Difference between revisions of "Baby Doris"

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{{Japanese Baby and Four}}
 
{{Japanese Baby and Four}}
The '''Baby Doris''' (ベビードリス) is a Japanese 3×4 folding camera, distributed from 1941 to 1943 by [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]].<REF> Dates: advertisements and articles listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.338. </REF> It succeeded to the original [[Doris (3×4)]] camera and was probably made by [[Shinkō Seiki]] (see the discussion [[#Maker|below]]).
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The '''Baby Doris''' (ベビードリス) is a Japanese 3×4cm folding camera, distributed from 1941 to 1943 by [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]].<REF> Dates: advertisements and articles listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.338. </REF> It succeeded to the original [[Doris (3×4)]] camera and was probably made by [[Shinkō Seiki]] (see the discussion [[#Maker|below]]).
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
The Baby Doris is a vertical 3×4 folder, with a folding optical finder. There is a button on the top plate, falling under the right index finger and looking like a body release, but it seems to be only the bed opening button. The name ''DORIS'' is embossed in the front leather.
+
The Baby Doris is a vertical folder, with straight folding struts. The folding optical finder is in the middle of the top plate, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. There is a button on the top plate, falling under the right index finger and looking like a shutter release, but it certainly opens the folding bed instead. The advance knob is at the top left. The name ''DORIS'' is embossed in the front leather.
  
== Variants ==
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== Commercial life ==
A Doris camera was listed in the list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, under the names "Doris I" (¥44), "Doris II" (¥60), "Doris III" (¥50) and "Doris IV" (¥68) with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 1, sections 4A, 5, 6A, 8A. </REF> It is not known if this camera is the Baby Doris or its predecessor the [[Doris (3×4)|Doris strut-folder]].
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The Baby Doris was first advertised in September 1941,<REF name="Kokusan p338"> {{Kokusan}}, p.338. </REF> and was featured in the new products column of the October 1941 issue of ''[[Shashin Bunka]].'' In advertisements published in issues of ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'' dated October 1942 and February 1943, the Baby Doris was offered in three variants:<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.60 and 80. </REF>
 
 
The Baby Doris was featured in the new products column of the October 1941 issue of ''[[Shashin Bunka]].'' In advertisements published in issues of ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'' dated October 1942 and February 1943, the Baby Doris was offered in three variants:<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.60 and 80. </REF>
 
 
* '''Baby Doris I''': Doris Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100 shutter ({{yen|52|1942}} — case extra ¥5.51);
 
* '''Baby Doris I''': Doris Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100 shutter ({{yen|52|1942}} — case extra ¥5.51);
 
* '''Baby Doris II''': Doris Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, T, B, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150 shutter ({{yen|68|1942}});
 
* '''Baby Doris II''': Doris Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, T, B, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150 shutter ({{yen|68|1942}});
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* {{Showa10}} Item 156. (See also the advertisement for item 29.)
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 156. (See also the advertisement for item 29.)
 
* {{Inquiry1943}} Items 170–1.
 
* {{Inquiry1943}} Items 170–1.
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 1, sections 4A, 5, 6A and 8A.
 
 
* {{McKeown12}} P.803.
 
* {{McKeown12}} P.803.
 
* Niimi Kahee (新見嘉兵衛). ''Kamera-mei no gogen sanpo'' (カメラ名の語源散歩, Strolls in the etymology of camera names). 2nd ed. Tokyo: Shashin Kōgyō Shuppansha, 2002. ISBN 4-87956-060-X
 
* Niimi Kahee (新見嘉兵衛). ''Kamera-mei no gogen sanpo'' (カメラ名の語源散歩, Strolls in the etymology of camera names). 2nd ed. Tokyo: Shashin Kōgyō Shuppansha, 2002. ISBN 4-87956-060-X

