I have an opportunity to buy a Minox enlarger Model II Type 2203, s/n 15339. At least the owner THINKS it's a Model II. I'm wondering what the type number indicates. Someone else mentioned that they have a Type 2201. What is the significance of these type numbers? I know that some Model II's have a flip-out diffuser and some don't. If you have a Minox enlarger, what model and type is it? Thanks.

-- James A. Jones (jaj01@gnofn.org), February 28, 2000

Answers

Type 2203 is Minox enlarger III, as confirmed by the S/N 2201 = type 1 I have a model II. type 2202

-- martin tai (martin.tai@capcanada.com), February 28, 2000.

Martin, the 2203 was purchased by the seller new in 1969. Would this indeed be a model III? I thought the III used the flat film plane lens, and 1969 would be a little early for that.

-- James A. Jones (jaj01@gnofn.org), March 01, 2000.

I recently received the Minox enlarger I described above. It had been listed for sale since June for $150 in a classified ad at the MPL site. The unit arrived in almost perfect condition. The nameplate under the base shows that it is serial number 15338, and type 2203. A friend looked it up in Heckman's book, "Variations in 8X11" and confirmed that it is indeed a model III. The seller told me that he originally bought in around 1969. According to Heckman, the model III was introduced in May of 1963 with serial number 11001. This particular model III has the slide-out lensboard/negative carrier/condensor assembly, and the head does not tilt back like the model II. Also, it does not have the chrome ring around the lamphouse. It has the older Minox "mouse" logo on the front, and also has the attachment point for the copying arm, which has a snap-on metal cover. It has the Complan lens with the curved film gate, and came with the hard to find lens cap. It also has the upturned "ears" on the ends of the negative holder. I think those were removed when the change was made to the flat field Minox lens. It has the diffuser/collimator disc which sits below the Dr. Fischer bulb, but this disc does not lock down as in a model II, the disc doesn't have the 3 slots on the outside rim, as there are no screws for it to lock to. One "feature" I like is that the serial number is marked on all the major parts. This is an easy way to determine if a Minox enlarger is original, or made up from parts of several units. The serial number is stamped on the base plate, and on the bottom right hand edge of the rubberized baseboard. Also, it is etched onto the top front of the column guide rail, and behind the slide out lens carrier. The lens carrier itself has a separate serial number, in my case it is 4470. I feel fortunate to have found a Minox enlarger is such good condition, for such a good price, especially since it came totally complete with all parts.

-- James A. Jones (jaj01@gnofn.org), April 04, 2000.