Walcon Semi
The Walcon (ワルコン) or Walcon Semi (ワルコン・セミ) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera sold by Walz in 1954 and 1955.
See also the 6×6 folder called Walcon 6.
Description
The Walcon Semi is based on the contemporary Zenobia C made by Daiichi Kōgaku, with a different lens and shutter.[1] The top housing is slightly modified, with contours a bit smoother. The advance knob is different too. There is a film reminder dial on the right end of the top housing, replacing the rotating depth-of-field indicator of the Zenobia C. A WALCON logo is embossed in the back leather and engraved above the viewfinder. The serial number is engraved behind the top housing, it seems that the two first digits indicate the year of production.[2]
The Walcon Semi has a Kominar 75/3.5 front-cell focusing lens made by Nittō Kōgaku and a Copal B, 1–300 synchronized shutter with self-timer and PC socket. The aperture is set by an index above the shutter housing and the depth-of-field scale is on the shutter plate.
Advertising
An advertisement dated August 1954[3] calls the camera "Walcon" while advertisements dated November 1954[4] and March 1955[5] call it "Walcon Semi". These advertisements are illustrated with stylish drawings of young women and in the two first ones, the Walcon is presented as a smart camera for ladies. The camera was priced ¥11,000, case included.
Notes
- ↑ No source has been found to confirm this, but it is obvious from pictures of the two cameras.
- ↑ An example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction shows a faintly readable serial number that seems to begin with 54.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 215. The same advertisement is visible here in the Shashin-Bako website.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 215.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Camera Mainichi, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 215.
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 1058. (See also the advertisements for items 1057 and 1059.)
- 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. 86 (brief mention only).
Links
In Japanese:
Timeline
<-Okada | Daiichi and Zenobia timeline ( ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type | 1950s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
4.5×6 folder | viewfinder | Zenobia P | Zenobia M | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Zenobia C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
rebadged versions: | Union Semi | Walcon Semi | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Zenobia H | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
uncoupled rangefinder | Zenobia R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
coupled rangefinder | Super Zenobia SR-I | Super Zenobia SR | |||||||||||||||||||||||
6×6 TLR | knob advance | Zenobiaflex | Zenobiaflex II | Zenobiaflex F-II | |||||||||||||||||||||
crank advance | Zenobiaflex Automat |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
35mm rangefinder | f/2.8 | Zenobia 35 | Zenobia 35 F2.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
f/2 | Zenobia 35 F2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leica copy | Ichicon-35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Company: | Daiichi Kōgaku | ... | Zenobia Kōgaku | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Cameras whose actual existence is dubious are in a lighter shade. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cameras in yellow are variants sold and maybe assembled by other companies. |