135compact.com 35mm half format cameras Taron Chic
The Taron Chic was first released in 1961. It
has a built-in selenium meter which indicates colour codes. These codes
correspond to coupled aperture/shutter speed settings. It's vertically orientated, so that the format appears in usual landscape mode whereas most half formats use portrait mode. There is a very simila Yashica Rapide which also dates from 1961, so nobody can say whether the one inspired the other.
The camera's main features are:
35mm film half-frame camera, picture size 24 x 18 mm Taronar 30mm f/2.8 lens, focus, 0.6m-∞ Shutter speeds coupled to aperture, from 2.8/ 1/30 to 22 1/250, can be uncoupled Size 120 x 65 x 45 mm, Weight : 377 g ISO 12-800, accessory shoe, flash socket, tripod socket
The
camera pictured has a second selenium cell next to the viewer, above
the original one, maybe a repair. The meter is dead however.
Front.
Viewer. Under the lens: shutter release button and flash socket. Exposure control around the lens, aperture is
indicated (not visible on this photo).
Back
view. Finder and film advance.
Left side. Back open button and release (you have to action both at the same time). Rewind wheel (can be pulled out). Film counter and setting.
Right side. Accessory shoe. Rewind release.
Seen from above. Meter. ISO setting.
Seen from below. Tripod socket.
Camera back
open.
Aperture/shutter speed setting coupled. Setting is about F8 1/125.
Aperture/shutter speed setting uncoupled. Setting is F2.8 1/250. The empty groove of the coupling is in the center.
The Taron Chic is a heavy camera, not easy to handle at first. The exposure system
via symbols works very well if the meter is working. Without meter it's difficult, as the shutter speeds are not indicated.
It
takes
sharp pictures. Spacing is tight, so you get at least 75 photos from a
roll. It's for outdoor photos and well lit interiors not far from the
window. There is no hot shoe for flash, but an accessory shoe and a
flash socket. Night photos are possible, as it has a B setting. It is
rare to have this on half frame cameras. This is a beautiful,
stylish vintage camera,
it's much fun.
