Cameras of China

[jack]

Cameras of China

I've created this thread primarily to share my Chinese camera collection, but I welcome others who have or are interested in Chinese cameras to join in, post pics and talk about these cameras. My plan is to share pics of cameras in my collection, one or two at a time so that this thread will eventually be filled with my collection. As already mentioned, others are welcome to share their Chinese camera collection in this thread as well.

Before I begin, I'd like to say that there are only a few English language resources, whether in print or internet about Chinese cameras. The one and only book I found when I first started collecting Chinese cameras was "Cameras of China" by Douglas St Denny. This book is sadly no longer published, but copies can occasionally be purchased via ebay or other book sellers. To this day "Cameras of China" still remains the main English resource for collectors of these cameras. The only other book, well, really a volume which mentions Chinese cameras is "McKeown's Cameras" price guide. I should also say that there is only one other book I know of about Chinese cameras, but it is a limited run book published only in Chinese.

From my internet searches, I've found a couple resources of interest.

Chinese Camera Page: The web page is in English and combines outtakes from discussions about Chinese cameras in a thread at Rangefinderforum.com titled "Chinese Red Flag 20 and lenses" and other additions by the same author.

Another site is ChineseCamera.org, the site is in Chinese, but with a little assistance of Google Translator, the site becomes quite navigable. Here's the translated site link.

I hope that was a good introduction.

I should probably add a small disclaimer right now… I am not an expert about Chinese cameras, my main source of information is from the book "Cameras of China" as well as information I've managed to find at the above web links.

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List of cameras:

Shanghai 201, Shanghai 202, Shanghai 203, Hua Shan (Hua Mountain), Beijing SZ-1 and Seagull 501, Great Wall DF-2, Great Wall DF-4, Eastar S2, Hua Ying AE-1, Huaxia 821, Panda SLR, Peafowl DF1 SLR, Seagull DF SLR, Seagull DFB, Seagull DF-300x SLR, Mudan (Peony) MD-1D LED TLR, Da Lai - Fed 1G fake, Seagull 4C TLR, Seagull 203 (1st version), Seagull 203-1, Hongmei HM-1, Seagull CL-A Light Meter

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So it's time to introduce my first camera.

Shanghai 201








This camera was manufactured in 1959 at the Shanghai Camera Factory. I know what you're thinking… "What, a simple folding 120 viewfinder camera made in 1959?" Yes, that's right. China's camera industry was way behind the times. China was the only country to continue manufacture of this "family" or "style" of folding cameras until roughly 1986.

Specifications:

Lens: Coated 7.5cm, 1:4.5, 3 elements in 3 groups, Front element focussing from 1.2m to infinity.

Shutter: Manually set between the lens 3 leaf shutter. Speeds from 1/10 to 1/200 and B. No self timer or flash sync.

Features: Body coupled shutter release. Dual format, 6x6 or 6x4.5 on 120 film with the use of hinged masks. Frame counting via ruby windows on the back cover for either 12 or 16 exposures. Spring loaded knobs which allow easy removal of the film spools.

Anybody notice the "groovy balloon" script and the backwards "N" in Shanghai? BTW, this camera is based on / copied from the Agfa Isolette.

[mickeyobe]

The aperture and shutter speed settings are upside down.

I would have accepted that from Australia - but China?

Pause. Testing.......................on old Aldis Watch Pocket Carabine ...........

It works very well. Just as easy as turning the camera horizontally.
And you can keep both hands on the camera all the time.

[Doug T.]

The markings are indeed "upside down". However, if you are using the camera, all you need to do is tilt it back, look down, and they're "right side up"
I think it's rather clever.

Doug

[col]

"The aperture and shutter speed settings are upside down"

No mickey it's the camera that is up side down.

Down under way of thinking

[jack]

You guys are too funny. I don't think the Chinese can really claim any credit for the upside down aperture and shutter speed dials. Most if not all Chinese cameras are copies of German or Japanese cameras. Here's a couple pics of shutters, one from an Agfa Isolette and the other from a Zeiss Super Ikonta. Note the upside down dials.

