The Topcon RM 300 is a manual focus 35mm SLR from Tōkyō Kōgaku, made by Cima Kōgaku. The body has the same features of the RE 300, but uses Pentax's K mount type lenses instead of Exakta lenses. The RM 300 is the last camera released under the Topcon brand name. The Topcon AM-1 was announced but never released by Tokyo Kogaku. Thought it was later completed and released as the Cimko LS-1. There are many other cameras based on this same body including:
Quantaray (Delta) D2-RZ distributed in the US at Ritz Camera retail stores.
Carena KSM1 distributed by Porst shops in Germany.
Exakta KE 5
Edixa CX 5
Rony RS1, Rony was the French importer of Topcon.
Tōkyō Kōgaku tried to regain market shares by using the Pentax K-mount, and in Cima Kōgaku they had a production partner capable to produce standard lenses for different lens mounts including the K-mount.
Topcon has a long and illustrious history as a camera manufacturer; the RE Super of 1963 was the first 35mm SLR to feature TTL metering and their first 35mm SLR ever came in 1957 - two years before the Nikon F or Canonflex. By 1980 (or thereabouts) the marque had fallen a long way from its prime, and I doubt that Topcon had much to do with the actual design and manufacture of the RM300 - it gives every sign of being a generic PK mount body of a type that was very common from Cosina, Chinon, etc at the time.
Very standard specs for the time with a mechanical shutter of 1s to 1/1000, the RM300 offers a few advantages over the K1000. The vertical travel, metal bladed shutter offers a flash sync of 1/125th against the 1/60th of the K1000, and there's a self timer. Metering is center weighted averaging with traffic light LEDs rather than a needle to indicate exposure.Also as an advantage over the K1000 the RM300 accepts a motordrive.
Esta fotografia é do modelo que possuo Características
The Trip 35 is a 35mm compact camera, manufactured by Olympus. It was introduced in 1967 and discontinued, after a lengthy production run, in 1984. The Trip name was a reference to its intended market – people who wanted a compact, functional camera for holidays. During the 1970s it was the subject of an advertising campaign that featured popular British photographer David Bailey. Over ten million units were sold.[1]
The Trip 35 was a point and shoot model with a 40mm f2.8 lens, solar-powered selenium light meter, and just two shutter speeds. In 'A' mode, the camera operated as a Program automatic, choosing either 1/40th sec or 1/200th sec. The camera could also sync with flash, and had a range of aperture settings, from f2.8 to f22. In flash sync mode the shutter was set at 1/40. Apart from a simple four-position zone focus system, and an ISO setting from 25–400,[2] the camera had no other photographic controls. The camera had a Prontor-Compur sync connector and a hot shoe. Its lens was a coated Zuiko 40mm f/2.8, with four elements in three groups.
The camera had an ISO range of "only" 25–400, but this was acceptable, as films faster than 400 were uncommon and not of high image quality. 25 speed allowed the use of Kodachrome, while 400 speed allowed use of Tri-X and similar fast materials under low light.
Earlier models, from the first few years of production, had a maximum ISO speed of 200.
The four-element Tessar lens, still impressive today, gave high-quality images. If used with modern film emulsions, the results can be very good.
The use of a selenium photocell to select the shutter speeds and aperture let novices use the camera as a "point & shoot", with good results obtained most of the time. And no battery was needed to power the camera, an important consideration when travelling where batteries might not be available.
The lack of more than two shutter speeds was not a problem. At 1/200 and f:22 with 400-speed film, the camera could deliver correct exposure in full sunlight, while at 1/40 and f:2.8, correct exposure could be obtained under bright fluorescent light, without a flash.
The aperture could also be adjusted to cope with sunny/dull conditions etc., so again this allowed for better results, but in low light conditions, with perhaps a smallish aperture (for long depth of field), the camera would probably set itself to the lower speed of 1/40th, so camera shake was a possibility if higher-speed film was not used.
The Olympus TRIP 35 is a full-sized compact EE camera based on the Pen EES. It first went on sale in 1968. The name reflects its suitability as a convenient camera to take on trips. The TRIP 35 became very popular as a camera that combined ease of use, reliability and a low price with superb photographic performance. It remained a best-seller for many years, and over the next 20 years over 10 million were produced.
This is a fully automatic exposure 35mm film camera introduced in 1968. Olympus made over 10,000,000 of them through 1988. It was, and still is, an inexpensive, lightweight camera with few adjustments.
I bought this particular sample at a thrift shop for $5 on 7/7/7 with a dented filter ring. This one's date code says it was made in 1974.
