Union Semi
The Union Semi (ユニオン・セミ) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folder, essentially a rebadged Zenobia.
It is advertised in 1953[1] and 1954[2] for ¥13,000, with a four-element Conoor Anastigmat 75mm f:3.5 coated lens and a Copal synchronized shutter with B, 1–200 speeds and a self-timer. The maker is called Union Kōgaku and is mentioned in the advertisement as a microscope maker, while the distributor is Muraue Shashin-yōhin K.K. (村上写真用品株式会社). Advertisements dated 1954 are also mentioned by Kokusan kamera no rekishi.
The camera is only called Union Semi in the advertisement, but most sources[3] call it Union C-II according to the engraving on the top housing.
The Union C-II is based on the Zenobia C, you can refer to [Zenobia#Description of the Zenobia C|its description] in the corresponding page. The advance knob is different and has a smooth top with a black arrow engraved. The depth-of-field scale on the right of the top housing is replaced by what is probably a film reminder. The front leather is embossed Union and the top housing is engraved Union and C-II. The serial number is engraved on the back of the top housing. An example[4] has the serial number 531845: "53" maybe refers to the year of production.
At some point, the shutter was changed from a synchronized Copal with B, 1–200 speeds and ASA bayonet connector[5] to a later Copal variant with B, 1–300 speeds and PC socket[6].
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement for the Union Semi, published in the May 1953 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 975.
- ↑ Mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.
- ↑ Including McKeown, this page of the AJCC website and this page at westfordcomp.com. According to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, it is also the name given in the Kamera Nenkan book by Sugiyama and Naoi.
- ↑ In this page at westfordcomp.com
- ↑ It equips the camera pictured in the May 1953 advertisement cited above and the one in this page of the AJCC website.
- ↑ It equips the camera pictured in McKeown and the one in this page at westfordcomp.com.
Printed 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. Item 975.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). Page 935.
Links
In English:
- Union Semi, called Union C II, at westfordcomp.com
In Japanese:
- Union Semi, called Union C II, in a page of the AJCC website