Difference between revisions of "Mycro"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (general description) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (original Mycro) |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
The Mycro takes ten 14×14mm exposures on unperforated 17.5mm film, the same as its competitor the [[Midget]], which was released two years earlier. The Midget and Mycro were certainly the first still cameras in the world to use this type of film, certainly obtained by slicing [[35mm film]] in two. After World War II the same format was adopted by [[Tougodo]]'s [[Hit]] and a host of similar "Hit-type" cameras. | The Mycro takes ten 14×14mm exposures on unperforated 17.5mm film, the same as its competitor the [[Midget]], which was released two years earlier. The Midget and Mycro were certainly the first still cameras in the world to use this type of film, certainly obtained by slicing [[35mm film]] in two. After World War II the same format was adopted by [[Tougodo]]'s [[Hit]] and a host of similar "Hit-type" cameras. | ||
| − | All the Mycro models have the same main body made of pressed metal. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a tube at the front. The lens is a fixed-focus 20mm f/4.5 | + | All the Mycro models have the same main body made of pressed metal. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a tube at the front. The lens is a fixed-focus 20mm f/4.5, and the aperture is set from 4.5 to 11 by an index placed under the barrel. The shutter has B, 25, 50, 100 settings selected by an index at the top, and the release lever is on the shutter casing itself. The film is advanced by a knob at the top left, as seen by the photographer. The back is hinged to the left and contains a single red window to control the advance. |
| + | |||
| + | == Original model == | ||
| + | === Description and variations === | ||
| + | The '''original Mycro''' has a tubular finder attached to the middle of the top plate, and a round film flange on the right. The red window on the back is uncovered and surrounded by a round metal frame. The back latch consists of a small sliding button. The shutter is everset and is tripped by a lever actuated by the photographer's right hand. The name ''Mycro'' is inscribed at the top of the shutter plate, above the lens. The ever-ready case is made of brown leather and embossed ''Mycro'' at the front; it curiously does not fully cover the top plate when shut. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Many variations are known on the original Mycro; these are detailed in [http://mycro.jp/en/e_original.html this page at Mycro.jp] and in [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/mycro/original.htm this page at Submin.com]. Two different markings exist on the right film flange, either a stylized ''A'' and a cross, or the words ''MYCRO T.A.Co.'' The letter "A" certainly stands for the manufacturer [[Akita]], and "T.A." might correspond to the initials of the founder. Different lens markings are found, either ''1:4.5 F=20mm'' at the bottom of the shutter plate and nothing on the lens rim, or ''F=20mm'' on the shutter plate and ''MYCRO ANASTIGMAT 1:4.5'' on the lens rim. The latter might be a late variation, adopted before the release of the New Mycro. The back latch is either attached to the main body or to the back itself. Finally, some examples have a black painted finder instead of the regular chrome plated part, perhaps because of a shortage of raw materials during wartime. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 27: | Line 33: | ||
* [http://photocam.ibelgique.com/s.htm Mycro in a page] at [http://photocam.ibelgique.com/ Ioannis' camera collection] | * [http://photocam.ibelgique.com/s.htm Mycro in a page] at [http://photocam.ibelgique.com/ Ioannis' camera collection] | ||
* [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/MycroIIIA.html Mycro IIIA] at the [http://licm.org.uk/ Living Image vintage camera museum] | * [http://licm.org.uk/livingImage/MycroIIIA.html Mycro IIIA] at the [http://licm.org.uk/ Living Image vintage camera museum] | ||
| + | * [http://larryhester.com/mycro.html Mycro IIIA] and sample pictures at [http://larryhester.com/index.html Larry Hester's photography site] | ||
* [http://lightofday.wetpaint.com/page/Mycro+Model+1+camera?t=anon Mycro with sample pictures] at [http://lightofday.wetpaint.com/ Light of Day] | * [http://lightofday.wetpaint.com/page/Mycro+Model+1+camera?t=anon Mycro with sample pictures] at [http://lightofday.wetpaint.com/ Light of Day] | ||
In Japanese: | In Japanese: | ||
Revision as of 19:45, 12 August 2008
The Mycro (マイクロ) is a Japanese subminiature camera, released in 1939. It was made by Akita Seisakusho and distributed by various companies until 1945. After World War II, it was exclusively distributed by Sanwa Shōkai, and the maker's name perhaps became Mycro Camera Co. Ltd. at some time.
