Baby (no-need-darkroom)
The Baby or Baby Kamera (ベビーカメラ)[1] is a Japanese box camera using the no-need-darkroom process, made and distributed by Baby Kamera Kenkyūjo, and advertised by Sanesudō in 1931.
The Baby was reportedly advertised from July 1931 by Sanesudō, in at least three versions priced at ¥0.50, ¥1 and ¥2.[2] The only original document observed so far is the camera's user manual, printed by Baby Kamera Kenkyūjo, mentioned as the maker and distributor (製造発売元).[3] It contains no picture or detailed drawing, but a schema explaining the no-need-darkroom process, showing a simple box-shaped camera with no viewfinder and with a simple release lever protruding from a round shutter casing.
The document says that all subjects are in focus from 3ft to infinity, and gives an exposure table with speeds ranging from 1/10 to 3s, to be obtained by hand on a simple shutter offering Bulb exposure only. It gives a detailed description of the process of taking a picture, developing the film, making a contact print and developing it.
The camera was sold as a set, and the user manual lists the contents of the box:
- the camera,
- a set of film,
- a set of printing paper for artificial light,
- a bottle of developer fluid,
- a bottle of fixer,
- a frame for contact prints
- the user manual itself.
The document finally gives a price list for accessories:
- a dozen film, ¥0.50;
- bottle of developer, ¥0.30;
- bottle of fixer, ¥20;
- two dozen printing papers, for artificial light, ¥0.15;
- one dozen printing papers, for natural light, ¥0.30.
Notes
- ↑ The Roman name "Baby Kamera" appears on the user manual reproduced in Awano, p.12 of Camera Collectors' News no.316.
- ↑ Awano, p.7 of Camera Collectors' News no.317, quoting the book Nihon Shashinshi Nenpyō (日本写真史年表).
- ↑ User manual reproduced in Awano, pp.12–5 of Camera Collectors' News no.316.
Bibliography
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Tougō kamera (3)" (トウゴーカメラ[3], Tougo cameras [3]). In Camera Collectors' News no.316 (October 2003). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.9–21.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Tougō kamera (4)" (トウゴーカメラ[4], Tougo cameras [4]). In Camera Collectors' News no.317 (November 2003). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.7–12.
