Difference between revisions of "Aruba 35"

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{{Japanese Bolta}}
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The '''Aruba 35''' (アルバ35)<REF> The Japanese pronunciation is closer to "Alba" but the name "Aruba" is written on the camera. </REF> are Japanese 35mm viewfinder cameras, distributed by [[Chūō|Chūō Shashin-yōhin]] from 1952 to 1955.<REF> Dates: advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.346. </REF> Two very different models exist, and both are attributed to [[Koike|Koike Seiki]].<REF> Sugiyama, items 3101 and 4192; {{MK}}, p.536; {{Kokusan}}, p.346. This company name is engraved on the lens of the Aruba 35 II, but this attribution is otherwise unconfirmed. </REF>
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The '''Aruba 35''' (アルバ35)<REF> The Japanese pronunciation is closer to "Alba" but the name "Aruba" is written on the camera. </REF> is a Japanese viewfinder camera taking [[35mm film]] or [[Bolta film]], distributed by [[Yamashita|Chūō Shashin-yōhin]] in 1952 and 1953. The camera has been called "Aruba 35 I" in retrospect, to distinguish it from the very different [[Aruba 35 II]].<REF> No evidence has been found that the name "Aruba 35 I" was used by the company at the time. </REF>
  
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== The Aruba 35 ==
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== Manufacturer ==
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The '''original Aruba 35''', in retrospect called '''Aruba 35 I'''<REF> No evidence has been found that the name "Aruba 35 I" was used by the company at the time. </REF>, takes 50 exposures in 24×24mm format. It uses regular [[35mm film]] or [[Bolta film]]. The advance knob is at the top left and there is no need for a rewind knob because the film is wound into another take-up cartridge. The viewfinder is contained in a small top housing. There is a crescent-shaped window above this housing, perhaps showing an exposure counter.
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The camera was probably made by the same manufacturer as the [[Sunny]], another camera distributed by [[Yamashita|Chūō Shashin-yōhin]] and taking regular [[35mm film]] or [[Bolta film]], of which it seems to be a successor.
  
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There is a square metal plate attached to the front of the body and supporting the lens barrel. The shutter release protrudes from the upper edge of this square plate. Another lever is visible on the side of this plate, perhaps the B and I speed selector. The lens is fixed-focus and its inner rim is engraved ''1:10 f=35mm'' at the top and ''OPTART'' at the bottom. (This is same lens as on the [[Sunny]] 24×24mm camera previously distributed by Chūō.) The outer rim is engraved ''ARUBA'' at the top and ''TOKYO K.S.K.'' at the bottom. (The initials "K.S.K." might stand for <u>K</u>oike <u>S</u>ei<u>k</u>i but this is unconfirmed.)
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The camera is attributed to [[Koike|Koike Seiki]] in many recent sources.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 4192; {{MK}}, p.536; {{Kokusan}}, p.346. </REF> This company name appears on the lens rim of the later [[Aruba 35 II]], but the attribution is otherwise unconfirmed.
  
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The Aruba 35 was released at the end of 1952.<REF> The earliest advertisement listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.346, is dated December 1952. </REF> It was offered for {{yen|1,400|1953}} in an advertisement dated January 1953.<REF> Published in ''Ars Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.117. The only company name mentioned is [[Chūō|Chūō Shashin-yōhin]]. </REF>
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== Description ==
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The camera takes 50 exposures in 24×24mm format on perforated [[35mm film]], and can also use [[Bolta film]] rolls, for 12 exposures only.<REF> Advertisement in {{AR}} January 1953, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.117; {{Kokusan}}, p.346; {{SUG}}, item 4192. </REF> The film loading system is certainly the same as on the [[Sunny]], with perforated film loaded in a standard cassette and wound into another take-up cassette.<REF> This is described for the [[Sunny]] in {{MK}}, p.908. </REF> The advance knob is at the top left, as seen by the photographer, and there is no rewind knob.
  
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The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in {{Sugiyama}}.<REF> Sugiyama, item 4192. </REF>
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The viewfinder is contained in a small top casing. There is a crescent-shaped window above that casing, on the viewfinder's right, certainly for the exposure counter.
  
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== The Aruba 35 II ==
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There is a square metal plate attached to the front of the body and supporting the lens barrel. The shutter release protrudes from the upper edge of this square plate. Another lever is visible on the side, perhaps the B and I speed selector. The lens is fixed-focus and its inner rim is engraved ''1:10 f=35mm'' at the top and ''OPTART'' at the bottom. (This is the same lens as on the [[Sunny]] 24×24mm camera previously distributed by Chūō.) The outer rim is engraved ''ARUBA'' at the top and ''TOKYO K.S.K.'' at the bottom. (The initials "K.S.K." might stand for <u>K</u>oike <u>S</u>ei<u>k</u>i but this is unconfirmed.)
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The '''Aruba 35 II''' is a more ambitious camera, taking 24×36mm exposures on regular [[35mm film]]. It has a heavier body with chrome top and bottom plates. The advance knob is at the right end and the rewind knob at the left. The viewfinder is offset to the left and is contained in a top housing covering the space between both knobs. This housing also supports an accessory shoe and the body release, and it probably contains the exposure counter whose window is visible behind the release button. There are two black lines at the front of the housing, obviously mimicking the [[Pearl (4.5×6)|Pearl I, II and III]].
 
