Baron folders
The Baron folders are Japanese 6×6 cameras made by Chūō Seiki, later Baron Camera, from 1952 to 1956.[1]
Contents
Common features
All the Baron cameras are horizontal folders, taking 6×6cm as well as 4.5×6cm exposures. The folding struts are inspired from the Ikonta. The back is hinged to the right, as seen by the photographer, and has two red windows, one for each format. The upper one is engraved 4.5X6 and the other 6X6.
The Baron Six
Description
The Baron Six (バロンシックス)[2] has no rangefinder. The viewfinder is half-contained in the top housing, at the centre. It seems to have translucent blue plastic strips on both sides, showing the field of view for 4.5×6cm exposures.
The advance knob is at the top left and has an arrow to indicate the winding direction. There is a decorative film flange at the top right. The body release and accessory shoe are to the right of the viewfinder and the folding bed release is to the left, with the indication OPEN engraved next to it.
The name Baron is engraved on the top housing, to the left of the finder. The serial number is inscribed in front of the accessory shoe. The initials CSK are engraved in the folding struts, perhaps for Chūō Seiki. The name BARON–SIX is also embossed in the back leather, under the red windows, and a CHUO BARON logo is embossed in the leather of the folding bed.
The lens is a Ciskol Anastigmat 80mm f/3.5 and the shutter is an NKS (B, 1–200) with a self-timer and an ASA bayonet synch post.
Advertisements
The camera was announced in the summer of 1952 and advertised from early 1953.[3] An advertisement dated September 1953[4] shows a CHUO BARON logo and lists the distributors Misuzu Shōkai, Hattori Tokei-ten and Asanuma Shōkai, but does not give the full name of the manufacturing company.
The Baron Six was still advertised in September 1954,[5] alongwith the rangefinder models. The advertising picture shows an NKS-TB shutter (B, 1–200) with a PC synch post. The price was ¥10,300.
Various surviving examples have been observed, all of them with a plain NKS and an ASA synch post.[6]
The Baron-RI and Baron-RII
The Baron-RI (バロン-RI) and Baron-RII (バロン-RII) have an uncoupled rangefinder, combined with the viewfinder in a revised top housing, integrating the accessory shoe in the middle. The distance setting knob is at the right end of the top plate. It is graduated in feet and is marked Baron Camera Co. The advance knob contains a film reminder, with EMPTY, PAN, RED and COLOR positions. The folding bed release is placed at the front of the top housing, just above the folding bed itself when it is in closed position.
The name Baron-R is engraved between the viewfinder window and the round second image window. The serial number is inscribed behind the top housing on the right. The BARON–SIX embossing is still present on the back but the logo on the folding bed now reads BARON CAMERA CO TOKYO JAPAN. The CKS engraving of the folding struts has disappeared.
The shutter is an NKS (B, 1–200 or B, 1–300) on the Baron-RI and a Seikosha-Rapid (B, 1–500) on the Baron-RII. The lens is a Baron Anastigmat 80mm f/3.5 on both models but the engraving differs: it is Baron Anastigmat with "Baron" in cursive style on the model I and BARON ANASTIGMAT in capital letters on the model II.
Advertisements
The Baron-R was released in mid 1954.[7] The September 1954 advertisement cited above[8] offered the two cameras for respectively ¥13,200 and ¥15,000. The shutter of the model I was given as an NKS giving B, 1–200 speeds, and it seems to have a PC synch post in the advertising picture. The Seikosha-Rapid shutter has an ASA synch post in the picture of the model II.
Actual examples
Two surviving examples of the Baron-RI have been observed and two of the Baron-RII. The Baron-RI both have an NKS-FB shutter (B, 1–300) and a PC synch post; on one of these, the folding bed release is round instead of rectangular.[9] One of the Baron-RII has an ASA synch post and the other has a PC post.[10]
The Baron-J and Baron-F
Notes
- ↑ Dates: advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 359.
- ↑ This model is called "Baron Chrome Six" by mistake in Sugiyama, item 1279.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 359, says that it was featured in a column of the July 1952 issue of Ars Camera. The earliest advertisement listed is in Asahi Camera February 1953.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 161.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 161.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1279, and examples observed in various online auctions.
- ↑ Date: advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 359, start in June 1954.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 161.
- ↑ Round button: example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1280. Rectangular release: example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ ASA post: example observed in an online auction. PC post: example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1281.
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 693–6.
- 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. 79 (brief mention only).
- 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. 111.
- 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 1279–82.
Links
In Japanese:
