Difference between revisions of "Aruba 35"
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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 35mm viewfinder camera, distributed by [[Chūō|Chūō Shashin-yōhin]] from 1952 to 1955.<REF> Dates: advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p. 346. </REF> It is attributed to [[Koike|Koike Seiki]].<REF> Sugiyama, item ; McKeown, p. 536. This | + | 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 35mm viewfinder camera, distributed by [[Chūō|Chūō Shashin-yōhin]] from 1952 to 1955.<REF> Dates: advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p. 346. </REF> It is attributed to [[Koike|Koike Seiki]].<REF> Sugiyama, item ; McKeown, 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> |
== The Aruba 35 == | == The Aruba 35 == | ||
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. | 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. | ||
| − | 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. The outer rim is engraved ''ARUBA'' at the top and ''TOKYO K.S.K.'' at the bottom. | + | 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 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> | 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> | ||
Revision as of 22:38, 15 January 2007
The Aruba 35 (アルバ35)[1] is a Japanese 35mm viewfinder camera, distributed by Chūō Shashin-yōhin from 1952 to 1955.[2] It is attributed to Koike Seiki.[3]
The Aruba 35
The original Aruba 35, in retrospect called Aruba 35 I[4], 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.
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 Aruba 35 was released at the end of 1952.[5] It was offered for ¥1,400 in an advertisement dated January 1953.[6]
The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama.[7]
The Aruba 35 II
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 I, II and III.
The lens is a unit-focusing 40mm f/4.5, mounted on a helical with a focusing tab. It is engraved KOIKESEIKI ARUTER. The shutter is situated behind the focusing helical and gives B, 25, 50, 100 speeds.
The Aruba 35 II was released at the end of 1954.[8] It was offered for ¥4,000 in an advertisement dated November 1954, with the probably overambitious motto "A Leica for ¥4,000!" ("4000円のライカ!").[9]
The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama.[10]
Notes
- ↑ The Japanese pronunciation is closer to "Alba" but the name "Aruba" is written on the camera.
- ↑ Dates: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 346.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item ; McKeown, p. 536; Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 346. This company name is engraved on the lens of the Aruba 35 II, but this attribution is otherwise unconfirmed.
- ↑ No evidence has been found that the name "Aruba 35 I" was used by the company at the time.
- ↑ The earliest advertisement listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 346, is dated December 1952.
- ↑ Published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 117. The only company name mentioned is Chūō Shashin-yōhin.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 4192.
- ↑ The earliest magazine article listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 346, is dated October 1954.
- ↑ Published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 117. The only company name mentioned is Chūō Shashin-yōhin.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 3101.
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 522. (See also the advertisement for item 617.)
- 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. Items 3101 and 4192.
