Comex
See also the Comex 35 viewfinder camera taking 35mm film.
The Comex is a Japanese subminiature camera made by Fuji Kōgaku in the late 1940s or early 1950s, and the Nikkobaby is a name variant.
Contents
Description
The camera takes ten 14×14mm exposures on 17.5mm paper backed rollfilm, and is quite similar to other Hit-type subminiatures. The viewfinder is contained in a characteristic pyramidal housing, slightly extending to the right, as seen by the photographer. The film is advanced by a knob on the left. The back is hinged to the right and contains an uncovered red window. Some examples, but not all, are engraved MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN at the bottom.
The shutter is everset and has a single setting. The lens is fixed-focus and has no diaphragm. The Comex has the camera name written at the top of the shutter plate, and the company name Fuji Kōgaku at the bottom. Two variants of the Nikkobaby are known: with the name NIKKOBABY in capital letters at the top and MADE IN JAPAN at the bottom, or with Nikkobaby only in cursive letters.[1]
Notes
- ↑ Capital letters: example pictured in this page at Submin.com. Cursive letters: example pictured in Pritchard, p.74, and in this page at Subclub.org.
Bibliography
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.328.
- Pritchard, Michael and St. Denny, Douglas. Spy Cameras — A century of detective and subminiature cameras. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1993. ISBN 1-874485-00-3. P.74.
The camera is not listed in Sugiyama.
Links
In English:
- Comex and Nikkobaby at Submin.com
- Comex and Nikkobaby at Subclub.org
In German:
- Comex among miniature cameras at www.oldcameras.at
Fuji Kōgaku cameras ( ) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
prewar and wartime models | postwar models | |||
3×4 | 4×6.5 | subminiature | 4×4 | subminiature |
Baby Lyra | Baby Lyra Flex | Baby Balnet | Dianette | Pionette | Lyravit | Balnet Four | Comex |
4.5×6 | 6×6 | 6×9 | 4.5×6 | 6×6 |
Bakyna | Semi Lyra | Lyrax | Lyra Six | Lyra Flex | Lyra (6×9) | Semi Lyra | Pioneer | Lyra Six | Lyraflex |