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Formosa Plastics Corporation FC-100 (Time)
 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) 1983 to (After) 1983.
Index of rarity in France: Rare (among non-specialized garage sales)
Inventory number: 2794

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

__________

This is the first of at least six different cameras distributed by TIME in the 1980's. This one was distributed with subscriptions in Australia and New Zealand. Similar cameras were distributed by LIFE and Sports Illustrated in the USA. None of the US 'magazine cameras' had the finger grip.

 

The variations were:

a) all black or silver and black body;

b) a threaded shutter release (to which a clockwork timer could be attached);

c) an 'optical glass lens' or 'color optical lens' (plastic?);

d) a finger grip (which appears to be glued on!)

Some of these cameras sold in the USA have the name LAVEC on the lens and the series number 323400 associated with earlier A.V.Lavec cameras, but many others including this one, have the number 746277 which is often associated with cameras of the Yunon Optical Company. 

They may have been assembled from parts made by a third company, perhaps the giant Formosa Plastics Corporation (FPC) which also made cameras including some for TIME later in the decade. 

The focal length of the lens is about 42mm (not 50mm), the maximum aperture is about 6 mm (F7); the minimum aperture leaves about 50% of the lens open (i.e. about F10-11). The aperture mechanism is a moving slot of varying width similar to those used on the Tougodo Meikai's of the 1960's. The film plane is curved like a 1960's 'Brownie'. The use of 100-125 ASA film was recommended.

Formosa Plastics Corporation FC-100





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