Meikai EL c 1963 – Tougoda Optical – Japan
There were five Mekais made by T.O. . Two of them command big bucks on the Tougoda collectors circuit. Too bad for me that this isn’t one of them. Very few cameras feature the coveted “sailboat mode.” This is one of them.
The “EL” stands for “electronic” which the Meikai EL isn’t. The selenium thing on the front of the camera merely suggests electronics. This is common in the world of crappy cameras.
The EL is equipped with a 50mm Meikorlens lens. I love the fact that so many crappy camera manufacturers name their lenses. It’s like naming the tires on your car.
In keeping with the “outer space” motifs common in the early 60’s, The Meikai sports this image of a one-eyed space alien on its lens cap. The dust is not original.
Since Tougodo was inspired by an admiral, it’s only fitting that one of the lens settings is for use while sailing. The other settings are confusing. What if I’m sailing when it’s cloudy ?
The front of the hot shoe shows the fine machining that many Japanese camera makers are famous for.