The Olympus Trip 35 operates completely without batteries. Its light meter and programmed automatic exposure system is solar powered! This makes it one of the world's most advanced cameras which provides fully automatic exposure completely without batteries or external electrical power.
Viewfinder: Standard Albada, with parallax marks. Red indication for too little light. Trick peephole to see exposure and focus settings as set on lens. The ridged window to the right of the finder window is fake, mimicking a rangefinder.
Focus: Manual by scale, visible through viewfinder. Top scale, visible through finder, shows icons or headshot (1m/3'), twoshot (1.5m/5'), group shot (3m/10') and infinity. Bottom scale calibrated in meters and feet.
Lens: 40mm f/2.8 Olympus D. Zuiko, 4 elements, three groups. Appears to be a front-element focusing Tessar.
Close Focus: 2.9' (0.9m).
Diaphragm: two bladed, diamond-shaped, stopping down to about f/22.
Shutter: 1/40 or 1/200, automatically selected. No bulb setting.
Cable Release: Standard socket in shutter release button.
Meter: Selenium cell around lens. (automatically incorporates any filter factors.)
Exposure: Program automatic (A) and fixed-aperture for flash. Note: if you chose a large aperture for flash and work in bright light, it stops down accordingly but keeps the shutter speed at 1/40.
Exposure range: EV 8-1/3 (1/40 at f/2.8) to EV 17-1/6 (1/200 at f/27).
Film Speed: Third stops from ASA 25 - 400, except ASA 32.
Filter Size: 43.5mm screw in.
Low Light Warning: If exposure would go below 1/40 at f/2.8, the shutter locks and a red transparent flag rises from the bottom of the finder in A setting. (If this happens, use flash.)
Flash: Hot shoe and PC terminal.
Film Advance: Thumb wheel.
Rewind: via crank and bottom release button.
Back Opening: via catch along left bottom.
Film Loading: Put leader on tooth in slot.
Size: 4.912" W x 2.861" H x 2.269" D (124.77mm W x 72.67mm H x 57.62mm D)l, measured.
Weight: 13.77 oz. (390.5g), measured, naked: no film or strap.
Zenit cameras (sometimes badged in cyrillic, ЗЕНИТ) were made by the KMZ factory near Moscow. Some models were made by MMZ (BelOMO).
The original Zenit was an SLR based on the Zorki rangefinder.
The early Zenit SLR have a specific screw mount, 39mm in diameter, sometimes called "ZM39" (or "Zenit M39") to distinguish it from the regular M39 (or Leica thread mount). If you mount an LTM lens on these cameras you can only focus at close range, not at infinity, due to the lens position.
The Zenit 35mm SLR camera hails from the USSR during the cold political climate of the early 1950’s, the manufacturer was the KMZ established in 1941 outside Moscow. It is a particularly sturdy and clever little camera based on the original Leica camera concept, but taken one step further to become a true SLR with a fixed eyelevel pentaprism finder, yet rather basic in the mechanical design department, and it arrived too early for the upcoming innovations. Although having a different lens flange to film plane register, the lensmount is a 39mm screw mount, excluding all Leica fit lenses except for close up work. The removable base plate is identical in size to that on the Leica, but not interchangeable. The outer body, including the mirror housing, is a one piece alloy casting, the top cover is in two pieces, while inside, the shutter crate is a separately cast unit.
The KMZ is one of the early pioneers in the field of 35mm SLR’s, Zenit being the ninth 35mm SLR camera brand introduced, excluding a few exotic and scarce models, mainly from central Europe, and it is the second to appear from this country, the first being the less impressive GOMZ Sport. Its better known contemporaries are the Asahiflex and the Contaflex.
The Zenit, the name engraved in Cyrillic letters on the prism housing front, is the first in a long and popular series of cameras gradually evolving throughout the remaining period of the past century. The first improvement was to include flash synchronization with the model Zenit C. After ten years a completely new and improved camera body was introduced with a hinged back for film loading.
Like most Russian cameras the Zenit camera used a system where the first two numbers of the serial number plate (or part) was the year that the part was made, sometimes these parts could wait a couple of years before being fitted, for example 88xxxxxx was 1988.
The Russian Zenit EM 35mm SLR was part of a long running series of Zenit cameras and was an upgraded version of the Zenit E, adding automatic diaphragm stop-down with appropriate M42 lenses and a shutter release separated from the winding lever/film counter. Produced between 1972-1984 by KMZ[1].
The EM was also sold by Kalimar as the SR300, and badged as the Cosmorex SE. It was available in both black and chrome finish.