Contents
General description
The Mycro takes ten 14×14mm exposures on unperforated 17.5mm film, the same as its competitor the Midget, which was released two years earlier. The Midget and Mycro were certainly the first still cameras in the world to use this type of film, certainly obtained by slicing 35mm film in two. After World War II the same format was adopted by Tougodo's Hit and a host of similar "Hit-type" cameras.
All the Mycro models have the same main body made of pressed metal. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a tube at the front. The lens is a fixed-focus 20mm f/4.5, and the aperture is set from 4.5 to 11 by an index placed under the barrel. The shutter has B, 25, 50, 100 settings selected by an index at the top, and the release lever is on the shutter casing itself. The film is advanced by a knob at the top left, as seen by the photographer. The back is hinged to the left and contains a single red window to control the advance.
Original model
Description and variations
The original Mycro has a tubular finder attached to the middle of the top plate, and a round film flange on the right. The red window on the back is uncovered and surrounded by a round metal frame. The back latch consists of a small sliding button. The shutter is everset and is tripped by a lever actuated by the photographer's right hand. The name Mycro is inscribed at the top of the shutter plate, above the lens. The ever-ready case is made of brown leather and embossed Mycro at the front; it curiously does not fully cover the top plate when shut.
Many variations are known on the original Mycro; these are detailed in this page at Mycro.jp and in this page at Submin.com. Two different markings exist on the right film flange, either a stylized A and a cross, or the words MYCRO T.A.Co. The letter "A" certainly stands for the manufacturer Akita, and "T.A." might correspond to the initials of the founder. Different lens markings are found, either 1:4.5 F=20mm at the bottom of the shutter plate and nothing on the lens rim, or F=20mm on the shutter plate and MYCRO ANASTIGMAT 1:4.5 on the lens rim. The latter might be a late variation, adopted before the release of the New Mycro. The back latch is either attached to the main body or to the back itself. Finally, some examples have a black painted finder instead of the regular chrome plated part, perhaps because of a shortage of raw materials during wartime.
Notes
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. Items 248 and 841–2. (See also the picture on p.13.)
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Maikuro kamera (senzen-gata)" (マイクロカメラ[戦前型], Mycro camera [prewar type]). In Camera Collectors' News no.274 (April 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Maikuro sengo-gata (1)" (マイクロ戦後型[1], Mycro postwar type [1]). In Camera Collectors' News no.275 (May 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Maikuro sengo-gata (2)" (マイクロ戦後型[2], Mycro postwar type [2]). In Camera Collectors' News no.276 (May 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
- Jonkman, Peter. "A new vision on the history of the Asahiflex". In Spotmatic no.27, January 2001. Available in this page of the Asahi Optical Historical Club. (States that the lens of the Mycro was made by Asahi Kōgaku.)
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). Pp.62, 64 and 68.
- 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). Pp.869–70.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 5005–6 and 5098–101.
Links
In English:
- Mycro pages in English and in Japanese at Mycro.jp
- Mycro at Submin.com
- Mycro at Subclub.org
- Mycro in a page at Ioannis' camera collection
- Mycro IIIA at the Living Image vintage camera museum
- Mycro IIIA and sample pictures at Larry Hester's photography site
- Mycro with sample pictures at Light of Day
In Japanese:
- Advertisement for the Mycro in Asahi Graph September 23, 1942, reproduced in the Japanese camera page and the small format camera page at Gochamaze
- Advertisement for the Mycro in Ars Camera December 1949, reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura
