Difference between revisions of "Arsen"

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{{Japanese Baby and Four
 
{{Japanese Baby and Four
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/1746001909/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/1746001909_dce3051241_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture courtesy of Rick Soloway. {{with permission}}''
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|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/1746001909/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/1746001909_dce3051241_m_d.jpg]<br><small>image by {{image author|Rick Soloway}}</small> {{with permission}}
 
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The '''Arsen''' (アルゼン) is a Japanese camera taking 4&times;4cm exposures on [[127 film]], based on the 3&times;4 [[Gelto]] and made between 1938 and 1944 by the same company [[Tōa Kōki]], perhaps called Takahashi Kōgaku at the beginning.<REF> Made by Tōa Kōki: {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 138. Most modern sources attribute the Arsen to Takahashi: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;334, Sugiyama, item 3004, McKeown, p.&nbsp;912. [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hspbestaz/besta.htm This page at Asacame] says that the Arsen was made by the same Takahashi company as the [[Gelto]], and Sugiyama, items 3017&ndash;8, attributes the early Gelto models up to 1938 to Takahashi. </REF> It was sold by [[Ars]], the publisher of the magazine ''[[Ars Camera]],'' and it was probably named Arsen for that reason.
+
The '''Arsen''' (アルゼン) is a Japanese camera taking 4×4cm exposures on [[127 film]], based on the 3×4cm [[Gelto]] and made between 1938 and 1944 by the same company [[Tōa Kōki]].<REF> Made by Tōa Kōki: {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 138. </REF> That company was perhaps called Takahashi Kōgaku at an earlier period, and this certainly explains why the camera is attributed to Takahashi in most recent sources.<REF> Sources attributing the Arsen to Takahashi: {{Kokusan}}, p.334, {{SUG}}, item 3004, {{MK}}, p.912. [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hspbestaz/besta.htm This page at Asacame] says that the Arsen was made by the same Takahashi company as the [[Gelto]], and {{SUG}}, items 3017–8, attributes the early Gelto models up to 1938 to Takahashi. </REF> It was sold by [[Ars]], the publisher of the magazine {{AR}}, and it was probably named Arsen for that reason.
  
== Description of the body ==
+
== Description ==
The Arsen is extremely similar to the prewar [[Gelto]], except for the picture format. Both cameras are inspired by the [[Picny]], itself a copy of the [[Wirgin]] [[Gewirette]]. The body is die-cast metal and has angled edges. The lens and shutter assembly is collapsible and is mounted on a focusing helical. There is a tubular optical finder offset to the left an accessory shoe at the left end of the top plate. The advance knob is at the right end. Unlike the Gelto, the Arsen has an auto-stop advance mechanism contained in a small housing under the advance knob, with an exposure counter window. This feature was necessary because the paper backing of [[127 film]] was not marked for 4&times;4cm pictures at the time.
+
=== Main body ===
 +
The Arsen is extremely similar to the prewar [[Gelto]], except for the picture format. Both cameras are inspired by the [[Picny]], itself a copy of the German [[Wirgin]] [[Gewirette]]. The body is made of die-cast metal and has sharp edges. The name ''ARSEN'' is embossed in the front leather covering at the front. The lens and shutter assembly is collapsible and is mounted on a focusing helix. The tubular optical finder is offset to the left, as seen by the photographer, and there is an accessory shoe further to the left.
  
The top plate is removable for film loading, in the same spirit as the bottom loading of the Leica screw models. It is locked in place by a key placed above the advance housing. There is a single one red window in the back, protected by a horizontally sliding cover. It is used to set the position of the first exposure.
+
Unlike the Gelto, the Arsen has an auto-stop advance mechanism contained in a small casing on the right, under the advance knob, with a small round window for an exposure counter. The auto-stop feature was necessary because the paper backing of [[127 film]] was not marked for 4×4cm pictures at the time.
 +
 
 +
The top plate is removable for film loading, in the same spirit as the bottom loading of the Leica screw models. It is locked in place by a key placed above the top casing. There is a single red window in the back, used to set the position of the first exposure, instead of the two red windows of the Gelto. It is offset to the left and is protected by a horizontally sliding cover.
 +
 
 +
Under the camera, the tripod thread is offset towards the advance side, and the serial number is engraved on a round flange on the opposite side.
 +
 
