Difference between revisions of "Zany"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | The Zany takes 10×14mm exposures on 16mm perforated film loaded in special cassettes.<REF> Pritchard, p.73, {{SUG}}, item 5027, {{MK}}, p.721. </REF> Its aspect is that of a 35mm viewfinder camera, only much smaller. The viewfinder is slightly offset to the left, as seen by the photographer, and is contained in a small housing extending further to the left. The camera name ''Zany'' and the maker's logo — either ''NSK'' or ''NDK'' depending on the example | + | The Zany takes 10×14mm exposures on 16mm perforated film loaded in special cassettes.<REF> Pritchard, p.73, {{SUG}}, item 5027, {{MK}}, p.721. </REF> Its aspect is that of a 35mm viewfinder camera, only much smaller. The viewfinder is slightly offset to the left, as seen by the photographer, and is contained in a small housing extending further to the left. The camera name ''Zany'' and the maker's logo are engraved on this housing — the logo is either ''NSK'' or ''NDK'' depending on the particular example (see below). |
| − | The film is advanced by a knob at the top right, and is | + | The film is advanced by a knob at the top right, and is loaded through the bottom plate. No exposure counter is visible, and it is not known how the film advance is controlled. There is a body release next to the advance knob, and a small knob at the left end, mimicking the rewind knob of 35mm cameras. |
There is a rectangular metal plate screwed to the front of the camera. The serial number is engraved in the top left corner. The lens is a fixed-focus Gemmy Anastigmat 25mm f/4.5. The diaphragm is adjustable from 4.5 to 12 by turning a ring on the lens barrel. The shutter gives B, 25, 50, 100 speeds, selected by a knob on the front plate, next to the lens. It is perhaps self-cocking (no cocking control is visible). | There is a rectangular metal plate screwed to the front of the camera. The serial number is engraved in the top left corner. The lens is a fixed-focus Gemmy Anastigmat 25mm f/4.5. The diaphragm is adjustable from 4.5 to 12 by turning a ring on the lens barrel. The shutter gives B, 25, 50, 100 speeds, selected by a knob on the front plate, next to the lens. It is perhaps self-cocking (no cocking control is visible). | ||
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Almost nothing is known on the Zany's commercial life. Most sources attribute the camera to a company called [[Nihon Seimitsu Kōgyō]], and this is corroborated by the ''NSK'' logo visible on some examples.<REF> Maker: Pritchard, p.73, {{MK}}, p.721. The maker's name is translated as "Nihon Precision Industry" in {{SUG}}, item 5161. [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/mame.htm This page at Nekosan's website] says "Nihon Seiki", surely by mistake. </REF> The lens name "Gemmy Anastigmat" is reminiscent of [[Okada]]'s [[Gemmy]] pistol-shaped camera — this might hint that Okada was the lens supplier. | Almost nothing is known on the Zany's commercial life. Most sources attribute the camera to a company called [[Nihon Seimitsu Kōgyō]], and this is corroborated by the ''NSK'' logo visible on some examples.<REF> Maker: Pritchard, p.73, {{MK}}, p.721. The maker's name is translated as "Nihon Precision Industry" in {{SUG}}, item 5161. [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/mame.htm This page at Nekosan's website] says "Nihon Seiki", surely by mistake. </REF> The lens name "Gemmy Anastigmat" is reminiscent of [[Okada]]'s [[Gemmy]] pistol-shaped camera — this might hint that Okada was the lens supplier. | ||
| − | Actual cameras are known with serial | + | Actual cameras are known with a serial number in the 040xxx range and an ''NSK'' logo.<REF> No.040520 pictured in [http://www.submin.com/16mm/collection/zany/index.htm this page at Submin.com], no.040634 reported in the same source, and no.040843 pictured in Pritchard, p.73. </REF> One example has no.2319 and an ''NDK'' logo, another has no.0865 and an unknown logo.<REF> No.0865: {{MK}}, p.721. No.2319: {{SUG}}, item 5161. </REF> No other difference is visible between these examples. |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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== Links == | == Links == | ||
| − | In Japanese | + | In English: |
| + | * [http://www.submin.com/16mm/collection/zany/index.htm Zany] at [http://www.submin.com/ Submin.com] | ||
| + | * Zany among [http://www.subclub.org/shop/16mm.htm 16mm film cameras] at [http://www.subclub.org/ Subclub.org] | ||
| + | In English and Japanese: | ||
* Zany among [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/mame.htm subminiature cameras] in [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/ Nekosan's website] | * Zany among [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/mame.htm subminiature cameras] in [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/ Nekosan's website] | ||
[[Category: Japanese 16mm film]] | [[Category: Japanese 16mm film]] | ||
[[Category: Z]] | [[Category: Z]] | ||
Revision as of 23:10, 9 October 2008
The Zany is a Japanese 16mm subminiature made by Nihon Seimitsu Kōgyō around 1950.[1]
Description
The Zany takes 10×14mm exposures on 16mm perforated film loaded in special cassettes.[2] Its aspect is that of a 35mm viewfinder camera, only much smaller. The viewfinder is slightly offset to the left, as seen by the photographer, and is contained in a small housing extending further to the left. The camera name Zany and the maker's logo are engraved on this housing — the logo is either NSK or NDK depending on the particular example (see below).
The film is advanced by a knob at the top right, and is loaded through the bottom plate. No exposure counter is visible, and it is not known how the film advance is controlled. There is a body release next to the advance knob, and a small knob at the left end, mimicking the rewind knob of 35mm cameras.
There is a rectangular metal plate screwed to the front of the camera. The serial number is engraved in the top left corner. The lens is a fixed-focus Gemmy Anastigmat 25mm f/4.5. The diaphragm is adjustable from 4.5 to 12 by turning a ring on the lens barrel. The shutter gives B, 25, 50, 100 speeds, selected by a knob on the front plate, next to the lens. It is perhaps self-cocking (no cocking control is visible).
Origin and variations
Almost nothing is known on the Zany's commercial life. Most sources attribute the camera to a company called Nihon Seimitsu Kōgyō, and this is corroborated by the NSK logo visible on some examples.[3] The lens name "Gemmy Anastigmat" is reminiscent of Okada's Gemmy pistol-shaped camera — this might hint that Okada was the lens supplier.
Actual cameras are known with a serial number in the 040xxx range and an NSK logo.[4] One example has no.2319 and an NDK logo, another has no.0865 and an unknown logo.[5] No other difference is visible between these examples.
Notes
- ↑ Date: Sugiyama, item 5161, Pritchard, p.73, McKeown, p.721, this page at Nekosan's website.
- ↑ Pritchard, p.73, Sugiyama, item 5027, McKeown, p.721.
- ↑ Maker: Pritchard, p.73, McKeown, p.721. The maker's name is translated as "Nihon Precision Industry" in Sugiyama, item 5161. This page at Nekosan's website says "Nihon Seiki", surely by mistake.
- ↑ No.040520 pictured in this page at Submin.com, no.040634 reported in the same source, and no.040843 pictured in Pritchard, p.73.
- ↑ No.0865: McKeown, p.721. No.2319: Sugiyama, item 5161.
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.521.
- 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.73.
- 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. Item 5161.
The Zany is not listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.
Links
In English:
- Zany at Submin.com
- Zany among 16mm film cameras at Subclub.org
In English and Japanese:
- Zany among subminiature cameras in Nekosan's website
