The Anny 44 (アニー44) is an inexpensive Japanese camera taking 4×4cm pictures on 127 film, made by Hōei from 1960. (It was featured in the new products columns of Japanese magazines in May 1960.)[1]
Description[]
The body of the Anny 44 roughly imitates a 35mm rangefinder camera, with some design features of the Nikon rangefinder models. The designer even added a part imitating the Nikon focusing wheel, actually a shutter lock. Of course, the rangefinder window is a fake too, serving as the shutter lock indicator. There is an accessory shoe and a PC synch connector situated behind the body release.
The advance knob is at the top right, as seen by the photographer. The back is hinged to the right and contains a single red window to control the film advance, protected by a horizontally sliding cover.
The camera is identified by the name Anny–44 engraved at the top and a red nameplate between the viewfinder window and the shutter lock indicator, inscribed ANNY 44 in white capital letters.
The lens is fixed-focus and is mounted in a cheap looking barrel. It is usually marked HOEI INDUSTRIAL CO. and HOEI LENS 1:8 F=5cm. No speed setting is available, and the shutter takes Instant pictures only. The aperture is set from 8 to 22 by a lever on the side of the lens barrel; indications are added, recommending f/8 and f/11 for COLOR (f/8 is Dull and f/11 is Bright), and f/16 and f/22 for B&W.
Name variants[]
The Kalimar 44 is a rebadged version, sold by Kalimar Inc. The name Kalimar 44 is engraved above the top housing, and the red nameplate at the front now reads Kalimar. The lens rim is inscribed KALIGAR "FOCUS–SET" LENS at the top and 1:8 F=60mm at the bottom.[2] (At least one mixed example is known, with Anny 44 body markings of and Kaligar lens markings.)[3]
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| Colt 44. Picture courtesy of Pacific Rim Camera. (Image rights) |
The Colt 44 is a further name variant, similar to the Kalimar 44 but for the name COLT 44 inscribed in the red nameplate (the top marking remains as Kalimar 44).[4]
Notes[]
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.377.
- ↑ See the user manual at butkus.org's Orphan Cameras.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 4111.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 4117.
Bibliography[]
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Item 1110.
- 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.391.
- 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. Items 4111–2.
Links[]
In English:
- User manual of the Kalimar 44 at butkus.org
In French:
- Anny 44 at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
In Japanese: