Throwback Edit Version: I edited this in November 2025, checked the links and converted it to the new WordPress blocks format if needed.

I bought this camera while waiting to see a children’s theatre production. It seemed appropriate, as it was like a toy, a clockwork camera. It was produced around 1964 and is a half-frame camera. If you read this blog regularly, you will know that format is not my favourite, but can this quirky camera change my mind?

As you can see, there is a selenium cell, which was still working. Plus, there is a huge knob on the bottom, which is the clockwork winder for the mechanical film advance. Turn this knob, and the film advances automatically until it needs winding up again.

There are more technical details on this site and this site. The maximum ASA is 200, I spotted this as I was about to put a 400 in it. In the end, I chose a Fuji Acros 100 for the test film and wandered around my village, school and Yokohama. After, I did not attempt to remove any hairs or dust, just because it was late and I wanted to go to bed 🙂

I think I overdeveloped the film a bit, but it wasn’t too bad. The camera worked well, and the light meter seems accurate. It had zone focusing, and as usual, I didn’t always remember to change the setting from infinity. I much prefer rangefinders or SLRs. The camera was solid and hefty for a small thing. It felt like a quality camera. The noise of the film advance was awesome. If you like half-frame cameras, then this one is fun to use.

Keep or sell: I have already promised it to a photographer friend who wants to try some film, along with the Olympus AZ-1 zoom as that has a multi-exposure function.