View source for Baby Rosen, Rosen Four and Adler Four

{{Japanese Baby and Four
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/33952945858/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33952945858_e1b8c7a5aa_m_d.jpg]<br />''Rosen Four in a Rosen leaflet. {{public domain Japan old}}''
}}
The '''Baby Rosen''' and '''Rosen Four''' are Japanese [[folding camera]]s using [[127 film]], made from 1935 by the company [[Proud]].<REF> The attribution to Proud is confirmed by an advertisement in {{ACA}} December 1936, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. </REF> The Baby Rosen is a 3×4cm camera, copied from the [[Goldi]], a German 3×4 camera made by the company [[Zeh]]. The Rosen Four is a derivative taking 4×4cm exposures. The '''Adler Four''' (or "Adler IIII" or "Adler IV") is a name variant of the Rosen Four, sold by [[Asahi Bussan|Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō]].

''For Adler cameras, see also the [[Semi Adler and Adler III]] (4.5×6cm), [[Adler A]] (4.5×6cm), [[Adler B]] (4.5×6cm), [[Adler C]] (4.5×6cm), [[Adler Six]] (6×6cm) and [[Vest Alex and Vest Olympic|Vest Adler]] (4×6.5cm).''

== General description ==
The Baby Rosen, Rosen Four and Adler Four are vertical folders. In addition to the folding bed, there is a square metal plate mounted on scissor struts and supporting the lens and shutter assembly. All the models have a folding optical finder and an advance knob at the left end of the top plate. The back is hinged to the left and retained by a sliding button on the right.

== The Baby Rosen ==
The '''Baby Rosen''' (ベビーローゼン) is a direct copy of the Zeh Goldi. The film advance is manually controlled via two red windows in the back, and there is no exposure counter. The front leather is simply embossed ''ROSEN''.

The Baby Rosen appears in advertisements dated November 1935 to October 1936.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.343. </REF> The November 1935 advertisement in {{ACA}} mentions an imported Corygon f/4.5 lens and a [[Vario]] shutter, and says that the price range started at {{yen|45|1935}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in Yazawa, p.17 of {{CCN}} no.235. </REF> The September 1936 advertisement in {{AR}} lists the following lens and shutter combinations:<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. </REF>
* Terionar f/4.5 lens, Argus shutter, T, B, 25–100 speeds ({{yen|35|1936}});<REF> The lens name is written テリナー (''terinā'') in the advertisement by mistake. Terionar lenses are reported in {{SUG}}, item 1241, in {{MK}}, p.804, and have been observed in an online auction. </REF>
* Corygon f/4.5 lens, [[Vario]] shutter ({{yen|45|1936}});
* Corygon f/4.5 lens, [[Pronto|S-Pronto]] shutter ({{yen|55|1936}});
* Corygon f/4.5 lens, [[Compur|N-Compur]] shutter ({{yen|80|1936}}).
The Corygon lens was made by [[Friedrich]], and the Terionar lens was made by [[Fuji Kōgaku]], as indicated by the ''Fuji-kō Anastigmat Terionar'' engraving on the lens rim.<REF> Engraving observed on a Baby Rosen in an online auction. </REF> The Baby Rosen pictured in {{SUG}} is the cheapest version.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 1241. </REF> The Argus shutter is [[everset shutter|everset]] and the speeds are selected by a small wheel at the top. The release lever is directly attached to the shutter plate. The latter has a decorative pattern shaped as a labyrinth and the aperture scale is at the bottom.
{{Flickr_image
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/6666198133/in/pool-camerawiki/
|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6666198133_222c48e532_n.jpg
|image_align= left
|image_text= 1936 Proud Co.Japan Baby-Rosen Fuji-Ko Anastigmat f4,5/5cm
|image_by= yalluflex
|image_rights=  with permission
}}

{{br}}
== The Rosen Four ==
The '''Rosen Four''' (ローゼン・フォアー) is a modified version taking 4×4cm pictures. It was advertised as the first Japanese camera taking 4×4cm pictures,<REF> Leaflet ''Nihon saisho no 4×4 kamera Rōzen Foā'', c.1937; advertisement in {{ACA}} December 1936 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. This information is repeated in {{SUG}}, item 1242, and in {{Kokusan}}, p.343. </REF> and the Rosen Four and Adler Four are certainly the only folding cameras that were made in that format.

