Aruba 35
The Aruba 35 (アルバ35)[1] are Japanese 35mm viewfinder cameras, distributed by Chūō Shashin-yōhin from 1952 to 1955.[2] Two very different models exist, and both are 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.
It seems that the back does not open and that the film is loaded through the bottom plate.[8]
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.
The Aruba 35 II was released at the end of 1954.[9] 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!").[10]
The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama.[11]
The Nescon 35 is probably a derivative of the Aruba 35 II, to which it is very similar.
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, items 3101 and 4192; 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.
- ↑ This is confirmed by the observation of its successors the Nescon 35 and its export version the Soligor 45.
- ↑ 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. Items 372–3.
- 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.
