Difference between revisions of "Alta"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (description) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (actual examples, Bower microscope camera) |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | The Alta is very similar to the late [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax IIIF]], to which it may be related. It has the same basic body, copied on the early [[Leica]] screw mount models, made of a metal tube with separate top and bottom plates. The top plate is attached by six apparent screws. The position of the controls — advance knob, exposure counter, release button, rewind lever, speed dial and rewind knob — is the same as on the Leica, and the shape of the parts is similar to that of the Chiyotax. The advance knob contains a film reminder at the top, with | + | The Alta is very similar to the late [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax IIIF]], to which it may be related. It has the same basic body, copied on the early [[Leica]] screw mount models, made of a metal tube with separate top and bottom plates. The top plate is attached by six apparent screws. The position of the controls — advance knob, exposure counter, release button, rewind lever, speed dial and rewind knob — is the same as on the Leica, and the shape of the parts is similar to that of the Chiyotax. The advance knob contains a film reminder at the top, with ''COLOR'', ''ASA 20 EXP.'' and ''ASA 36 EXP.'' positions, different from that found at the same place on the late [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax IIIF]]. |
The viewfinder and rangefinder housing is also patterned after the Leica. The two eyepieces are somewhat distant, as on the Leica IIIb and unlike the IIIc. The rangefinder eyepiece has a diopter correction lever, again similar to that of the [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax]]. | The viewfinder and rangefinder housing is also patterned after the Leica. The two eyepieces are somewhat distant, as on the Leica IIIb and unlike the IIIc. The rangefinder eyepiece has a diopter correction lever, again similar to that of the [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax]]. | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
The film is loaded through the bottom plate, the same system as on the [[Leica]]. There are strap lugs attached on either side of the body. | The film is loaded through the bottom plate, the same system as on the [[Leica]]. There are strap lugs attached on either side of the body. | ||
| − | The camera has a Leica screw mount, and a horizontally running focal-plane shutter. The main speed dial has the following positions: B, 25–1, 50, 75, 100, 200, 500 — these are not the same as on the [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax]]. The slow speed dial is on the front, with T, 1, 2, 4, 8, 25 positions. | + | The camera has a [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]], and a horizontally running focal-plane shutter. The main speed dial has the following positions: B, 25–1, 50, 75, 100, 200, 500 — these are not the same as on the [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax]]. The slow speed dial is on the front, with T, 1, 2, 4, 8, 25 positions. |
| + | |||
| + | == Commercial life == | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Actual examples == | ||
| + | Actual examples of the Alta are known with six-digit body numbers in the 700xxx range.<REF> Examples pictured in HPR, p.127, in {{SUG}}, item 3093 (serial number not visible), in the Christies auction catalogues listed below, and observed in online auctions. </REF> The sequence may have started at 700001, or at 700100, and runs into the 7005xx range, indicating a total production of about 500 to 600 units. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Bower microscope camera == | ||
| + | The '''Bower''' is a version for use on a microscope. It has no shutter and no viewfinder, and is only used to transport the film. The body is otherwise similar to that of the Alta, with the same advance and rewind knobs, rewind unlock lever and release button — the latter is presumably there to unlock the film transport mechanism after each exposure. The top and bottom plates are all black, and the name ''Bower'' is engraved above. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Bower microscope camera was imported by the [[Bower]] company based in New York; it is said that the Bower was made on special order for a scientific equipment dealer based in Chicago.<REF> HPR, p.128. </REF> | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 18: | Line 29: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* {{Showa10}} Item 1117. | * {{Showa10}} Item 1117. | ||
| + | * Christies auction catalogues: | ||
| + | ** ''Leica, Nikon and Canon, Leica copies and 35mm cameras'', June 8, 1995, lot no.29. | ||
| + | ** ''Cameras and Optical Toys'', August 31, 1995, lot no.181. | ||
* {{HPR}} Pp.126–8. | * {{HPR}} Pp.126–8. | ||
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.691–2. | * {{McKeown12}} Pp.691–2. | ||
| Line 23: | Line 37: | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| + | In English: | ||
* [http://www.leitzmuseum.org/CameraMakes/LeicaCopies/1957-Alta-Bower-1.html Bower microscope camera] at the [http://www.leitzmuseum.org/ Leitz collection and optical museum] | * [http://www.leitzmuseum.org/CameraMakes/LeicaCopies/1957-Alta-Bower-1.html Bower microscope camera] at the [http://www.leitzmuseum.org/ Leitz collection and optical museum] | ||
Revision as of 12:46, 1 February 2009
See also the Alta cameras by Reichenbach, Morey and Will.
The Alta is a Japanese Leica copy, made in 1957–8 by Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō.
Contents
Description
The Alta is very similar to the late Chiyotax IIIF, to which it may be related. It has the same basic body, copied on the early Leica screw mount models, made of a metal tube with separate top and bottom plates. The top plate is attached by six apparent screws. The position of the controls — advance knob, exposure counter, release button, rewind lever, speed dial and rewind knob — is the same as on the Leica, and the shape of the parts is similar to that of the Chiyotax. The advance knob contains a film reminder at the top, with COLOR, ASA 20 EXP. and ASA 36 EXP. positions, different from that found at the same place on the late Chiyotax IIIF.
The viewfinder and rangefinder housing is also patterned after the Leica. The two eyepieces are somewhat distant, as on the Leica IIIb and unlike the IIIc. The rangefinder eyepiece has a diopter correction lever, again similar to that of the Chiyotax.
The film is loaded through the bottom plate, the same system as on the Leica. There are strap lugs attached on either side of the body.
The camera has a Leica screw mount, and a horizontally running focal-plane shutter. The main speed dial has the following positions: B, 25–1, 50, 75, 100, 200, 500 — these are not the same as on the Chiyotax. The slow speed dial is on the front, with T, 1, 2, 4, 8, 25 positions.
Commercial life
Actual examples
Actual examples of the Alta are known with six-digit body numbers in the 700xxx range.[1] The sequence may have started at 700001, or at 700100, and runs into the 7005xx range, indicating a total production of about 500 to 600 units.
Bower microscope camera
The Bower is a version for use on a microscope. It has no shutter and no viewfinder, and is only used to transport the film. The body is otherwise similar to that of the Alta, with the same advance and rewind knobs, rewind unlock lever and release button — the latter is presumably there to unlock the film transport mechanism after each exposure. The top and bottom plates are all black, and the name Bower is engraved above.
The Bower microscope camera was imported by the Bower company based in New York; it is said that the Bower was made on special order for a scientific equipment dealer based in Chicago.[2]
Notes
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 1117.
- Christies auction catalogues:
- Leica, Nikon and Canon, Leica copies and 35mm cameras, June 8, 1995, lot no.29.
- Cameras and Optical Toys, August 31, 1995, lot no.181.
- HPR. Leica Copies. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1994. ISBN 1-874485-05-4. Pp.126–8.
- 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). Pp.691–2.
- 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 3093.
Links
In English:
