Minolta AF50 Big Finder

The Minolta AF50 Big Finder is a 35mm camera. It belongs to the group of point-and-shoot cameras. Introduced in 1997, the camera with a plastic body is characterized by its large viewfinder, which is supposed to make photography easier for people who wear glasses. However, the viewfinder is not connected to the lens.

A fixed lens is installed in the camera. The focal length is fixed and is 27 mm. The widest aperture is f/5.6. There is no need to focus manually with the 35 mm camera. The Minolta AF50 Big Finder has an autofocus. There is a focus lock here. By pressing the shutter button halfway, the camera focuses and saves the setting. If you keep the shutter button pressed, you can change the camera position afterwards and the focus stays the same. The closest focusing distance of this lens is 100 cm.

The 35 mm camera is equipped with a built-in light meter. It is designed for films from ISO 100 to ISO 400. The camera technology determines the correct sensitivity of the film via the DX code. If this code is not available, the camera selects a value of ISO 100. The exposure settings are automatically controlled by the camera’s electronics. The shutter speed range is from 1/250 second to 1/40 second.

The 35mm photo camera has a built-in flash. The flash fires automatically, but can also be forced, for example for backlit shots. There is also an automatic mode for avoiding red-eye in the photos. The flash can also be turned off if desired.

The camera requires two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*). This type of battery is still easy to get today. Of course, you can resort to rechargeable ones.

In addition to the normal model, there was a date version. This model can expose the recording time in a corner of the pictures.

Films for the Minolta AF50 Big Finder

The Minolta AF50 Big Finder is a film camera and is loaded with 35mm film. 35mm films are still manufactured by various producers. Possible films for this model are the Kodak Ultramax 400* for color images and the Ilford HP5* for black and white images. According to various reviews, they are good for everyday shooting and produce solid results.

The development process for color film is the C-41 process. This development process is offered by most labs. Often very uncomplicated, is the delivery of the films at one of the large German drugstore chains. The black and white film must be processed in a black and white developer.

The exposure area of the photo camera has a size of 24 mm x 36 mm. The film in the camera from one motor automatically forward to the next frame. The number of photos taken so far is displayed on the top. The film is also rewound automatically. Until the film is back in the cartridge, the back cover cannot be opened.