Difference between revisions of "Top Camera"

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The '''Top Camera''' is a Japanese [[subminiature]], launched in 1965 by [[Marusō|Maruso Trading Co.]]<REF> Date: {{SUG}}, item 5150, {{MK}}, p.653. </REF>
 
The '''Top Camera''' is a Japanese [[subminiature]], launched in 1965 by [[Marusō|Maruso Trading Co.]]<REF> Date: {{SUG}}, item 5150, {{MK}}, p.653. </REF>
  
== Description ==
+
== Top Camera ==
The Top Camera looks like contemporary 16mm [[subminiature]] models but actually takes ten 14×14mm exposures on 17.5mm rollfilm.
+
The Top Camera looks like contemporary 16mm [[subminiature]] models but actually takes ten 14×14mm exposures on 17.5mm rollfilm. The main body is made of plastic, with metal front and back panels. The hammertone grey finish makes the camera look like it is all-metal.
  
Like [[Hit]]-type cameras it has a non-focusable f8/25mm lens and a shutter with bulb and instant settings.
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The back door is removable for film loading, and has a rectangular red window in the middle. The film is advanced by a knob at the top right, as seen by the photographer.
  
== Variations ==
+
The viewfinder is at the left end. Most cameras have a dual eye- and waist-level finder, using a semi-transparent mirror, whereas others have a simple eye-level finder.<REF> Eye-level finder only: example pictured in {{MK}}, p.653. Dual finder: examples pictured in {{MK}}, p.653, in {{SUG}}, item 5150, and in various websites. </REF>
=== Top Camera ===
+
 
One version has a dual eye- and waist-level finder instead of a simple eye-level finder.
+
The features of the Top Camera are similar to most [[Hit]]-type cameras. The lens is non-focusable and is reported as a 25mm f/8,<REF> 25mm f/8: {{SUG}}, item 5150. </REF> and the shutter has <u>B</u>ulb and <u>I</u>nstant settings, selected by a small lever at the top.
=== Top Camera II ===
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 +
== Top Camera II ==
 
The '''Top II''' had no B mode. It was sold as ''Spy 14'' kit with case, film and development tank.
 
The '''Top II''' had no B mode. It was sold as ''Spy 14'' kit with case, film and development tank.
  

Revision as of 19:36, 3 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

See also the Top taking 20mm film, evolution of the Guzzi.

The Top Camera is a Japanese subminiature, launched in 1965 by Maruso Trading Co.[1]

Top Camera

The Top Camera looks like contemporary 16mm subminiature models but actually takes ten 14×14mm exposures on 17.5mm rollfilm. The main body is made of plastic, with metal front and back panels. The hammertone grey finish makes the camera look like it is all-metal.

The back door is removable for film loading, and has a rectangular red window in the middle. The film is advanced by a knob at the top right, as seen by the photographer.

The viewfinder is at the left end. Most cameras have a dual eye- and waist-level finder, using a semi-transparent mirror, whereas others have a simple eye-level finder.[2]

The features of the Top Camera are similar to most Hit-type cameras. The lens is non-focusable and is reported as a 25mm f/8,[3] and the shutter has Bulb and Instant settings, selected by a small lever at the top.

Top Camera II

The Top II had no B mode. It was sold as Spy 14 kit with case, film and development tank.

Notes

  1. Date: Sugiyama, item 5150, McKeown, p.653.
  2. Eye-level finder only: example pictured in McKeown, p.653. Dual finder: examples pictured in McKeown, p.653, in Sugiyama, item 5150, and in various websites.
  3. 25mm f/8: Sugiyama, item 5150.

Bibliography

  • 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). P.653.
  • 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.80.
  • 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 5150–1.

The Top is not listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.

Links

In English:

In Japanese: