Minolta AF Tele 60 – two lenses, zero stress

Some cameras don't need a zoom to be flexible – the Minolta AF Tele 60 is one such example. It has two fixed focal lengths: a 38mm wide-angle and a 60mm telephoto. Switching between them? Simply use the slide switch on the front of the body. No motor, no gimmicks – it works reliably.

The camera dates back to the late 1980s, when Minolta was just launching a number of solid compact cameras. The AF Tele 60 isn't the smallest, but it feels good in the hand. With the typical Minolta autofocus (infrared), you can usually get even moving subjects in sharp focus – provided there's enough light.

Technical details in a nutshell

• Two lenses: 38mm f/2.8 and 60mm f/4.3

• Switching manually, no zoom

• Autofocus: yes, via infrared, responds quickly enough

• Exposure: fully automatic

• Flash: built-in, with fill-in mode and red-eye reduction

• ISO: DX coding from 25 to 1600

• Film transport: automatic forward and backward

• Power: 2x AA or 1x CR-P2 Lithium

• Weight: just under 300 g – not lightweight, but portable

How she is doing

Anyone who uses it for the first time will quickly notice: The camera does everything for you – reliably. Load film, take a picture, turn it on, and off you go. You can switch between focal lengths with your thumb – it feels a bit retro, but it works.

The image quality? It's pretty solid for a point-and-shoot camera of that era. It performs particularly well outdoors in daylight. The flash is sufficient for indoor use without appearing overly harsh.

Conclusion

The Minolta AF Tele 60 is a straightforward compact camera—no zoom motor, no display, no annoying gimmicks. It's a good choice for people who want to shoot analogue but don't want too much technology. And thanks to its two focal lengths, it's more flexible than many other fixed-focal-length compacts.