Difference between revisions of "Tian Chi"

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The '''Tian Chi''' is a Chinese near-copy of the [[Contax S|Contax F]], that was developed by the Chang Chun Optical Research Institute in 1959. Only ten cameras were made, and two of them are thought to have survived.
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The '''Tian Chi''' is a Chinese near-copy of the [[Contax S|Contax F]], that was developed by the Chang Chun Optical Research Institute in 1959<REF> "Tian Chi" means "Heavenly Pond" according to StDenny. It is also the name of a lake in China (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Tianchi the corresponding Wikipedia page]), situated in the province of Jilin like the Chang Chun Optical Research Institute. It is likely that the name of the camera comes from the name of the lake. </REF>. Only ten cameras were made, and two of them are thought to have survived.
  
 
The Tian Chi has a special breech lock mount and a 56mm f:1.9 lens<REF> StDenny says that the lens is focused from 6m to infinity. Either it is a typo, or the lens barrel is experimental only. </REF> with automatic diaphragm. In addition to the lens mount, they externally differ from the Contax F mainly by the shape of the top housing above the prism, that is engraved with a triangular logo.
 
The Tian Chi has a special breech lock mount and a 56mm f:1.9 lens<REF> StDenny says that the lens is focused from 6m to infinity. Either it is a typo, or the lens barrel is experimental only. </REF> with automatic diaphragm. In addition to the lens mount, they externally differ from the Contax F mainly by the shape of the top housing above the prism, that is engraved with a triangular logo.

Revision as of 12:01, 24 August 2006

The Tian Chi is a Chinese near-copy of the Contax F, that was developed by the Chang Chun Optical Research Institute in 1959[1]. Only ten cameras were made, and two of them are thought to have survived.

The Tian Chi has a special breech lock mount and a 56mm f:1.9 lens[2] with automatic diaphragm. In addition to the lens mount, they externally differ from the Contax F mainly by the shape of the top housing above the prism, that is engraved with a triangular logo.

Notes

  1. "Tian Chi" means "Heavenly Pond" according to StDenny. It is also the name of a lake in China (see the corresponding Wikipedia page), situated in the province of Jilin like the Chang Chun Optical Research Institute. It is likely that the name of the camera comes from the name of the lake.
  2. StDenny says that the lens is focused from 6m to infinity. Either it is a typo, or the lens barrel is experimental only.

Bibliography

  • St Denny, Douglas. Cameras of the People's Republic of China. Leicester, UK: Jessop Specialist Publishing, 1989. ISBN 0-9514392-0-0.