Difference between revisions of "Time Magazine Camera"

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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/333bracket/4751502861/in/pool-camerawiki
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4751502861_5476649f35_m.jpg
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|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4751502861_1426170cf4.jpg
 
|image_align= right
 
|image_align= right
|image_text= CameraDescriptionTextHere
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|image_text= The ubiquitous Time Magazine camera
 
|image_by= Bracket ツ
 
|image_by= Bracket ツ
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
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This was a [[35mm]] [[toy camera]] given out free with subscriptions of Time Magazine. Unlike other toy cameras, however, the lens is actually of reasonable quality and made of glass, and the pictures it takes are fairly sharp. While the Time Magazine badging is the best known, the camera was also distributed with Sports Illustrated, Franka, Caesars, and other badging. There is a standard [[hot shoe]] on the top of the camera, and several other features not usually found on toy cameras, such as a coupled [[frame counter]] and a primitive choice of apertures.
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/anderspace/2791986058/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3259/2791986058_2ca6166b03.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= The leaden secret to the Time camera's heft
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|image_by= Mark Anderson
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|image_rights= wp
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The '''Time Magazine Camera''' was a [[35mm]] plastic [[toy camera]] given out free with subscriptions to Time Magazine in 1985<REF name="youtube"> 1985 Time magazine TV commercial featuring the camera formerly available on [http://www.youtube.com/ youtube].</REF>. The Taiwan-manufactured model has a simple [[fixed focus]] 50mm lens, but is styled to resemble an [[SLR]] or another more expensive type of camera.
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While the Time Magazine was the most ubiquitous branding seen in the US, the same basic Taiwanese model has appeared under countless name & number variations, such as Ultronic, Franka, Meikai, or Akira. The term "Time Magazine Camera" may sometimes be used generically to encompass this entire class of camera, much as "[[Diana]]" sometimes is used.
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Whilst most feature a plastic lens, one variant features a single-element glass lens ('''Lavec Optical Glass Lens''') described as being of better quality, yielding relatively sharp photos<REF name="lomography">[http://www.lomography.com/magazine/reviews/2011/07/27/time-magazine-camera-poor-mans-holga-135 Time Magazine Camera: Poor Man's Holga 135?] review of Lavec Optical Glass lens variant at [http://www.lomography.com/ lomography.com].</REF>. The functional [[hot shoe]] and choice of apertures also raises the Time camera slightly above the level of the typical [[trashcam]].  However any impression of heft and solidity is entirely due to a dummy lead weight fitted into the bottom of the body.
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The camera features a thickening on one side suggestive of a non-existent motorwind. A knurled grip around the lens barrel resembles a focusing ring; however this simply controls a limited range of lens apertures, typically indicated with Sunny/Cloudy weather icons. There is no [[iris diaphragm]], but rather a very crude tapered slot which swings across the rear of the lens. As a result the smallest aperture opening is something of a squashed rectangle. This peculiar feature is shared by an extended family of Taiwanese plastic cameras, including models with simulated [[Rangefinder camera | rangefinder]] styling as well as more elaborate (fake, hollow) [[pentaprism]] housings<ref>These should not be confused with the even more elaborate fakery of the [["Olympia" camera]] in its numerous variants. Those cameras add motorized winding, a [[brilliant finder]], a nonfunctional clear cover over the lens, and typically, an oversized accessory flash.</ref>, which may indicate they came from several producers <REF>{{McKeown12}} Page 920.</REF>. All in all there are at least 80 known variations<ref>See [https://www.flickr.com/groups/color-optical-lens/discuss/72157624684874187/ this Flickr discussion] for some examples. An informal search of Google Images, Flickr, and eBay auctions in February 2015 turned up 80 confirmed or suspected variations on the Time Camera; but the true number is almost certainly higher.</ref>.
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As a promotional giveaway, the [[Barclaycard Visa Camera|Barclaycard camera]] is common in the UK; and in the US variants labeled for Tabasco hot sauce, Caesars gambling resort, ''Sports Illustrated'' magazine, and Marshall Field's department stores are all known.
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The pictured Time camera's "Kinetic Optical Color Lens" may indicate a connection to other products branded [[Kinetic]]; but given the profusion of different brands used this is hard to determine.
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Modification of these cameras is possible to add cable release, multiple exposure and other features <REF name="mod">[http://www.instructables.com/id/Upgrade-Your-Time-Magazine-Promotional-Camera/ Upgrade Your Time Promotional Camera] on [http://www.instructables.com/ instructables.com]</REF>.
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===Technical data Lavec Glass lens version:===
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*[[Fixed focus]] 50mm single-element glass lens
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*One shutter speed of about 1/100th sec.
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*Variable [[aperture]] in both F-stops & pictograms (marked as "cloudy" to "sunny")
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*Simple Viewfinder
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===Technical data Kinetic Optical Color lens version:===
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*Fixed Focus 50mm plastic lens
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*fixed shutter speed
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*Variable Aperture with 4 settings from f/6 to f/16 , marked both in f-stops and weather pictograms
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*Curved film plane
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*Simple Viewfinder
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The Time camera's "Kinetic Optical Color Lens" may indicate a connection to other products branded [[Kinetic]]; but given the profusion of different brands used this is hard to determine.
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<br clear="both"/>
  
