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Although the correct name for this camera was the Minolta Best, it was sometimes known as the Vest, in reference to the vest-pocket size pictures it took, and in fact had a strong resemblance in style to the Vest Pocket Kodak. It was also mistakenly referred to as the Marble, because that was the name of the three-speed shutter, whose name was emblazoned on the front. It was unusual in being made of plastic, a material not widely known at the time of its manufacture. Plastic was used not only for the body, but also for three telescopic sections, reinforced with stainless steel which snapped open to extend the Coronar 75mm f/5.6 lens from the body, in place of the more usual bellows. Using two red windows, it took pictures either 4x6.5cm or 4x3cm on 127 rollfilm. The same style of telescopic plastic boxes in place of bellows was also used in the 1935 Minolta Six.

1934: Minolta Best

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The Minolta Best, an early plastic bodied camera

Top view shows the telescopic boxes used in place of bellows

The similarly designed Minolta Six

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