Difference between revisions of "Time Magazine Camera"

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(Straight paste of Bigalid proposed text; w/substitute for one no-longer-available image. Will work on this soon to clarify a couple points.)
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|image_text= The ubiquitous Time camera
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|image_text= The ubiquitous Time Magazine camera
 
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|image_by= Bracket ツ
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
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The '''Time Magazine Camera''' was a series of [[35mm]] [[toy camera]]s given out free with subscriptions of Time Magazine in mid 1985.<REF name="youtube">[http://youtu.be/nHtncSf0kiw?t=5s 1985 Time magazine TV commercial] featuring the camera on [http://www.youtube.com/ youtube]</REF>
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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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The '''Time Magazine Camera''' was a [[35mm]] plastic [[toy camera]] given out free with subscriptions to Time Magazine in 1985<REF name="youtube">[https://youtu.be/gCbyGonsfzU?si=yTvxoVkUPnGyUJ_S 1985 Time magazine TV commercial] featuring the camera 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 and 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>. At least the lens, and perhaps the camera, was presumably made by [[Lavec|Lavec Industrial Corp]] of Taipei. 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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Several variations exists which may indicate came from several producers <REF name="McKeown">Mckeown's Price Guide To Antique & Collectable Cameras 2001- 2002 11th Edition
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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, ''Life'' magazine and Marshall Field's department stores are all known.
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Pg. 633</REF>. Only 1 features a model number (FC-101), the rest can be classified by lens markings.
 
  
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The cameras all come in black plastic with 50mm fixed focus lens, fixed shutterspeed and manual aperture adjustment. The bodies have the appearance of a SLR with a faux pentaprism housing and a thickening on one side suggestive of a non-existent motorwind grip. Some variants have a faux front rangefinder window. They are all manual advance and have a simple viewfinder above the lens either centrally or to one side.  
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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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While the Time Magazine branding is the best known, the cameras were also distributed as promotional items for companies like Sports Illustrated, Caesars and [[Barclaycard Visa Camera|Barclaycard]] as well as under other branding like the Franka NX-40.
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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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Many of the cameras featured 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 choice of apertures. Whilst most feature a plastic lens, one variant, features a glass single element lens (lavec optical glass lens). This is described as being of better quality and the pictures being relatively sharp.<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>
 
  
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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. This model featured a metal weight to give the impression of a heavier camera.
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===Technical data Lavec Glass lens version:===
  
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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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*[[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 and pictograms (marked as "cloudy" to "sunny")
 +
*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
 +
*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
 +
*Simple Viewfinder
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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_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
 
{{Flickr_image
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlatlas/5768639400/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlatlas/5768639400/in/pool-camerawiki/
 
|image=  http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5302/5768639400_c44d31094d_m.jpg
 
|image=  http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5302/5768639400_c44d31094d_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
 
 
|image_text= Ultronic with Kinetic lens
 
|image_text= Ultronic with Kinetic lens
 
|image_by= girlatlas
 
|image_by= girlatlas
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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_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/tony_kemplen/8100526066/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image= http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2273/1984004945_c58e7f1cf8_m.jpg
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|image=  http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8100526066_4310afdd82_m_d.jpg
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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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{{Flickr_image
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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_text= Imatic LT-002
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|image_by= Kenneth Dwain Harrelson
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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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
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|image_by= Kenneth Dwain Harrelson
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/49656291@N00/6429507957/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image=  http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6035/6429507957_a7dd8e2536_m_d.jpg
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|image_text= Time Magazine camera offer
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|image_by= Kenneth Dwain Harrelson
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/niels-enderlein/49263839563/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image=  https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49263839563_86302af129_m.jpg
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|image_align= left
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|image_text= Welica W-11
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|image_by= Niels Enderlein
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/49656291@N00/50310168388/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image=  https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50310168388_00270f9613_n.jpg
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
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|image_text= Camera with Caesars badging
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|image_text= Life Magazine camera
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|image_by= John Kratz
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|image_by= Kenneth Dwain Harrelson
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|image_rights= nc
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|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
 
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{{Flickr_image
 
{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/anderspace/2791986058/in/pool-camerawiki
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/daniel-fodor/23824959265/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3259/2791986058_2ca6166b03_n.jpg
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|image= https://live.staticflickr.com/5682/23824959265_eae4d14f66_m.jpg
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
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|image_text= The secret to the Time-Life camera's heft
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|image_text= A more elaborate version
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|image_by= Mark Anderson
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|image_by= Steven Czitronyi
 
|image_rights= wp
 
|image_rights= wp
 
}}
 
}}
 
|}
 
|}
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<br clear="both"/>
 
<br clear="both"/>
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−
===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
 
−
 
−
 
−
<br clear="both"/>
 
−
 
−
===Technical data:===
 
−
 
−
*[[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
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
Line 84: Line 140:
  
 
[[Category:Toy cameras]]
 
[[Category:Toy cameras]]
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[[Category:T]]
 
[[Category:35mm viewfinder]]
 
[[Category:35mm viewfinder]]
 
[[Category:USA]]
 
[[Category:USA]]
 +
[[Category:1985]]

Latest revision as of 05:19, 5 March 2024

4751502861_1426170cf4.jpg
The ubiquitous Time Magazine camera
image by Bracket ツ (Image rights)
2791986058_2ca6166b03.jpg
The leaden secret to the Time camera's heft
image by Mark Anderson (Image rights)

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 and 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]. At least the lens, and perhaps the camera, was presumably made by Lavec Industrial Corp of Taipei. 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, Life 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 and 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

1984004945_c58e7f1cf8_m.jpg
Camera with Caesars badging
image by John Kratz (Image rights)
5768639400_c44d31094d_m.jpg
Ultronic with Kinetic lens
image by girlatlas (Image rights)
8100526066_4310afdd82_m_d.jpg
Another name and color scheme
image by Tony Kemplen (Image rights)
6313402488_7082a937bf_m_d.jpg
Imatic LT-002
image by Kenneth Dwain Harrelson (Image rights)
9610204559_025520bc68_m_d.jpg
Yunon YN 500
image by Kenneth Dwain Harrelson (Image rights)
6429507957_a7dd8e2536_m_d.jpg
Time Magazine camera offer
image by Kenneth Dwain Harrelson (Image rights)
49263839563_86302af129_m.jpg
Welica W-11
image by Niels Enderlein (Image rights)
50310168388_00270f9613_n.jpg
Life Magazine camera
image by Kenneth Dwain Harrelson (Image rights)
23824959265_eae4d14f66_m.jpg
A more elaborate version
image by Steven Czitronyi (Image rights)


Notes

  1. ↑ 1985 Time magazine TV commercial featuring the camera 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
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