Difference between revisions of "Toyoca 16"

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{{Japanese subminiature}}
 
{{Japanese subminiature}}
{{stub}}
 
 
The '''Toyoca 16''' is a Japanese [[subminiature]] camera made around 1957 by [[Tougodo]]. The '''Kute''' and '''Saga 16''' are name variants, and the '''Hit-II''' is a slightly redesigned version. Despite their names, all the models take ten 14×14mm exposures on 17.5mm rollfilm.
 
The '''Toyoca 16''' is a Japanese [[subminiature]] camera made around 1957 by [[Tougodo]]. The '''Kute''' and '''Saga 16''' are name variants, and the '''Hit-II''' is a slightly redesigned version. Despite their names, all the models take ten 14×14mm exposures on 17.5mm rollfilm.
  
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The Toyoca 16 has a rounded body, inspired by contemporary 35mm viewfinder cameras and larger than other [[Hit]]-type cameras. It is comparable in size and style to the [[Saica, Kiku 16, Gem 16 and Halmat|Kiku 16 or Gem 16]] by [[Morita]].
 
The Toyoca 16 has a rounded body, inspired by contemporary 35mm viewfinder cameras and larger than other [[Hit]]-type cameras. It is comparable in size and style to the [[Saica, Kiku 16, Gem 16 and Halmat|Kiku 16 or Gem 16]] by [[Morita]].
  
The bottom plate is removable for film loading. It is held by a large screw, and has a tripod thread on one side. The back is fixed, and contains an uncovered red window for film advance control. The advance knob is at the top right, as seen by the photographer, and there is a fake rewind knob at the top left, mimicking that of 35mm cameras, and a small strap lug underneath. There is also a fake body release on the top plate, next to the viewfinder housing.
+
The bottom plate is removable for film loading. It is held by a large screw, has a tripod thread on one side, and is normally inscribed ''MADE IN JAPAN''. The back is fixed, and contains an uncovered red window for film advance control. The advance knob is at the top right, as seen by the photographer, and there is a fake rewind knob at the top left, mimicking that of 35mm cameras, and a small strap lug underneath. There is also a fake body release on the top plate, next to the viewfinder housing.
  
 
The shutter is actually released by a lever on the side of the lens. It only gives <u>B</u>ulb and <u>I</u>nstant exposures, selected by an index on the other side of the lens.
 
The shutter is actually released by a lever on the side of the lens. It only gives <u>B</u>ulb and <u>I</u>nstant exposures, selected by an index on the other side of the lens.
  
The lens barrel is silver finished and has various fake rings, imitating the chrome lenses of 35mm rangefinder cameras. The lens has a fixed focus and a small fixed aperture, reported as f/11 in some sources.<REF> F/11: {{SUG}}, item 5152–5. </REF>
+
The lens barrel is silver finished and has various fake rings and a black front bezel, imitating the chrome lenses of 35mm rangefinder cameras. The lens has a fixed focus and a small fixed aperture, reported as f/11 in some sources.<REF> F/11: {{SUG}}, item 5152–5. </REF>
  
The camera sometimes comes with an accessory filter or hood, in a heavy push-on mount almost doubling the length of the lens barrel. A miniature tripod was also available as an accessory.<REF> See the pictures in [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/toyoca/toyoca_16ii_tripod.htm this page at Submin.com]. </REF>
+
The camera sometimes comes with an accessory hood with filter holder, in a heavy push-on mount almost doubling the length of the lens barrel. The ever-ready case is made of brown leather and has an indent for the release lever.
 +
 
 +
A miniature tripod was also available as an accessory.<REF> See the pictures in [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/toyoca/toyoca_16ii_tripod.htm this page at Submin.com]. </REF>
 +
 
 +
=== Versions ===
 +
The '''Toyoca 16''' was certainly distributed by [[Tougodo]] itself. The name ''Toyoca 16'' is engraved above the viewfinder, and embossed at the front of the leather case. The camera was sold in a gray box inscribed ''Toyoca 16'' in blue letters.<REF> Original boxes pictured in [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/toyoca/toyoca_16.htm this page] and [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/toyoca/toyoca_16ii.htm this page] at Submin.com, and observed in an online auction. </REF>
 +
 
 +
The Toyoca 16 exists in two versions, distinguished by the presence or absence of an exposure counter at the top of the advance knob. The exposure counter has an irregular spacing of the numbers, because the number of turns needed to advance the film by one frame varies with the number of pictures already taken. This device complements the back window, and actually has little usability.
 +
 
 +
The '''Saga 16''' is a name variant, known to exist with the exposure counter.<REF> Saga 16 pictured as lot no.377 of [http://www.leski.com.au/catalogues/a191/2.htm Charles Leski auction no.191]. </REF> It has the name ''SAGA 16'' instead of ''Toyoca 16'' on the top plate and on the case.
 +
 
 +
The '''Kute''' is another name variant of the Toyoca 16 with exposure counter.<REF> Exposure counter: {{MK}}, p.929, and pictures in [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/toyoca/toyoca_kute.htm this page at Submin.com]. </REF> The name ''K<small>UTE</small>'' is inscribed in fancy letters above the viewfinder. The camera was sold in a gray box inscribed ''KUTE CAMERA''.<REF> Original box pictured in [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/toyoca/toyoca_kute.htm this page] at Submin.com. </REF>
  
