Hit camera list

The Hit Is a type of camera, rather than a single model, a generic name derived from the first such model made by Tougodo. Common to to this type is the media, a 17.5 paper-backed film producing 14mm x 14mm images. The 17.5mm was initially meant to be slit from 35mm Bolta film, widely available in Japan. As the Hit style gained followers, ready-made film was offered as well. As with all Japanese cheapies at that time, it was offered in the US as well, dirt cheap: sold in on flat laminated boards, not even boxed. The sample I have is marked for US$2,99, about US$40 at today’s value, still inexpensive for picture-taking instruments.

The Hit type cameras came in many styles. From basic as the first model, with one speed and a fixed aperture, it has evolved into models offering more speeds and aperture settings and different viewers. In earlier models, the name is marked on a round sticker surrounding the lens, in later it is stamped on the top fascia. Many models are dead identical but marked with different names.

The Hit cameras were not taken seriously and were sold at a fraction of a real camera price. Many were used as incentive products and neat ornaments on Christmas trees. Although the primary export market was the US, some were scattered all over the globe.

Perusing the model names is a real joy. Some names make sense, such as ‘Honey’ or ‘Kitty’. Some reflect the Japanese grasp of English words, such as ‘Lenz’ or ‘Betsons’. Some, I assume, are anglicized Japanese names, such as ‘Quingdao’ or ‘Tsubame’, and some are over the top, such as ‘Come to Old Mexico’, which could be a promo item.

My list carries 215 items; Other sources cite 400 or so. For the collector, most are easy to get, with some 200 listed at any given time on eBay. Most go for under US$20, whereas a few rare models fetch much more. Historical selling prices are in the table below, linked to camdex.ca.

A note about the manufacturer’s name in the table below. As with other camera brands of the early to mid past century, makers’ names were anglicized in different ways. Further, makers and distributors are all happily mixed up, and brands were taken over by others, so different sources cite it differently. Also, where I have no maker’s name, I marked it as just “Hit”.

More
collection-appareils.fr
camera-wiki.org
submin.com