Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
The most popular cameras in those days were Canon, Minolta, & Yashica. I think they are still in business.Cameras were expensive but popular. Imported ones were about $7k in today's value. Even domestic ones were priced $3k a set.
View attachment 697971
Source: Photo Guide Book for Amateur (1937)
Good point, manta.The most popular cameras in those days were Canon, Minolta, & Yashica. I think they are still in business.
I missed my lovely Canon PowerShot ELPH 3000 ...Good point, manta.
Minolta works as a part of Sony now. Yashica was absorbed by Kyocera decades ago.
Canon is No.1 and Nikon follows though it depends on user's favor.
Crown Prince Akihito with his Nikon S in 1954.
View attachment 698018
Source: Photography Art Exhibition Masterpiece Collection in Japan (1954)
Nice photo of the Crown Prince, Shinpachi.Good point, manta.
Minolta works as a part of Sony now. Yashica was absorbed by Kyocera decades ago.
Canon is No.1 and Nikon follows though it depends on user's favor.
Crown Prince Akihito with his Nikon S in 1954.
View attachment 698018
Source: Photography Art Exhibition Masterpiece Collection in Japan (1954)
Did Akihito receive your gift directly or indirectly in the palace to return later?Nice photo of the Crown Prince, Shinpachi.
I met him 6 years earlier. A very few American school kids were selected to meet Prince Akihito and somehow I was one of them. My mother had wrapped a gift to give him when we met ( a book on Geography if I remember correctly). His entourage accepted it with thanks. A week or so later I received the book back with a typed letter from a Government Minister explaining that while the gesture was appreciated, the imperial family was not permitted to receive gifts. I still have that letter here somewhere.
If I remember correctly, I handed it directly to Akihito who handed it to one of his aids. Maybe I can find the name of the Minister who sent me that letter. Perhaps you may recognize his name.Did Akihito receive your gift directly or indirectly in the palace to return later?
I may ask the course of that event to the imperial household agency.
I am goint to tell your disappointment to the agency and Akihito within a few weeks as his 88th birthday is December 23rd.If I remember correctly, I handed it directly to Akihito who handed it to one of his aids. Maybe I can find the name of the Minister who sent me that letter. Perhaps you may recognize his name.
Shinpachi, I was not disappointed; the imperial family must conform to a protocol which I understand now. As a boy this was unknown to me. Please give my greetings and best wishes to Akihito if you get the chance. I will look for the letter.I am goint to tell your disappointment to the agency and Akihito within a few weeks as his 88th birthday is December 23rd.
If you can find out the Minister's name, that would be perfect.
A friend of mine was n the USAF and was in Japan in the 1960's. He bought a Nikormat camera and went to a famous high end restaurant in Tokyo that was atop a building in hope of being able to take pictures of the city. He walked up to the reception desk at the restaurant and received a frown from the man there. He clearly was not the type of clientele they were used to seeing. He held up his camera and said "Nikormat." The man's frown turned to a look of respect. He was allowed to take his pictures of Tokyo.Crown Prince Akihito with his Nikon S in 1954.
Being impressed with your generosity, manta, I agree with you.Shinpachi, I was not disappointed; the imperial family must conform to a protocol which I understand now. As a boy this was unknown to me. Please give my greetings and best wishes to Akihito if you get the chance. I will look for the letter.
Nikon SLRs in the early time were heavy and sturdy. I still love such reliability.A friend of mine was n the USAF and was in Japan in the 1960's. He bought a Nikormat camera and went to a famous high end restaurant in Tokyo that was atop a building in hope of being able to take pictures of the city. He walked up to the reception desk at the restaurant and received a frown from the man there. He clearly was not the type of clientele they were used to seeing. He held up his camera and said "Nikormat." The man's frown turned to a look of respect. He was allowed to take his pictures of Tokyo.