Anyone ever heard of a Gaica or Gaica II camera from Japan? Apparently from about 1940. See e-mails below.
From: Lamar
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 11:04 AM
To: Jim
Subject: RE: Gaica camera
Well, based on what I can find, which isnt much, these must be rare. Camerapedia is the only place I have been able to find much info on any Gaica and based on comments in the article they seem to think the number of surviving examples is very low. One would like to think that indicates it may be quite valuable but I just dont know. A search of eBay turned up zero hits for Gaica. Ill post the question on apug.org and see what it turns up.
Lamar Lamb
From: Jim
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 10:50 AM
To: Lamar
Subject: Gaica camera
Lamar,
I posted the following in Photography Discussion but I thought I would email you personally and see if you might have any info.
I have a camera (Gaica II)that a friend of mine brought back during WWII and am trying to find out some information about it. In Camerapedia it is described as follows:
The Gaica is a Japanese 4.5×6 folder made and sold from 1940 by Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō (today Ricoh), in the Ōji plant. The Gaica II has an added body release and a Gaica shutter (T, B, 1175) made by Riken. The shutter plate is marked GAICA at the bottom and has an RKK logo on the right (for Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō). The 1751, B, T speed settings are inscribed on the shutter plate in that order.
Thanks,
Jim
From: Lamar
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 11:04 AM
To: Jim
Subject: RE: Gaica camera
Well, based on what I can find, which isnt much, these must be rare. Camerapedia is the only place I have been able to find much info on any Gaica and based on comments in the article they seem to think the number of surviving examples is very low. One would like to think that indicates it may be quite valuable but I just dont know. A search of eBay turned up zero hits for Gaica. Ill post the question on apug.org and see what it turns up.
Lamar Lamb
From: Jim
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2015 10:50 AM
To: Lamar
Subject: Gaica camera
Lamar,
I posted the following in Photography Discussion but I thought I would email you personally and see if you might have any info.
I have a camera (Gaica II)that a friend of mine brought back during WWII and am trying to find out some information about it. In Camerapedia it is described as follows:
The Gaica is a Japanese 4.5×6 folder made and sold from 1940 by Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō (today Ricoh), in the Ōji plant. The Gaica II has an added body release and a Gaica shutter (T, B, 1175) made by Riken. The shutter plate is marked GAICA at the bottom and has an RKK logo on the right (for Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō). The 1751, B, T speed settings are inscribed on the shutter plate in that order.
Thanks,
Jim