| Photopia Sportsman Cameras |
 |
 |
|
The illustration below is page 7 of the Photopia International Limited catalogue for 1981/82. At the time this catalogue was current, the Photopia Group consisted of several marketing companies and the page shown is advertising cameras sold under Paul Plus Limited's own 'Plus' brand. It is noticeable that 3 ILFORD camera names are in use on this page, Sportsman, Sportsmaster and Sporti. There is no known connection between Ilford and Photopia, so the choice of these camera names, 'dropped' by ILFORD 15 years previous, may be simply opportunistic, taking advantage of well remembered and respected names. Some, at least, of these cameras were made in Singapore (see Sporti 2000, bottom of page). |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
The Sportsman EF135 and Sportsmaster SF135, were both made in Japan (not by the W.German company, Dacora). The Sportsmaster had the faster f2.8 lens (instead of a f4), a semi-auto programmed shutter (instead of a single fixed 1/160th sec) and a parallax compensated bright-line viewfinder. The Sportsmaster also had focussing from infinity to 1.5m (instead of fixed focus). Prices were remarkably similar and it would seem obvious that the Sportsmaster offered better value. But the simpler Sportsman might have appealed to novices wanting a simpler 'point & shoot' camera.  |
|
|
|
The Plus Sporti range of cameras, unlike the roll film Sporti marketed by Ilford 20 years previously, took 110 cartridge film, as introduced by Kodak in 1972 producing negatives 13×17 mm. There were 3 Sporti cameras in the Plus range, a basic 330, a 440 with built-in electronic flash and a 440T with flash and 'normal/telephoto' lens changeover facility.  |
  |
 |
|
|
The Plus Sporti 440T seemingly became known as the Sporti 2000, as a camera of the identical description and near identical appearance as the 440T, with its box bearing the same Paul Plus identication No.1750321, was found at the Wolverhampton Camera Fair on December 7th 2008. It is now called a 'Pocket Teleflash Camera'. Packed in a smart blue base, clear flip top, plastic case, with a detachable lanyard and instructions. |
||
 |
 |
 |
|
Featuring a "Super-sharp multi-coated 20mm lens for colourful scenic or group pictures (f6.5 to f11, 3 elements) and a built-in 40mm multi-coated tele lens (f9.5, 2 elements) for large as life portraits and close-ups. Optics in viewfinder automatically change for normal or tele shots. Shutter speed 1/100th sec, metal blade, mechanical with double exposure prevention. Takes standard 110 film cartridges for easy drop-in loading; accepts standard film or fast film for dull days. Built-in electronic flash for use indoors - no expensive flash-bulbs needed". Flash range 1.5 to 3m with 100ASA film, 1.5 to 4.5m with 400ASA film. The flash requires two AA size battery cells.
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|