 
== Hit-II ==
 
== Hit-II ==
 +
The '''Hit-II''' is based on the same body as the Toyoca 16, of which it is a simplified version. The film loading and advance knob are similar. The top plate is redesigned with a shiny finish and does not have the fake rewind knob of the Toyoca 16. It is inscribed ''HIT–II'' above the viewfinder. The lens barrel is all silver and does not have the black bezel of the Toyoca 16, making it look less like 35mm cameras. The release lever is the same, but the shutter gives Instant exposures only. The ever-ready case is yellowish and is embossed ''HIT–II'' at the front.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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* [http://members.tripod.com/Nigel_Richards/Submin/toyca.htm Toyoca 16] in [http://members.tripod.com/Nigel_Richards/ Nigel Richards' website]
 
* [http://members.tripod.com/Nigel_Richards/Submin/toyca.htm Toyoca 16] in [http://members.tripod.com/Nigel_Richards/ Nigel Richards' website]
 
* [http://home.tiscali.nl/benbojo/toyoca_16.htm Toyoca 16] at [http://home.tiscali.nl/benbojo/index.html Benbojo's Classic Cameras]
 
* [http://home.tiscali.nl/benbojo/toyoca_16.htm Toyoca 16] at [http://home.tiscali.nl/benbojo/index.html Benbojo's Classic Cameras]
 +
* Saga 16, lot no.377 of [http://www.leski.com.au/catalogues/a191/2.htm auction no.191] by [http://www.leski.com.au/ Charles Leski]
 
* Hit II in a [http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Park/3740/subminiatures/hit.html page on Hit cameras] at [http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Park/3740/subminiatures/ the Subminiature site of Gary Sivertsen]
 
* Hit II in a [http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Park/3740/subminiatures/hit.html page on Hit cameras] at [http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Park/3740/subminiatures/ the Subminiature site of Gary Sivertsen]
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 17.5mm film]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 17.5mm film]]
 
[[Category: T]]
 
[[Category: T]]

Revision as of 22:17, 6 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

The Toyoca 16 is a Japanese subminiature camera made around 1957 by Tougodo. The Kute and Saga 16 are name variants, and the Hit-II is a slightly redesigned version. Despite their names, all the models take ten 14×14mm exposures on 17.5mm rollfilm.

Toyoca 16 and name variants

Description

The Toyoca 16 has a rounded body, inspired by contemporary 35mm viewfinder cameras and larger than other Hit-type cameras. It is comparable in size and style to the Kiku 16 or Gem 16 by Morita.

The bottom plate is removable for film loading. It is held by a large screw, has a tripod thread on one side, and is normally inscribed MADE IN JAPAN. The back is fixed, and contains an uncovered red window for film advance control. The advance knob is at the top right, as seen by the photographer, and there is a fake rewind knob at the top left, mimicking that of 35mm cameras, and a small strap lug underneath. There is also a fake body release on the top plate, next to the viewfinder housing.

The shutter is actually released by a lever on the side of the lens. It only gives Bulb and Instant exposures, selected by an index on the other side of the lens.

The lens barrel is silver finished and has various fake rings and a black front bezel, imitating the chrome lenses of 35mm rangefinder cameras. The lens has a fixed focus and a small fixed aperture, reported as f/11 in some sources.[1]

The camera sometimes comes with an accessory hood with filter holder, in a heavy push-on mount almost doubling the length of the lens barrel. The ever-ready case is made of brown leather and has an indent for the release lever.

A miniature tripod was also available as an accessory.[2]

Versions

The Toyoca 16 was certainly distributed by Tougodo itself. The name Toyoca 16 is engraved above the viewfinder, and embossed at the front of the leather case. The camera was sold in a gray box inscribed Toyoca 16 in blue letters.[3]

The Toyoca 16 exists in two versions, distinguished by the presence or absence of an exposure counter at the top of the advance knob. The exposure counter has an irregular spacing of the numbers, because the number of turns needed to advance the film by one frame varies with the number of pictures already taken. This device complements the back window, and actually has little usability.

The Saga 16 is a name variant, known to exist with the exposure counter.[4] It has the name SAGA 16 instead of Toyoca 16 on the top plate and on the case.

The Kute is another name variant of the Toyoca 16 with exposure counter.[5] The name KUTE is inscribed in fancy letters above the viewfinder. The camera was sold in a gray box inscribed KUTE CAMERA.[6]

Hit-II

The Hit-II is based on the same body as the Toyoca 16, of which it is a simplified version. The film loading and advance knob are similar. The top plate is redesigned with a shiny finish and does not have the fake rewind knob of the Toyoca 16. It is inscribed HIT–II above the viewfinder. The lens barrel is all silver and does not have the black bezel of the Toyoca 16, making it look less like 35mm cameras. The release lever is the same, but the shutter gives Instant exposures only. The ever-ready case is yellowish and is embossed HIT–II at the front.

Notes

  1. F/11: Sugiyama, item 5152–5.
  2. See the pictures in this page at Submin.com.
  3. Original boxes pictured in this page and this page at Submin.com, and observed in an online auction.
  4. Saga 16 pictured as lot no.377 of Charles Leski auction no.191.
  5. Exposure counter: McKeown, p.929, and pictures in this page at Submin.com.
  6. Original box pictured in this page at Submin.com.

Bibliography

  • Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Item 1393.
  • 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.932.
  • 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.77 (brief mention only).
  • 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 5152–3.

Links

In English: