Alta
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 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,[2] 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.[3] It was also briefly advertised in the April to June 1958 issues of Nihon Camera.[4] The June advertisement was placed by Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō.[5] It lists the camera as the "Alta 35", available with an Altanon 5cm f/2 lens and a leather case for ¥35,000.
Actual examples
Actual examples of the Alta are known with six-digit body numbers in the 700xxx range.[6] 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
To be done.
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.[7]
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 maybe turned its name into Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō, or was absorbed by the latter, or sold the Chiyotax design and tooling to 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;[8] this is impossible because the Japanese characters used for the names of Misuzu Shōkai and Misuzu Kōgaku Kōgyō are different (see the corresponding pages).
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.
- ↑ M and X synchronization: advertisement in Nihon Camera June 1958, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.222.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.378.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.378.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.222.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- 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.
- Mabuchi, Sam. "In search of the missing Altair camera". In The PHSC E-mail, vol.6–10, supplement to Photographic Canadiana, Feb. 2007.
- 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.
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