The User's Review: Bell & Howell DIal 35 (= Canon Dial 35 2) Half-Frame 35 mm Camera in two cases, Made in USA and Japan, Released in 1968

 

In the bigger case, along with the camera, there is a Bell & Howell Automatic 860 electric flash made in USA. I believe, the bigger case was also made in USA although no any mark is found on the bigger case, except the B & H sign. Also was the manual printed in USA. The camera and the small case are marked 'Made in Japan'.

The camera takes a 48 mm filter, screwed in around the electric eye (the filter size is not listed in the specs of the manual, it is printed under 'hints for better pictures'); has a hot flash shoe; shows distance only in foot; has a stronger spring motor although, nowadays, many of the cameras do not have a properly-working motor. However, I think, it's OK to turn the winding grip by hand and advance the film in case of  a weak motor spring. 

The User's Review: The Latest Editions of Pentax K1000 and K1000 SE, Assembled in China

These latest editions have the same bottom plates and similar top plates (both are plastic). These plates are obviously different from those on the earlier editions of K1000 and K1000 SE. In addition, the battery covers on these latest editions are made of plastic and not compatible with earlier editions.

The new plastic top plate reduced the numbers of parts in the assembly.  

Why to get these latest bodies? They are of less weight, but more importantly, the light meters in them are likely to work due to the newer electric parts.

The User's Review: Quantaray 2X (4 elements) vs. Kenko 2X MC7 (7 elements) Extenders, both with Minolta/Sony A Mount and 8 pins

1. The Quantaray 2X with 4 elements is more compact/smaller.
2. The Kenko 2X with 7 elements provides higher resolution (see the last image)
3. However, the longer tub and more glass in the Kenko 2X may need more light compensation.

The test devices used were a Minolta Maxxum 50mm F2.8 Macro Lens and a Sony A230 camera.

Image through Q 2X

Image through K 2X

Q 2X vs. K 2X (cropped from the two images above)

The User's Review: Yashica YEM35 Super Light Meter, 1967

This is a battery-powered meter, well made, with metal top cover and plastic bottom.Behind the shoe, there is a zero adjust screw. The required PX625 mercury battery is not manufactured today.

The User's Review: Minolta Maxxum 50 mm 1.4 and 1.7 Prime Lenses, the Fist Version in the First Generation

I have these 1.4 and 1.7 lenses side by side. However, I can not tell which one is which one by their side view.

Both of them are in the version of so-called crossed/Exxon X, and actually are the same as the later version except the X thing.

The User's Review: Seagull CM9, Not A TLR, But A Camector (Camera + Projector), Released On August 15, 2014

Seagull cameras may be found on ebay, and many of them are TLR. Recently, Seagull Digital based in Shanghai, China, announced a new digital image device in TLR style, CM9. In my words, it's a camector. Its main specs are:

Two lenses: bottom one for camera, top one for projector

Two screens: top (2.4 in) and back (4.3 in) screens

Here are several product images I found online. Its price is around USD 1100 as reported.

From slide.tech.sina.cn

From de.it168.com

The User's Review: Phoenix 100mm 3.4 Macro (1: 1) Auto Focus Lens

This macro prime lens, with different lens mounts, was sold under several brand names. Its manual, posted below, also refers to both manual and auto focus lenses.  The ratio 1: 1 is achieved by screwing on the additional glass adapter in the front of the lens.