 
===Photos===
 
===Photos===
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/kratz/1984004945/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/1984004945_c58e7f1cf8_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Camera with Caesars badging
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|image_by= John Kratz
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|image_rights= nc
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlatlas/5768639400/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image=  http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5302/5768639400_c44d31094d_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Ultronic with Kinetic lens
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|image_by= girlatlas
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|image_rights= with permission
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/8100526066/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image=  http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8100526066_4310afdd82_m_d.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Another name and color scheme
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|image_by= Tony Kemplen
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/49656291@N00/6313402488/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image=  http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6213/6313402488_7082a937bf_m_d.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Imatic LT-002 with a "New Optical Lens"
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|image_by= Kenneth Dwain Harrelson
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|image_rights= wp
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/artysmokes/4425926352/in/pool-camerapedia
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/49656291@N00/6429507957/in/pool-camerawiki
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4425926352_9425339b8c_m.jpg
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|image= http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6035/6429507957_a7dd8e2536_m_d.jpg
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
|image_text= Camera with Franka badging
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|image_text= Time Magazine camera offer
|image_by= Arty Smokes
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|image_by= Kenneth Dwain Harrelson
|image_rights= non-commercial
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|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/49656291@N00/9610204559/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image=  http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/9610204559_025520bc68_m_d.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Yunon YN 500 variant
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|image_by= Kenneth Dwain Harrelson
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{|class=floatleft
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/kratz/1984004945/in/pool-camerapedia
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/7356924@N02/747120314/in/pool-camerawiki
|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/1984004945_c58e7f1cf8_m.jpg
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|image= http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1348/747120314_00a71dc4b4_m.jpg
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
|image_text= Camera with Caesars badging
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|image_text= Kinetic
|image_by= John Kratz
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|image_by= Just Plain Curt
|image_rights= creative commons
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|image_rights= wp
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<br clear="both"/>
 
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===Technical data:===
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==Notes==
 
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<references/>
*[[Fixed focus]] 50mm single-element glass lens ("Kinetic" Optical Color Lens)
 
*One shutter speed of about 1/100th sec, no B
 
*Variable [[aperture]] from about f/5.6 to about f/16 (marked as "cloudy" to "sunny"
 
*Viewfinder
 
  
 
[[Category:Toy cameras]]
 
[[Category:Toy cameras]]
 
[[Category:35mm viewfinder]]
 
[[Category:35mm viewfinder]]
 
[[Category:USA]]
 
[[Category:USA]]

Revision as of 06:33, 7 April 2019


The Time Magazine Camera was a 35mm plastic toy camera given out free with subscriptions to Time Magazine in 1985[1]. The Taiwan-manufactured model has a simple fixed focus 50mm lens, but is styled to resemble an SLR or another more expensive type of camera.

While the Time Magazine was the most ubiquitous branding seen in the US, the same basic Taiwanese model has appeared under countless name & number variations, such as Ultronic, Franka, Meikai, or Akira. The term "Time Magazine Camera" may sometimes be used generically to encompass this entire class of camera, much as "Diana" sometimes is used.

Whilst most feature a plastic lens, one variant features a single-element glass lens (Lavec Optical Glass Lens) described as being of better quality, yielding relatively sharp photos[2]. The functional hot shoe and choice of apertures also raises the Time camera slightly above the level of the typical trashcam. However any impression of heft and solidity is entirely due to a dummy lead weight fitted into the bottom of the body.

The camera features a thickening on one side suggestive of a non-existent motorwind. A knurled grip around the lens barrel resembles a focusing ring; however this simply controls a limited range of lens apertures, typically indicated with Sunny/Cloudy weather icons. There is no iris diaphragm, but rather a very crude tapered slot which swings across the rear of the lens. As a result the smallest aperture opening is something of a squashed rectangle. This peculiar feature is shared by an extended family of Taiwanese plastic cameras, including models with simulated rangefinder styling as well as more elaborate (fake, hollow) pentaprism housings[3], which may indicate they came from several producers [4]. All in all there are at least 80 known variations[5].

As a promotional giveaway, the Barclaycard camera is common in the UK; and in the US variants labeled for Tabasco hot sauce, Caesars gambling resort, Sports Illustrated magazine, and Marshall Field's department stores are all known.

The pictured Time camera's "Kinetic Optical Color Lens" may indicate a connection to other products branded Kinetic; but given the profusion of different brands used this is hard to determine.

Modification of these cameras is possible to add cable release, multiple exposure and other features [6].


Technical data Lavec Glass lens version:

  • Fixed focus 50mm single-element glass lens
  • One shutter speed of about 1/100th sec.
  • Variable aperture in both F-stops & pictograms (marked as "cloudy" to "sunny")
  • Simple Viewfinder


Technical data Kinetic Optical Color lens version:

  • Fixed Focus 50mm plastic lens
  • fixed shutter speed
  • Variable Aperture with 4 settings from f/6 to f/16 , marked both in f-stops and weather pictograms
  • Curved film plane
  • Simple Viewfinder



Photos


Notes

  1. 1985 Time magazine TV commercial featuring the camera formerly available on youtube.
  2. Time Magazine Camera: Poor Man's Holga 135? review of Lavec Optical Glass lens variant at lomography.com.
  3. These should not be confused with the even more elaborate fakery of the "Olympia" camera in its numerous variants. Those cameras add motorized winding, a brilliant finder, a nonfunctional clear cover over the lens, and typically, an oversized accessory flash.
  4. 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). Page 920.
  5. See this Flickr discussion for some examples. An informal search of Google Images, Flickr, and eBay auctions in February 2015 turned up 80 confirmed or suspected variations on the Time Camera; but the true number is almost certainly higher.
  6. Upgrade Your Time Promotional Camera on instructables.com