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11-17-2009, 12:29 PM   #1
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Need help researching old camera: Sears Tower automatic 127

Hello,

I recently acquired this camera for my collection:






A Sears Tower automatic 127 Electric Eye. The camera is mint in the box but I can't find information on it.
In what years was it offered? Who made it? How rare is it? Any other variations?
All I find is a similar camera called the Tower Camflash without the electric eye.
Does anybody know anything about this model? Anyone has an early 60's SEARS catalog? Any ideas or pointing in the right direction?

Thanks,

11-18-2009, 12:37 AM   #2
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Thats a great looking camera. Great score.

I tried a quick search, but my google-fu failed me.

Found this though: Conceptual Terrorists Encase Sears Tower In Jell-O | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Hope it helps.
11-18-2009, 05:21 AM   #3
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That is the coolest thing I've seen all week.
11-18-2009, 07:11 AM   #4
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It has been a real challenge to find any information on this camera. I posted this request in other forums and everybody seems to be stumped. In one forum however, somebody just posted that it was made by US Camera Corp.
I'm trying to find any information on this company.
The search continues.....

Thanks,

11-19-2009, 05:47 AM   #5
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Looks like the Americans raygun-gothic'd it up a bit. A noble endeavour.



Based on the Mamiya 35 EEF. I'm guessing US Camera or whoever did a bit more work on the Camflashes and Electric Eyes than they did on the Tower 39 and 41 cameras, which also seem based on the 35 EEF.

The 39 and 41 look a bit more austere - more Japanese.



From here.

Incidentally, the Tower 39 and 41 seem to be both clearly labeled "MADE IN JAPAN."
11-21-2009, 04:45 AM   #6
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Thanks!
Any idea how to translate that page?
So it seems it was an adaptation to 127 film format of a 35mm camera?

Thanks,
11-22-2009, 12:18 AM   #7
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Google Translate link

(Note: I love how they call 127 film "whetstone film".)

It seems that it the "35" in the name of the camera was just the model number; nothing to do with 35mm film.

11-22-2009, 02:14 AM   #8
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You could maybe try the US patent office website.
It's a cool looking camera, it would fit nicely into the dash of an early 'vette.
11-22-2009, 11:51 AM   #9
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127 Rocks!

When I was little my mom had a Kodak Brownie Starflash camera, a simple mostly plastic predecessor to the Instamatic:





127 was abandoned in the 1960's when Kodak concentrated on the 126 cartridge and the Japanese 35mm.
It's a shame really; 127 film produces 4x4 (cm) "Superslides" which fit in 2x2 inch mounts, like 35mm slides.
Put some of these in your standard Kodak Carousel slide projector and they will really knock your socks off!


Chris

Last edited by ChrisPlatt; 11-22-2009 at 08:47 PM.
11-22-2009, 09:30 PM   #10
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I love how startled, and eager that Starflash looks. Leaning forward. Very modernist.

All these fifties cameras have me wanting to read William Gibson's "The Gernsback Continuum" again.

Sigh. Too bad 127 was one of the first victims of Kodak's infamous "Obsolete In A Decade" business model.
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