  
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It seems that the back does not open and that the film is loaded through the bottom plate.<REF> This is confirmed by the observation of its successors the [[Nescon 35]] and its export version the [[Soligor 45]]. </REF>
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== Commercial life ==
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The Aruba 35 was first advertised in December 1952, and was announced in the January 1953 issues of {{AR}} and {{FAR}}.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.346. </REF> The advertisement placed the same month in {{AR}} gives the price of {{yen|1,400|1953}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.117. </REF> (The only company name mentioned in the document is [[Yamashita|Chūō Shashin-yōhin]].) Advertisements are reported until October 1953.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.346. </REF>
  
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The lens is a unit-focusing 40mm f/4.5, advertised as a triplet. It is mounted on a helical with a focusing tab. The lens rim is simply engraved ''KOIKESEIKI ARUTER 1:4.5 f=40mm'' with no serial number. The shutter is situated behind the focusing helical. It gives B, 25–100 speeds, selected by an index with the ''25'', ''B'', ''50'', ''100'' positions in that order. It is also synchronized for flash.
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The camera was probably produced in small quantities, and the only surviving example observed so far is pictured in {{SUG}}.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 4192. </REF>
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The Aruba 35 II was released at the end of 1954.<REF> The earliest magazine article listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.346, is dated October 1954. </REF> It was offered for {{yen|4,000|1954}} in an advertisement dated November 1954, with the probably overambitious motto "A Leica for ¥4,000!" ("4000円のライカ!").<REF> Published in {{AR}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.117. The only company name mentioned is [[Chūō|Chūō Shashin-yōhin]]. </REF>
 
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The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in {{SUG}}.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 3101. </REF>
 
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The [[Nescon 35]] made by [[Nihon Seiki]] is probably the successor of the Aruba 35 II, to which it is very similar. The [[Soligor 45]] is usually described as an export version of the Nescon, but its first version still has some features of the Aruba.
 
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
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* {{Showa10}} Items 372–3.
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* {{Showa10}} Item 372.
 
* {{Lewis}} P.83 (brief mention only, erroneously calling the camera "Arba 35").
 
* {{Lewis}} P.83 (brief mention only, erroneously calling the camera "Arba 35").
 
* {{McKeown12}} P.536.
 
* {{McKeown12}} P.536.
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* {{Zukan}} Items 3101 and 4192.
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* {{Zukan}} Item 4192.
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 35mm viewfinder]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 35mm viewfinder]]

Latest revision as of 06:17, 26 February 2015

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Japanese Bolta film cameras (edit)
Aruba 35 | Bolex | Boltax | Bolty | Dan 35 I and II | Dan 35 III | Dan 35 M | Hobix | Inoca Stereo | Maruso 35 | Maruso Patent Box | Mickey 35 | Mikker 35 | Minon 35 | Picny B | Silver | Start 35 | Sunny | Tanzer | Town | Youngflex
3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 4.5×6, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Aruba 35 (アルバ35)[1] is a Japanese viewfinder camera taking 35mm film or Bolta film, distributed by Chūō Shashin-yōhin in 1952 and 1953. The camera has been called "Aruba 35 I" in retrospect, to distinguish it from the very different Aruba 35 II.[2]

Manufacturer

The camera was probably made by the same manufacturer as the Sunny, another camera distributed by Chūō Shashin-yōhin and taking regular 35mm film or Bolta film, of which it seems to be a successor.

The camera is attributed to Koike Seiki in many recent sources.[3] This company name appears on the lens rim of the later Aruba 35 II, but the attribution is otherwise unconfirmed.

Description

The camera takes 50 exposures in 24×24mm format on perforated 35mm film, and can also use Bolta film rolls, for 12 exposures only.[4] The film loading system is certainly the same as on the Sunny, with perforated film loaded in a standard cassette and wound into another take-up cassette.[5] The advance knob is at the top left, as seen by the photographer, and there is no rewind knob.

The viewfinder is contained in a small top casing. There is a crescent-shaped window above that casing, on the viewfinder's right, certainly for the exposure counter.

There is a square metal plate attached to the front of the body and supporting the lens barrel. The shutter release protrudes from the upper edge of this square plate. Another lever is visible on the side, perhaps the B and I speed selector. The lens is fixed-focus and its inner rim is engraved 1:10 f=35mm at the top and OPTART at the bottom. (This is the same lens as on the Sunny 24×24mm camera previously distributed by Chūō.) The outer rim is engraved ARUBA at the top and TOKYO K.S.K. at the bottom. (The initials "K.S.K." might stand for Koike Seiki but this is unconfirmed.)

Commercial life

The Aruba 35 was first advertised in December 1952, and was announced in the January 1953 issues of Ars Camera and Photo Art.[6] The advertisement placed the same month in Ars Camera gives the price of ¥1,400.[7] (The only company name mentioned in the document is Chūō Shashin-yōhin.) Advertisements are reported until October 1953.[8]

The camera was probably produced in small quantities, and the only surviving example observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama.[9]

Notes

  1. ↑ The Japanese pronunciation is closer to "Alba" but the name "Aruba" is written on the camera.
  2. ↑ No evidence has been found that the name "Aruba 35 I" was used by the company at the time.
  3. ↑ Sugiyama, item 4192; McKeown, p.536; Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.346.
  4. ↑ Advertisement in Ars Camera January 1953, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.117; Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.346; Sugiyama, item 4192.
  5. ↑ This is described for the Sunny in McKeown, p.908.
  6. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.346.
  7. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.117.
  8. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.346.
  9. ↑ Sugiyama, item 4192.

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 372.
  • Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.83 (brief mention only, erroneously calling the camera "Arba 35").
  • 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.536.
  • 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 4192.
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