Tougodo box-shaped cameras
The Tougo cameras were introduced by Tougodo in 1930.[1] The first models were box cameras, using the no-need-darkroom process. It is said that three film sizes were available: size A (3.5×5.5cm), size B (5×7cm) and size C (28×40mm).[2] Another source says that model A cost ¥1, model B cost ¥2 and model C cost ¥3, which seems somewhat contradictory.[3]
The simpler Tougo models have a single brilliant finder at the top, no diaphragm and Bulb exposure only. Depending on the camera, the Tougodo trademark is simply stamped in the paper covering of the front plate, or the words TOUGŌ CAMERA or simply TOUGŌ are inscribed above the lens. The Mikasa-Go is a simple model; it has the words TOUGŌ CAMERA and MIKASA-GO around the lens.[4] The Speed-Go has two brilliant finders and Bulb and Instant settings, selected by a lever on the photographer's right; it has the words TOUGŌ CAMERA and SPEEDGO around the lens, together with the logo of Tougodo.[5] (Around the same time, Tougodo was also making a Speed-Go Reflex camera.) The Hit-Go looks the same but adds three aperture settings, numbered 1, 2, 3 below the lens; the words TOUGŌ and HITGO are written around the lens, and a large Tougodo logo is inscribed above.[6]
Notes
- ↑ Date: Lewis, p.43, Sugiyama, items 4074–6, McKeown, p.931.
- ↑ Sugiyama, p.63.
- ↑ Lewis, p.43.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 4075.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page at Infocam, where it is wrongly described as a Hit-Go, and example pictured in Lewis, p.43.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 4076.
Bibliography
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.43.
- 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.931.
- 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 4074–6.
Links
In Japanese:
In Korean:
- Tougo box cameras at Infocam (the picture captioned as a Hit-Go actually shows a Speed-Go)
