Difference between revisions of "Ramera"
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The '''Ramera''' is a fancy combination of a transistor radio and a 16mm camera, made by [[Kowa]] in 1959–60. It was also sold by [[Bell]] under the name '''Bell Kamra'''. The camera part was sold alone in limited quantities as the '''Bell 16'''. | The '''Ramera''' is a fancy combination of a transistor radio and a 16mm camera, made by [[Kowa]] in 1959–60. It was also sold by [[Bell]] under the name '''Bell Kamra'''. The camera part was sold alone in limited quantities as the '''Bell 16'''. | ||
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| + | == Context == | ||
| + | Kowa was manufacturing transistor radios as well as cameras,<REF> For other Kowa transistor radios, see [http://www.fiftiesradio.com/Radiosalpha.html this page at Fifties Radio]. </REF> and the idea of combining both in a single casing emerged naturally. The | ||
== Description of the camera alone == | == Description of the camera alone == | ||
The Bell 16 is the camera part of the Ramera. It is rarely found alone, and the only example observed so far is pictured in {{SUG}}.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 5016. </REF> | The Bell 16 is the camera part of the Ramera. It is rarely found alone, and the only example observed so far is pictured in {{SUG}}.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 5016. </REF> | ||
| − | The camera takes 10×14mm pictures on 16mm film in [[Minolta 16]] cassettes.<REF> Minolta 16 cassettes: {{SUG}}, items 5015–6 and 5119. See also the various websites linked below. </REF> When sold alone, it has the shape of a matchbox, with the lens on the larger side and satin metal finish overall. The viewfinder is at the bottom right, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. The film is advanced by pulling a bar on the right, next to the shutter release. The exposure counter, visible in a small window next to the viewfinder eyepiece, is advanced at the same time. There are two dials at the top, near the front edge, controlling the aperture on the left (from 3.5 to 11) and the shutter speed on the right (B, 50, 100, 200). The rest of the top plate is hinged to the left for film loading, and is opened by a button next to the shutter release. The camera is synchronized for flash, via a PC connection on the front plate. | + | The camera takes 10×14mm pictures on 16mm film in [[Minolta 16]] cassettes.<REF> Minolta 16 cassettes: {{SUG}}, items 5015–6 and 5119. See also the various websites linked below. </REF> When sold alone, it has the shape of a matchbox, with the lens on the larger side and satin metal finish overall. The viewfinder is at the bottom right, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. |
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| + | The film is advanced by pulling a bar on the right, next to the shutter release. The exposure counter, visible in a small window next to the viewfinder eyepiece, is advanced at the same time. There are two dials at the top, near the front edge, controlling the aperture on the left (from 3.5 to 11) and the shutter speed on the right (B, 50, 100, 200). The rest of the top plate is hinged to the left for film loading, and is opened by a button next to the shutter release. The camera is synchronized for flash, via a PC connection on the front plate. | ||
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| + | The lens is a fixed-focus Prominar 25mm f/3.5. On the Bell 16, it is surrounded by a round plate inscribed ''1:3.5 f=25mm'' and ''16 Bell''. | ||
== Combined radio and camera == | == Combined radio and camera == | ||
| − | The Ramera and Bell Kamra contain the camera described above, stripped of its metal casing, | + | The Ramera and Bell Kamra contain the camera described above, stripped of its metal casing, combined with a transistor radio inside in a plastic shell. The camera part is inserted at the right end of the item, and is oriented vertically, with the release button at the bottom right and the film loading door at the right end, as seen from the rear. The lens is surrounded by a rectangular metal plate inscribed ''ramera <small>KOWA</small>'' or ''BELL kamra'' in red and white, and ''Prominar 1:3.5 f=23mm''. |
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| + | The radio part was made by [[Kowa]] itself, which was offering a range of transistor radios at the time.<REF> For other Kowa transistor radios, see [http://www.fiftiesradio.com/Radiosalpha.html this page at Fifties Radio]. </REF> There is a large round loudspeaker on the front face, a tune dial, a volume dial and an earphone socket on the left face, and a tripod thread on the underside. | ||
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| + | The rear part of the plastic shell is removable, giving access to the radio internals to change the 9V battery, and revealing part of the camera's mechanism. The radio's specifications are reported on a sticker inside: ''6 TRANSISTOR / FREQ. RANGE 535–1605KC / OUTPUT 70mW / BATTERY 006P''. The electrical scheme is sometimes displayed on another sticker. One of the electrical components is sometimes inscribed ''KOWA'', and sometimes has a sticker with the radio's serial number. | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
Revision as of 23:25, 21 September 2008
The Ramera is a fancy combination of a transistor radio and a 16mm camera, made by Kowa in 1959–60. It was also sold by Bell under the name Bell Kamra. The camera part was sold alone in limited quantities as the Bell 16.
Contents
Context
Kowa was manufacturing transistor radios as well as cameras,[1] and the idea of combining both in a single casing emerged naturally. The
Description of the camera alone
The Bell 16 is the camera part of the Ramera. It is rarely found alone, and the only example observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama.[2]
The camera takes 10×14mm pictures on 16mm film in Minolta 16 cassettes.[3] When sold alone, it has the shape of a matchbox, with the lens on the larger side and satin metal finish overall. The viewfinder is at the bottom right, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally.
The film is advanced by pulling a bar on the right, next to the shutter release. The exposure counter, visible in a small window next to the viewfinder eyepiece, is advanced at the same time. There are two dials at the top, near the front edge, controlling the aperture on the left (from 3.5 to 11) and the shutter speed on the right (B, 50, 100, 200). The rest of the top plate is hinged to the left for film loading, and is opened by a button next to the shutter release. The camera is synchronized for flash, via a PC connection on the front plate.
The lens is a fixed-focus Prominar 25mm f/3.5. On the Bell 16, it is surrounded by a round plate inscribed 1:3.5 f=25mm and 16 Bell.
Combined radio and camera
The Ramera and Bell Kamra contain the camera described above, stripped of its metal casing, combined with a transistor radio inside in a plastic shell. The camera part is inserted at the right end of the item, and is oriented vertically, with the release button at the bottom right and the film loading door at the right end, as seen from the rear. The lens is surrounded by a rectangular metal plate inscribed ramera KOWA or BELL kamra in red and white, and Prominar 1:3.5 f=23mm.
The radio part was made by Kowa itself, which was offering a range of transistor radios at the time.[4] There is a large round loudspeaker on the front face, a tune dial, a volume dial and an earphone socket on the left face, and a tripod thread on the underside.
The rear part of the plastic shell is removable, giving access to the radio internals to change the 9V battery, and revealing part of the camera's mechanism. The radio's specifications are reported on a sticker inside: 6 TRANSISTOR / FREQ. RANGE 535–1605KC / OUTPUT 70mW / BATTERY 006P. The electrical scheme is sometimes displayed on another sticker. One of the electrical components is sometimes inscribed KOWA, and sometimes has a sticker with the radio's serial number.
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. Item 1750.
- 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). P.103.
- 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.123 and 548.
- 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.119.
- 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 5015–6 and 5119.
Links
In English:
- Ramera, Bell Kamra and Bell 16 at Submin.com
- Ramera at Fifties Radio (click on the arrows to navigate)
- Ramera at Cameras Downunder
- Ramera, lot no.658 of auction no.11 (26 May 2007) by Westlicht Photographica Auction
- Ramera in Moshe Bar-El's camera collection
- Bell Kamra in the Western Photographic Historical Society website
- Ramera and Bell Kamra among 16mm film cameras at Subclub.org
In Spanish:
In Japanese:
