Difference between revisions of "Apollo and Mikado"
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{{Japanese Semi}} | {{Japanese Semi}} | ||
| − | The | + | The '''Apollo''' and '''Mikado''' are [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders]], made from at least as early as 1949<REF> |
| − | According to {{Kokusan}}, p. 345, the Apollo II is mentioned in the December 1949 and March 1950 issues of Japanese camera magazines. </REF> | + | According to {{Kokusan}}, p. 345, the Apollo II is mentioned in the December 1949 and March 1950 issues of Japanese camera magazines. </REF>. The Apollo and Mikado seem to differ only by the name, and they are attributed both to [[Sumida|Sumida Kōki]] and [[Nishida|Nishida Kōgaku]].<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 345, only mentions the Apollo II, attributing it to both companies. {{McKeown}}, pp. 737–8 and 907, tries to distinguish between the Apollo 120 (or Apollo Semi II) and Mikado attributed to Nishida, and the Mikado 120 and Mikado Semi attributed to Sumida. These distinctions seem pointless. </REF> |
| − | + | == General description == | |
| + | The camera is a horizontal folder, nearly identical to the earlier [[Roavic]] made in 1941 and 1942 by [[Miyoshi Kōgaku]]. The body and folding struts are copied on the [[Duo Six-20|Duo Six-20 Series II]] by [[Kodak AG]]. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a chromed metal plate. The optical finder is enclosed in a chromed top housing, with the advance knob on the right end, a body release and an accessory shoe offset to the left, just behind the bed release button. | ||
| − | The | + | The back is hinged to the left, unlike the Kodak Duo. It has two rectangular red windows, protected by a common sliding cover. |
| − | + | == Evolution == | |
| + | Two production variants of the Apollo and Mikado are distinguishable. The '''early examples''' are characterized by a back latch copied on Kodak designs, a small advance knob with a recessed top inherited from the Roavic and no depth-of-field dial. The '''later examples''' have a flat back latch covered by a rectangular leather piece, a larger advance knob with a flatter top and a depth-of-field dial on the left end of the top plate. It is said that the covering was changed from leather to vulcanite at a yet later date.<REF> Change from leather to vulcanite covering: {{McKeown}}, p. 738. </REF> | ||
| − | == | + | == Lens, shutter and markings == |
| + | The lens is usually a Wester Anastigmat 75/3.5 made by [[Nishida]], but some examples are reported with a S.O.W. Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens.<REF> S.O.W. lens: {{McKeown}}, pp. 738 and 907. </REF> These initials probably stand for <U>S</U>umida <U>O</U>ptical <U>W</U>orks. | ||
| + | The shutter seems to be a Northter Model II on the early examples and an [[NKK]] on the late ones, both made by [[Nishida]] and both giving T, B, 1–200 speeds. The latest examples have flash synchronization. A late example of the Mikado has been observed with a Proud-Rapid shutter, reportedly giving B, 1–500 speeds.<REF> Example pictured in {{McKeown}}, p. 907. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Markings are found on the top housing above the viewfinder and on the back. The serial number is engraved in the top housing, it seems that there is a common sequence for the Apollo and Mikado cameras, and it is perhaps common with the [[Roavic]] too. Markings observed so far are: | ||
| + | * ''APOLLO'' on top, ''APOLLO 120'' embossed in the back;<REF> Example observed in an eBay auction, late variant with two red windows, s/n 13741, Wester lens s/n 7441, NKK shutter. </REF> | ||
| + | * "Apollo II" and description as the 1950 model on top,<!--Sorry about the ambiguous wording; I examined one of these and it said "Mod. 1950" or very similar but I forget the detail. [[User:Hoary|Hoary]]--> "Apollo 120" embossed in the back, metal plate in the rear marked "Sumida Optical Works"; | ||
| + | * ''MIKADO'' on top (uppercase), nothing in the back;<REF> Example observed in an eBay auction, early variant, s/n 13215, Wester lens s/n 8560, Northter shutter. The same variant is pictured in {{McKeown}}, p. 738, with s/n 13157. </REF> | ||
| + | * ''Mikado'' on top (lowercase, different font), ''Mikado 120'' embossed in the back, ''SUMIDA OPTICAL WORKS'' engraved in the red window plate;<REF> Example observed in an eBay auction, late variant with one red window, s/n 14547, Wester lens s/n 7773, NKK shutter. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Sources / further readings == | ||
* {{Showa10}} Item 366; unusually, the book does not ''show'' any advertisement for the Apollo II, whose makers it names as both Sumida and [[Nishida]]. | * {{Showa10}} Item 366; unusually, the book does not ''show'' any advertisement for the Apollo II, whose makers it names as both Sumida and [[Nishida]]. | ||
| − | * {{McKeown12}} Pp. 737–8. | + | * {{McKeown12}} Pp. 737–8 and 907. |
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]] | [[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]] | ||
[[Category: A]] | [[Category: A]] | ||
Revision as of 00:41, 8 October 2006
The Apollo and Mikado are Japanese 4.5×6 folders, made from at least as early as 1949[1]. The Apollo and Mikado seem to differ only by the name, and they are attributed both to Sumida Kōki and Nishida Kōgaku.[2]
Contents
General description
The camera is a horizontal folder, nearly identical to the earlier Roavic made in 1941 and 1942 by Miyoshi Kōgaku. The body and folding struts are copied on the Duo Six-20 Series II by Kodak AG. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a chromed metal plate. The optical finder is enclosed in a chromed top housing, with the advance knob on the right end, a body release and an accessory shoe offset to the left, just behind the bed release button.
The back is hinged to the left, unlike the Kodak Duo. It has two rectangular red windows, protected by a common sliding cover.
Evolution
Two production variants of the Apollo and Mikado are distinguishable. The early examples are characterized by a back latch copied on Kodak designs, a small advance knob with a recessed top inherited from the Roavic and no depth-of-field dial. The later examples have a flat back latch covered by a rectangular leather piece, a larger advance knob with a flatter top and a depth-of-field dial on the left end of the top plate. It is said that the covering was changed from leather to vulcanite at a yet later date.[3]
Lens, shutter and markings
The lens is usually a Wester Anastigmat 75/3.5 made by Nishida, but some examples are reported with a S.O.W. Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens.[4] These initials probably stand for Sumida Optical Works.
The shutter seems to be a Northter Model II on the early examples and an NKK on the late ones, both made by Nishida and both giving T, B, 1–200 speeds. The latest examples have flash synchronization. A late example of the Mikado has been observed with a Proud-Rapid shutter, reportedly giving B, 1–500 speeds.[5]
Markings are found on the top housing above the viewfinder and on the back. The serial number is engraved in the top housing, it seems that there is a common sequence for the Apollo and Mikado cameras, and it is perhaps common with the Roavic too. Markings observed so far are:
- APOLLO on top, APOLLO 120 embossed in the back;[6]
- "Apollo II" and description as the 1950 model on top, "Apollo 120" embossed in the back, metal plate in the rear marked "Sumida Optical Works";
- MIKADO on top (uppercase), nothing in the back;[7]
- Mikado on top (lowercase, different font), Mikado 120 embossed in the back, SUMIDA OPTICAL WORKS engraved in the red window plate;[8]
Sources / further readings
- 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 366; unusually, the book does not show any advertisement for the Apollo II, whose makers it names as both Sumida and Nishida.
- 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. 737–8 and 907.
