Pearl River 珠江 60-I

The 珠江 60-I represents a significant but practical entry in Chinese camera manufacturing history. Produced in 1960 by the newly established Pearl River factory (later Guangzhou Camera Works), this folding camera was designed to provide affordable medium format photography to the domestic market. Utilizing the standard 120 roll film, it offered a compact folding mechanism for portability, featuring a simple but functional shutter with speeds from Bulb (B) for long exposures up to 1/300 second. Its 595g weight indicates a sturdy metal body typical of the era, prioritizing durability and reliability over advanced features. As one of the earliest products from China's first dedicated camera manufacturer, the 60-I embodies the nation's initial steps into camera production, serving primarily as a basic, utilitarian tool for amateur photographers rather than a technological innovator.