The Picca range of cameras, made by King, are redesigned successors to the earlier Sprinty range. They are much lighter and streamlined due to a mostly plastic construction, and because of this they lack the solid feel of the Sprinty, and feel a bit chintzy. All models have a light meter panel on the front but only the Picca CB, CBS and CLK have functional meters; this is most likely a way to cut down on manufacturing costs with King's financial situation in the 1970s. This camera was also licensed to be made by the IOR camera company in Romania, even until 1989 after King itself had ceased trading.
The models are very similar and share these points between them: -
The shutter speeds and aperture sizes are linked like on the Sprinty range and can't be adjusted separately.
Anodized aluminium top section, and mostly plastic elsewhere including the leatherette texture on the body.
A hot shoe that can be adjusted for use with an electronic flash or flash bulbs.
The film is advanced using a metal lever on the right side of the camera with the film counter just above it, this is reset whenever the rear of the camera is opened.
Each model has a bulb mode but can only be used when a standard cable release is screwed in
All models seem to have minor variants with different focus ring designs.
The Picca camera is another redesign for the King Regula range, it bears all the hallmarks of the Sprinty range but is much lighter and streamlined due to a more plastic construction; because of this it loses the more solid feeling of the previous Sprinty range. Both cameras have a light meter panel on the front but only the Picca CB has a functional meter. The Picca C and CB both have minor variants with different focus ring designs.
Most basic of the range has a fake selenium light meter cell panel on the front. Shutter speeds are 1/30th - 1/300th + Bulb. There are variants of this called the Picca CS that doesn't have the King logo on the front, and the Regula Rotor-S which seems to be identical, probably an export version for a specific market.
The construction of the camera is anodised aluminium and mostly plastic, the leatherette texture on the camera is molded plastic. It has a hot shoe that can be adjusted for use with an electronic flash or flash bulb. The film is advanced with a metal lever; this also moves the exposure counter which is located on the top right of the camera, this is reset whenever the rear of the camera is opened. This model has a fake selenium light meter cell panel on the front, this may be a purely aesthetic choice to keep the models looking consistent.
Founded in 1930, in the Kanga quarter of Tokyo, by Masamori Nagatsuka and its two brothers, Tanaka Koichi and Toyota Yoshio, the Tougodo brand was thus named to honor the Admiral Tougo who had beaten the Russian fleet of the Baltic at the time of the battle of Tsushima in 1905.
Masamori and the Admiral was both originated of the town of Kagoshima. Masami thus decided to name its cameras “Tougo”.
It was, at the beginning, some cameras of simplistic construction and even rudimentary: body out of wood covered with paper, shutter with only one speed. One called then these simplistic cameras, “Yen cameras”. The retailers not seeing only toys in these objects, often refused to sell them and the firm was obliged to buy stores.
These cameras used a very new system with a film for pictures 3 x 4 cm, not needing darkroom to be developed. The process would have been subject of patent filling, but it was not found again. This characteristic have much success near the by the customers and the sales increased considerably. It is this time that the Japanese Imperial Navy, chooses to be hostile with the use of the name of “their” admiral to baptize the cameras “Yen”. Knowing that a name change of its cameras, would endanger its firm, Masami decided to visit the admiral, accompanied by his executive officers, in order to try to obtain its authorization.
Certainly flattered and having surely sympathized with Masamori by remembering their childhood memories in the good town of Kagoshima, the Admiral Tougo gave not only his authorization to Masamori, but also an official license. The Imperial Navy then had to be bowed. In 1934, the company take the name of Togodo Shashin Kogyo-sha. It is at this time that the firm produced its famous TLR Meikai. At the end of the Thirties, the company again changed name for: Togodo Sangyo whose complete name was Togodo Shashin Kogyo K.K. The Meikai range was replaced by a format 2.8 × 4 cm and in 1937 was marketed that was the summit of the production, the very beautiful Melsipu, a TLR with a off-centred viewfinder on the left hand of the hood.
During the second world war, the company took part in the effort of war by producing parts of planes. Masamori decided to separate the activities of its company on three distant sites, in order to safeguard at least a part of its activity in the event of bombardments. It kept the management of the main factory, still in Tokyo and entrusted in his brothers the management of the two relocated factories. The factory of Tokyo was completely destroyed by an American bombardment in February 1944.
In 1945, the three brothers decided to dissolve the company Togodo Sangyo and Masamori Nagatsuka decided to leave the company and not to be interested any more in the cameras. After the war there then remained two bloodless companies which started again the initial brand of Tougodo.
