Minolta Riva 35 ST (c. 1992–1993)
The Minolta Riva 35 ST is a 35mm compact point-and-shoot from the early 1990s. The record is contradictory on what kind of focus system it uses. Some sources describe a simple fixed-focus camera, while others credit it with active infrared autofocus. The "ST" designation (which one source interprets as "Self Timer") and the Riva line's position as entry-level compacts make the fixed-focus description from Kamerastore the more credible reading. The documentation genuinely disagrees here.
Some things are consistent across sources. The lens is a Minolta 35mm f/4.5 (three elements in three groups, per one listing), and the camera is built around simplicity. It has a built-in automatic flash, motorized film transport, and automatic exposure. The body is plastic, available in black, and one source notes a quartz dateback version exists. The Riva 35 ST was sold in markets where Minolta's "Freedom" branding didn't apply. As one collector source puts it, it's essentially the same camera as the Freedom Holiday, "but sold in countries that don't have holidays." That places it in Minolta's global lineup alongside the Freedom series sold in North America.
The Riva 35 ST was introduced in 1992, with one source dating it to 1993. It's a modest, dependable everyday camera for travel snapshots or casual street photography. A current dealer listing prices the QD version at €140, and working examples still surface on auction sites.
Known specs:
- Lens: Minolta 35mm f/4.5, 3 elements / 3 groups
- Focus: Fixed focus (per Kamerastore) - though one source claims active infrared autofocus
- Minimum focus distance: 1.5m
- Shutter: 1/35s – 1/100s
- Flash: Built-in automatic
- Size: 123 × 71 × 52 mm
- Weight: 187g
- Introduced: 1992 (some sources say 1993)
The shutter speed figure comes from Kamerastore. Another source lists a maximum of 1/500s, which seems optimistic for a camera of this class and is not corroborated. No original retail price, battery type, or film ISO range have surfaced in the documentation reviewed.
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