View source for Engineering:Minolta TC-1

{{short description|35mm point and shoot camera}}
{{Infobox camera | camera_name = Minolta TC-1
  | image      = Minolta TC-1 Front (4393144127).jpg
  | type = [[135 film|35mm]] point and shoot
  | lens = [[Focal length|f]]=28&nbsp;mm · 5 glass elements in 5 groups · 2 elements with 3 [[Physics:Aspheric lens|aspheric surfaces]]
  | f-numbers = {{f/|3.5}}–16, whole stops
  | lens_mount = fixed
  | shutterRange = 8–{{frac|750}}&nbsp;sec ({{frac|500}} at {{f/|16}})
  | fmode = {{ubl|
* automatic, 455 steps
* manual, 22 steps}}
  | focus = {{cvt|1+1/2|ft}} min.
  | exposure = 
  | flash = Built-in, [[Physics:Guide number|GN]] 7 (m, ISO&nbsp;100)
  | frame-rate = 
  | dimensions = {{cvt|3+7/8|×|2+3/8|×|1+1/8|in}}
  | weight = {{cvt|7+1/8|oz}} with battery
  | battery = 1×CR123A
  | DXcoding = ISO&nbsp;25–3200
  | speedRange = ISO&nbsp;6–6400, {{frac|3}} steps
  | filmformat = [[135 film|35mm]]
  | emode = Aperture-priority, ±4&nbsp;[[Physics:Exposure value|EV]] in {{frac|2}} steps
  | mmode = center-weighted, spot
  | viewfinder = 
  | magnification =
}}'''TC-1''' is a luxury point and shoot camera that was produced by [[Company:Konica Minolta|Minolta]]. It is a compact 35 mm clad in [[Chemistry:Titanium|titanium]], equipped with a G-Rokkor 28mm {{f/}}3.5 lens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ca2.konicaminolta.jp/products/consumer/camera/tc1/specification.html |title=主な仕様 {{!}} コニカミノルタ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117044736/http://ca2.konicaminolta.jp/products/consumer/camera/tc1/specification.html |archive-date=2007-11-17 |trans-title=Principal Specifications |publisher=Konica Minolta |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> The TC-1 was equipped with a high quality lens and body, similar to other luxury compacts produced during the Japanese bubble economy era, including the Contax T line, Konica Hexar, [[Engineering:Leica minilux|Leica minilux]], [[Engineering:Nikon Ti cameras|Nikon 28/35Ti]], [[Engineering:Ricoh GR film cameras|Ricoh GR series]], and [[Engineering:Rollei QZ cameras|Rollei QZ 35W/35T]]. Expensive when initially released in 1996 with a suggested retail price of {{JPY|148000|1996}}, it was produced in small numbers and since then has become collectible.

==Design==
According to Minolta, development of the TC-1 began when an engineer questioned why SLRs were too bulky to carry day-to-day, but compact cameras sacrificed image quality.<ref name=TC1-overview>{{cite web |url=http://ca2.konicaminolta.jp/products/consumer/camera/tc1/index.html |title=歴史に名を刻む銘機であるために。 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116125026/http://ca2.konicaminolta.jp/products/consumer/camera/tc1/index.html |archive-date=November 16, 2007 |trans-title=A historic signature camera from Minolta |publisher=Konica Minolta |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> It took experienced technicians 45 minutes to assemble a single camera by hand, as the 150+ delicate, miniaturized parts used were not suited for a high-volume assembly line.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ca2.konicaminolta.jp/products/consumer/camera/tc1/craft.html |title=職人の技 1台1台手作りのTC-1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117044716/http://ca2.konicaminolta.jp/products/consumer/camera/tc1/craft.html|archive-date=November 17, 2007 |trans-title=Craftsmanship |publisher=Konica Minolta |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> The outer shell is made of titanium,<ref name=PopPhoto96>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hgrDedlTqDgC&pg=PA30 |title=Point & Shoot {{!}} Another Titanium Jewel: Minolta's Prince of Pocket P/S |author=Richards, Dan |date=July 1996 |pages=30–31;190 |magazine=Popular Photography |volume=60 |number=7 |access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> which gave the camera its name ("Titanium Clad"). It is approximately the same volume as three 35mm film cartridges.<ref name=PopPhoto96/>