The first, managed by Tanaka Koichi succeeded in surviving, by making lighters and the packaging of cigarettes. Around 1947, Tanaka decided to continue to produce cameras, using the same film system. Not being able to overcome many commercial problems in occupied Japan, accentuated by the unique process of its camera, he then resigned himself to manufacture “ordinary” cameras technically. Accepted by the dealers and the importers, its subminiature cameras had a great success/. Several cameras had then produced, until the Hobix with Bolta film in 1948. In 1949, the company changed still name for Togodo Seisakusho and transferred its head office in Tokyo. The logo of the company was then “TG”, the letter “G” included in a big “T”, with the top of a diagram of a double optical lens, stucked. The name of the company still changed in 1952 for: Togodo Sangyo Y.K, sometimes named Y.K. Togodo or simply Togodo. These names were sometimes preceded by the name of the town of Toyohashi. The address of the head office of the company was transferred in 1957 in the town of Toyohashi, province of Komoguchi, the name of the company then became Toyohashi Togodo Koki K.K which manufactured under very many brands, of which: Hobix, Hobiflex, Homer and Toyoca. Toyocaflex TLR 6 x 6 must have the record of names used according to markets, dealers and even stores. The company stopped the production of cameras in the middle of the Sixties.
The second company, managed by the youngest of the three brothers, Toyota Yoshio started again the manufacture of cameras. This other Togodo company was named K.K. Togodo in 1953. This company re-used the Meikai brand for its Meikaiflex, a false TLR and manufactured several other models. A commercial company of supply, associated and called Togodo Shoji K.K would have been founded in 1954 in Tokyo. This company seems to have been prosperous and a very new company was then founded: Yamanashi. This company still used the former Togodo brands, in particular for its series of models called Meisupii. The company then changed name for: Meikai Sangyo and produced lastly the basics Meikai EL and ELX.
Introduced in 1963, by Togodo, a minor Japanese camera manufacturer.
A simple and cheap viewfinder camera with a 50mm lens targeted at a young audience and sold in toy and stationary stores. The aperture is controlled via a three-step ring (for bright light, medium light, poor light indicated by icons). These days a few toy-camera users have adopted this model.
Beroquick are 35mm film viewfinder cameras made by Beier. They are the export version of some Beirette models.
Beirette was a name applied to a long sequence of compact 35mm viewfinder camera models, made from 1958 to the 1980s in East Germany by Beier. There were also some folding Beirettes, made from 1939, but production apparently disappeared during WWII. Although the name stayed the same, various tweaks in the design were made. It was the first camera that came out of the former East Germany that had a rapid advance lever. It is a very compact, little simple camera, and the first thing you notice is the beautifully designed shutter release button placed on the front. There are many models and versions during its very long manufacturing period. Flash sync, for example, moved from a pin of the lens barrel to a standard hot shoe, and a plastic shutter release button replaced the original metal one in the mid-1970s. Several versions of this camera were sold by Boots, for example the Boots Beirette BL, or branded as Revue for export markets.
Introduced in c.1976
Name variant of Beier Beirette vsn
Weather symbol
Ludwig Meritar 45mm f/2.8 lens in Priomat 1/30-1/125 shutter
There are some variants with minor differences
Beirette vsn is a 35mm film viewfinder camera made by Beier and produced between c.1970-89. It is in the long lasting Beier Beirette series.[1]
Model marks appeared on the Beirette in the "vsn" version only. But there is no marks "vsn" versions also. It is the new model of Beirette series, with light plastic body, black or chrome. There are some cosmetic versions during its manufacturing period.
Lens: Meritar 45mm f/2.8 filter slip-on serial no.none
Aperture: up to f/22setting: ring and scale on the lens-shutter barrel, ring coupled with four weather symbols
Focus range: 0.6-10m +inf
Focusing: manual front cell focusing; ring, scale and DOF scale on front of the lens
Shutter: Priomat everset shutter with three speeds 1/30-1/60-1/125 +B
Shutter release: on front of the camera, not works wo/ film in the camera
Cocking lever: also winds the film, long strong, on the top plate
Frame counter: auto-reset, additive type, small window on the back of the top-plate
Viewfinder: bright frame finder
Re-wind lever: folding crank type, on the right of the top plate
Re-wind release: small knob on the bottom plate
Flash PC socket: none
Hot-shoe
Self-timer: none
Back cover: hinged, opens by a latch on the left of the camera
The Beirette VSN, a simple 35mm camera made in the DDR (former Eastern Germany).
This version has a Meritar 45mm f/2.8 lens and a Priomat-S shutter with 4 speeds. The lens is manually focused by a distance scale, and 4 weathersymbols tell the user which aperture to choose.
It is mainly made of plastic and aluminium, with some metal parts. They were sold with an everready case, a wristband and a user manual. The camera in the picture has a factory control sticker on the box, indicating it left the factory in june 1979.