 +
=== Lens and shutter ===
 +
The shutter was made by [[Tōa Kōki]].<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 18-P-28. </REF> It gives T, B, 5–250 speeds, and it has two levers at the top, one for cocking and another for tripping. It is exactly the same as that of the [[Gelto|prewar and wartime Gelto]], but for the name ''ARSEN'' engraved at the botom.
 +
 
 +
The lens is a three-element Anastigmat Grimmel 50mm or 5.0cm f/4.5, made by [[Fujita|Fujita Kōgaku Kikai]].<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens item Jc6. </REF> The focusing helix goes down to 0.5m and the aperture scale goes from 4.5 to 32.
 +
 
 +
The original lens cap is silver finished; it is normally attached to the focus tab by a chain, and has the name ''Arsen'' engraved in black.
  
Under the camera, the serial number is engraved on a round plate to the left and the tripod screw is offset to the right. The name ''ARSEN'' is embossed in the front leather.
 
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 
|-
 
|-
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/2996129573/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2996129573_1dc7e2ee46_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/2996970564/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2996970564_7ba4d12206_m_d.jpg]
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/2996129573/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2996129573_1dc7e2ee46_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/2996970564/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/2996970564_7ba4d12206_m_d.jpg]
 
|-
 
|-
|| ''Arsen no.27609, Anastigmat Grimmel 5.0cm f/4.5 no.28690, black bezel.''<br>''Picture courtesy of Rick Soloway. {{with permission}}''
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|| ''Arsen no.27609, Anastigmat Grimmel 5.0cm f/4.5 no.28690, black bezel.''<br><small>image by {{image author|Rick Soloway}}</small> {{with permission}}
 
|}
 
|}
== Lens and shutter equipment ==
 
The shutter gives T, B, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 250 speeds and is inscribed ''ARSEN'' at the bottom. It was made by the company [[Tōa Kōki]] itself.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 18-P-28. </REF> The lens is a three-element Anastigmat Grimmel 50/4.5, made by [[Fujita|Fujita Kōgaku Kikai]].<REF> Three elements, made by Fujita Kōgaku Kikai: {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens item Jc6. </REF> The focusing helical goes down to 0.5m and the aperture scale goes from 4.5 to 32. Four lens bezel variants are known:
 
* black bezel, focal length in millimetres: ''50mm'' (the most common);
 
* metal bezel, focal length in millimetres: ''50mm'';
 
* metal bezel, focal length in centimetres: ''5.0cm'';
 
* black bezel, focal length in centimetres: ''5.0cm''.
 
The lens cap is engraved ''Arsen'' and is attached to the focusing tab by a chain.
 
  
== Advertising ==
+
== Accessory rangefinder ==
In an advertisement dated July 1940, the Arsen was offered for {{yen|95|1940}} and the only company name was [[Ars]].<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Camera Club]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;58. </REF>
+
An external rangefinder was offered as an accessory for the Arsen. It was inspired by the [[Leitz]] rangefinder of the [[Leica Standard]], albeit with a shorter base. It has a nickel finish overall. There are two round flanges at the ends and a setting wheel on the rear, going down to 0.5m. The name ''"A<small>RSEN</small>"'' is engraved at the top (between quotes), and a serial number is engraved at the rear.<REF> Examples pictured in Fujishima, p.120 of {{KKS}} no.38, and observed in an online auction. </REF> This model is similar to the first type of [[Gelto#Gelto auxiliary rangefinder|Gelto rangefinder]].
 +
 
 +
A different rangefinder was perhaps offered later, similar to the second type of [[Gelto#Gelto auxiliary rangefinder|Gelto rangefinder]] with rounded rectangular ends. ([http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg This advertisement] by [[Matsuzaki|Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten]] published in 1941 and reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] shows the new type of rangefinder, and lists two versions, for the Arsen and for the [[Gelto]], both at ¥16.50.)
 +
 
 +
== Original documents ==
 +
The Arsen was first announced and advertised in Japanese photography magazines dated March 1938.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.334. </REF> The announcement published that month in {{ACA}}, reproduced below, shows a picture of the camera in '''black finish''', with the advance casing, viewfinder and lens barrel in chrome or nickel finish.<REF> Column in {{ACA}} March 1938, p.470. </REF> No other document is known to show this black variant, and no actual example has been found either. Ιn the document, the camera is announced for {{yen|88|1938}}, and no company name is indicated.
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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|-
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48067405022/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48067405022_9fa8a71a24.jpg]
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|-
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||{{image_caption
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|image_text= ''Announcement in {{ACA}} March 1938, showing a black Arsen.
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|scan_by= rebollo fr
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|image_rights=public domain Japan old
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}}
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|}
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Because the camera was distributed by the [[Ars]] publishing company, it was mainly advertised in the affiliated magazines {{AR}} and {{CCL}} and their wartime successors {{SB}} and {{SKA}}. The January 1939 issue of {{ACA}} nonetheless contains a two-page advertisement by [[Ars]], reproduced below, offering the camera at an unchanged price and the accessory rangefinder for ¥16.50.<REF> Advertisement in {{ACA}} January 1939, pp.A81–2. </REF> It shows a picture of a regular nickel-finished camera with lens no.1426. A very similar advertisement appeared in the July 1940 issue of {{CCL}}, but the price of the camera was raised to {{yen|95|1940}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.58. </REF>
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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|-
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48067969803/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48067969803_d44edf25cb.jpg]
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|-
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||
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{{image_caption
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|image_text= ''Advertisement in {{ACA}} January 1939.''
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|scan_by= rebollo fr
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|image_rights=public domain Japan old
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}}
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|}
  
The camera was listed in the list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, for &yen;95 with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 1, section 9. </REF>
+
In the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, the camera appears for ¥95 with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 1, section 9. </REF> In the official government inquiry on Japanese camera production, compiled in April 1943, the Arsen is mentioned as made by [[Tōa Kōki|Tōa Kōki Seisakusho]] and distributed by [[Ars]]<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 138. </REF>
  
The Arsen was mentioned as made by [[Tōa Kōki|Tōa Kōki Seisakusho]] and distributed by [[Ars]] in the {{Inquiry1943_short}}, listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 138. </REF>
+
The camera was available throughout the war. The advertisements reproduced below were placed in {{SKA}} between January and July 1944.<REF> Advertisements in {{SKA}} January 1944, p.73, February 1944, p.65, and July 1944, p.3. A similar advertisement, from {{SKA}} March 1944, was formerly reproduced at [https://web.archive.org/web/20041208232754/http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp:80/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze] (archived). </REF> The only company name is [[Ars]], and the picture is the same as in the earlier advertisements. The price of the body was raised to {{yen|125|1944}} (January and February), then {{yen|153.50|1944}} (July). Three types of accessories are listed: a hood for ¥3.50, a case for ¥7.82 and a rangefinder for ¥24.30. Similar advertisements are reported until the November–December issue of the magazine.
  
In an advertisement dated March 1944, the camera was offered for {{yen|125|1944}}, the picture was the same as in July 1940 and the only company name was Ars again.<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki49.jpg Advertisement] published in ''[[Shashin Kagaku]],'' reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]. </REF>
+
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 +
|-
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48067936496/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48067936496_45dc516fce.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''January and February 1944''
 +
|-
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48068009753/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48068009753_8cf65452bb.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''July 1944''
 +
|-
 +
|| ''Advertisements in {{SKA}}. {{public domain Japan old}}''
 +
|}
  
== Auxiliary rangefinder ==
+
== Actual examples ==
The '''Gelto rangefinder''' (ゲルト距離計) was offered by the distributor [[Matsuzaki|Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten]] in an advertisement perhaps dated February 1941.<REF> [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg Advertisement] published in 1941 and reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page by Toshio Inamura. </REF> It was sold in two versions, one for the [[Gelto]] and another for the Arsen, both at &yen;16.50. It is not known what could be the difference between the two versions, and it seems that this accessory can be mounted on any camera.
+
Serial numbers for the Arsen bodies and lenses were apparently mixed with those for the [[Gelto]]. Body numbers are confirmed from 2891 to 28937, in a sequence that perhaps started at 1000. Lens numbers are known from 1426 (in the advertisements) up to 29682. This would give a total of about 28,000 [[Gelto]] and Arsen cameras produced until 1945.
  
The March 1944 advertisement cited above also offered an accessory rangefinder for &yen;24.30.<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki49.jpg Advertisement] published in ''[[Shashin Kagaku]],'' reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]. </REF>
+
Variations are known in the finish of the lens bezel and in the engraving of the focal length. The lens bezel is usually black with white markings, but a few cameras have a nickel bezel instead, with black markings. This minor variation was apparently applied twice during the production run, once around lens no.15000, and again around lens no.23000. Independently from this, the engraving of the focal length switched from ''50mm'' to ''5.0cm'' around lens no.20000.
  
 
== Rangefinder conversions ==
 
== Rangefinder conversions ==
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"
 
|-
 
|-
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1518814440/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/1518814440_b380096088_d.jpg]
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48068028143/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48068028143_07fa0ed8ed_d.jpg]
 
|-
 
|-
 
|| ''Arsen, Cyclon rangefinder conversion. The lens elements are missing.<br>Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}''
 
|| ''Arsen, Cyclon rangefinder conversion. The lens elements are missing.<br>Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}''
 
|}
 
|}
The Cyclon coupled rangefinder conversion offered in 1943 and 1944 for the [[Gelto]] was also available for the Arsen.<REF> Advertisements dated July 1943 and May 1944 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;111&ndash;2. </REF> Various surviving examples have been observed, with the ''auto CYCLON focus'' nameplate screwed above the top housing. The conversion is described in detail in [[Gelto#Rangefinder conversions|this section of the Gelto page]]. It is not known if the earlier conversion with separate range- and viewfinder, called Suzuki coupled device, was offered for this camera.
+
The [[Cyclon]] coupled rangefinder conversion offered in 1943 and 1944 for the [[Gelto]] was also available for the Arsen.<REF> Advertisements dated July 1943 and May 1944 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.111–2. </REF> Various surviving examples have been observed, with the ''auto CYCLON focus'' nameplate screwed above the top housing. The conversion is described in detail in [[Gelto#Rangefinder conversions|this section of the Gelto page]]. It is not known if the earlier conversion with separate range and viewfinder, called Suzuki coupled device, was also offered for this camera.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 51: Line 96:
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 +
=== Original documents ===
 +
* {{ACA}} March 1938. "Atarashii kikai to zairyō" (新しい機械と材料, New equipment and machinery). P.470.
 +
* {{ACA}} Advertisement by [[Ars]] in January 1939, pp.A81–2.
 +
* {{SKA}} Advertisements by [[Ars]]:
 +
** January 1944, p.73;
 +
** February 1944, p.65;
 +
** July 1944, p.3.
 +
 +
=== Modern sources ===
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 10.
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 10.
 +
* Fujishima Kōichi (藤島広一). "Kyorikei 2 - Nihon-sei" (距離計・2・日本製, Rangefinders 2: Made in Japan). {{KKS038}} Pp.118–23. (On the Arsen rangefinder.)
 
* {{Inquiry1943}} Item 148.
 
* {{Inquiry1943}} Item 148.
 
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 1, section 9.
 
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 1, section 9.
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;912.
+
* {{McKeown12}} P.912.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 3004.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 3004.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 +
=== General links ===
 
In English:
 
In English:
* [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/1715128 Arsen]: lot 85 of the [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/8902 March 25, 2006 Photographica and Film auction] by Auction Team Breker
+
* [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/1715128 Arsen], serial no. 8385: lot 85 of the [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/8902 March 25, 2006 Photographica and Film auction] by Auction Team Breker
 +
* [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=19&inO=566 Arsen], serial no. 22389, sold at the [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=19 nineteenth Westlicht Photographica Auction] on 28 May 2011.
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
 +
* [http://ranzosha.web.fc2.com/d012arsen.html Arsen] in [http://ranzosha.web.fc2.com/d000shasinkizai.html Ranzōsha's camera pages]
 
* Pages at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame]:
 
* Pages at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame]:
 
** [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hspbestaz/besta.htm Arsen] in the [http://asacame.fc2web.com/htmds/dbnbestaz.htm A-Z 127 film cameras]
 
** [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hspbestaz/besta.htm Arsen] in the [http://asacame.fc2web.com/htmds/dbnbestaz.htm A-Z 127 film cameras]
Line 68: Line 126:
 
* [http://www.geocities.jp/wwsada/camera/1/1-arsen-01L Arsen] at [http://www.geocities.jp/wwsada/sonota.html Itō Sadanobu's camera collection]
 
* [http://www.geocities.jp/wwsada/camera/1/1-arsen-01L Arsen] at [http://www.geocities.jp/wwsada/sonota.html Itō Sadanobu's camera collection]
 
* Arsen in the [http://www.jmcy.co.jp/goto/yamada/Y070127/Y070127.htm second page] of the [http://www.jmcy.co.jp/goto/yamada/ Yamada Camera Museum]
 
* Arsen in the [http://www.jmcy.co.jp/goto/yamada/Y070127/Y070127.htm second page] of the [http://www.jmcy.co.jp/goto/yamada/ Yamada Camera Museum]
* [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki49.jpg Advertisement for the Arsen] published in the March 1944 issue of ''[[Shashin Kagaku]]'', reproduced in the [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm Japanese camera page] of the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]
+
 
 +
=== Original documents ===
 +
In Japanese:
 
* [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg Advertisement for the Gelto auxiliary rangefinder] published in 1941 and reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page by Toshio Inamura
 
* [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/cm02_41_l.jpg Advertisement for the Gelto auxiliary rangefinder] published in 1941 and reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page by Toshio Inamura
  

Revision as of 17:54, 15 June 2019

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The Arsen (アルゼン) is a Japanese camera taking 4×4cm exposures on 127 film, based on the 3×4cm Gelto and made between 1938 and 1944 by the same company Tōa Kōki.[1] That company was perhaps called Takahashi Kōgaku at an earlier period, and this certainly explains why the camera is attributed to Takahashi in most recent sources.[2] It was sold by Ars, the publisher of the magazine Ars Camera, and it was probably named Arsen for that reason.

Description

Main body

The Arsen is extremely similar to the prewar Gelto, except for the picture format. Both cameras are inspired by the Picny, itself a copy of the German Wirgin Gewirette. The body is made of die-cast metal and has sharp edges. The name ARSEN is embossed in the front leather covering at the front. The lens and shutter assembly is collapsible and is mounted on a focusing helix. The tubular optical finder is offset to the left, as seen by the photographer, and there is an accessory shoe further to the left.

Unlike the Gelto, the Arsen has an auto-stop advance mechanism contained in a small casing on the right, under the advance knob, with a small round window for an exposure counter. The auto-stop feature was necessary because the paper backing of 127 film was not marked for 4×4cm pictures at the time.

The top plate is removable for film loading, in the same spirit as the bottom loading of the Leica screw models. It is locked in place by a key placed above the top casing. There is a single red window in the back, used to set the position of the first exposure, instead of the two red windows of the Gelto. It is offset to the left and is protected by a horizontally sliding cover.

Under the camera, the tripod thread is offset towards the advance side, and the serial number is engraved on a round flange on the opposite side.

Lens and shutter

The shutter was made by Tōa Kōki.[3] It gives T, B, 5–250 speeds, and it has two levers at the top, one for cocking and another for tripping. It is exactly the same as that of the prewar and wartime Gelto, but for the name ARSEN engraved at the botom.

The lens is a three-element Anastigmat Grimmel 50mm or 5.0cm f/4.5, made by Fujita Kōgaku Kikai.[4] The focusing helix goes down to 0.5m and the aperture scale goes from 4.5 to 32.

The original lens cap is silver finished; it is normally attached to the focus tab by a chain, and has the name Arsen engraved in black.

Accessory rangefinder

An external rangefinder was offered as an accessory for the Arsen. It was inspired by the Leitz rangefinder of the Leica Standard, albeit with a shorter base. It has a nickel finish overall. There are two round flanges at the ends and a setting wheel on the rear, going down to 0.5m. The name "ARSEN" is engraved at the top (between quotes), and a serial number is engraved at the rear.[5] This model is similar to the first type of Gelto rangefinder.

A different rangefinder was perhaps offered later, similar to the second type of Gelto rangefinder with rounded rectangular ends. (This advertisement by Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten published in 1941 and reproduced in Nostalgic Camera shows the new type of rangefinder, and lists two versions, for the Arsen and for the Gelto, both at ¥16.50.)

