Alma Baby Ref
Template:127 Japan The Alma Baby Ref (アルマ・ベビーレフ) is a 3×4cm pseudo TLR: its shape imitates a twin lens reflex but the finder is nothing more than a big brilliant finder, and it is probably fixed-focus. The lens is said to be an Argus 50/6.3 and the shutter an Argus B, 25–100.[1]
The Alma Baby Ref appears in advertisements dated 1937 and 1938[2]. Its price was ¥23.50. The company name that appears in the May 1938 advertisement is Banno Bōeki K.K. (伴野貿易株式会社), it was probably only the distributor. Kokusan kamera no rekishi attributes the camera to Miyoshi Kōgaku K.K. (三好光学株式会社), but it is similar to other Japanese 3×4 pseudo-TLRs of the time, like for example the Chukon Ref sold by Riken in 1939. The Alma nameplate seems to be attached by two screws and easily interchanged. It is probable that these cameras were only produced in a couple of sub-contracting factories.
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 334.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Alma Four and Alma Baby Ref, published in the May 1938 issue of Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 15.
Printed bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Item 15.
