Difference between revisions of "Arsen"
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{{Japanese Baby and Four}} | {{Japanese Baby and Four}} | ||
| − | The '''Arsen''' (アルゼン) | + | The '''Arsen''' (アルゼン) is a Japanese camera taking 4×4cm exposures on [[127 film]], made between 1938 and 1944. It is based on the 3×4 [[Gelto]]. The maker was certainly the same company [[Tōa Kōki]], perhaps called Takahashi Kōgaku at the beginning.<REF> Most sources attribute the Arsen to Takahashi: {{Kokusan}}, p. 334, Sugiyama, item 3004, McKeown, 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 Sugiyama, items 3017–8, attributes the early Gelto models up to 1938 to Takahashi. </REF> It was sold by Ars (アルス), the publisher of the magazine ''Ars Camera''. It seems that this is the reason of the name Arsen. |
| − | == | + | == Description of the 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 [[Wirgin]] [[Gewirette]]. The body is die-cast metal and has angled edges. The lens and shutter assembly is collapsible and is mounted on a helical focusing. 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 4×4cm pictures at the time. | |
| − | The | + | 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. |
| − | + | 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. | |
| − | + | == Lens and shutter equipment == | |
| + | The shutter is marked gives T, B, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 250 speeds and the shutter plate is inscribed ''ARSEN'' at the bottom. The lens is an Anastigmat Grimmel 50/4.5. Three lens bezel variants are known: | ||
| + | * black bezel, focal length in millimetres: ''50mm''; | ||
| + | * metal bezel, focal length in millimetres: ''50mm''; | ||
| + | * metal bezel, focal length in centimetres: ''5.0cm''. | ||
| + | The lens cap is engraved ''Arsen'' and is attached to the focusing tab by a chain. | ||
| − | == | + | == Advertising == |
| − | + | In an advertisement dated July 1940<REF> Published in ''Camera Club'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 58. </REF>, the Arsen was offered for {{yen|95|1940}}. An advertisement dated March 1944<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> offered the camera for {{yen|125|1944}} and showed the same picture. In both cases, the only company name is Ars. | |
| + | |||
| + | == Auxiliary rangefinder == | ||
| + | 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 ¥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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The March 1944 advertisement cited above also offered an accessory rangefinder for ¥24.30.<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki49.jpg Advertisement] dated March 1944 cited above. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Rangefinder conversions == | ||
| + | The rangefinder conversions offered in 1943 and 1944 for the [[Gelto]] were also available for the Arsen. It is not known if the early conversion with separate range- and viewfinder, called Suzuki coupled device, was offered for this camera. It is confirmed that the later '''Cyclon''' rangefinder was mounted on Arsen cameras. The conversion is described in detail in [[Gelto#Rangefinder conversions|this section of the Gelto page]]. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Bibliography == | ||
| + | * {{Showa10}} Item 10. | ||
| + | * {{McKeown12}} P. 912. | ||
| + | * {{Zukan}} Item 3004. | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
In Japanese: | In Japanese: | ||
| − | * [http://asacame.fc2web.com/htmds/dbnbestaz.htm A-Z 127 film cameras] 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] at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame] |
| − | + | * [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] | |
| − | * [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/ | + | * [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 |
[[Category: Japanese 4x4 viewfinder]] | [[Category: Japanese 4x4 viewfinder]] | ||
[[Category: Japanese 4x4 rangefinder]] | [[Category: Japanese 4x4 rangefinder]] | ||
[[Category: A]] | [[Category: A]] | ||
Revision as of 22:45, 7 January 2007
The Arsen (アルゼン) is a Japanese camera taking 4×4cm exposures on 127 film, made between 1938 and 1944. It is based on the 3×4 Gelto. The maker was certainly the same company Tōa Kōki, perhaps called Takahashi Kōgaku at the beginning.[1] It was sold by Ars (アルス), the publisher of the magazine Ars Camera. It seems that this is the reason of the name Arsen.
Contents
Description of the 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 Wirgin Gewirette. The body is die-cast metal and has angled edges. The lens and shutter assembly is collapsible and is mounted on a helical focusing. 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 4×4cm 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 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.
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.
Lens and shutter equipment
The shutter is marked gives T, B, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 250 speeds and the shutter plate is inscribed ARSEN at the bottom. The lens is an Anastigmat Grimmel 50/4.5. Three lens bezel variants are known:
- black bezel, focal length in millimetres: 50mm;
- metal bezel, focal length in millimetres: 50mm;
- metal bezel, focal length in centimetres: 5.0cm.
The lens cap is engraved Arsen and is attached to the focusing tab by a chain.
Advertising
In an advertisement dated July 1940[2], the Arsen was offered for ¥95. An advertisement dated March 1944[3] offered the camera for ¥125 and showed the same picture. In both cases, the only company name is Ars.
Auxiliary rangefinder
The Gelto rangefinder (ゲルト距離計) was offered by the distributor Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten in an advertisement perhaps dated February 1941.[4]. It was sold in two versions, one for the Gelto and another for the Arsen, both at ¥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.
The March 1944 advertisement cited above also offered an accessory rangefinder for ¥24.30.[5]
Rangefinder conversions
The rangefinder conversions offered in 1943 and 1944 for the Gelto were also available for the Arsen. It is not known if the early conversion with separate range- and viewfinder, called Suzuki coupled device, was offered for this camera. It is confirmed that the later Cyclon rangefinder was mounted on Arsen cameras. The conversion is described in detail in this section of the Gelto page.
Notes
- ↑ Most sources attribute 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.
- ↑ Published in Camera Club, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 58.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Kagaku, reproduced in the Gochamaze website.
- ↑ Advertisement published in 1941 and reproduced in Nostalgic Camera, a page by Toshio Inamura.
- ↑ Advertisement dated March 1944 cited above.
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 10.
- 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). P. 912.
- 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 3004.
Links
In Japanese:
- Arsen in the A-Z 127 film cameras at Asacame
- Advertisement for the Arsen published in the March 1944 issue of Shashin Kagaku, reproduced in the Japanese camera page of the Gochamaze website
- Advertisement for the Gelto auxiliary rangefinder published in 1941 and reproduced in Nostalgic Camera, a page by Toshio Inamura
