The Baby or Baby Kamera (ベビーカメラ)[1] is a Japanese box camera using the no-need-darkroom process, made and distributed by Baby Kamera Kenkyūjo, and advertised by Sanesudō in 1931.
Original documents[]
The Baby was reportedly advertised from July 1931 by Sanesudō, in at least three versions priced at ¥0.50, ¥1 and ¥2.[2] It is said that the first advertisement appeared that month in Asahi Camera.[3] The only original document observed so far is the camera's user manual, printed by Baby Kamera Kenkyūjo, mentioned as the maker and distributor (製造発売元).[4] It contains no picture or detailed drawing, but a schema explaining the no-need-darkroom process, showing a simple box-shaped camera with no viewfinder and with a simple release lever protruding from a round shutter casing.
The document says that all subjects are in focus from 3ft to infinity, and gives an exposure table with speeds ranging from 1/10 to 3s, to be obtained by hand on a simple shutter offering Bulb exposure only. It gives a detailed description of the process of taking a picture, developing the film, making a contact print and developing it.
The camera was sold as a set, and the user manual lists the contents of the box:
- the camera,
- a set of film,
- a set of printing paper for artificial light,
- a bottle of developer fluid,
- a bottle of fixer,
- a frame for contact prints
- the user manual itself.
The document finally gives a price list for accessories:
- a dozen film, ¥0.50;
- bottle of developer, ¥0.30;
- bottle of fixer, ¥20;
- two dozen printing papers, for artificial light, ¥0.15;
- one dozen printing papers, for natural light, ¥0.30.
Actual examples[]
Actual examples of the no-need-darkroom Baby Camera are known in various forms. The box-shaped model is very similar to the Kamerette and other box-shaped yen cameras.[5] The folding model is very similar to the Highking Camera and Special Camera, except for the Baby Camera and Made in Japan inscriptions on the shutter plate.[6]
The Baby Reflex pictured in Sugiyama might be a more expensive version of this camera, but this is unsure.[7]
Notes[]
- ↑ The Roman name "Baby Kamera" appears on the user manual reproduced in Awano, p.12 of Camera Collectors' News no.316.
- ↑ Awano, p.7 of Camera Collectors' News no.317, quoting the book Nihon Shashinshi Nenpyō (日本写真史年表).
- ↑ Awano, p.10 of Camera Collectors' News no.316, quoting a letter by Nakada Motoaki (仲田元亮).
- ↑ User manual reproduced in Awano, pp.12–5 of Camera Collectors' News no.316.
- ↑ Example pictured in McKeown, p.87.
- ↑ Examples pictured in McKeown, p.87, and in Pritchard, p.70.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 4025.
Bibliography[]
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Tougō kamera (3)" (トウゴーカメラ[3], Tougo cameras [3]). In Camera Collectors' News no.316 (October 2003). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.9–21.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Tougō kamera (4)" (トウゴーカメラ[4], Tougo cameras [4]). In Camera Collectors' News no.317 (November 2003). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.7–12.
- 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). P.87.
- Pritchard, Michael and St. Denny, Douglas. Spy Cameras — A century of detective and subminiature cameras. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1993. ISBN 1-874485-00-3. P.70.
- 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. Item 4025 (on the Baby Reflex).
Links[]
In Japanese: