The last of the Lord line of 35mm cameras made during the 1950s by Okaya Optical of Nagano, Japan. The Martian was introduced in 1959 and so was only in production for a short while until the failure of the company in 1960. It is strikingly styled and was the first camera to have the meter cell encircling the lens, a layout which was subsequently much copied, notably by Olympus.

It is a fixed lens camera with a good basic specification, semi wide angle (40mm) f/1.8 lens, Seikosha SLV shutter, fully coupled exposure meter with readout on top of the camera, and bright line view/rangefinder with automatic parallax compensation.

It would appear that none of the cameras were exported from Japan, and that is where most of them turn up from time to time on the auction sites, albeit usually in non-working condition and minus their cases and packaging. This example, however, is in near-mint and working condition, including the meter, and most remarkably still has virtually everything that came with it when new, the only notable omission being the instruction booklet (of which I have never seen an example).

Package comprises the printed outer box, the camera itself in labelled wrapping and its printed inner box, its original engraved lens cap, its ever-ready case also in labelled wrapping, its hanging tag showing original price of 20,000 yen, a printed cleaning cloth still sealed in bag, and two bags of Okaya-labelled silica gel. Please note that the box and case for the lens hood is included, but the lens hood itself is not present.

I have owned the camera since 2014 and I have no previous history. The camera and the outer box have evidently not always been together as the body/lens numbers do not match. There is some evidence of light use on the camera, and some small abrasions, light wear and small repairs on the outer box. The case and all internal packing appear unused.

Camera is near mint with the only issues being some paint loss on the focusing lever, and some discoloration on part of the long horizontal view/rangefinder window, not apparently affecting either. Meter very responsive and quite accurate. Shutter operates on all speeds (appropriate, but not timed) but I have never used the camera - the setting ring is stiff to turn, and the shutter can be sluggish on start-up, so a service would be recommended if the camera is bought to use. Self timer operates quietly and smoothly, flash synch tested OK. Viewfinder clear, some degradation to bright frame, auto parallax working, rangefinder spot contrasty and correctly adjusted both horizontally and vertically. Winding, interlocks and frame counter all OK, interior of camera clean.

Postage to UK by Special Delivery, international buyers very welcome but please note that while postal and customs problems persist, I will ONLY send by ebay's Global Shipping Programme.

Return for any reason for full refund (less postage) but please read the above notes fully to ensure that you are aware that the camera will require attention before use.