Difference between revisions of "Bonny Six"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(obscure 6x6 folder)
 
m (Replaced location of rebollo_fr image due to expected deletion of images on Flickr August 2019, rebollo_fr/519766662)
(19 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Japanese Six}}
+
{{Japanese Six prewar
The '''Bonny Six''' (ボニー・シックス) is a Japanese 6&times;6 folding camera. It was advertised by [[Ōmiya|Ōmiya Shashin-yōhin]] in 1942. It is said that it was made by a company called Yamato, but that is probably not the same company as [[Yamato|Yamato Kōki Kōgyō]] that made the [[Pax]] after the war.<REF> McKeown, p.&nbsp;1021, attributes it to the same "Yamato Koki Kogyo Co., Ltd." but this company only took this name in 1944 according to its [http://www.yamato-web.co.jp/kaisya.htm official chronology]. Before that it was called Kikuchi Seisakusho. [http://taka-platz.s40.xrea.com/taka_bbs/c-board.cgi?cmd=ntr;tree=99;id= This thread of the Shashinki no Mori forum] says that the Bonny Six was made by a "Yamato CameraCo" founded around 1938, about which nothing else is known. </REF>
+
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48615486431/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48615486431_88ced1c56a_m_d.jpg]<br>''Bonny Six II, 1/250 top speed. {{with permission}}''
 +
}}
 +
The '''Bonny Six''' (ボニー・シックス) is a Japanese 6×6 folding camera. It was made by [[Yamasaki Seiki]] and distributed by [[Ōmiya|Ōmiya Shashin-yōhin]] in the first half of the 1940s.<REF> Made by Yamasaki Seiki: {{Inquiry1943_short}}, items 195–6. {{McKeown}}, p.1021, attributes the Bonny Six to [[Yamato|Yamato Kōki Kōgyō]] but this is a mistake. [http://taka-platz.s40.xrea.com/taka_bbs/c-board.cgi?cmd=ntr;tree=99;id= This thread of the Shashinki no Mori forum] says that the Bonny Six was made by a "Yamato Camera Co." founded around 1938 but this is certainly a mistake too. </REF>
  
== Description of the body ==
+
== Original documents ==
The Bonny Six is a horizontal folder, copy of the [[Ikonta]] 6&times;6. It has a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate, a body release, an advance key at the top left and strap lugs at both ends. The back is hinged to the right. The front leather is embossed ''BONNY SIX''.
+
The Bonny Six is mentioned in the list of set prices compiled in October 1940, in two versions called "Bonny Six I" (¥79) and simply "Bonny Six" (¥89, perhaps a typo for "Bonny Six II), with no further details.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 4, sections 3 and 5A. </REF> The "Bonny Six I" is also in the official price list dated November 1941, where other versions are perhaps mentioned as well.<REF> {{Kakaku1141_short}}, type 4, section 3. </REF>
  
== Lens and shutter equipment ==
+
The camera was advertised in 1941 and in February 1942 by [[Ōmiya|Ōmiya Shashin-yōhin]] together with the [[Bonny Four]], again with no detail.<REF> [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/pigeon_41_l.jpg Advertisement] dated 1941 reproduced in the [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera page] by Toshio Inamura, and advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' February 1942, visible in [http://xylocopal2.exblog.jp/5177408 this page of Xylocopal's photolog]. </REF> An advertisement published in the October 1942 issue of ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'' lists the Bonny Six I and II but shows no picture.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.92. Other advertisements dated 1942 are listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.341. </REF> The Bonny Six I and II were still mentioned in the {{Inquiry1943_short}}, listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, items 195–6. </REF>
An advertisement dated October 1942<REF> Published in ''Shashin Bunka'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;92. </REF> lists two versions of the Bonny Six, both with a Bonny Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens:
 
* '''Bonny Six I''': T, B, 5&ndash;200 speeds;
 
* '''Bonny Six II''': T, B, 1&ndash;200 speeds.
 
  
The only surviving example observed so far is the Bonny Six I pictured in {{McKeown}}.<REF> McKeown, p.&nbsp;1021. </REF>
+
== Description ==
 +
The Bonny Six is a horizontal folder, copy of the [[Ikonta]] 6&times;6. It has a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate, a body release, an advance key at the top left and strap lugs at both ends. The back is hinged to the right. The name ''BONNY SIX'' is embossed in the front leather.
 +
 
 +
The lens is a three-element Bonny Anastigmat 75/4.5 made by a company called [[Suzuki]].<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens item Lc23. The name and aperture are confirmed by the October 1942 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.92. </REF> It is front-cell focusing.
 +
 
 +
The '''Bonny Six I''' has a shutter made by [[Hasegawa]] and giving T, B, 5–200 speeds.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 18-U-7. The speed range confirmed by the October 1942 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.92. </REF> The shutter of the '''Bonny Six II''' is said to give T, B, 1–200 speeds in the October 1942 advertisement and T, B, 1–250 speeds in the 1943 inquiry, and its maker is unknown.<REF> T, B, 1–200: advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.92. T, B, 1–250: {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 18-P-10. </REF>
 +
 
 +
== Actual examples ==
 +
One example of the Bonny Six I is pictured in {{McKeown}}.<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.1021. </REF> The T, B, 5–200 shutter speeds are engraved on the speed rim.
 +
 
 +
One example of the Bonny Six II has been observed with 1/250 top speed.<REF> Example pictured in this page. </REF> The 250–1, B, T are engraved on the shutter plate in that order.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 16: Line 25:
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
* {{Showa10}} Item .
+
* {{Showa10}} Item 241.
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;1021.
+
* {{Kakaku1141}} Type 4, section 3.
 +
* {{Inquiry1943}} Items 195–6.
 +
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 4, sections 3 and 5A.
 +
* {{McKeown12}} P.1021.
 
