Dox
The Dox (ドックス) is a series of box cameras made in Japan in 1951 and 1952. They were distributed by Chūō Shashin-yōhin and made by an unknown company. All the advertisements observed show the Rondo logo.
Original model and New Hope model
The original Dox is an ordinary box camera taking both 6×9 and 4.5×6 exposures. There are two brilliant finders and the advance knob and release lever are on the right. There is a meniscus lens, said to be a 90/10, and a two-setting shutter giving B and 1/25.[1] This model was advertised in July 1951 for ¥850.[2] This camera is probably the same as the Dox New Hope pictured in Sugiyama.[3] This camera has a nameplate attached under the lens, reading DOX–NEW HOPE. The advertising picture also shows a nameplate at the same place, perhaps reading the same.
Dox New Six
The Dox New Six (ドックスニューシックス) is a 6×6 version. It has only one brilliant finder in the middle, because of the square format. It is equipped with a tripod thread. It was advertised in November 1951[4] for ¥1,300 with B and 1/25 speed settings and a 90/10 lens.
Dox III
The Dox III (ドックスⅢ型) is similar to the original Dox. It has a revised front plate, marked DOX or perhaps DOX III at the bottom and perhaps DCW at the top. It was advertised in December 1952[5] for ¥1,200 with B and 1/25 speed settings, an f/10 meniscus lens and three aperture settings: 11, 16 and 22.
Notes
- ↑ 90/10 lens: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 355.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 150.
- ↑ Sugiyama item 4123.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 150.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 150.
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 616–9.
- 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 4123.