Apollo and Mikado
Revision as of 19:11, 7 October 2006 by Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (Apollo moved to Apollo and Mikado: two names for the same camera)
The camera often referred to as Apollo II or Apollo 120 is a Japanese 4.5×6 folder, made around 1949–50[1]. It has a horizontal folding bed, an unusual feature for a 4.5×6 camera. The body is partly copied on the Duo Six-20 Series II by Kodak, especially the shape of the folding struts.
There is no rangefinder; the small viewfinder is within a diecast housing. The lens is a Wester 75mm f3.5 (from Nishida Kōgaku) with front-cell focussing; the shutter is NKK (B, 1–200) with single-pin flash synchronization.
The top plate of the camera is marked "Apollo II" and also describes it as the 1950 model; the leather on the back is stamped "Apollo 120".
The rear of the Apollo II has a metal plate marked Sumida Optical Works.
Source / further reading
- 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.
