Confused??? Don’t be. Here’s a fun little 35mm film camera made by Konica in 1989. It’s called the Kanpai – essentially “cheers”. It’s a voice-activated camera that was designed to attach to a special mini tripod that allowed the camera to swivel (up to 100 degrees) and would take a picture whenever someone at a party yelled “cheers!” or whatever.
Part of our “Modern Classics” and “Plastic Fantastics” collection of film cameras.
The microphone on the front of the camera (the 3 little holes next to the microphone icon) adjusts to the ambient sounds of a party and would then “listen” for when someone yelled “cheers” or whatever – it would then operate a small motor in the base which would turn the camera (when attached to the dedicated tripod) towards that sound and snap a picture. The lights above the microphone indicate the level of ambient sound and some degree of sensitivity.
The “framing monitor” is simply an optical waist level finder. The LCD indicates the selectivity and sensitivity (little Pac-Man looking thingy) of the microphone and how far the camera rotates to capture an image when attached to the dedicated tripod.
Not the original tripod – no cute shoes (yet).
The camera has a Konica 34mm f/ 5.6 fixed focus lens and an electronic programmed shutter capable of 1 to 1/200 sec. Designed to be used mostly indoors with the flash, I could see it being used as a street camera with its waist level finder.
Auto flash, self-timer, automatic exposure, and auto rewind. Date/time imprinting.
Fresh batteries were inserted (by the way, the date/time defaulted to 1-1-87 and stops at 1-1-19). It takes (1) 2CR5 6V lithium battery and (1) CR2025 button battery.
List price in 1989 was ¥30,000 (about $215 USD) in “stone” finish (we think this one is stone).
We’re still on the lookout for the original tripod and shoes! Many thanks go out to our friend Peggy at Camera Go Camera for passing along this super cool camera! By the way, her site has some neat “STUFF” that she’ll be happy to send your way – check it out!
Available in red.
Party Animal!
“Let’s get the party started!”, “Kanpai!”, “Cheers!” – also works if you yell “BANZAI!”
BANZAI, Daniel-san!
Thanks for stopping by! Remember, if you have some neat film cameras for sale – we are buyers! Contact us at chriscarol@ccstudio2380.com
C&C ^.^
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The camera features a quality Fujinon 95mm lens (2 elements 2 groups) set at f14 and designed to use Instax film rated at ISO800. The shutter fires at 1/64-1/200th of a second. There’s a control to lighten or darken the exposure and an LCD that clearly shows your picture count. The lens focuses from 0.9m to 3m and from 3m to infinity with the push of a button.
This set comes in its original box, has an unopened pack of Fujifilm (dated 2001), the original strap, and the instructions. Oh, and four new Fujifilm (AA) batteries!
Chasing Classic Cameras with Chris 