Agfa Isolette


Zeiss Super Ikonta

[jack]

Shanghai 202





This camera is the 2nd in the series of Shanghai folding cameras. Main difference between the 201 and 202 is that the 202 sports a self-timer and flash sync. One other difference you may spot is that the script used for the Shanghai name at the top of the camera has changed.

Specifications:

Lens: Coated 7.5cm, 1:4.5, 3 elements in 3 groups, Front element focussing from 1.2m to infinity.

Shutter: Manually set between the lens 3 leaf shutter. Speeds from 1/10 to 1/200 and B. Self timer and flash sync.

Features: Body coupled shutter release. Dual format, 6x6 or 6x4.5 on 120 film with the use of hinged masks. Frame counting via ruby windows on the back cover for either 12 or 16 exposures. Spring loaded knobs which allow easy removal of the film spools.

[Peltigera]

Pronto/Prontor shutters always have the numbers upside-down.

[jack]

Shanghai 203






This camera is the 3rd in the series of Shanghai folding cameras and is the much better built precursor to the Seagull 203 folding cameras. Big differences between the 202 and 203 is that the 203 has a film winding lever with double exposure prevention. Other enhancements include an EV and film speed reminder dial replacing the left hand knob and the shutter now has an EV coupled aperture control so that when you change shutter speed, the aperture is also adjusted to maintain the EV.

The Shanghai 203 is a pretty rare camera in that it was only in production for 1 year (1963). Apparently, even though the camera was made for one year there were 2 versions where the "Shanghai" name engraved on the top cover changed. The camera I have is a very rare 1st version Shanghai 203.

Below is a picture showing the 2 top covers. The lower camera is the very rare 1st version, top camera is 2nd version. Text and photo credit are from this webpage: www.novacon.com.br/odditycameras/chinese%20016.htm

Here is an image that shows the early and later versions of Shanghai 203 120 folder. Earlier version has smaller inscriptions on the top plate. Less Shanghai 203s were made than Shanghai 582, and the early version is a rare camera.

I only have later Shanghai 203. Shanghai 203s are generally better finished than Seagull 203, and the 75/3.5 lens is generally sharper.

Cheers,

Zhang

Specifications:

Lens: Coated 7.5cm, 1:3.5, 3 elements in 3 groups, Front element focussing from 1.2m to infinity.

Shutter: Manually set between the lens 3 leaf shutter. Speeds from 1 to 1/300 and B. Self timer and flash sync. EV coupled aperture control.

Features: Coupled rangefinder, front element focussing. Body coupled shutter release. Dual format, 6x6 or 6x4.5 on 120 film with the use of hinged masks. Frame counting via ruby windows on the back cover for either 12 or 16 exposures. Spring loaded knobs at the bottom of the camera which allow easy removal of the film spools.

[lloydy]

It's interesting that they were still making folders until the mid 80's, and look what they are doing now ! Maybe not in cameras. but in so much technology they have caught up and in a few instances are now ahead.

[jack]

When a foreign company wants to set up manufacturing in China they have to share their technology as an agreement for Chinese market share. In most cases that is how China is learning new technologies. If foreign companies stopped shipping the manufacturing jobs to China, then that would definitely put a dent in the learning curve, but the foreign companies would also lose that market share they so covet as well.

[jack]

Hua Shan (Hua Mountain)

Alright then, I do have other folding cameras in my collection, but thought I'd mix it up a bit, so here's a Chinese copy of the Russian Smena 2 camera.







This camera is a simple 35mm viewfinder camera. It's a bit unusual because it uses 2 film cassettes, one for supply and the other for take up. There is no film rewind, so you spool the film leader into an empty cassette and using the winding knob to advance the film. The camera has automatic frame stop and counting, you have to push and hold the button on top, wind the film a very short distance then release the button. A cam under the top cover will make a complete revolution and then stop the film from advancing. You have to have a gentle touch so you don't force this cam to over rotate the stopping point. When you get to the end of the film, you have to remove the back cover, flip the cassettes, put the cover back on and then wind the film back into the supply cassette. You could also use a film changing bag for that operation just as well.

Specifications:

Taking Lens: Coated 4cm, 1:4.5, 3 element. Front element focussing from 1.3m to infinity.

Viewing Lens: Optical glass finder with field of view for 4cm lens.

