The Boots Amica is a rangefinder camera. The camera was made under the house brand of Boots in the UK. The production of this model took place on another island, Japan. There the company Nippon Kōsokki Seisakusho / Taron LTD produced a similar model with the “Taron Auto EE“.
The Boots Amica is equipped with a lens that cannot be changed. 45 mm is the focal length of the lens. The largest aperture selectable is f/1.8. The model has no autofocus. It is manually focused. The correct distance to the subject can be determined by the cameras rangefinder. The closest focusing distance for this lens is 90 cm.
The built-in light meter makes it easier to measure exposure. It is designed for an ISO range of 10 to 400. The shutter speed and aperture can be freely selected. However, there is also an automatic system that automatically adjusts the aperture.
The Boots Amica has a bulb setting. In this mode, the shutter will open as long as the shutter release button is pressed. An external flash can be used via the PC flash socket. The Boots Amica has a thread for a tripod and a connection for a cable release. In addition, there is a self-timer.
The dimensions of the 35mm camera are 13,5 x 9,2 x 7,5 cm. The weight of the Boots Amica is 750 grams. The power supply comes from one PX625 battery (eBay / Amazon*).
Films for the Boots Amica
The Boots Amica is an analogue camera and needs to be equipped with 35mm film. These are still easy to get today and development services are still around. Possible films for the Boots Amica are the Kodak Portra 160* and the Ilford HP5*.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Rangefinder camera |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film transport | Manual |
| Picture format | 24 mm x 36 mm |
| Focal length | 45 mm |
| Widest aperture | f/1.8 |
| Minimum focus distance | 90 cm / 2.952 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Rangefinder | Yes |
| Exposure times | 1/500 second to 1 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Light meter | CdS light meter |
| Supported film speeds | ISO 10 to 400 |
| Exposure modes | Shutter priority, Manual mode |
| Auto DX (Film sensitivity) | No |
| Built-in flash | No |
| Flash Connection | PC-Flash |
| Flash sync speed | 1/30 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Power supply | 1x PX625 battery |
| Size | 13,5 x 9,2 x 7,5 cm |
| Dimensions in inches | 5.31 x 3.62 x 2.95 inches |
| Weight | 750 Grams |
| Manufacturer | Taron |
| Company name of the manufacturer | Nippon Kōsokki Seisakusho / Taron LTD |
FAQ about the Boots Amica
Is the Boots Amica a digital or film camera?
The Boots Amica is a film camera. It uses 35mm film, which is still readily available and developed by many labs.
How do I focus the camera?
The Boots Amica uses a rangefinder for focusing. You manually adjust the lens until the image is sharp in the viewfinder. It doesn't have autofocus.
What kind of lens does the camera have?
It has a fixed 45mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8. You can't change the lens on this model.
Does the camera have a light meter?
Yes, it has a built-in light meter that helps determine the correct exposure settings. It supports ISO 10 to 400 film.
Can I use a flash with this photographic device?
Yes, it has a PC flash sync socket for connecting an external flash. There is also a self-timer.