The Minolta AF-Tele is a camera made by Minolta. It was manufactured in Japan in the 1980s. The model comes with all sorts of automatic features and is quite easy to use.
The 35mm camera comes with a zoom function. In this, a switch is used to toggle between two lens designs. The lenses 38 mm f/2.8 and 60 mm f/4.3 are available. The construction consists of 4 elements in 3 groups and 7 elements in 5 groups, respectively. Manual focusing is not necessary with the 35 mm camera. The Minolta AF-Tele has an infrared autofocus system. The closest focusing distance is specified at 80 cm for this lens. Something unusual for a compact camera, is the 46mm filter thread.
The 35mm photo camera has a built-in light meter. It is designed for films from ISO 25 to ISO 1600. The film speed is read out via the DX code. If the code is not available, the camera always selects a fixed value of ISO 100.
The exposure settings are determined automatically by the camera technology. There is no possibility to change aperture and shutter speed. The 35 mm camera has a built-in automatic flash. At ISO 100, the range is 0.8 meters to 5.5 meters. With a button, the flash can be forced as a fill-in.
Of course, a self-timer with a lead time of ten seconds should not be missing. For this, you can attach the photo camera to a tripod with the thread on the bottom. On the side, there are eyelets for a wrist strap or a camera belt.
The dimensions of the Minolta AF-Tele are 14.1 x 7.5 x 5.9 cm according to the user manual. It weighs 380 grams. A DL223A battery (eBay / Amazon*) is responsible for the power supply. However, two more common AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*) can also be used as a substitute.
Films for the Minolta AF-Tele
35mm film is used for exposure in the Minolta AF-Tele. These are still easy to get today and are still being developed. A color film for the 35mm camera would be the Kodak ColorPlus 200*. A possible film for black and white images is the Ilford Delta 100*. Both photo films give solid results with the camera.
The compact camera negatives have a normal size of 24 mm x 36 mm. With a normal film (135-36), 36 photos are usually possible. The film is automatically advanced by the 35mm photo camera. At the end of the film material, it automatically rewinds. The number of photos taken is always displayed on the top of the camera.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Snapshot camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Lens name | Minolta Lens |
| Focal length | 38 mm, 60 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum focus distance | 80 cm / 2.624 ft |
| Focus | Autofocus |
| Filter thread | 46 mm |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1/1/40 second |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 25 to 1600 |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash range | 0,8 to 5,5 Meter / 2.62 to 18.04 Feet |
| Flash modes | Fill-in flash |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | Yes, Self-timer function with 10 seconds lead time |
| Power supply | 1x DL223 battery |
| Size | 14,1 x 7,5 x 5,9 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.55 x 2.95 x 2.32 inches |
| Weight | 380 Grams |
| Country of production | Japan |
| Estimated value / Used price | 55,01 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 19 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 47,94 Euro (50.87 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 53,52 Euro (57.37 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 53,06 Euro (57.37 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Minolta AF-Tele
Is the Minolta AF-Tele easy to use, even for beginners?
Yes, the Minolta AF-Tele is designed for ease of use. It features automatic functions for exposure and focusing, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. Even beginners should find it straightforward.
What kind of film does this camera use and how many photos can I take with one roll?
The Minolta AF-Tele uses standard 35mm film. A typical 36-exposure roll will allow you to take 36 photos before needing to reload. The camera automatically advances and rewinds the film.
Does the camera have a zoom lens?
Yes, it has a built-in zoom lens that switches between 38mm and 60mm focal lengths. It uses a simple switch mechanism to achieve this zoom effect, making it easy to use.
How does the camera focus?
The Minolta AF-Tele uses an infrared autofocus system. This means you don't need to manually adjust the focus; the camera does it automatically for you, making it simple to capture sharp images.
Does the camera have a built-in flash?
Yes, it has a built-in automatic flash. The flash range depends on the film speed (ISO), but at ISO 100, it covers a distance of 0.8 to 5.5 meters. You can also force the flash to act as fill-flash with a button.