[[File:Minolta TC-1 Lens (4393908958).jpg|thumb|left|Lens and aperture selection slider]]
The camera operates in aperture-priority autoexposure, with four selectable aperture settings of {{f/|3.5}}, 5.6, 8, or 16. Exposure compensation of up to ±4&nbsp;[[Physics:Exposure value|EV]] is possible in {{frac|2}}&nbsp;EV steps.<ref name=PopPhoto96/><ref name=Gill>{{cite web |url=https://www.35mmc.com/27/09/2014/minolta-tc-1-review/ |title=Minolta TC-1 Review — An Eccentric Beauty |author=Gill, Hamish |date=September 27, 2014 |website=35mmc |access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> One uncommon feature is the diaphragm, which used discrete circular [[Engineering:Waterhouse stop|Waterhouse stop]]s rather than a iris with multiple diaphragm blades. It has received praise for its ''[[Physics:Bokeh|bokeh]]'' (out-of-focus characteristics).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?MinoltaTC1.html~mainFrame |title=Minolta TC-1 |author=Nakamura, Karen |date=January 6, 2011 |website=Photoethnography.com – Classic Cameras |access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref>

In 1996, the Camera Journal Press Club of Japan awarded the TC-1 with the Camera Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cjpc.jp/past_gpxE-01.html |title=Camera of the Year 2008–2010 {{!}} Camera Grand Prix 1984–2007 |publisher=カメラ記者クラブ Camera Journal Press Club |access-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.photoclubalpha.com/minolta-history-seven-decades/ |title=70 years of Minolta |author=Kilpatrick, David |website=Photoclub Alpha |access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref> A special edition for the Japanese domestic market, finished in black, was built to celebrate Minolta's 70th anniversary in 1998 and limited to 2500 examples.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://japancamerahunter.tumblr.com/post/188514832755/you-dont-see-these-all-that-often-the-minolta |title=Minolta TC-1 Limited |website=Japan Camera Hunter (tumblr) |access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> As part of the same anniversary, 2000 examples of the ''G-Rokkor'' lens from the TC-1 were sold as a limited-production interchangeable lens in M39 lens mount;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.35mmc.com/10/02/2020/minolta-28mm-f-3-5-g-rokkor-review/ |title=Minolta 28mm f/3.5 G-Rokkor Review – Another Gem I'm Parting With |date=February 10, 2020 |author=Gill, Hamish |website=35mmc |access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> unlike the TC-1, the M39 version of the ''G-Rokkor'' was equipped with a 9-blade iris diaphragm, offering the additional aperture settings of {{f/|4}}, 11, and 22.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://shige-art.net/en/minolta-g-rokkor28/ |title=Minolta G-ROKKOR 3.5/28 |author=Shige Yuki |date=October 1, 2022 |website=Shige's hobby |access-date=10 April 2023}}</ref> All versions of the TC-1 were discontinued by 2007<ref name=TC1-overview/> and has become collectible since then.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.keh.com/blog/minolta-tc-1 |title=Minolta TC-1 |date=June 17, 2013 |website=KEH Camera |access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref>

==Operation==
[[File:Minolta TC-1 Top (4393136793).jpg|thumb|left|Top panel of Minolta TC-1]]
The TC-1 controls and display are provided on the top panel, with the exception of the aperture selector lever, which is on the lens. A small leather patch on the front of the camera facilitates grip by the right hand.<ref name=Gill/>

The button furthest to the right, when the camera is held by the photographer, is the shutter release. The photographer's right index finger is intended to select the aperture, then use the shutter release button.<ref name=Gill/>

On the front edge of the camera is a slider which adjusts settings according to the position of the control dial. When the dial is in "HOLD" position, it is locked and the central button is required to turn the dial to the appropriate manual control.<ref name=Gill/> Moving clockwise from "HOLD", the camera provides controls for flash mode (on / off / "night-portrait" or [[Fill flash|fill]]), [[Physics:Red-eye effect|red-eye]] reduction, self timer (2 and 10&nbsp;seconds), ISO (manual film speed), autofocus / manual focus distance, and [[Exposure compensation|exposure compensation]].<ref name=Gill/> A button on the top edge of the rear panel, just under the control dial, engages the spot meter.<ref name=PopPhoto96/>

The button between the setting adjustment slider and dial resets the focus mode to autofocus.<ref name=Gill/>

On the left edge of the camera, a backlit LCD display provides feedback on settings while they are being adjusted. Illumination is turned on by a button just below the display on the top edge of the camera's back.<ref name=Gill/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IZdHOG7zepoC&pg=PA110 |title=Top autofocus point-and-shoots compared |page=110 |magazine=Popular Photography |date=December 1996 |volume=60 |number=12}}


[[Category:Point-and-shoot cameras]]



{{Sourceattribution|Minolta TC-1}}