Difference between revisions of "Alta"
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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 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 housing is engraved ''Alta'' and ''Misuzu Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.'', together with a serial number and a mark indicating the position of the film plane. | + | 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 rangefinder magnification is 1.5×.<REF> Column in {{ACA}} September 1957, reproduced in Awano, p.3 of {{CCN}} no.38. </REF> The viewfinder housing is engraved ''Alta'' and ''Misuzu Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.'', together with a serial number and a mark indicating the position of the film plane. |
The film is loaded through the bottom plate, the same system as on the [[Leica]]. The plate is retained by a key on the left side, with ''O'' and ''S'' indications (presumably for <u>O</u>pen and <u>S</u>hut), and is engraved ''Japan''. The tripod thread is on the opposite side, to the photographer's right. There are strap lugs attached on either side of the body. There are two PC posts on the front face for M and X flash synchronization,<REF> M and X synchronization: advertisement in ''[[Nihon Camera]]'' June 1958, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.222. </REF> instead of the single post of the [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax]]. | The film is loaded through the bottom plate, the same system as on the [[Leica]]. The plate is retained by a key on the left side, with ''O'' and ''S'' indications (presumably for <u>O</u>pen and <u>S</u>hut), and is engraved ''Japan''. The tripod thread is on the opposite side, to the photographer's right. There are strap lugs attached on either side of the body. There are two PC posts on the front face for M and X flash synchronization,<REF> M and X synchronization: advertisement in ''[[Nihon Camera]]'' June 1958, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.222. </REF> instead of the single post of the [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax]]. | ||
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== Commercial life == | == Commercial life == | ||
| − | The Alta was announced in Japanese magazines dated September and October 1957.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.378. </REF> It was also briefly advertised in the April to June 1958 issues of ''[[Nihon Camera]]''.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.378. </REF> The June advertisement was placed by [[Misuzu Kōgaku|Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō]].<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.222. </REF> It lists the camera as the "Alta 35", available with an Altanon 5cm f/2 lens and a leather case for {{yen|35,000|1958}}. | + | The Alta was announced in Japanese magazines dated September and October 1957.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.378. </REF> The September column in {{ACA}} says that the maker [[Misuzu Kōgaku|Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō]] was already known for its Altair bright screens,<REF> Column in {{ACA}} September 1957, reproduced in Awano, p.3 of {{CCN}} no.38: ライトスクリーン[フレネルレンズ]"アルタイル"のメーカーである、東京の三鈴光学工業. </REF> and that the Alta was the cheapest available Leica copy.<REF> Column in {{ACA}} September 1957, reproduced in Awano, p.3 of {{CCN}} no.38: この種カメラとしては、もっとも安い値段である. </REF> It gives the price as {{yen|21,000|1957}} body only, {{yen|27,500|1957}} with an Altair f/3.5 lens or {{yen|35,000|1957}} with an Altair f/2 lens, case included (see below for the lens names). The picture is not very good, and shows a camera with an f/2 lens. |
| + | |||
| + | The camera was also briefly advertised in the April to June 1958 issues of ''[[Nihon Camera]]''.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.378. </REF> The June advertisement was placed by [[Misuzu Kōgaku|Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō]].<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.222. </REF> It lists the camera as the "Alta 35", available with an Altanon 5cm f/2 lens and a leather case for {{yen|35,000|1958}}. | ||
It is said that an example of the Alta was borrowed by Mr. K. Shirai when he toured Europe to promote Japanese cameras.<REF> Mabuchi, in [http://www.phsc.ca/phsc_e-mail/Vol-6/PHSC-E-Mail-V6-10.pdf ''The PHSC E-mail'', vol.6–10]. </REF> This clearly had almost no result for the sales for the Alta camera, which was only produced in small quantities. | It is said that an example of the Alta was borrowed by Mr. K. Shirai when he toured Europe to promote Japanese cameras.<REF> Mabuchi, in [http://www.phsc.ca/phsc_e-mail/Vol-6/PHSC-E-Mail-V6-10.pdf ''The PHSC E-mail'', vol.6–10]. </REF> This clearly had almost no result for the sales for the Alta camera, which was only produced in small quantities. | ||
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== Origin of the camera == | == Origin of the camera == | ||
| − | The camera is so close to the late [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax IIIF]] made by [[Reise]] that there was certainly a relationship between the two manufacturing companies. Reise maybe | + | The camera is so close to the late [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax|Chiyotax IIIF]] made by [[Reise]] that there was certainly a relationship between the two manufacturing companies. Reise was maybe absorbed by [[Misuzu Kōgaku|Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō]], or sold the Chiyotax design and tooling to the latter, or acted as a subcontractor for Misuzu. At least one source suggests that Reise was hired by the trading company [[Misuzu Shōkai]] and turned its name to Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō for that reason;<REF> HPR, pp.126 and 175–6. </REF> this is impossible because the Japanese characters used for the names of Misuzu Shōkai and Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō are different (see the corresponding pages), and Misuzu Kōgaku was already in existence before the release of the Alta. |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 14:35, 5 February 2009
See also the Alta cameras by Reichenbach, Morey and Will.
The Alta (アルタ) or Alta 35[1] 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 rangefinder magnification is 1.5×.[2] The viewfinder housing is engraved Alta and Misuzu Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., together with a serial number and a mark indicating the position of the film plane.