Shutter: Manually set behind the lens leaf shutter. Speeds from 1/10 to 1/200 and B. No self timer or flash sync.

Features: DoF scale, accessory shoe, frame counter, threaded cable release

[jack]

Here are 2 cameras that were made during China's Cultural Revolution. Both cameras have the popular political slogan "Serve the people". The engraved slogans are duplicated from Chairman Mao's own handwriting. I'm not sure about the rarity of these cameras, but I believe they were of very limited quantity.

Beijing SZ-1







The Beijing SZ-1 is a 35mm rangefinder copied from the Ricoh Super Shot. Film advance is by spring motor drive. The camera uses a shutter release lock which is marked I = free and S = locked. The spring motor often jams or becomes nonfunctional, which is the case with this camera. In a working camera, the movement of the film is used to advance the film counter as well as cocking the shutter for the next shot.

Specifications:

Taking Lens: Coated 45mm, 1:2.8, rangefinder coupled focussing from 0.9m to infinity.

Viewing Lens: Split image rangefinder with field of view for 45mm lens.

Shutter: Between the lens shutter. Speeds from 1/30 to 1/300 and B. Self timer and PC flash sync.

Features: "Serve the people" slogan, accessory shoe, shutter release lock, frame counter, spring motor advance, film speed reminder and rewind release in motor winding knob and bottom film rewind crank.

Seagull 501






The Seagull 501 is a multi-format capable camera. The formats are 6x6cm and 6x4.5cm on 120 roll film and up to 36 exposures on 35mm film. The 6x4.5cm mask and 35mm film mask and adapters are missing from my camera.

Specifications:

Taking Lens: Coated 75mm, 1:4.5, scale focussing from 1.2m to infinity.

Viewing Lens: Optical viewfinder located directly over the taking lens. Frame lines for 6x6cm, 6x4.5cm and 24x36mm are visible in the viewfinder.

Shutter: Manually set between the lens shutter. Speeds from 1/10 to 1/200 and B. No self timer or flash sync.

Features: "Serve the people" slogan, multi-format, frame counters (ruby windows for 120 and dial for 135 film), No rewind for 135 film, uses supply and take-up cassettes for 135 film.

[jack]

Great Wall DF-2






Here is the Great Wall DF-2. It's a medium format slr copied from the German made Pilot Super.

Specifications:

Taking Lens: Coated 90mm, 1:3.5, in M39 thread screw mount. Focussing from 1m to infinity.

Viewing Lens: Non interchangeable waist level viewfinder. Ground glass has lines for 6x4.5 and full-frame 35mm.

Shutter: Metal guillotine shutter. Speeds from 1/30 to 1/200 and B. No self timer or flash sync.

Features: Viewing magnifier and exposure table. The Great Wall cameras (DF-2, DF-3 and DF-4) were produced for both export and domestic use. The cameras made for the export market have the exposure chart in English. The camera I have has the exposure chart in Chinese and was meant for domestic use. Ruby window frame advance for both 6x6 and 6x4.5 format on 120 film. As mentioned before, the viewfinder ground glass had lines for 35mm film. According to Douglas St Denny's book, there was special paper backed 35mm film and an adapter set to allow shooting the 35mm film.

[Doug T.]

Jack,

I have lusted after a Great Wall DF-2 ever since I saw my first one back in the 80's. I should have grabbed it when I had the chance

Now that I've seen the Hua Shan, I've another to watch for!
Not that I'll ever find one, of course.

Where did you find all these?

Doug

[jack]

Hey Doug,

I got some of my cameras from ebay, then some from local camera shows. I was also very lucky and met a Chinese transfer student who was interested in photography and collecting Russian cameras. After he returned to China, he helped me get many of the cameras in my collection. He would find ridiculously good deals, as nobody in China was remotely interested in Chinese cameras at the time. Sometimes the shipping cost was much more than what I paid for the cameras.

Now a days, there appears to be renewed interest in the vintage Chinese cameras, not only in China, but abroad as well which drives the prices up a bit. Back when I first got my GW DF-2, I couldn't even imagine that a following would develop around them. Checkout the Flickr Great Wall Camera group pool, some very nice pictures.

Jack