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Ismaelg
Tinkerer
Username: Ismaelg

Post Number: 51
Registered: 11-2009

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Posted on Friday, May 28, 2010 - 08:49 am:

Hi,

I made this post originally in spanish with history and details in our local photo club forum.
Here is my own translation and links to the pictures:

History:
During the second half of the 19th century, Japan sponsored the development of the optical industry with the support of some European countries like Germany and Austria. Several companies emerged at the end of the 19th Century and early 20th Century. In 1932, some of these companies merged and formed Tokyo Kogaku Kikai which lousily translates into Tokyo Optical Company
By 1934 they were producing photographic lenses. During World War II, they supplied the Japanese forces with binoculars, one of their specialties.
World War II left Japan in bad shape. The industrial sector in particular needed to recover badly. After the war, several miniature cameras appeared that were easy to manufacture and to market. These type of camera became popular but from the beginning were more of a novelty or a toy rather than a serious photographic tool. Photographic quality was second grade at best. There were many models from several different companies.
A military treaty signed in 1947 established that any export item from Japan had to be labeled “Made In Occupied Japan” (or MIOJ). Japan was by then under Allied military control led by the USA. This identification was used probably until around 1949. Japan’s military occupation ended in 1952.
Today, these cameras are usually known as Spy cameras. Personally, I doubt they were used seriously as spying devices but who knows.
Among the many models, there is the Mighty, made by TOKO (Tokyo Kogaku) around 1947. Despite the frugal nature of the camera, it had some impressive characteristics for its type.
This cameras used 17.5mm film. This was essentially paperbacked 35mm unperforated film sliced in half.

Characteristics:
17.5mm film
Image format: 14mm x 14mm
25mm fixed focus lens
3 aperture settings: f4.5 / f6.3 / f8
2 viewfinders: A direct sight one and a waist level screen
2 shutter speeds: Instantaneous and bulb
Available 2X Teleconverter and a hood that attached to the front of the lens.
Little red window in the back door to see the frame number in the paperback of the film

My specimen:
I found this poor lost soul in need of help. Initial inspection reveal a missing shutter knob and the label around the lens with the camera name. Both are purely cosmetics and do not affect camera functions.
Since the mechanics are very simple, it still operates properly. All functions work properly like shutter, aperture etc.

How I got it

http://images114.fotki.com/v1605/photos/4/1233394/8753714/IMGP7599b-vi.jpg

http://images110.fotki.com/v566/photos/4/1233394/8753714/IMGP7606b-vi.jpg

How big it is....
http://images54.fotki.com/v1613/photos/4/1233394/8753714/IMGP7609b-vi.jpg

Beep Beep, COMING THRU! On its way to the restoration shop! Yes, it's a Hot Wheels, no, not my kids' but MINE. You have a problem with that? :-)

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