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|| ''Film advance control. {{public domain Japan old}}''
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There is a small black casing under the [[film advance|advance knob]], containing an exposure counter which is manually reset by a small button at the front. (Some device to control the film advance was necessary because the rollfilm paper backing was not marked for 4×4cm pictures.) It is said that there is no auto-stop mechanism and that the film advance is manually controlled by watching the frame numbers.<REF> "Senzen no rikō kamera – hoi", p.21 of {{KKS}} no.14 (about the Adler IIII). </REF> The front leather covering has the same ''ROSEN'' embossing as the Baby Rosen. The name ''Rosen'' is repeated at the front of the leather ever-ready case.<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>

The Rosen Four appears as a new model in an advertisement in the December 1936 issue of {{ACA}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. </REF> The maker is mentioned as [[Proud|Proud-sha]] and the distributor as [[Ōsawa|Ōsawa Shōkai]]. The following lens and shutter options are listed:
* Rosen Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, Rosen shutter, 5–150 speeds ({{yen|48|1936}});
* Corygon f/4.5 lens, [[Vario|New Vario I]] shutter ({{yen|55|1936}});
* Corygon f/4.5 lens, [[Prontor II]] shutter ({{yen|69|1936}});<REF> An example is pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1242, and Lewis, p.51. </REF>
* Corygon f/4.5 lens, [[Compur|Compur-N]] shutter ({{yen|82|1936}});
* Corygon f/3.5 lens, [[Prontor II]] shutter ({{yen|80|1936}});
* Corygon f/3.5 lens, [[Compur|Compur-N]] shutter ({{yen|95|1936}});
* Corygon f/2.9 lens, [[Compur|Compur-N]] shutter ({{yen|110|1936}}).

The same versions are listed in the leaflet reproduced below, together with the ever-ready case for ¥5.<REF> Leaflet ''Nihon saisho no 4×4 kamera Rōzen Foā'', c.1937. </REF> The document mentions "Rosen Camera Works" (ローゼン・カメラ・ウアークス) and has an ''R.C.W'' logo. This is certainly not the name of an actual company, as many similar names ending in [[Camera Works]].

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|| ''Leaflet for the Rosen Four, c.1937. {{public domain Japan old}}''
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In addition to the above versions, the Rosen Four has also been observed with a Rosen–Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens and an everset shutter giving 5–250, B, T speeds, engraved ''PKW'' at the top of the shutter plate, with a ''P'' or ''LP'' logo on the right.<REF> Example pictured in ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'', p.25, and in [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&no=103310371050 this page] of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology, and example observed in an online auction. </REF> The meaning of these markings is unknown.

== The Adler Four ==
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|| ''Column in {{SGR}} August 1938. {{public domain Japan old}}''
|}
The '''Adler Four''' (アドラー・フォアー) is a rebadged variant of the Rosen Four, sold by [[Asahi Bussan|Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō]] (subsidiary of [[Ricoh|Riken]]). The main body is nearly identical to the Rosen Four, except that the casing for the exposure counter is nickel-plated instead of black, and that the front leather is embossed ''Adler IIII''. The name "Adler" was clearly used to demonstrate Japan's alliance with Germany. During the war period, [[Ricoh|Riken]] often used such names (they also sold a [[Heil]] camera), or other "patriotic" names.

The Adler Four was introduced in 1938, some months after the 4.5×6 Adler models. The camera is announced and advertised in the August 1938 issue of {{SGR}}.<REF> Advertisement in {{SGR}} August 1938, p.2, and column in the same magazine, p.37. </REF> The price is given as {{yen|56|1938}} (case ¥6), and a ten-month payment plan is offered as an option.<REF> See also the catalogue ''Olympic Products'', c.1938, p.30, which gives the same information. The Adler Four was also listed for ¥65, with a similar ten-month payment option, in an unspecified issue of ''Riken Konzern geppō'' (理研コンツエルン月報) dated 1938, quoted in Tanaka, p.16 of {{KKS}} no.14. </REF> The two documents mention a Ukas Anastigmat f/4.5 lens and an Adler Four shutter giving 5–250, B, T speeds. Despite this, the camera pictured in the advertisement has a different shutter with T, B, 150–25 speeds, ''OLYMPIC FOUR'' at the top, ''MADE IN JAPAN'' and ''PAT. NO. 194303'' in small characters at the bottom, and the ''AKK'' logo of [[Asahi Bussan|Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō]]. (This shutter is similar to that found on the [[Olympic|Olympic Four]].)

