Arsen
Template:127 Japan The Arsen (アルゼン) was a prewar Japanese camera taking 4×4cm exposures on 127 film, quite similar to the Gelto. According to this page at Asacame, the Arsen was made by Takahashi, the same company who made the Gelto before the war, and was sold by Ars (アルス), a magazine publisher. McKeown lists the Arsen under Takahashi Optical Works, and all the Gelto models under Toakoki.
Viewfinder model
As for the Gelto, the Arsen's lens and shutter assembly was mounted on a telescopic tube with a focusing helical. There was a tubular optical viewfinder, an accessory shoe at the left and a key on the top plate, to open the back. The Arsen had an automatic stop advance mechanism with an exposure counter, because the film paperback at the time was not marked for the 4×4 format. There was only one red window in the back, with a sliding cover. The leather covering was embossed ARSEN on the right. The serial number was engraved under the camera, on a round plate at the bottom left.
The viewfinder model of the Arsen has been observed with an Anastigmat Grimmel 50/4.5 lens, marked 50mm on a black bezel or 5.0cm on a chrome bezel. The shutter is marked ARSEN and has T, B, 5-10-25-50-75-100-250 speeds.
The viewfinder Arsen was advertised in the March 1944 issue of Shashin Kagaku, 写真科学, (ad visible on this page). It was offered with a T, B, 5-10-25-50-75-100-250 shutter and a 50/4.5 lens, for ¥125. A hood was available for ¥3.50, a case for ¥7.82, and an accessory rangefinder for ¥24.30 (see below). The ad's illustration showed the camera with a lens cap engraved Arsen in handwritten style, and attached to the body by a cord or chain. In the ad, the only company name is Ars (アルス).
Another ad dated 1941 for a Gelto auxiliary rangefinder has been observed on this page. This rangefinder was sold in two versions, one for the Gelto and another for the Arsen, both sharing the same price of ¥16.50.
Rangefinder model
A rangefinder model has been observed for sale at a dealer, with a combined range and viewfinder under the top housing. The square viewfinder window was centered and the round second image window was offset to the left. There was a plate marked auto CYCLON focus, screwed above the top housing. The shutter was the usual T, B, 5–250 shutter marked ARSEN. The same model has been observed for sale at a Japanese dealer, reportedly with a Grimmel 5cm/4.5 lens.
