Difference between revisions of "Alfax"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
m (ultra minor)
m (entities)
Line 2: Line 2:
 
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1516284027/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/1516284027_2af88a9265_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}''
 
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1516284027/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/1516284027_2af88a9265_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}''
 
}}
 
}}
The '''Alfax''' (アルファックス) is a Japanese camera taking 4&times;5cm exposures on [[127 film]].<REF> The exposure format is sometimes said to be 4&times;4.5cm, which probably better corresponds to the actual picture size, but the nominal format given in the advertisements was 4&times;5cm. Sugiyama, item 3001, and McKeown, p.&nbsp;465, say 4&times;6.5cm by mistake. </REF> It was advertised in 1942 and it is said that it was made by [[Kimura|Kimura Kōgaku]].<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;334. Attribution to Kimura: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;334, {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;465 and {{Sugiyama}}, item 3001. </REF>
+
The '''Alfax''' (アルファックス) is a Japanese camera taking 4×5cm exposures on [[127 film]].<REF> The exposure format is sometimes said to be 4×4.5cm, which probably better corresponds to the actual picture size, but the nominal format given in the advertisements was 4×5cm. {{Sugiyama}}, item 3001, and {{McKeown}}, p.465, say 4×6.5cm by mistake. </REF> It was advertised in 1942 and it is said that it was made by [[Kimura|Kimura Kōgaku]].<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p.334. Attribution to Kimura: {{Kokusan}}, p.334, {{McKeown}}, p.465 and {{Sugiyama}}, item 3001. </REF>
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
Line 18: Line 18:
 
|}
 
|}
 
== Evolution ==
 
== Evolution ==
An '''Alfax Model I''' is mentioned in {{McKeown}} but it is perhaps a mistake.<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;465. The reported characteristics are identical to the example given as a "Model 2" in {{Sugiyama}}, including the mistake about 4&times;6.5cm format. </REF>
+
An '''Alfax Model I''' is mentioned in {{McKeown}} but it is perhaps a mistake.<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.465. The reported characteristics are identical to the example given as a "Model 2" in {{Sugiyama}}, including the mistake about 4×6.5cm format. </REF>
  
All the examples observed so far are '''Alfax Model II'''. They have a front-cell focusing Recta Anastigmat 60mm f/3.5 lens and a New Alfa shutter giving 300&ndash;1, B, T speeds. The aperture scale is above the shutter housing and the shutter plate is marked ''NEW ALFA'' at the bottom.
+
All the examples observed so far are '''Alfax Model II'''. They have a front-cell focusing Recta Anastigmat 60mm f/3.5 lens and a New Alfa shutter giving 300–1, B, T speeds. The aperture scale is above the shutter housing and the shutter plate is marked ''NEW ALFA'' at the bottom.
  
The Alfax was offered in an advertisement dated March 1942<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki1.jpg Advertisement] published in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]],'' reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website] and in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;58. </REF> for {{yen|128|1942}}, with the same lens and shutter equipment and no indication of the model number. The advertisement does not mention Kimura but it gives the name of the two distributors [[Nihon Shōkai]] and [[Honjō|Honjō Shōkai]]. (The Alfax was not mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, it was presumably not yet produced at the time.)<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}. </REF>
+
The Alfax was offered in an advertisement dated March 1942<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki1.jpg Advertisement] published in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]],'' reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website] and in {{Kokusan}}, p.58. </REF> for {{yen|128|1942}}, with the same lens and shutter equipment and no indication of the model number. The advertisement does not mention Kimura but it gives the name of the two distributors [[Nihon Shōkai]] and [[Honjō|Honjō Shōkai]]. (The Alfax was not mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, it was presumably not yet produced at the time.)<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}. </REF>
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 29: Line 29:
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 11.
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 11.
* {{Kakaku1940}} The Alfax does ''not'' appear in this list.
+
* {{Kakaku0141}} The Alfax does ''not'' appear in this list.
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;465.
+
* {{McKeown12}} P.465.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 3001.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 3001.
  

Revision as of 19:30, 15 March 2008

Japanese Vest (4×5 and 4×6.5) (edit)
folding
4×4.5 Orient
4×5 Minion
4×6.5 Clover Vest | Dianette | Eagle | Friend | Kooa | National | New Vest | Nifcarette | Pearlette | B Pearlette | Special Pearlette | Pionette | Pocket Prince | Sirius Bebe | Speed Pocket | Tsubasa Spring | Victory
rigid or collapsible
4×5 Alfax | Olympus Standard | Sakura (bakelite) | Well Standard
4×6.5 Vest Adler | Vest Alex | Kowa Kid | Light | Light Super | Baby Minolta | Minolta Vest | Regal Olympic | Vest Olympic | Tsubasa Chrome | Zen-99
box
4×6.5 Baby Clover | Sakura (box) | Spirit
unknown
4×5 Vesten
4×6.5 Victor Vest
unknown Meiro
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4.5×6, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Alfax (アルファックス) is a Japanese camera taking 4×5cm exposures on 127 film.[1] It was advertised in 1942 and it is said that it was made by Kimura Kōgaku.[2]

Description

The Alfax has a die-cast body and a metal telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly. There is an eye-level finder contained in a chrome finished top housing and a waist-level finder partly contained in the body. The top housing is recessed between the two finders, forming an accessory shoe. The front of the body supports a rectangular metal plate attached by four screws and the waist-level finder window.

There is a big knob on each side of the top housing, meant to look like the advance and rewind knob of 35mm cameras. The right knob is a fake and the actual advance knob is at the left end. It has an arrow engraved on the top to indicate the winding direction and numbers from 1 to 10 engraved on the base to control film advance. This pretends to be an exposure counter but there is no auto-stop feature and the advance is manually controlled: you have to stop turning when the correct number is facing the T-shaped index engraved on the top housing.

The back is hinged to the right and probably contains a single red window to set the first exposure. The front leather is embossed with a diamond-shaped logo marked Alfa. The top housing is engraved ALFAX and the model number, for example MODEL II, above the eye-level finder. The serial number is engraved at the bottom of the metal front plate.

Evolution

An Alfax Model I is mentioned in McKeown but it is perhaps a mistake.[3]

All the examples observed so far are Alfax Model II. They have a front-cell focusing Recta Anastigmat 60mm f/3.5 lens and a New Alfa shutter giving 300–1, B, T speeds. The aperture scale is above the shutter housing and the shutter plate is marked NEW ALFA at the bottom.

The Alfax was offered in an advertisement dated March 1942[4] for ¥128, with the same lens and shutter equipment and no indication of the model number. The advertisement does not mention Kimura but it gives the name of the two distributors Nihon Shōkai and Honjō Shōkai. (The Alfax was not mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, it was presumably not yet produced at the time.)[5]

Notes

  1. The exposure format is sometimes said to be 4×4.5cm, which probably better corresponds to the actual picture size, but the nominal format given in the advertisements was 4×5cm. Sugiyama, item 3001, and McKeown, p.465, say 4×6.5cm by mistake.
  2. Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.334. Attribution to Kimura: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.334, McKeown, p.465 and Sugiyama, item 3001.
  3. McKeown, p.465. The reported characteristics are identical to the example given as a "Model 2" in Sugiyama, including the mistake about 4×6.5cm format.
  4. Advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in the Gochamaze website and in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.58.
  5. "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku".

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 11.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. The Alfax does not appear in this list.
  • 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). P.465.
  • 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 3001.

Links

In English:

In Japanese: