View source for Best Camera (no-need-darkroom)

__NOTOC__
{|class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0p 0px 20px 20px;">
|{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/136899738@N03/23697877781/in/pool-camerawiki
|image= http://farm1.staticflickr.com/578/23697877781_9c6b346d18_n.jpg
|image_align= 
|image_text=Front
|image_by=
|image_rights=
}}
|{{Flickr_image
|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/136899738@N03/24052934731/in/pool-camerawiki
|image= http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1681/24052934731_d55886e225.jpg
|image_align= 
|image_text=Back
|image_by= 
|image_rights= 
}}
|-
|colspan=2|<center>Images by {{image author|Jeffrey Schwartz}} <small>{{with permission}}
|}
{{Japanese no-need-darkroom}}
The '''Best Camera''' is a Japanese camera using the [[no-need-darkroom]] process.

== Reportedly advertised in 1931 ==
A [[no-need-darkroom]] camera called "Best Camera" or "Vest Camera" (ベストカメラ)<REF> The name ベスト in ''katakana'' script usually corresponds to the English word "Vest", as in [[Vest Pocket Kodak]] or Vest-film, which is the way [[127 film]] was called in Japan. However this camera was perhaps related to the surviving "Best Camera". </REF> was reportedly advertised by the company [[Tōkyō Kamera Shōkai]] from September 1931, at the price of ¥2.80 for a set.<REF> Date, price and attribution to Tōkyō Kamera Shōkai: Awano, p.7 of {{CCN}} no.317, quoting the book ''Nihon Shashinshi Nenpyō'' (日本写真史年表). </REF> It is probably related to the surviving camera described below.



== Surviving examples ==
One example of a folding camera using 4×6cm [[no-need-darkroom]] film sheaths is pictured in {{SUG}}, where it is attributed to a "Best Camera Co." for some reason.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 4026. </REF> It is shaped as a roll-film folder, with rounded ends and a handle at the top. The folding bed is made of metal. The front standard needs to be manually pulled out of the body after opening the bed. There is a small [[brilliant finder]] atop the front standard, to the photographer's left.

The shutter reportedly gives <u>I</u>nstant exposure only. The shutter plate has the words ''SPECIAL'' and ''BEST CAMERA'' inscribed above the lens, and ''HIGH CLASS LENSE''<!-- sic --> and ''NO NEED DARK ROOM'' below. The word ''Special'' is repeated on the standing leg. The camera is presented as the "Best Special Camera" in {{SUG}}, but the name might be read "Special Best Camera" as well.

This camera might be related to the [[Special Camera plate folder]], which is attributed to the same "Best Camera Co." in {{SUG}}.

A simple box camera, with a [[brilliant finder]] and a simple shutter certainly giving B exposures only, is also pictured in {{MK}} with the name ''BEST CAMERA'' inscribed on a nameplate attached under the lens.<REF> {{MK}}, p.1032. </REF>

== Notes ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
* Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Tougō kamera (4)" (トウゴーカメラ[4], Tougo cameras [4]). In {{CCN}} no.317 (November 2003). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.7–12.
* {{McKeown12}} P.1032.
* {{Zukan}} Item 4026.

[[Category: Japanese folding]]
[[Category: No-need-darkroom]]
[[Category: B]]