Minolta Rapid 24 35mm film camera with Rokkor 32mm f/2.8 prime lens
Warning - This is not a camera for the film novice
This camera uses the Agfa Rapid system: Under this, a cartridge contaning film, up to 16 exposures, was popped into the camera. An empty cartridge was popped in the other side. As you wind on, the film is pushed from the first cartridge and into the second. Once the film was used, the second cartridge was taken to the chemist who would then develop the film in the usual way and you'd keep the original cartridge to use as a second cartridge when you bought more film. Simple, huh?
Skip forward to today. In order to use the Rapid system, you need to pre-load one of the cassettes with a length of 35mm film. I do this in a dark-bag. It's dead easy. Trim the leader square first. Two-thirds of a 24-exposure film is ideal but I've used full lengths before and simply stopped when the camera struggled to push any more. Doing this, I've usually managed to get 20 photos. Of course, if you use a full length, then the camera would need to be unloaded in a dark-bag. Use a two-thirds length and all the film will be in the second cartridge, apart from a leader.
I buy bulk rolls of film and, if I'm using a Rapid camera, I simply guess a length between 3 and 4 feet, from the bulk loader, in the dark-bag.
No point in sending the film away to get developed either. You will lose your Rapid cassette and they probably wouldn't know what to do anyway. This camera is purely for use by people who develop their own film.
Right, now that's out of the way...
The meter doesn't work. I've tried a new PX625 battery but it appears to be dead. I don't care. Apart from anything else, you need a special cartridge, with a kind of DX system, to tell the camera what film speed you're using. Only one of these cartridges has the T-shaped selector; the other is a plain, old Agfa Rapid cassette.
The rangefinder is bright and accurate. All speeds (there aren't many) appear to be accurate.
With the two cassettes supplied, you will need to thread an inch of film into the second cassette, as you load the camera. If you don't, it won't go in on its own.
BASICALLY - do not buy this camera, to use, if you don't know what you're doing. It is, I repeat, no good for a novice.
For someone who's been round the block, it's a great camera, with a super lens and a really different approach to film use.
Because you have full manual control, simply use an external meter or the Sunny 16 rule. I've taken dozens of photos with this, and similar Agfa cameras, over the years. It's good fun and feels more "hands on".
Oh, if you happen to set the shutter speed to A(utomatic), then you need to press the release on the other side of the lens barrel (pictured), while turning the shutter speed away from A. It's a lock, designed so that it would always stay on Auto unless deliberately changed.
I've included a length of test film, so you can have a play and work out how to use it. Throw the film away; it's been used many times.
The press-stud is missing from the ever-ready case, which has strap lugs, but no strap.