Toa Koki Gelto-D III Gold

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Toa Koki Gelto-D III Gold

Toakoki was one of the pioneers of the Japanese pre-war camera makers who survived until the early 1950s. Post-war Japan saw an avalanche of camera makers, all aimed at the half a million US soldiers posted there, who had deep pockets and hunted for trinkets to bring back home. The newcomers and the old guard had vanished, save for a few stalwarts that survived until the 1970s and a mere handful afterward.

Little is known about the company’s origins. It is mentioned under a host of names: Toakoki Seisakusho, Shinwa Seiki, Takahashi Kogaku, and Shin-Wakoki. I am unsure if all are correct and why the name was changed during its short two-decade lifespan. The company is said to be associated with Hattori, a watch store network that later became Seiko. Toakoki also made shutters under its house brands, Norther and Gelto.

The product line is confusing, as with most short-lived camera manufacturers of post-war Japan. Opinions and versions are dependent on what publication you read.

  • The first Gelto model, a 35mm format, all-black camera with a Gelto shutter, was offered in 1936.
  • The similar, so-catalogued Gelto A & B followed with a Licht shutter.
  • The Gelto II is a Gelto with a 250 shutter speed.
  • A Gelto III followed in 1938. The III had black skin with a chromed top and bottom. This model had the earlier D-ring cover opening latch replaced with a lever.
  • In 1939, three versions of the prevalent Gelto-D III were released. It is unclear whether this model was offered in three finishes: gold, silver, or black, or if the latter two were stand-alone models. The gold and silver models had no skin but plated bodies.
  • Two #120 klapp models were introduced in 1949 and 1950, the Semi Gelto I & II, respectively.

There was a break during the war, with three Gelto models appearing in 1949-1952:

  • Gelto Siver.
  • Some Gelto cameras were marked Norther I and II. Not further information, I take it as ordinary post-war Gelto with the Norther shutter.

I believe these models were not stand-alone versions but a continued production of pre-war models.

The product line continued as follows:

  • Gelto-D III / New Gelto. Here, the removable top cover was replaced with a removable back.
  • The final camera was a #120 1952 TLR under Geltoflex, and the company went silent.
  • Some Gelto models were converted to an uncoupled rangefinder viewer with a modified top, made by / named Cyclon.
  • Seemingly unrelated models are the Arsen by Takahashi, which strongly resembles the Gelto, and the Arsen Cyclon, which has a rangefinder top similar to the converted Geltos.

Overall, Gelto used several shutters, sometimes within the same model, either own Gelto and Norther or Paragon, NKS, and Licht, an early Seiko. As with the German models of the time, I believe it was for supply chain constraints.

On my desk is a Gelto D III, in gold finish. A tiny camera, pretty as a piece of jewellery. The top and bottom are chromed, and the body has a stucco-like finish, plated in a gold hue. Made 75 years ago, the finishes have well withstood the burden of age, all shiny, hardly a blemish. The Gelto name is embossed on both shoulders and ‘Gelto-D III’ is marked on the front of the lens.

It is styled like the early Japanese viewfinders, just smaller, with the typical square viewer on top. It is about the same body size as the snub-nosed Rolley 35 but 30% heavier.

The camera uses #127 format, called Vest or Best in Japan. The frame size is 3×4 cm, which is hardly sufficient for contact prints, but I guess that was the norm, still handier than the Hit 17.5mm format.

On top are the winder button, a lever, the viewer, and a cold accessory shoe. The middle lever releases the back, which is fully removable as opposed to the enclosed body of the Gelto earlier models. It is an odd location for the back-release latch. I think it was left there for legacy reasons, or the tops were premade with the provision for the latch. The back cover has two red lenses, each independently covered by sliders. Inside is a room for two spools, with two fine rollers to lead the film. The takeoff spool sits on a spring base and is easy to manipulate. The bottom has three support disks, one of which is threaded. The camera falls forward even with a retracted lens. By the specs, the camera should be from the post-war crop.

The lens assembly pulls out and gently locks in both positions. The distance dial stays on the body, marked in meters, assumingly intended for the home market. The dial closest to the body on the lens assembly is the serrated aperture dial, which is almost flush with the ring in front. It is easy to turn but would be difficult if it sticks. Two horn-like levers crown the lens assembly top; one cocks the shutter, the other triggers it. At the front is the speed selector dial, having a typical B, T, 5-250. The lens is a 3.5/50 Grimmel, probably sourced from a third party. The Grimmel name is found only on the Gelto and Arsen models.

There is no synch port, although it is mentioned online that later models did have, perhaps with a specific shutter.

For the collector, it is a prized catch. The version commonly offered for sale is the Gelto-D III, which is described here. It is a well-made and well-finished camera that will adorn any collection. They are relatively inexpensive, and quite a few are offered at any time.

Camdex list number 37259
Brand Toa Koki
Model Gelto-D III Gold
Manual
Value Toa / Gelto
Toa / Gelto B
Toa / Gelto I
Toa / Gelto II
Toa / Gelto III
Toa / Gelto Silver
Toa / Gelto-D III black
Toa / Gelto-D III Gold
Toa / Gelto-D III Silver
Format 127
Introduced 1938
AKA
Country Japan
Qty made
Initial price 85
Currency Yen
Type Viewfinder
Body material Metal
Mode Manual
Weight 525 gr,  Body with lens
Class average weight 470 gr,  Body with lens
ASA range N/A
Kit lens 3,5/50
Lens make Grimmel
Filter size N/A
Lens mount Fixed lens, retractable
Mount size N/A
Aperture
Shutter Leaf
Shutter make Gelto
Trigger On the lens barrel
Winder Knob
Shutter_cocking Lever on lens barrel
Light meter None
Lock No
Speeds B, 1-250
Mirror N/A
Viewer Viewfinder
DOF preview No
Exposure lock No
Exposure compensation No
Shoe Cold
External sync No
Timer No
Battery, original N/A
Sync speed N/A
Battery, replacement N/A
Battery voltage N/A
Integral flash None
Other
More Camera Wiki
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Ranzosha
Nakajimaak
Photrio
Flogging English
Mike Eckman
CJ’s Classic cameras
Gimmel lens
Chris’s camera pages
Service / repair links See camerlog.com

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