Minolta Weathermatic A

The Seaworthy Shooter

A caution yellow body with chunky black controls and similar black internal components are the only colors on the Weathermatic A. But these colors and style choices are not just for looks. The intention of the bright yellow color is so you can easily spot the camera above or underwater. The components are black and yellow so they are easier to read underwater as well. The overall look and presentation are very 1980s and the camera is incredibly solid.

The camera is powered by a single AA battery, powering the CdS lightmeter (only controls low light indicator), and flash. To get to the battery and film compartment, you have to lift a tab on each of the knobs on either end of the camera while turning them to the open indication. Once loose, you can remove the clear plastic back on the camera. The back has a safety plastic piece that prevents the back from being separated from the camera, but can be removed if needed. Inside you see the battery door and film door respectively. The camera is able to distinguish between an ASA of 100 to 400, according to correctly tabbed 110 films. Since the back of the camera is clear plastic, you are also able to see the film and what frame you are currently on.

While mainly seen as an underwater or beach camera, the Minolta Weathermatic A stresses that the camera can be used in all weather situations. With a 26mm f/3.5 lens, the camera is set up for most photographic moments. Within the viewfinder, there is a focus scale, frame lines, and an indication light that lets you know when you're in low light situations. Surprisingly bright and easy enough to use with glasses or underwater. To wind the camera there is a lever positioned on the underside of the camera, where your right thumb would rest while holding it. Push the lever forward to wind, until the 110 film notch catches and the winding stops. On the top side of the camera are the controls, on large and easy to use dials. The left dial has the aperture setting of full sun, cloudy, or to use a flash. While turned to flash, this makes for a makeshift battery check according to the manual. The LED in the viewfinder should light and flicker in around 10 seconds, with anything longer than 30 seconds means you need a new battery. The dial on the right is a focus scale of a mountain (infinity), full body person (11 feet), a dot (7 feet), upper body (4 feet), and C (3 feet) for close. Classically used scales on both dials, but on the underside, it gives you a more detailed flash range and focus scale. The Weathermatic A has a fixed shutter speed of 1/200th of a second and the only other control is the shutter button, which can be half pressed to check if there is enough light.

There are two variations to the Weathermatic A, but I believe it is only to do with the old vs new Minolta logo on the front of the camera. A handful of accessories were made for the Weathermatic A as well. An underwater wrist strap, clip on sports finder, and a few matching yellow bags round out the Minolta all-weather 110 experience.

THE SPECS AND FEATURES

Shutter Speeds - 1/200th of a second

Aperture - f/3.5 Cloud, Sun, flash

Meter Type - CdS, used for low light indication

Shutter - mechanical, fixed

ASA - 100 to 400

Lens - Minolta 26mm f/3.5, coated, 4 elements in 3 groups

Flash Option - internal flash, indicator light in viewfinder, flash guide scale on underside of camera

Batteries - single AA battery

Film Type - 110 film cartridge

Other Notable Features - All weather, 5 meter diving depth, underwater wrist strap and external sports finder available

The Experience

I am a huge fan of the 110 format. The cameras are incredibly pocket-able and great for those ‘off the cuff’ type of photos. This is not a pocket camera by any means, being the largest one I’ve ever used. This is in part to the weather sealing and optimizing the underwater controls. I did not end up using the camera underwater, but I did use it while on the beach and kayaking. It was perfect for not having to worry about electronics getting wet/sandy or the camera getting lost. A neat feature the Weathermatic A has, is that it floats on water. I found this out almost the hard way when my friend and I were throwing the camera back and forth to each other while kayaking.

Slowly but surely I am improving with scale focus cameras, but I still forgot to focus on a few occasions when I was rushing to get a shot. Exposure was a different story. I think most of the photos I came away with were over or under exposed. Having such a limited range of apertures and a way too fast shutter of 1/200th of a second made for shots I was just winging without a true meter. I didn’t come away with any pictures that blew me away, but it could have been the Lomography Tiger film that I was using. Surprisingly enough the ‘meter’ in the Weathermatic A is only a yes/no type. The only indication being a flashing red light when you're in low light. The camera has mostly mechanical components, so you are able to completely use the camera without a battery.

I enjoyed using the Weathermatic A, but this camera is not meant for quick shots on the beach but more methodical planned shots. Is this a good 110 camera, it depends. It sits in that strange area where you have some control but not much. There are much better options for a 110 camera available, but it really is one of a few underwater film cameras. Today you have a subset within a subset that this camera appeals to. This is not a point and shoot camera, you need to be familiar with Scale Focusing to get workable results. As a 110 waterproof and underwater camera it’s great but as a 110 camera on its own, it just barely passes to me. The 35mm Weathermatic has more automation and options, but I’ve heard mixed results from that camera too. The Minolta Weathermatic A is worth shooting when you're at the beach, but I would not expect amazing results.