Is the Harman Titan Pinhole a "real" camera?

[ooze]

A couple of days ago I walked into the shop of my film/paper supplier here in Istanbul. Whilst eyeing the stuff on the shelves I saw several boxes of Harman Direct Positive Paper. Excited, I enquired about the Titan pinhole camera. Now here it gets funny...apparently they tried to import it, but Turkish customs decided that it is a "real camera" and hence required that the importer have proper servicing facilities in case the camera needed repair. Although I applaud that our customs think about the interest of us consumers, it all turns out a bit bizarre for a simple pinhole camera. I mean, it could've been a tin box with a small hole.

 

[ruilourosa]

Well, that seems a load of bull$hit... and you cannot get more real with a camera...

 

[Peter de Groot]

Yes it is a real camera. However what costums demand is a little absurd.

 

[tony lockerbie]

Servicing facilities would probably just consist of a can of compressed air to clean the pinhole!

 

[Herzeleid]

It is frustrating but no surprise there. Turkish customs is the most absurd organization in existence. We ordered a bear costume for a video shooting, they considered the costume to be the skin of a real bear. Guess the costs and the paperwork.

 

[removed account4]

how about if you just go to the customs office
or email them a link to the company that makes them --

http://www.walkercameras.com/pinhole_cameras.html

 

[Mike Wilde]

Or make your own camera. Pinhole is only so complex.

Or buy an old speed graphic. I was at Rob Skeotch's get together on saturday, and the same day they had been experimenting shooting with the DPP stuff. they were loading it into conventional double cut film holders, although it is a tight fit due to it being thicker than conventional film.

There is another post by Rob here today about the experience.

 

[Simon R Galley]

Under the export tariff codes : Its a camera ( manual ).

We will need to keep parts available for 7 years : but as I am sure you realise its an integral unit.

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

 

[Tom Stanworth]

sadly for you it is a real camera. If it is not, it is hard to imagine what definition would be used to exclude it.

 

[Ces1um]

sadly for you it is a real camera. If it is not, it is hard to imagine what definition would be used to exclude it.

I know I'm resurrecting an old thread but I just had to pay duty, gst/hst on this camera when I imported it into Canada. Definitely qualifies as a real camera.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yes. Got a better question?