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← Minox
8 x 11 mm negative enlarger · Model II 25401
Especially for their range of subminiature cameras
— that recorded images onto 8 x 11 mm film —
Minox produced accessories that allowed spies and
secret agents to develop their own films and print the photographs
in a makeshift lab,
rather than bringing them to a regular photo shop.
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The unit consists of a heavy die-cast frame with a 400 x 330 mm horizontal
table at the bottom. Behind the table is a canted vertical column that holds
a projector that can be adjusted vertically.
The projector consists of a lens (here protected with a plastic cap), a negative
holder just above it, and a lamp at the top. When connected to the mains and
switched on, the lamp causes the 8 x 11 negative in the holder to be projected
onto a fresh piece of photographic paper that is placed on the table.
By altering the projector height, the size of the
print can be determined, whilst the lens should be adjusted for
optimum sharpness.
The device is enabled with a
power switche that is mounted inline with the
power cable. Furthermore, a
toggle switch mounted at the base, provides two
levels of brightness, of which the brightest setting is used by default.
Inside the dome
is a 6V car lamp with bayonet fitting, that is powered by
a 110/220V transformer mounted in the base, below the black horizontal table.
The enlarger shown here was in production from 1971 to 1987, during which time
3044 units were made (serial numbers 17291 - 20334) [1].
In all, about 19145 Minox enlargers were made.
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Minox enlargers were very popular among hobbyists as they no longer had to
find a specialised photo lab to print their photographs, but also in
the espionage trade, where it was mandatory to keep the information from
prying eyes. Especially for a non-disclosed American agency – most likely
the CIA – Minox made a special version (actually a reducer)
for the creation of microdots.
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The diagram below provides a quick overview of the features of the 25401
enlarger. At the left is the sloped shiny vertical column, on which the
movable die-cast section with the projector is mounted. The projector
can be moved up or down by pressing the release button at the bottom.
A strip with a number of 8 x 11 mm negatives
can be placed on the film holder, after which the
pressure lever should be lowered in order to keep the negative in place.
Two diffusors – mounted at different heights – ensure an evenly
illuminated image. For cleaning,
the lens assembly can be removed by pushing down the release button
and pulling the assembly out towards the front.
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Model
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Type
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Production
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S/N
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Remark
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I
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-
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1950 - 1951
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100 - 791
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II
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2201
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1951 - 1963
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1000 - 10088
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II
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2201 color
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1951 - 1963
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↑
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Colour version of the 2201
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II
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Microdot
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1960s
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~ 80 units
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Built for US agency 1
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II
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2203
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1963 - 1971
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11001 - 17290
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II
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2202 color
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1963-1971
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↑
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Colour version of the 2203
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II
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25401
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1971 - 1987
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17291 - 20334
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II
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25501 color
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1971 - 1987
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↑
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Colour version of the 25401
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II
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?
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Late 1990s
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30
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Completed from parts
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-
This version is actually not an enlarger but a reducer, as it was used
to shrink the 8 x 11 mm negatives to microdot size. The images were
transferred to special emulsion microdot film [1].
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Wednesday 25 September 2019. Last changed: Monday, 30 September 2019 - 15:10 CET.
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