Revision as of 16:56, 31 December 2009

Japanese Baby (3×4) and Four (4×4) (edit)
folding
3×4 Baby Balnet | Doris | Baby Doris | Baby Germa | Kinsi | Baby Leotax | Loren | Baby Lyra | Baby Pearl | Baby Pilot | Baby Rosen | Baby Suzuka | Walz
4×4 Adler Four | Rosen Four
rigid or collapsible
3×4 Baika | Baby Chrome | Comet | Cyclon | Gelto | Baby Germa | Gokoku | Hamond | Baby Hawk | Kinka Lucky | Lausar | Light | Baby Light | Molby | Mulber | Olympic | Baby Ōso | Peacock | Picny | Ricohl | Rorox | Shinko Baby | Slick | Baby Sport | Tsubasa Arawashi | Baby Uirus | Zessan
3.5×4 Kenko 35
4×4 Alma Four | Andes Four | Anny 44 | Arsen | Balnet Four | Bonny Four | Freude | Kalimar 44 | Auto Keef | Kraft | Letix | Mykey-4 | Olympic Four | Roico | Royal Senior | Seica | Terra Junior | Vero Four | Welmy 44 | Yashica Future 127
unknown
Baby First | Baby Lyra Flex
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo models ->
Japanese 4×5 and 4×6.5, 4.5×6, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Baby Doris (ベビードリス) is a Japanese 3×4cm folding camera, distributed from 1941 to 1943 by Fukada Shōkai.[1] It succeeded to the original Doris (3×4) camera and was probably made by Shinkō Seiki (see the discussion below).

Description

The Baby Doris is a vertical folder, with straight folding struts. The folding optical finder is in the middle of the top plate, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. There is a button on the top plate, falling under the right index finger and looking like a shutter release, but it certainly opens the folding bed instead. The advance knob is at the top left. The name DORIS is embossed in the front leather.

Commercial life

The Baby Doris was first advertised in September 1941,[2] and was featured in the new products column of the October 1941 issue of Shashin Bunka. In advertisements published in issues of Shashin Bunka dated October 1942 and February 1943, the Baby Doris was offered in three variants:[3]

  • Baby Doris I: Doris Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100 shutter (¥52 — case extra ¥5.51);
  • Baby Doris II: Doris Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, T, B, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150 shutter (¥68);
  • Baby Doris IIII: U.L.L. Anastigmat 50/3.5 lens, same shutter[4] (¥80).

There is no mention of a Baby Doris III. On the advertised pictures, the shutter plate is chrome finished and it is written DORIS at the bottom. An example of the Baby Doris I is pictured in Sugiyama, with a black shutter plate, marked DORIS at the top.

A Doris camera is also mentioned in the April 1943 government inquiry on Japanese camera production.[5] It is registered as a 3×4 bellows camera made by Shinkō and distributed by Fukada, and it certainly corresponds to the Baby Doris. Two versions are listed, both having a Doris shutter made by Shinkō:[6]

  • Doris: Doris 50/4.5 lens, 25–100, B speeds;
  • Doris VI: U.L.L. 50/3.5 lens, 5–150, T, B speeds.

These two versions have the same features to the Baby Doris I and Baby Doris IV previously advertised. It is said that the original document is hardly legible at some places[7] and the name "Doris VI" is perhaps a typo for "Doris IV".

Maker

No other source has been found to confirm the attribution to Shinkō given by the 1943 inquiry. In the advertisements observed, the only company name indicated was that of the distributor Fukada Shōkai.[8] Some sources say that the camera was made by "Prince Camera Works",[9] but this was certainly not the name of any actual company (see the discussion in Fukada and in Camera Works).

The "Doris" name might also be related to the name of Mr Motodori, founder of the Motodori company. At least this was the case for the postwar Doris cameras made by Tōkyō Seiki and later Doris Camera (successors of the Motodori company).[10]

Notes

  1. Dates: advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.338.
  2. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.338.
  3. Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.60 and 80.
  4. The shutter speeds of the model IIII are written "T, B, S, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/150" in the advertisement, but the "S" is surely a typo.
  5. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), items 170–1.
  6. Shutter made by Shinkō: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter items 12-U-1 and 12-V-5.
  7. Supuringu kamera de ikou, p.187.
  8. Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.60 and 80.
  9. Sugiyama, item 1039, and McKeown, p.803, where the camera is called "Baby Doris (vertical)".
  10. Niimi, p.92.

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 156. (See also the advertisement for item 29.)
  • "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Items 170–1.
  • 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.803.
  • Niimi Kahee (新見嘉兵衛). Kamera-mei no gogen sanpo (カメラ名の語源散歩, Strolls in the etymology of camera names). 2nd ed. Tokyo: Shashin Kōgyō Shuppansha, 2002. ISBN 4-87956-060-X
  • 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 1039.