Berndt
Lifetime Member
Posts: 751
|
Post by Berndt on Dec 5, 2014 0:11:13 GMT -5
Another lucky find this week. Purchased a very early postwar miniature TLR ( using Bolta film ), manufactured by Tougodo at the end of the 40s, I guess. Not many information can be found in the internet, except that it should be actually made of wood, what it isn't. It has a metal body. Has anybody some more information about this model ?  Meikaiflex by bokuwanihongasuki, on Flickr |
|
Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
|
Post by Stephen on Dec 5, 2014 1:55:25 GMT -5
You are wandering into deep water with Tougodo, information is sparse to say the least, with the usual Japanese confusion over the Maker, Wholesaler, Shop, and exporter all claiming to make it! Tougodo were at least an established company, making cameras pre-war as well.
The Meikai name was used prewar on 35mm side by side TLR cameras, and post war "kiosk" cameras, cheap cameras sold to tourists and travellers on days out.
The one you have looks a cut above the "kiosk" type, a cheaper production TLR to an exact price point. None of the Meikai are bad cameras, but are usually one or two element lenses, with box camera performance.
Stephen.
|
|
Stephen
Lifetime Member
Still collecting.......
Posts: 2,718
|
Post by Stephen on Dec 5, 2014 2:06:18 GMT -5
|
|
Berndt
Lifetime Member
Posts: 751
|
Post by Berndt on Dec 5, 2014 23:01:08 GMT -5
Thank you, Stephen. From our modern point of view, we would definitely call such a camera a toy camera ( just one shutter speed, fix focus ), but it surprisingly came with a decent leather camera case, which is a little bit gorgeous for just a toy, isn't it. However, less real information about this particular model. I might need to check a special library here in Tokyo, where they also keep old camera ads from magazines from that time. That might give me clue at least about the release date.
|
|
|
|
Post by philbirch on Dec 6, 2014 6:19:41 GMT -5
Thank you, Stephen. From our modern point of view, we would definitely call such a camera a toy camera ( just one shutter speed, fix focus ), but it surprisingly came with a decent leather camera case, which is a little bit gorgeous for just a toy, isn't it. However, less real information about this particular model. I might need to check a special library here in Tokyo, where they also keep old camera ads from magazines from that time. That might give me clue at least about the release date. It would be great of you could copy any of these ads particularly as McKeowns doesnt mention this camera. There are a couple of other 'tlr' style cameras mentioned. |
|