{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
| width=300px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47830252801/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47830252801_c2f05beeb4_d.jpg]
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|| ''Advertisement in {{SGR}} August 1938. {{public domain Japan old}}''
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Two actual examples have been observed so far. One has a front-cell focusing Helios Anastigmat f/4.5 lens (certainly made by [[Tōkyō Shashin|Tōkyō Shashin Kōgaku]]) and an everset [[Perfect]] shutter (5–250, B, T) by [[Neumann & Heilemann]].<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> The shutter plate has a ''Neumann & Heilemann'' nameplate screwed to the top, is marked ''PERFECT'' at the bottom and has an ''NH'' logo on the right. The aperture scale, from 4.5 to 18, is engraved on another crescent-shaped plate screwed to the bottom. (This lens and shutter equipment is similar to some [[Seica and Andes Four|Seica]] examples, but for the minimum speed.) This camera is reported to have the name "The Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co Ltd" engraved somewhere.<REF> Description of the online auction. </REF>

The other example has an [[everset]] shutter (5–250, B, T), marked ''ADLER FOUR'' at the top with a different logo on the right, probably reading ''AKK''.<REF> Example pictured in "Senzen no rikō kamera – hoi", p.21 of {{KKS}} no.14, and in [http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/ricoh-filmcamera/cameralist/adlerIV.html Adler Four page of the Ricoh official website]. </REF> This shutter is perhaps a rebadged Perfect but this is unconfirmed.

== Notes ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
=== Original documents ===
* Anonymous company. ''Nihon saisho no 4×4 kamera Rōzen Foā / Kokusan kamera hyōjun-hin Semi Rōzen'' (日本最初の4×4カメラ ローゼンフォアー / 国産カメラ標準品 セミ・ローゼン, Rosen Four, first Japanese 4×4 camera / Semi Rosen, standard Japanese camera). Leaflet published c.1937 (date not indicated). Document reproduced in [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/albums/72157712046370561/ this Flickr set] by Rebollo_fr.
* [[Asahi Bussan|Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō]]. ''Olympic Products''. Catalogue published c.1938 (date not indicated). Document reproduced in [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/albums/72157712017208452/ this Flickr set] by Rebollo_fr. (The catalogue briefly mentions the Adler Four on p.30, among cameras available with a ten-month payment plan.)
* {{Inquiry1943}} Lens item Jc12.
* {{SGR}} (新光グラフ) August 1938.
** Advertisement by [[Asahi Bussan|Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō]] on p.2.
** "Orinpikku kamera nyūsu" (オリンピックカメラニュース, Olympic camera news). P.37.

=== Recent sources ===
* {{Showa10}} Items 326–7. (The Adler Four is not listed in this book.)
* {{Lewis}} P.51.
* {{McKeown12}} P.804.
* ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'' (思い出のスプリングカメラ展, Exhibition of beloved self-erecting cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.25.
* "Senzen no rikō kamera – hoi" (戦前のリコーカメラ・補遺, Prewar Ricoh cameras – appendix). {{KKS014}} Pp.21–2.
* {{Zukan}} Items 1241–2. (The Adler Four is not listed in this book.)
* Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Senzen no kamera 2: Supuringu kamera" (戦前のカメラ2・スプリングカメラ, Prewar cameras 2: folding cameras). {{KKS014}} Pp.16–9.
* Yazawa Seiichirō (矢沢征一郎). "Renzu no hanashi (145) Rōzen to Korigon" (レンズの話[145]ローゼンとコリゴン, Lens story [145] Rosen and Corygon). In {{CCN}} no.235 (January 1997). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.15–9.

== Links ==
In Japanese:
* [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?no=103310371050 Rosen Four] in the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/set_brws_01.php?id=1033 Camera database] of the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/ Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology]
* Pages of the [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/ Ricoh official website]:
** [http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/ricoh-filmcamera/cameralist/adlerIV.html Adler Four] in the [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/index.html camera list]
** [http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/japan/products/ricoh-filmcamera_lib/column/war-camera.html article about Riken wartime camera names]


{{riken prewar}}

[[Category: Japanese 3x4 viewfinder folding]]
[[Category: Japanese 4x4 viewfinder folding]]
[[Category:Japanese 127 film]]
[[Category: Ricoh]]
[[Category: B]]
[[Category: R|Rosen, Baby]]
[[Category: A|Adler Four]]
[[Category: 1935]]