BREAKING NEWSTd2024-04 par Jacques Bratieres | Quel est le fabricant de ce l... par Sylvain Halgand | Foire à la photo de allauch ... par Jean-Pierre Fantone | [dunmore] folding objectif wed par Sylvain Halgand | Question sur le zenit automat par Sylvain Halgand | Présentation philippefrommars par Jacques Bratieres | Présentation de richard par Jacques Bratieres | Nanars par Dominique |
Formosa Plastics Corporation Leo.35
France Version française
Photos by Howard Patterson text by Howard Patterson. From the collection of Howard Patterson. Last update 2024-04-11 par Sylvain Halgand.

Manufactured or assembled in Taïwan from (Circa) 1985 to (After) 1985.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 2936

See the complete technical specifications

Chronology of cameras Formosa Plastics Corporation 

The cameras manufactured by Formosa Plastics Corporation are recognizable by the adhesive label marked "FPC Quality Passed." The problem is that this label easily peels off. The markings on the lens cannot help with identification because the same ones are found on cameras manufactured by Ouyama, suggesting that the lens is a common subcontract among several manufacturers in Taiwan. These markings are fanciful, using a fictitious serial number. They sometimes suggest functions that do not exist. For example, "Auto Fix focus" simply means there is no focus adjustment; it is a fixed focus. The word "Auto" is there to deceive.

One can attempt to determine main types among this production. It is noticed that the differences between two types are sometimes minimal. Dating is very difficult, although there is an evolution in shapes to follow the design of major brands.

To add to the confusion, the cameras bear various commercial trademarks, which are mostly hollow shells. The same model name can be used for different devices (e.g., Licom MXF-700). Some models bear well-known brands because they have been used for advertising purposes (e.g., Time). Other names, such as Nikanon, are only there for their resemblance to major brands like Nikon and Canon.

      Markings on lens # on lens

Like a Haking camera
Oval window above the lens, serving no purpose
Kinon
SL-III
Color Optical Glass Lens
F 6 50 mm
 


Opaque window in line with the lens (non-functional)
Film advance lever

Super II Optical Color Lens

Auto Fix Focus 50 mm Lens 1:6
 

Off-center viewfinder
Prominence of the bulge towards the front
Luminox
356 SL
Optical Glass Lens
1:6 f=50mm series 432462
432462
Premier
PC-90
Optical Glass Lens
series 198523
198523

Off-center viewfinder
Opaque window in line with the lens (non-functional)
Film advance lever
Nishiki
Super II
Nishiki Optical Glass Lens
Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6
 

Off-center viewfinder
Opaque window in line with the lens (non-functional)
Frame counter on the top cover
Optiflex
NF-1
Optiflex Color Optical Glass Lens
1:6 f=50mm series 746277
746277

Off-center viewfinder
Opaque window aligned with the lens (non-functional)
Optiflex
NF-1
Optiflex Color Optical Glass Lens
1:6 f=50mm series 746277
746277

Film advance lever
Wide and low shoe base
Kinon
SL-IV
Color Optical Glass Lens
F 6 50 mm
 

Off-center viewfinder.
Covered window under the bulge.
The shutter release button is on a small platform.
BW-7000 Optical Color Lens
Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6
 
UCC UC300


SLR-like form. Side viewfinder. Bulge for better grip.
GMTEX GT-304 Debonair New Optical Lens

1:5.6 f 50 mm Series

 

Comax LT-002 Debonair Comax Optical Lens

1:6 f 50 mm Series
 


SLR-like shape. Side viewfinder. Bulge for better grip.
Advance lever.
Comax GT-306 Comax Optical Lens

1:6 f 50 mm Series
 


SLR-like shape. Side-mounted viewfinder. Bulge for improved grip.
Meikai 4353 SSN New Optical Lens

1:5,6 f=50 mm Series 626326
626326
ESC


SLR-like shape.
Viewfinder aligned with the lens.
ESC Debonair New Optical Lens

1:5,6 F = 50 mm Series
 
Roniflex X3000 Debonair
GM Tex GT-304 Debonair


Off-center viewfinder.
Window obscured beneath the bulge.
(Time) Kinetic Optical Color Lens
Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6
 
Nikanon
RX-7
Nikanon Color Optical Glass Lens
1:6 f=50mm series 746277
746277

FC-100 (Time) Color Optical Lens
1:6 f=50mm series 746277
746277

Finger rest at each end.
Off-center viewfinder.
Window obscured beneath the bulge.
Licom
MXF-700
Optical Glass Lens
Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6
 


Reflex-like appearance.
Viewfinder within the faux prism bulge.
Oppex 2 7090 New Color Optical Lens
f=50mm 1:6
 
Oppex 7090

Reflex-like appearance.
Viewfinder within the faux prism bulge.
Advance lever.
Licom
MXF-700
Optical Glass Lens
Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6
 

Reflex-like appearance.
Viewfinder within the faux prism bulge.
Alto Optical Color Lens
Auto Fix Focus 50mm Lens 1:6
 
Deluxe-III  


SLR-like shape. Two viewfinder windows aligned with the lens.
Leo.35 Debonair Leo. 35 Optical Color Lens
Auto Fix Focus 50 mm Lens 1:6
 

Reflex-like appearance.
Finger rest at one end.
Off-center viewfinder.
Window obscured beneath the bulge.
Eureka 2436 New Color Optical Lens
1:6 f=50mm series 347859
347859
Weyburn F6

Reflex-like appearance.
Off-center viewfinder.
Finger rest on the right-hand side.
Yashiwa
XR90
Agfa New Color Optical Lens
1:6,3 f=50mm series 624181
624181

__________

The Leo.35 is a clone of the Yunon 600, and was probably made or assembled for the Yunon Optical Company. It may also be exclusive to Australia and New Zealand. 

The lens has focal length about 42mm and the maximum aperture is about 4mm diameter (i.e. about F10-11). At the minimum aperture about 50% of the lens remains open (i.e. about F16). The aperture is formed by a slot of varying width behind the shutter. The film plane is curved. The camera has about 110 grams of metal in the base, to give the impression of quality, but it can really only be compared to a cheap Instamatic. A label on the back of the camera reads "Quality Passed YN85 1". The instructions recommend the use of ASA100-125 film; ISO replaced ASA in about 1985.

 

Formosa Plastics Corporation Leo.35





Cameras from Ebay France (Formosa Plastics Corporation) (Uploaded each 3 hours)