Tougodo Toyoca Six 6×6 Medium Format Camera, with 8cm f/3.5 Tri-Lauser (Tomioka) Lens – 12 / 16-on Ever Ready Case – Ultra Rare

One source says that the Toyoca Six was released in 1956 as a single format camera, taking 6×6cm pictures only, but this has not been confirmed yet.The only period document known so far is a column in the Summer 1957 special issue of Shashin Kōgyō on Japanese cameras, where the Toyoca Six is attributed to Tōgōdō Kōki and priced at ¥6,500.This document mentions the dual-format ability and says that the shutter is a CHY-FS (B, 1–200) with X synchronization.The Toyoca Six is very uncommon today, and only three surviving examples have been observed so far. One of them is owned by the Pentax Gallery. It has a round lens standard and a leatherette patch on the film flange at the top right. Its shutter is a CHY-SB shutter (B, 1–200), engraved CHY–SB at the bottom of the speed rim. Its aperture scale, at the top of the shutter casing, is metal finished.The other two examples have an angled lens standard, with a decorated protrusion behind the synch socket. They also have concentric rings on the film flange instead of a leatherette patch. These features are the same as on the illustration of the Summer 1957 article mentioned above. (The front standard is also similar to that found on some advertisements for the 1953 Beauty Six.) The two cameras have no marking on the shutter, and have a black aperture scale at the top. One has B, 1–200 speeds and the other has B, 1–300.

s/n: 198244

• Ultra-rare camera. According to Wikipedia only 3 or 4 examples known…
• “Toyoca” is certainly the contraction of Toyohashi — Tougodo’s hometown — and Camera.
• Working shutter but slow at sthe slow speeds
• Missing one base part, reel holder / stub
• Shows some minor corrosion to the sliding panels in the 12-on / 16-on ‘windows’
• Leatherette panels show some lifting at some corners
• Lens is in good condition, shows a dust speck inside, otherwise clean
• Apertures working, down to f/22
• Focus smooth working, down to 3 feet
• Comes with original leather case in excellent condition, lovely hinge/strap detail
• Comes as shown with free shipping in the UK

In Stock at Real Camera Liverpool

Check pictures carefully before purchase

CONDITION
Cosmetic – 8
Mechanical – 9
Optical – 9
Electronic – n/a

MJK