Minolta Freedom Escort 35mm camera (serial _1324302) | film🎞tested

We wrote about this camera and its film test in a blog post, read it here.

The circa-1991 Minolta Freedom Escort (also called the Riva Mini) is nice and very compact film point-and-shoot that's gained some extra notoriety because it's rumoured to be the same camera as the (premium priced) Leica Mini II. We lack incontrovertible evidence to support the claim but we very strongly believe it's true. The similarities in size, specifications and features are tough to ignore. What's more, Leica and Minolta had a history of close collaboration dating back to the early 1970s with the CL rangefinders. 

The camera itself is a fine Japanese-made compact film camera with a 34mm f3.5 nice lens. It's a simple camera, basically a pure point-and-shoot experience with its only controls being: flash mode (auto, fill-in/backlit, red-eye, and flash cancel); self-timer; and focus lock (activated by half-pressing the shutter button, this is useful for off-centre compositions). According to several sources, notably the Filmphotography.eu database, the Freedom Escort/Riva Mini uses a 4-element/3-group Tessar-style lens configuration. Most of its competitors (including the Olympus Mju I/Infinity Stylus) used a less refined 3-element triplet design.  

Battery information 

This camera requires a CR123 battery (available as an option).

Estimated battery life: "Approximately 25 rolls (based on Minolta's standard test method, using 24-exposure film with flash in 50% of exposures)"

Condition notes

We film-tested this camera and it performed very well delivering correctly exposed and focused negatives. We also verified its exposure accuracy on test equipment. The camera is in very good cosmetic condition (see photos).

Example photos

Besides the attached film-test photos, here are some photos other people have taken with the Freedom Escort/Riva Mini:

https://www.lomography.com/cameras/3352502-minolta-freedom-escort/photos
https://www.lomography.com/cameras/3323362-minolta-riva-mini/photos

And its alleged identical twin, the Leica Mini II:  
https://www.lomography.com/cameras/3346072-leica-mini-ii/photos

Manual

Download the manual here. 

Specifications

• Type: Compact 35mm autofocus camera
• Lens: 34mm t/3.5
• Focusing: Infrared autofocus with cancelable focus hold; focus range: 0.60m to infinity
• Exposure system: Programmed autoexposure; range at ISO 100: EV 6 to EV 16
• Flash system: Cancelable automatic flash with shutter lock during flash charge; fill flash selectable; recycling time: 3.5 sec.
• Film speed range: Automatically set for DX-coded film between ISO 50 and ISO 3200; set to ISO 100 for films without DX-coding
• Viewfinder: Bright-frame type with focus frame, close-framing guides, green lamp; magnification: 0.43X; image area: 85% at 3 meters
• Film transport: Automatic threading, auto advance to first frame, auto winding, auto rewind and auto rewind stop
• Self-timer: 10-second delay of shutter release; operation indicated by red light on front of camera; cancelable
• Power: 3V lithium battery (CR123A or DL123A)
• Battery performance: Approximately 25 rolls (based on Minolta's standard test method, using 24-exposure film with flash in 50% of exposures)
• Dimensions: 118x63×36.5mm (4-5/8x2-1/2x1-7/16in.)
• Quartz-date model: 118x63x40mm (4-5/8x2-1/2x1-9/16in.)
• Weight (without battery): 165g (5-13/16oz.)
• Quartz-date model: 185g (6-1/2oz.)

Guarantee and returns

This used camera has a full 30-day guarantee. Damage caused by misuse or abuse is not covered by our guarantee.

We accept returns within 30 days provided the camera and all accessories are in the same condition as when you received them. Consumables (batteries and film) cannot be returned.

See our policy page for more details.