TASCO BINO/CAM 8000
Over the years, there have been several subminiature cameras attached to
binoculars, but few used 110 film. Several 16mm cameras were attached
to binoculars, but when the 110 camera came on the market, it was thought
of as an inexpensive, take-everywhere, snap-shot camera. No one would
want a high-quality 110 camera -- let alone one that was attached to a pair
of binoculars. But Tasco made a series of 110 cameras that did just
that. The first two Bino/Cams (7800 and 7900) sold well enough to convince
Tasco to produce a top-of-the-line model in 1980 -- the Bino-Cam 8000.
Although the new model looked like the previous models and had the
same pair of binoculars, the camera was more versatile. Like the others,
the camera sits on top of a pair of 7x20 binoculars. The standard lens
was now changed to an interchangeable 100mm (f5.6-32.0), binocular-coupled,
focusing lens. This was similar to using a 200mm telephoto on a full-framed
35mm camera -- in a much smaller package. Two additional lenses were
available -- a 70mm and a 150mm. These were not slip-on adapters, but
complete lenses in a screwmount. The 8000 has a mechanical shutter
with two speeds -- 1/125 and 1/250 -- after all, what sense do slow speeds
make with a slow, telephoto lens? And for more stable results, the
8000 has tripod and cable release sockets. An accessory pack was available
which included a table-top tripod with bracket, a set of filters (UV, yellow,
and neutral density), and two eye shields to block extraneous light. There
are plenty of shutterbugs that shy away from 110 cameras due to the
lack of longer-range optics. The Tasco line solves that problem --
in a tiny package.
COPYRIGHT @ 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 by Joe McGloin. All Rights Reserved.