perpetuate the date of recording on the pictures. On the back there is a corresponding panel for the settings. Here you can choose in which format the date should be imprinted. The automatic calendar extends to the year 2024. The additional function makes the camera a bit heavier. It weighs 165 grams and has a size of 11 x 6 x 5.1 cm.
