Flora Six
The Flora Six (フロラシックス) is a Japanese 6×6 folding camera made by Kyōwa Kōki in 1953.[1] Two models are known, the Flora Six II and Flora Six III; there is no record of a model I or mere "Flora Six".
The Flora Six II
The Flora Six II is the first known model. The overall aspect is similar to the Olympus Chrome Six, but for the folding struts which are inspired by the Ikonta. The top and bottom plates are chrome finished; the layout of the controls is the same as on the Olympus. There is a tubular finder in the middle, a body release to the right, an accessory shoe and folding bed release to the left. The advance knob is at the top left and has an arrow indicating the winding direction. The back is hinged to the right and has two red windows protected by sliding covers, marked 4.5X6 and 6X6 and again designed after the Olympus models. It seems that the finder has translucent plastic strips indicating the field of view for 4.5×6cm pictures.
The names MODEL II and FLORA–6 are engraved on the top plate, to the right of the viewfinder. The folding struts have a KYOWA logo, and the same logo is repeated on the front of the leather case.
The shutter is a K.O.K. giving B, 1–200 speeds. It has a self-timer and is synchronized with an ASA bayonet post. It has five blades, was subject of the Japanese utility model (実用新案) no. 4147 and was certainly made by Kyōwa itself.[2] The lens is a Techonar 75mm f/3.5; the lens marking KYOWA KŌKI TECHONAR apparently indicates that it was made by the company too.
The Flora Six II was offered in an advertisement dated October 1953, with Sanwa Shōkai and Yamato Shōkai cited as authorized dealers.[3]
The Flora Six III
Notes
- ↑ Date: advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 363.
- ↑ Five blades and utility model number: advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 177.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 177.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Items 797–8.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P. 83 (brief mention only).
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 1301.
Links
- Camera page with a Flora Six by paul67