Original documents

The Arsen was first announced and advertised in Japanese photography magazines dated March 1938.[6] The announcement published that month in Asahi Camera, reproduced below, shows a picture of the camera in black finish, with the advance casing, viewfinder and lens barrel in chrome or nickel finish.[7] No other document is known to show this black variant, and no actual example has been found either. Ιn the document, the camera is announced for ¥88, and no company name is indicated.

Because the camera was distributed by the Ars publishing company, it was mainly advertised in the affiliated magazines Ars Camera and Camera Club and their wartime successors Shashin Bunka and Shashin Kagaku. The January 1939 issue of Asahi Camera nonetheless contains a two-page advertisement by Ars, reproduced below, offering the camera at an unchanged price and the accessory rangefinder for ¥16.50.[8] It shows a picture of a regular nickel-finished camera with lens no.1426. A very similar advertisement appeared in the July 1940 issue of Camera Club, but the price of the camera was raised to ¥95.[9]

In the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, the camera appears for ¥95 with no further detail.[10] In the official government inquiry on Japanese camera production, compiled in April 1943, the Arsen is mentioned as made by Tōa Kōki Seisakusho and distributed by Ars[11]

The camera was available throughout the war. The advertisements reproduced below were placed in Shashin Kagaku between January and July 1944.[12] The only company name is Ars, and the picture is the same as in the earlier advertisements. The price of the body was raised to ¥125 (January and February), then ¥153.50 (July). Three types of accessories are listed: a hood for ¥3.50, a case for ¥7.82 and a rangefinder for ¥24.30. Similar advertisements are reported until the November–December issue of the magazine.

Actual examples

Serial numbers for the Arsen bodies and lenses were apparently mixed with those for the Gelto. Body numbers are confirmed from 2891 to 28937, in a sequence that perhaps started at 1000. Lens numbers are known from 1426 (in the advertisements) up to 29682. This would give a total of about 28,000 Gelto and Arsen cameras produced until 1945.

Variations are known in the finish of the lens bezel and in the engraving of the focal length. The lens bezel is usually black with white markings, but a few cameras have a nickel bezel instead, with black markings. This minor variation was apparently applied twice during the production run, once around lens no.15000, and again around lens no.23000. Independently from this, the engraving of the focal length switched from 50mm to 5.0cm around lens no.20000.

Rangefinder conversions

The Cyclon coupled rangefinder conversion offered in 1943 and 1944 for the Gelto was also available for the Arsen.[13] Various surviving examples have been observed, with the auto CYCLON focus nameplate screwed above the top housing. The conversion is described in detail in this section of the Gelto page. It is not known if the earlier conversion with separate range and viewfinder, called Suzuki coupled device, was also offered for this camera.

Notes

  1. Made by Tōa Kōki: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 138.
  2. Sources attributing the Arsen to Takahashi: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.334, Sugiyama, item 3004, McKeown, p.912. This page at Asacame says that the Arsen was made by the same Takahashi company as the Gelto, and Sugiyama, items 3017–8, attributes the early Gelto models up to 1938 to Takahashi.
  3. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-P-28.
  4. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens item Jc6.
  5. Examples pictured in Fujishima, p.120 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.38, and observed in an online auction.
  6. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.334.
  7. Column in Asahi Camera March 1938, p.470.
  8. Advertisement in Asahi Camera January 1939, pp.A81–2.
  9. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.58.
  10. "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 1, section 9.
  11. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 138.
  12. Advertisements in Shashin Kagaku January 1944, p.73, February 1944, p.65, and July 1944, p.3. A similar advertisement, from Shashin Kagaku March 1944, was formerly reproduced at Gochamaze (archived).
  13. Advertisements dated July 1943 and May 1944 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.111–2.

Bibliography

Original documents

  • Asahi Camera March 1938. "Atarashii kikai to zairyō" (新しい機械と材料, New equipment and machinery). P.470.
  • Asahi Camera Advertisement by Ars in January 1939, pp.A81–2.
  • Shashin Kagaku Advertisements by Ars:
    • January 1944, p.73;
    • February 1944, p.65;
    • July 1944, p.3.

Modern sources

Links

General links

In English:

In Japanese:

Original documents

In Japanese: