This is the Minolta Weathermatic Dual from the late 1980’s, a waterproof 35mm autofocus camera in stylish yellow and black colors. It has a dual lens system (f3.5 35mm, f5.6 50mm) activated with a button on top of the camera. There is also an underwater macro mode turned on with a button on the back of the body. The Weathermatic Dual uses an infrared autofocus system, which I found to be spotty particularly when reflective surfaces such as glass were involved.
The Weathermatic Dual 35 is one in a line of three Weathermatic cameras from Minolta others being the Weathermatic-A and Vectis Weathermatic Zoom IX.
All point of ingress are well-sealed, and surprisingly still watertight (tested without film or batteries in the camera). The camera is rated to a maximum depth of 16ft (5m). The power switch chunky and a somewhat satisfyingly imprecise feel to it. The Dual 35 is powered either by a single 6v battery or four AAs.
| Make | Minolta |
| Model | Weathermatic Dual 35 |
| Year | 1987 – mid ’90s |
| Format | 35mm |
| Shutter | |
| Speed | fully automatic |
| Lens | dual |
| f3.5 35mm, f5.6 50mm | |
| Focus | 0.52m – ∞ |
| Aperture | f3.5 – f16(estimated) |
| Light Meter | yes |
| Focus System | autofocus (infrared) |
Sample images taken on Ilford HP5, stand developed HC-110 30 minutes.