The film is loaded through the bottom plate, the same system as on the Leica. The plate is retained by a key on the left side, with O and S indications (presumably for Open and Shut), and is engraved Japan. The tripod thread is on the opposite side, to the photographer's right. There are strap lugs attached on either side of the body. There are two PC posts on the front face for M and X flash synchronization,[3] instead of the single post of the Chiyotax.
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
The Alta was announced in Japanese magazines dated September and October 1957.[4] The September column in Asahi Camera says that the maker Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō was already known for its Altair bright screens,[5] and that the Alta was the cheapest available Leica copy.[6] It gives the price as ¥21,000 body only, ¥27,500 with an Altair f/3.5 lens or ¥35,000 with an Altair f/2 lens, case included (see below for the lens names). The picture is not very good, and shows a camera with an f/2 lens.
The camera was also briefly advertised in the April to June 1958 issues of Nihon Camera.[7] The June advertisement was placed by Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō.[8] It lists the camera as the "Alta 35", available with an Altanon 5cm f/2 lens and a leather case for ¥35,000.
It is said that an example of the Alta was borrowed by Mr. K. Shirai when he toured Europe to promote Japanese cameras.[9] This clearly had almost no result for the sales for the Alta camera, which was only produced in small quantities.
Actual examples
Actual examples of the Alta are known with six-digit body numbers in the 700xxx range.[10] 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.
Specific lenses
The camera was reportedly announced with an Altanon 50/3.5 Tessar-type lens or an Altanon 50/2 Sonnar-type lens.[11] Only the Altanon 5cm f/2 has been observed today. It exists in two versions, with an all chrome or a black and chrome barrel — it seems that these only differ by the finish.
The focusing ring has two rows of fine mills, and is driven by a tab, presumably with an infinity lock. It is engraved in feet from ∞ to 1.5ft, a quite close distance for the time. The aperture ring, with another row of mills, is always chrome finished. The same is true of the base of the barrel with the depth-of-field indications.
The front bezel is engraved Misuzu Kogaku and either ALTANON or ALTANON H.C. The lens appears to be similar to the Tanar H.C. 5cm f/2 notably found on the Tanack IVS, except for the 1.5ft minimum distance. It is supposed that Tanaka Kōgaku supplied lenses to Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō, and the reverse seems less likely.
Lens numbers for the chrome finished Altanon 5cm f/2 have five digits in the 17xxx range,[12] or the prefix "Y" followed by six digits in the 170xxx range.[13] Those for the black finished lens have the prefix "M", followed by five or six digits beginning in "17" or "170".[14]
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.[15]
Origin of the camera
The camera is so close to the late Chiyotax IIIF made by Reise that there was certainly a relationship between the two manufacturing companies. Reise was maybe absorbed by Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō, or sold the Chiyotax design and tooling to the latter, or acted as a subcontractor for Misuzu. At least one source suggests that Reise was hired by the trading company Misuzu Shōkai and turned its name to Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō for that reason;[16] this is impossible because the Japanese characters used for the names of Misuzu Shōkai and Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō are different (see the corresponding pages), and Misuzu Kōgaku was already in existence before the release of the Alta.
Notes
- ↑ The name appears as Alta on the camera body, and as "Alta 35" in the advertisement in Nihon Camera June 1958 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.222.
- ↑ Column in Asahi Camera September 1957, reproduced in Awano, p.3 of Camera Collectors' News no.38.
- ↑ M and X synchronization: advertisement in Nihon Camera June 1958, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.222.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.378.
- ↑ Column in Asahi Camera September 1957, reproduced in Awano, p.3 of Camera Collectors' News no.38: ライトスクリーン[フレネルレンズ]"アルタイル"のメーカーである、東京の三鈴光学工業.
- ↑ Column in Asahi Camera September 1957, reproduced in Awano, p.3 of Camera Collectors' News no.38: この種カメラとしては、もっとも安い値段である.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.378.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.222.
- ↑ Mabuchi, in The PHSC E-mail, vol.6–10.
- ↑ Examples pictured in HPR, p.127, in Sugiyama, item 3093 (serial number not visible), in the Christies auction catalogues listed below, and observed in online auctions.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.378.
- ↑ Lenses observed in online auctions.
- ↑ The prefix "Y" is found on the camera sold by Christies on August 31, 1995 (lot no.181).
- ↑ Lenses pictured in HPR, p.127, in Sugiyama, item 3093, sold by Christies on June 8, 1995 (lot no.29), and observed in online auctions.
- ↑ HPR, p.128.
- ↑ HPR, pp.126 and 175–6.
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.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Aruta 35" (アルタ35, Alta 35). In Camera Collectors' News no.38 (August 1980). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
- 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.
- Hashimoto Tetsuo (橋本徹夫), and answer by Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Aruta 35 no firumu ichi māku". In Camera Collectors' News no.41 (November 1980). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P.18.
- HPR. Leica Copies. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1994. ISBN 1-874485-05-4. Pp.126–8.
- Mabuchi, Sam. "In search of the missing Altair camera". In The PHSC E-mail, vol.6–10, supplement to Photographic Canadiana, Feb. 2007, pp.4–5. Also published in Camera Shopper no.173, Mar. 2007, pp.11–2.
- 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:
In Japanese:
