Minolta Freedom Zoom 105EX

The Minolta Freedom Zoom 105EX is a compact camera. It was built by Minolta in Japan in the 90s and sold in the USA and elsewhere. The camera is easy to use and is therefore well suited for beginners and casual users. The model was also marketed under the name “Minolta Riva Zoom 105EX“.

The 35mm camera is equipped with a fixed lens. The extendable zoom ranges from 38mm to 105mm on this model. Built up, the lens consists of four elements in four groups. The largest available aperture is f/3.5 (38mm) and f/9.2 (105mm). An autofocus system is built into the 35mm camera to focus the lens. The closest focusing distance is specified as 60 cm for this lens.

Photography is facilitated by the built-in exposure meter. It can be used with films with a sensitivity of ISO 25 to ISO 3200. The film speed is read via the DX code on the film cartridge. Exposure settings are determined automatically by the camera technology.

The photo camera has a built-in flash. The output reaches up to 5.5 meters at ISO 100. There is an automatic mode, red-eye protection on the photos, fill-in flash and the option to turn off the flash. A mode for portrait shots at night is also available. In this, the camera selects a longer exposure time to capture the ambient light and fires the flash to freeze the subject in the foreground.

The 35mm camera has a self-timer. The self-timer has a lead time of ten seconds. The thread on the bottom allows you to securely attach the camera to a tripod. With the additional wireless shutter release, photos can be taken from a distance of up to six meters.

The model comes with a plastic body. According to the manual, the dimensions of the Minolta Freedom Zoom 105EX are 12.9 x 6.6 x 4.1 cm. It weighs 260 grams. There is an attachment for a camera strap on the side.

The camera requires two CR123A batteries (eBay / Amazon*). The batteries usually last for about 600 photos. The batteries are easy to obtain and relatively inexpensive. The charge level is shown on the display on the top.

Films for the Minolta Freedom Zoom 105EX

35mm films are exposed in the Minolta Freedom Zoom 105EX. These films are still manufactured and can be specified by almost any developing vendor. Good 35mm films for color and black and white shooting, respectively, are the Kodak Gold 200* and the Ilford HP5*. Both films are solid products that produce solid results according to tests.

The development process for the color film is the C-41 process. This is offered by almost every photo lab. You can take your films to most drug stores for development, for example. For black and white films, a special developer is needed. Development can also be done at home or the film can be taken to a professional lab.

The exposure range of the Minolta Freedom Zoom 105EX is 24 mm x 36 mm. Film transport in the 35 mm photo camera is automatic. There is a motor in the camera for this purpose. The highest speed is possible in continuous shooting mode. The number of pictures taken is output on the display.

Minolta Freedom Zoom 105EX Date

If the camera bears the imprint “Date”, it is the model with the possibility of imprinting the date of recording. When this function is activated, the date and time are imprinted in one corner of the image. However, the calendar only extends to the year 2019.

A CR1220 battery is also needed. The model is 10 grams heavier and slightly deeper.