Palma Brilliant and Rosko Brilliant
The Palma Brilliant and Rosko Brilliant are Japanese 6×6 pseudo TLR cameras. It is said that they were distributed by Goyō Shōkai around 1955.[1] The Rosko Brilliant was certainly exported to the USA by Rosko.
Contents
Description
The Palma Brilliant and Rosko Brilliant have the same bakelite body. The central part is shaped like a TLR, with a very large brilliant finder above and a fixed-focus lens below. The film runs horizontally and the film spool containers extend from each side, with the advance knob at the top left and a symmetrical knob on the other side. The shape is thus half way between a (pseudo) TLR and a rigid viewfinder camera.
The release button is to the right of the central box. Two control wheels are available at the bottom of the front plate: one has B and I speed settings and the other has 1, 2, 3 aperture settings. There is a non standard flash shoe on the left, with cordless synch contacts.
Variations
The Palma Brilliant is only known from Sugiyama. The name PALMA is written in big letters at the bottom of the front plate, and BRILLIANT MODEL 2 is written in small letters underneath. It reportedly takes 120 film.[2]
The Rosko Brilliant is externally identical. The name ROSKO is written at the bottom of the front plate, with BRILLIANT 620 MODEL 2 written underneath. This model reportedly takes 620 film[3] and is an export version, certainly distributed by Rosko.
Notes
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.365.
- 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 4164 and 4171.
