Difference between revisions of "Saica, Kiku 16, Gem 16 and Halmat"

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== General description ==
 
== General description ==
All the models share the same body. They take ten 14×14mm exposures on a roll of 17.5mm film. The design is more angular than other [[Hit]]-type cameras, and is inspired by contemporary 35mm viewfinder cameras.
+
All the models share the same body, and take ten 14×14mm exposures on a roll of 17.5mm film. The camera is comparable in size and style to the [[Toyoca 16]] by [[Tougodo]]. The design is more angular and larger than regular [[Hit]]-type cameras, and is inspired by contemporary 35mm viewfinder cameras.
 +
 
 +
The back is removable together with the bottom plate for film loading. It is locked by a key situated under the camera. The film is advanced by a knob at the top right, as seen by the photographer. Its position is controlled via a green-coloured window in the middle of the back. There is a fake rewind knob at the top left, mimicking that of 35mm cameras.
 +
 
 +
The shutter is tripped by a button on the top cover, next to the viewfinder, a rare feature on [[Hit]]-type cameras. It only gives <u>B</u>ulb and <u>I</u>nstant exposures, selected by a knob at the front, reminding the slow-speed dial of the [[Leica III]] and of various Leica copies.
 +
 
 +
The lens barrel is silver finished and has various fake rings, imitating the chrome lenses of 35mm rangefinder cameras. The lens has a fixed focus and a small fixed aperture, even if the large diameter of the front element tries to deceive the potential buyer.
  
 
== Variations ==
 
== Variations ==
 +
The Kiku 16, Gem 16 and Saica share a common design of the top plate, with a low profile and a protrusion for the viewfinder. The Halmat has a different design.
 +
 +
=== Kiku 16 Model I ===
 +
The '''Kiku 16 Model I''' was featured in the new products column of the June 1956 issue of ''[[Sankei Camera]]'', where it is attributed to [[Morita|Morita Shōkai]].<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.382. </REF>
 +
 +
The top plate has a low profile, with a protrusion for the viewfinder. The shutter is self-cocking, and the film advance window is uncovered. The name ''Kiku16 Model I'' is engraved above the viewfinder.
 +
 +
=== Kiku 16 Model II ===
 +
The '''Kiku 16 Model II''' was featured in the April 1957 issue of ''[[Shashin Salon]]'', where it is attributed to [[Morita|Morita Shōkai]] too.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.382. </REF> The main difference with the Model I is the addition of a shutter cocking lever under the speed selector. The name ''Kiku 16 Model II'' is engraved above the viewfinder too.
 +
 +
=== Gem 16 Model II ===
 +
The '''Gem 16 Model II''' is exactly similar to the Kiku 16 Model II, except for the name ''GEM 16 MODEL II'' engraved on the top plate.
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==

Revision as of 17:49, 4 November 2008

Japanese subminiature
8mm film Camera "A" | Camera-Lite | Echo 8 | Kaitenkei
9.5mm film Doryu 1 | Fujica 8×11mm SLR | Yashica Atoron
16mm film Albert | Beauty 16 | Bell 16 | Bell Kamra | Binoca | Camera "B" | CM-16 | Cyclops | Dan 16 | Darling-16 | Doryu 2-16 | Fujica 16mm SLR | Gemmy | Glico Pistol | Konan-16 Automat | Mamiya 16 Automatic | Mica Automat | Micta | Minolta-16 | Minolta-16 EE | Minolta-16 EE II | Minolta-16 MG | Minolta-16 MG-S | Minolta-16 P | Minolta-16 Ps | Minolta 16 QT | Mycro Super 16 | Mykro Fine Color 16 | Nice | Nikon 16 | Poppy | Ramera | Ricoh 16 | Ricoreo 16 | Rubina | Rubix | Seiki 16 | Seiki 16 (pistol) | Shaty 16 | Sonocon 16 | Spy 16 | Steky | Golden Steky | Teleca | Viscawide-16 | Yashica Y16 | Yashica 16 EE | Zany | Zuman Super 16 | Zunow Z16
unknown Matchbox camera
17.5mm film Arrow | Baby Flex | Baby-Max | Barlux | Beauty 14 | Bell 14 | Blondy | Baby Colon | Comex | Corona | Croma Color 16 | Epochs | Fuji Kozet | Gamma | Gem 16 | Gemflex | Glico Lighter | Halmat | Hit | Hit-II | Hit-type | Hobby 16 | Homer No.1 | Homer 16 | Honey | Hope | Jenic | Kiku 16 | Kent | Kolt | Kute | Lovely | Mascot | Meteor | Micky | Midget | Mighty | Mini | Moment | Mycro | Myracle | Nikkobaby | Peace | Peace Baby Flex | Peace Small Lef | Pet | Petit | Petty | Prince 16-A | Prince Ruby | Robin | New Rocket | Rubina | Rubix | Saga 16 | Saica | Septon Pen | Sholy-Flex | Snappy | Spy-14 | Sun | Sun B | Sun 16 | Sweet 16 | Tacker | Takka | Tone | Top Camera | Toyoca 16 | Toyoca Ace | Tsubame | Vesta | Vista | Vestkam
20mm film Guzzi | Mycroflex | Top
round film Evarax | Petal | Sakura Petal | Star
unknown Hallow | Lyravit | Tsubasa
110 film see Japanese 110 film
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The Kiku 16, Gem 16, Saica and Halmat are Japanese subminiature cameras, taking 17.5mm film.

General description

All the models share the same body, and take ten 14×14mm exposures on a roll of 17.5mm film. The camera is comparable in size and style to the Toyoca 16 by Tougodo. The design is more angular and larger than regular Hit-type cameras, and is inspired by contemporary 35mm viewfinder cameras.

The back is removable together with the bottom plate for film loading. It is locked by a key situated under the camera. The film is advanced by a knob at the top right, as seen by the photographer. Its position is controlled via a green-coloured window in the middle of the back. There is a fake rewind knob at the top left, mimicking that of 35mm cameras.

The shutter is tripped by a button on the top cover, next to the viewfinder, a rare feature on Hit-type cameras. It only gives Bulb and Instant exposures, selected by a knob at the front, reminding the slow-speed dial of the Leica III and of various Leica copies.

The lens barrel is silver finished and has various fake rings, imitating the chrome lenses of 35mm rangefinder cameras. The lens has a fixed focus and a small fixed aperture, even if the large diameter of the front element tries to deceive the potential buyer.

Variations

The Kiku 16, Gem 16 and Saica share a common design of the top plate, with a low profile and a protrusion for the viewfinder. The Halmat has a different design.

Kiku 16 Model I

The Kiku 16 Model I was featured in the new products column of the June 1956 issue of Sankei Camera, where it is attributed to Morita Shōkai.[1]

The top plate has a low profile, with a protrusion for the viewfinder. The shutter is self-cocking, and the film advance window is uncovered. The name Kiku16 Model I is engraved above the viewfinder.

Kiku 16 Model II

The Kiku 16 Model II was featured in the April 1957 issue of Shashin Salon, where it is attributed to Morita Shōkai too.[2] The main difference with the Model I is the addition of a shutter cocking lever under the speed selector. The name Kiku 16 Model II is engraved above the viewfinder too.

Gem 16 Model II

The Gem 16 Model II is exactly similar to the Kiku 16 Model II, except for the name GEM 16 MODEL II engraved on the top plate.

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 1207–8.
  • 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.376 and 700.
  • 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. Pp.75, 77 and 79 (the Halmat is spelled "Kalmet" and "Kalmat" by mistake).
  • 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 5038, 5047 and 5129.

Links

In English:

In German:

  • Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.382.
  • Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.382.