Labelled Beauty 16 this a 14x10 mm frame camera using a
cassette like the some versions of the
Rubix, and no counter window on the
back. Rubix cartridges are too large as the winding spool will not centre
and it is over 1 mm too short. None of the other roll film or cartridges from
cameras from this late 40s fit any better.
The Spy 16
was announced in 1949 by Taiyodo Koki for "less than
¥2500" but no samples have been seen. This model has been shown in
Photo Arts, a Japanese Magazine, with "Spy" engraving (http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Beauty_16).
It was renamed Beauty 16 and from the feet only focus scale perhaps for export
only to the USA.
It has a tripod screw thread on the base.
The dial on the right winds on the film. The dial on the left is the film
counter 0 to 20, The top plate button primes or resets the winding. You can wind
just using the right hand dial but it then does not lock for the frame unless
the button is pressed first and the frame counter does not move. The shutter is
cocked on the right, next to a bar that might fire a flash unit. The shutter is
then released by the trigger on the left. Next press the button on the top and
then wind the film on. The counter will then change. The winder will lock after
winding on a frame.
The similar looking Beauty 14 using 17.5mm film has a body shape like the Epochs, Meteor and Vestkam but has a second right angle view finder. It has a 20mm lens, no focusing the same shutter speed options and mechanism not needing the priming and lock for winding on the film as that is provided by the window on the black to show the frame number from the roll film.
Model |
Beauty 16 |
Finish/colour |
silver and black |
Lens |
"C. Talent 1:3.5 F=25mm" and "T.K.K.",focus dial marked 3,5,7, 10,15, infinity (feet) |
Shutter |
B, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100 |
Aperture |
f3.5 |
Film Door lock |
slide |
Case |
brown leather, stamped "Made in Occupied Japan" on the base |
Box | |
Instructions | |
Dimensions |
wxhxd 58x40x37 mm |
Weight |
110g |
Purchased |
2022/07/06 |
Date of Manufacture |
1949 |
Cost |
399 USD |
Current Value |
400 USD |
Auction Price |
Ebay 2003/12/19 405USD, *2022/07/06 399 USD |
Comment |
|
No internal guides for a roll film or cartridge. Take up
wound by the dial on the top. Counter 0 to 20.
Last Updated on 22nd July 2022