Emi K

[Peltigera]

Just arrived in the post - an Emi K. This is the second Emi K I have come across and I paid £5.00 plus £3.00 postage. I was expecting a cheap and cheerful camera like the Pal Jr or Museipii J but this is well designed and well made. It is as well made as my Zeiss Ikon Contina Ic (it even has Zeiss bumps on the back!).

Unfortunately, someone has 'repaired' it. The screws on the top plate show signs of having been removed with the wrong size screwdriver. However, the lens looks untouched. There is a fault with this camera (presumably what 'they' were trying to fix) as the spring that returns the film advance lever is broken. It still winds the film on and cocks the shutter but does not return to its rest position.

Looking on the Interweb, I can find very little about this camera. It doesn't seem to have been a run away success but with a serial number of 48127 it was not a complete failure either.

[Stephen]

Oshiro Optical Works were the cameras makers, they also did the Three C, and a couple of more obscure cameras. They are the next step up from Meisupi and Tougodo basic cameras, which were classed in Japan as Kiosk cameras, impulse buy holiday cameras, the EMI K was far better made all round, not quite as well made as the rival Lord, from Okaya Optics.
The EMI was re-badged for sale in the US, I think Sears sold them.
The economic crash in Japan in the late 1950's closed down a lot of the smaller makers in one go.

Looks in good condition, and nice low price.

Stephen.