Minolta A-2 (1959)

The Minolta A-2 is a regular-8 (double-8) movie camera introduced in 1959 as the deluxe version of the A-1. It was Minolta's top 8mm camera of its era, aimed at the home movie market as a higher-performance alternative to more basic models. It shares the A-1/A-5 body design but adds a needle-match exposure readout in the viewfinder and a remote control socket.

The lens is a Rokkor A-Zoom 8.5-34mm f/1.8, from the same optics family that gives Minolta still cameras their reputation. Viewing is through the lens, with a reflex viewfinder and a rotary disc shutter. The built-in Cds TTL meter reads ASA 10-40 film and runs on a PX-13 mercury battery, which is no longer manufactured. Frame rates are 12, 16, 18, and 24 fps. A built-in Type A filter handles tungsten/daylight conversion.

The record on this model is mostly anecdotal. No original retail price or exact dimensions are documented. Collectors prize the A-2 for its Rokkor optics and smooth, precise feel, and owners on forums describe the lens as sharper than most competition from the same era. The common complaints are a dead meter (aging Cds cell or corroded battery contacts) and hardened grease in the zoom ring. Modern 1.5V batteries are not recommended, because they affect exposure accuracy. Spare parts are scarce, and cameras are often cannibalized from other A-series models.

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