TOKO 4x4 camera known to anyone?

[joe zarick]

I posted an adv looking for a Tachihara and received an answer for a TOKO for sa le. NOT TOYO. Anyone know anything about this 4x5 camera?

[Pete Caluori]

Greetings,

I've never heard of a Toko camera (but that doesn't mean anything.) I have heard of a Toho and perhaps that's the one that's being offered. If you can read Japaneese Toho has a WEB site, or you can check Badger Graphics, as I believe I saw one listed somewhere on their site. Good Luck

Regards,

[Doug Paramore]

Badger Graphic Sales keeps the Tachihara in stock at reasonable prices. Midwest has them for a few dollars more and theirs includes a lensboard.

REgards,

[Kevin Kemner]

Joe,

I've seen references to Toko View Cameras occasionally but have never seen one. FWIW I found the following information after a quick Google search.

TOKO PHOTO CO. (Japan) Toko Photo Co. - There was a binocular camera from Toko Photo Co of Japan. c1950's. This is the original concept binocular camera. Average auction price is in the $500 to $600 range. Also was sold as the 'Cyclops'. This camera used 16mm film. There was also a RICOH version (like yours) of the Teleca called the RICHO TELECA 240, c1971. A half frame 35mm binocular camera. Sells in the $400 - $500 range in perfect conditon. Also sold under the NICNON name, c1968. There was a beam spliting device on the right side that took a photograph of the viewed subject.

[Kerry L. Thalmann]

Joe

I've seen a couple the Toko 4x5s, but it's been several years ago. From my rec ollection, it was similar in design, construction and materials to the cherrywoo d Wista - but with an additional couple inches of rear extension. Not a true tr iple extension design like the Wisners and Zone VI, but it did give it slightly more extension than the typical double extension woodies (something like 14" ins tead of the typical 12") without adding much weight. I've never used one, so I can't comment on how rigid it is at full extension, but it would be one of the a reas I'd check when considering purchasing a used specimen.

Kerry

[Lyle Aldridge]

Joe, I have a Toko, and I've been very happy with it for the year I've now been using it. Kerry's description is pretty accurate. It's a standard-looking wooden field made from what looks like cherry. It looks very much like a wooden Wista, and uses Wista-type lensboards. Its distinguishing feature is an extra two inches of geared rear extension, with about 25-30 degrees of rear swing. Total bellows extension comes to fourteen inches. I weighed it on the postal scale at work right after I got it, but for the life of me, I can't remember right now whether it was one ounce over four pounds, or one ounce under. Close enough -- it's pretty light, either way, and easily usable on a Bogen 3221 tripod (as long as you don't get carried away with too much leg extension). Of the three 4x5's I've owned, this one is definitely my favorite.

[Donald Brewster]

I've not heard of Toko either -- if it is indeed a Toho, take a look at the following two web sites:

http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~qtluong/photography/lf/toho.html

http://www.thalmann.com/largeformat/toho.htm

[Paula]

I have a TOKO MIGHTY, amyone know anything about it?

[Al Joseph]

I don't know anything about the Toko but one was auctioned on July 7, 2002, on eBay for $750. I saved a picture of the camera and will email it to anyone who wants it. I found this web page trying to get some information on the camera and so far haven't found much.