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] for ¥13,000, with a four-element Conoor Anastigmat 7.5cm 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). Kokusan kamera no rekishi also mentions other advertisements dated 1954.
The camera is only called Union Semi in the advertisement observed, but most sources[2] 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 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 back leather has no marking and is cut differently from the Zenobia, with more black trim at the top and bottom. The top housing is engraved Union and C-II, with the serial number engraved on its back. An example[3] 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[4] to a later Copal variant with B, 1–300 speeds and PC socket[5].
The lens is engraved H.C. Conoor Anastigmat 1:3.5 F=7.5cm No,xxxxxx, where "H.C." probably stands for "Hard Coated". One example has been observed with a four-digit lens number[6] while another has a less plausible six-digit lens number[7].
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement for the Union Semi, published in the May 1953 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 975.
- ↑ 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 pictured in this page of the AJCC website.
- ↑ It equips the camera pictured in McKeown and the one pictured in this page at westfordcomp.com.
- ↑ The one pictured in this page of the AJCC website.
- ↑ The one pictured in this page at westfordcomp.com, with lens number 282058.
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:
In Japanese:
- Union C-II in a page of the AJCC website