Mihama Six

[Tom Hildreth]

Friend of mine found one of these and asked me for information on it. I haven't heard of it before today, and have not yet seen the camera. Has anyone had personal experience with this mid-50s camera, which apparently has dual format 6X6 and 6X4.5cm. Is the lens coated? Do they have particular collectibility? Do they have known glitches (it is a bellows camera). Any information would be appreciated from those who have had hands on or have them in their collection. Thanks.

[Philip]

I've never held one in my hands.  But the pictures of them seem to indicate a pretty nice camera. Any 6x6 camera with a built-in rangefinder is a pretty good one, and it has a decently fast lens at f/3.2.  I don't know anything about its robustness.  Maybe they were made from old corn-on-the-cob tins. . .  I don't know.

[br1078lum]

Tom, I've got three photos on my computer that show the camera closed up, so I couldn't garner any info about the lens.  It has a verrry short rangefinder base, with two windows for viewing (ala Leica II, III).  I'm thinking they use the viewfinder window as the second port for the rangefinder, then you revert back to the other window to view the scene.  Two film number windows in the back door, with sliding covers.  Accessory shoe on top left of the viewfinder window (which by the way is centered on the lens mounting).  A nice large, knurled winding knob on the left.  Shutter release on the right, and front door release on the left in front of the accessory shoe.  Body is octogon shaped.  Tripod socket in the middle of the bottom.  I'm thinking it's a drop-down front for the lens, instead of sideways opening.

Note: All Rights and Lefts used above are as from the rear of the camera.

PF

[Tom Hildreth]

Thanks, guys. I'm hoping to see the camera today.