The Minolta F35 Big Finder is a point-and-shoot camera. It was built in a factory in China. The special feature of the model is the large viewfinder. Otherwise, it is an ordinary compact camera for quick snapshots. The 35mm camera was also offered under the name “Minolta Memory Maker 2000“.
The photo camera comes with a fixed lens. The focus of the lens cannot be changed. The closest focusing distance is specified as 150 cm for this lens.
An exposure meter has been built into the camera. The sensitivity of the film is read via the code on the film cartridge. The aperture and exposure time are set automatically by the Minolta F35 Big Finder.
Sufficient light is provided by the built-in flash. The automatic flash comes with red-eye reduction. The flash cannot be turned off. A thread for positioning the camera on a tripod is located on the bottom.
The camera requires two AA batteries (eBay / Amazon*). Here, of course, you can resort to rechargeable ones.
Films for the Minolta F35 Big Finder
What kind of films does the Minolta F35 Big Finder need? It requires 35mm film. 35mm films are still made today and are fairly easy to get. Nice 35mm films for color or black and white are the Kodak Gold 200* and the Ilford XP2 Super*. On the market, of course, there are other producers of 35mm film.
The color film is designed for development in the C-41 process. The C-41 process is offered by almost every photo lab.
The exposure area of the 35 mm camera has a size of 24 mm x 36 mm. With the size of the exposure area, 36 photos usually fit on a normal film (135-36). The film is automatically rewound by the 35mm camera. The number of pictures taken can be found on the top of the plastic 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 |
| Focal length | - |
| Widest aperture | - |
| Minimum focus distance | 150 cm / 4.92 ft |
| Focus | Fixed |
| Light meter | Yes |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | Yes |
| Exposure modes | Program automatic |
| Manual exposure settings | No |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash modes | Red-eye reduction |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | No |
| Self-timer | No |
| Power supply | 2x AA batteries |
| Country of production | China |
| Estimated value / Used price | 50,74 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 18 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of June 15, 2026 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 45,14 Euro (48.71 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2024 | 42,52 Euro (45.46 US-Dollar) |
| Average used price in the year 2025 | 35,33 Euro (37.88 US-Dollar) |
FAQ about the Minolta F35 Big Finder
Is the Minolta F35 Big Finder a complicated camera to use?
No, it's a point-and-shoot camera, designed for easy snapshots. The focus and exposure are automatic, making it simple to operate even for beginners. It's perfect for casual photography.
How do I focus the lens on this compact camera?
You don't need to manually focus. The Minolta F35 Big Finder has a fixed-focus lens; it automatically adjusts to the distance of your subject. The closest you can focus is 150cm.
Does the camera have a built-in flash, and can I turn it off?
Yes, it has a built-in flash with red-eye reduction. However, the flash cannot be switched off; it always fires automatically.
What kind of film does the snapshot camera use, and how many photos can I take?
It uses standard 35mm film. A standard 36-exposure roll will fit, and the camera automatically advances the film after each shot. You can see the number of shots remaining on the camera's top.
What type of batteries does the Minolta F35 Big Finder require?
The camera needs two AA batteries. You can use either standard disposable AA batteries or rechargeable ones. Make sure they are properly inserted for correct camera operation.