Minolta Pocket Autopak 250 (1977)
The Minolta Pocket Autopak 250 is a 110-format pocket camera introduced in 1977. Camerapedia, Auctionet, and a David Klaus blog post all confirm that. It takes Type 110 16mm film cassettes, the smallest common film format of its era, and was built in Japan. It measures 132×58×26mm and weighs 190g.
Documentation on this model is thin, but the known specs agree with each other. The lens is a fixed 26mm. One Auctionet listing describes it as "Rocks 1:8/26mm" with three glass elements in three groups. The "Rocks" wording looks like a transliteration artifact, but the focal length and aperture are clear. The viewfinder is a bright-frame type with distance symbols, and an LED warns of insufficient light. Focusing means picking between two distance zones. The shutter is electronic and stepless. Film speeds of ASA 64 to 125 are supported. Flash options included both electronic flash and magicubes.
Battery requirements are uncertain. Camerapedia lists a 4.5v K-size battery. A Craigslist listing says it "needs 7K battery," likely the same K-size variant, but the discrepancy is unresolved. A David Klaus blog post claims the camera "works completely mechanically without batteries." That may mean the shutter fires without power and the battery only serves the meter and flash. It may also be wrong. The page leaves it unresolved rather than guessing.
Owner commentary is sparse. Klaus, writing about his own example, said he "saw this camera and wanted it right away" and described it as "alive" despite its age. Audio-era period reviews of this specific model have not surfaced. The surviving record is mostly collector listings and blog posts.
Current prices are modest. ozcamera.com asks $20 for one in fair to good condition, with slight lifting of the covering on the base. A Craigslist listing asks $30 for one bundled with two cases, a wrist strap, a roll of 110 film, and two Minolta flash units. An Avito listing in Russia asks 4,900 руб. with an original leather case. No production years beyond 1977, no original retail price, and no detailed shutter or aperture specs have been documented.
Known Specifications
- Format: Type 110 (16mm) film cassettes
- Year introduced: 1977
- Lens: 26mm, f/8 (3 elements in 3 groups)
- Focusing: Two distance zones
- Shutter: Electronic, stepless
- Film speed range: ASA 64–125
- Viewfinder: Bright frame with distance symbols and low-light LED
- Flash: Electronic and magicube compatible
- Dimensions: 132 × 58 × 26 mm
- Weight: 190 g
- Battery: 4.5v K-size (per Camerapedia; a resale listing says "7K")
eBay Listings
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