Echo 8 and Camera-Lite

The Echo 8 is a combination of camera and cigarette lighter, made by Suzuki from 1951. The Camera Lite is a simplified version, made around 1955.

Suzuki Optical Co. Camera Lite Model II. Pictures by Andrys Stienstra. (Image rights)

Eddie Albert using one in the 1953 motion picture "Roman Holiday" image by Kenneth Dwain Harrelson (Image rights)

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. Items 977–8 and 1131 (see also the pictures on pp.17 and 438).
• 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.76.
• 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). Pp.909–10.
• 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 5020–1 and 5031–2.

Links

In English:

• Camera-lite and Echo 8 cameras at submin.com

• Past auctions by Westlicht Photographica Auction (now Leitz Photographica Auction):
  • Echo 8; lot no.456 of auction no.1 (November 15, 2002)
  • Echo 8 with three film cassettes; lot no.559 of auction no.12 (November 17, 2007)
  • Camera Lite, lot no.610 of auction no.6 (November 6, 2004)
  • Camera Lite with several rolls of film; lot no.610 of auction no.8 (November 27, 2005)
  • Camera Lite, two examples in gold and in silver finish; lot no.611 of auction no.8
  • Camera Lite; lot no.744 of auction no.9 (May 20, 2006)
  • Camera Lite; lot no.745 of auction no.9
  • Camera Lite; lot no.603 of auction no.10 (November 18, 2006)
  • Camera Lite; lot no.604 of auction no.10
  • Camera Lite (gold), with plastic case and two boxed film cassettes; lot no.560 of auction no.12
  • Camera Lite among other Japanese subminiature cameras; lot no.505 of auction no.17 (May 29, 2010)

In English and Japanese:

• Camera Lite among subminiature cameras in Nekosan's website (archived)

In Swedish:

• Camera Lite, lot no.431, and Sterling silver model, lot no.432 of auction no.31 (2 November 2008) by LP Foto