Photopia Group Catalogues

The illustrations below are of front covers of 'Photopia Group' catalogues. Also shown (RHS) are relevant extracts appearing in the catalogues.

I understand "the photographs were taken at Cartwright Studios in Manchester which became the biggest studio north of London, with an amazing purpose built building . . . Then went bust."


Year
Printed

Front Cover

Comments

1970-71



PhotoCatalogue, A4 size, 48 pages plus cover:
Price: 2s (2/- = 10p)

Japanese Cameras Ltd
Photopia Ltd
Mayfair Photographic Suppliers (London) Ltd
Paul Plus Ltd.

Group Head Office & Showroom
Hempstalls Lane, Newcastle, Staffs, ST5 0SW

Group London Office & Showroom
Regent House, 235-241 Regent Street, London

Group Jersey C.I. Office & Showroom
White Lodge, Wellington Road, St.Heliar

1975-76



A4 size, 56 pages plus cover: Price 25p
Japanese Cameras Ltd
Photopia Ltd
Mayfair Photographic Suppliers (London) Ltd
Paul Plus Ltd
Plustronics Ltd
Interserve Ltd
All members of the
Photopia International Group of Companies
Below: part of back page of the 1975-76 catalogue (above), illustrating the wide range of product types being marketed by the several companies comprising Photopia International Ltd. Below Right: leading product brands.




1978-79

"The most exciting guide to photo, optical and audio products - all contained in one unique catalogue. From the world's big names, the Photopia International Group offer an unrivalled selection of products through your usual photo/audio dealer who will help and advice you in every way he can. Choose Photopia - the products with the second to none backing.

These are the reasons why you can choose Photopia products with every confidence.
Free Advisory Service; Quality Assurance Test
Choose at Home; Save Money
Big Selection, Big Names"

A4 size, 60 pages plus cover: Price 25p
Japanese Cameras Ltd
Photopia Ltd
Mayfair Photographic Suppliers (London) Ltd
Paul Plus Ltd
Plustronics Ltd
Interserve Ltd

1980-81

This catalogue front cover was sent to me by Etienne.

The catalogue, price 35p, predates the one below, as the one below was produced after Photopia had lost its 26 year Distribution Agency for Minolta cameras.

The fron cover features the watertight (to about 4m depth) Minolta Weathermatic A, taking 16mm 110 film. It came in bright yellow with large controls suited to a diver wearing gloves.
The camera was introduced in February 1980.

Rokkor f3.5, 26mm, 4-element lens.

Zone focussing.

Fixed shutter speed of 1/200th second.

3 Apertures, for 'sun', 'cloud' and 'flash'.

Viewfinder with bright frame, parallax correction marks, low light indicator and focussing symbols.

Built-in flash.

Lever film adavance.

A single AA size battery powers the Cd-S exposure meter and flash.

1981-82

A4 size, 44 pages plus cover: Price 25p.
Believed to be the last 'traditional' Photopia catalogue ever produced.

Japanese Cameras Ltd
Photopia Ltd
Mayfair Photographic Suppliers Ltd
Paul Plus Ltd

Group Head Office & Showroom remains as Hempstalls Lane but there is no longer a London Showroom at Regent St.
The Jersey C.I office remains at St Heliar.

The 'flagship' Minolta agency had been lost (after 26 years) due to Minolta setting up their own UK distribution company. The flagship slr camera range is now Ricoh. "What Camera Weekly" magazine voted the Ricoh KR-10 their "Camera of the Year".

Section of p1 from the 1981/82 catalogue, showing an advert for the Ricoh KR-10, voted "Camera of the Year" (what year ? 1980?)


This page last modified: 10th September 2020 (previously 20th July 2008)