Nomura Optical Company made the first Start 35 in 1948. From the beginning of the production of the Start II the Ikko-ska name was used. The first Start camera used single film sheaths, each containing one piece of 35mm film.
Start 35, made in 1950, is a simple bakelite eye level camera for 24x24mm on 35mm Bolta size rollfilm. "Start 35" is moulded into the top. Top plate removes to load the film. Fixed focus f8, B/I shutter. Original box says "Start Junior Pen Camera" and instructions call it "Start Junior Camera". Variations are seen in the film counter window with the earlier one having three windows. Start 35 II has a chrome view finder and front panel aperture dial. Start 35 K has a hinged back otherwise similar to the Start 35. Start 35 K-II of 1958 is a deluxe version with metal top housing and front trim plate. PC sync post on front. "Start K-II" on top. Start R similar to the Start 35 K but with metal front plate and chrome viewfinder. 50mm lens. B/I shutter. The Tanzer camera is a twin lens reflex (TLR) type box camera made of bakelite by the Nomura Optical Company during the 1950s. The viewing lens is not marked and is not coupled to the taking lens which is fixed focus 4.2cm and fixed aperture setting. This is one of the few TLR cameras that use the Bolta film. At 26x26mm the image area is larger than that of other Bolta film cameras. A model with flash synchronizations was made and called the Flash Tanzer. Rich-Ray Trading Co made a version of the Start 35 in 1951. It uses Bolta roll film for 24x24mm exposures. The bakelite is marked "Made in Occupied Japan" on the bottom and "Rich-Ray" on the top. Simple fixed focus f5.6 lens, lever operated f8 Waterhouse1 stop. B, I, shutter. Richlet 35 made in 1954 rectangular bakelite body mental faceplate, 24x36mm on Bolta-size film. Focusing f5.6. B, 25-100 shutter. Stores spare film roll inside. Hoei Industrial Co of Tokyo Japan marketed the Ebony 35 in 1957. It is a small bakelite camera for 25x37mm exposures on 828 rollfilm. f11 meniscus lens in simple B & I shutter. Ebony 35 de Luxe sold in 1955, like the Ebony 35 but metal trim on front and finder. f8 lens. Ebony De Luxe IIs sold in 1957 with metal front and top housing. PC sync and accessory shoe f8 50mm lens. |
Last updated 16th September 2005
1. John Waterhouse 1842-1922. A system of small plates with a hole placed in front of or behind the lens.