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on Mar 24, 2021 18:30:33 GMT
Posted: Mar 24, 2021 18:30:33 GMT
I came across an auction listing for an Atoron Electro Transparent kit on ebay. Although it's not fully transparent, it does have a clear panel on the top to expose the electronics. The question is - was this just a dealer or store display item, or was it a regular item for sale at the retail level?  |
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on Mar 24, 2021 19:48:07 GMT
Posted: Mar 24, 2021 19:48:07 GMT
I wish I knew the answer.
Yashica, and later Kyocera, produced occasional 'transparent' versions of models for dealers to be able to demonstrate the sophisticated internal workings to a wonder-struck public; well that was the idea.
I have seen transparent Samurai models, Auto Focus Motor cameras and other P&S types but this is the first Atoron I've seen which makes me think it may be a display item. I did have a transparent Contax AX once which was one of a group of five that were sent out to dealerships around the world. However, when I learned how much a collector was willing to pay for it, it was in the post and off to foreign shores in double quick time!
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on Mar 24, 2021 20:45:38 GMT
Last Edit: Mar 24, 2021 20:46:57 GMT by xkaes
Here's what I "know":
Yashica Atoron Electro T
In 1973, Yashica added the model T. This was a standard Atoron Electro, but with a transparent top so that the user could view the mechanics of the camera. The original price was $190.
I have my doubts it was made for sale to the public, but several cameras were in made for sale in transparent models that were opaque where it counted and could actually be used.
I'll ask on the SUBCLUB's discussion forum. There are lots of Minox users there.
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on Mar 24, 2021 22:19:13 GMT
Last Edit: Mar 24, 2021 22:24:20 GMT by xkaes
Here's all I could find out quickly. This is translated from Japanese -- and skeleton really means transparent. Apparently, it is a usable camera, and that makes it somewhat more likely that it was offered, at least for a time, to shutterbugs. If I find out more, I'll send it along.
YASHICA ATORON Yashika Atron electro (skeleton)
It is a model adopting electronic shutter of Yashika Atron famous as domestic Minox. At that time, Yashica seemed to be good at electronic shutters and used them in various cameras. I think that led to the Contax series. There are some models of Atron that have a built-in selenium light meter and a model that uses Cds like this camera. Among them, there seems to be a detailed version. I'm not very familiar with Atron, but there were 3 types I saw. There are two types of battery checkers, push button type and slide type, and skeleton. Even if it is called a skeleton, it is possible to shoot because only the middle part of the upper surface is transparent. Ricoh has issued a full-scale skeleton that can be photographed, and it is still relatively easy to obtain at the auction. However, I think that there are few skeletons with a mini camera. There was a Pentax Auto 110, but I'm sure that it's for display and I can't shoot. This camera is also usually lined up at a used camera store, and I found out that it was a skeleton for the first time. It's quite plain when it's normal. There are so many Atrons, so it's not a rare item, but it is important as a unique mini camera.
As for the mentioned Pentax 110 transparent:
(1979) This variant was not available for sale, but was used as a demonstration model in camera shops. Some have made their way to the consumer market. Several variations of this model were sold over the years and it can beome a collector's dream all to itself. It was a fully functioning camera in terms of the mechanics, but the transparent body means that picture taking was not the intent, of course. It has been seen in both the "pan head" style and "philip head" style, and some of the latest models had an opaque film chamber to allow for actual picture taking with the opaque 110 cassette. Talk about an expensive 110 keychain camera! All camera features remained the same as for the original
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