This camera is not listed in {{Sugiyama}}.
 
This camera is not listed in {{Sugiyama}}.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
* [http://taka-platz.s40.xrea.com/taka_bbs/c-board.cgi?cmd=ntr;tree=99;id= Thread about the Bonny Six] in the forum of the [http://taka-platz.s40.xrea.com/ Shashinki no Mori website]
+
* [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/pigeon_41_l.jpg Advertisement] dated 1941 for the Bonny Four and Six (bottom part), reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page by Toshio Inamura
 +
* Advertisement for the Bonny Four and Six published in ''Asahi Camera'' February 1942, visible in [http://xylocopal2.exblog.jp/5177408 this page about old camera magazines] of [http://xylocopal2.exblog.jp/ Xylocopal's photolog]
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Japanese 6x6 viewfinder folding]]

Revision as of 06:05, 25 August 2019

Japanese Six (6×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Adler Six | Bonny Six | Clover-Six | Condor Six | First Six | Gelto Six | Gotex | Green | Lyra Six | Super Makinet Six | Mamiya Six | Miyako Six | Mulber Six | Mulix | National Six | Neure Six | Oko Six | Olympus Six | Pilot Six | Romax | Ugein | Vester-Six | Victor Six | Weha Six
collapsible
Ehira Chrome Six | Minolta Six | Shinko Super | Weha Chrome Six
unknown
Freude Six | Heart Camera | Konter Six | Tsubasa Six
Postwar models ->
Japanese 6×6 TLR, pseudo TLR and medium format SLR ->
Japanese Semi (4.5×6) and older 6×9 ->

The Bonny Six (ボニー・シックス) is a Japanese 6×6 folding camera. It was made by Yamasaki Seiki and distributed by Ōmiya Shashin-yōhin in the first half of the 1940s.[1]

Original documents

The Bonny Six is mentioned in the list of set prices compiled in October 1940, in two versions called "Bonny Six I" (¥79) and simply "Bonny Six" (¥89, perhaps a typo for "Bonny Six II), with no further details.[2] The "Bonny Six I" is also in the official price list dated November 1941, where other versions are perhaps mentioned as well.[3]

The camera was advertised in 1941 and in February 1942 by Ōmiya Shashin-yōhin together with the Bonny Four, again with no detail.[4] An advertisement published in the October 1942 issue of Shashin Bunka lists the Bonny Six I and II but shows no picture.[5] The Bonny Six I and II were still mentioned in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.[6]

Description

The Bonny Six is a horizontal folder, copy of the Ikonta 6×6. It has a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate, a body release, an advance key at the top left and strap lugs at both ends. The back is hinged to the right. The name BONNY SIX is embossed in the front leather.

The lens is a three-element Bonny Anastigmat 75/4.5 made by a company called Suzuki.[7] It is front-cell focusing.

The Bonny Six I has a shutter made by Hasegawa and giving T, B, 5–200 speeds.[8] The shutter of the Bonny Six II is said to give T, B, 1–200 speeds in the October 1942 advertisement and T, B, 1–250 speeds in the 1943 inquiry, and its maker is unknown.[9]

Actual examples

One example of the Bonny Six I is pictured in McKeown.[10] The T, B, 5–200 shutter speeds are engraved on the speed rim.

One example of the Bonny Six II has been observed with 1/250 top speed.[11] The 250–1, B, T are engraved on the shutter plate in that order.

Notes

  1. Made by Yamasaki Seiki: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), items 195–6. McKeown, p.1021, attributes the Bonny Six to Yamato Kōki Kōgyō but this is a mistake. This thread of the Shashinki no Mori forum says that the Bonny Six was made by a "Yamato Camera Co." founded around 1938 but this is certainly a mistake too.
  2. "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 4, sections 3 and 5A.
  3. "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 4, section 3.
  4. Advertisement dated 1941 reproduced in the Nostalgic Camera page by Toshio Inamura, and advertisement published in Asahi Camera February 1942, visible in this page of Xylocopal's photolog.
  5. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92. Other advertisements dated 1942 are listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.341.
  6. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), items 195–6.
  7. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens item Lc23. The name and aperture are confirmed by the October 1942 advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92.
  8. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-U-7. The speed range confirmed by the October 1942 advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92.
  9. T, B, 1–200: advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92. T, B, 1–250: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-P-10.
  10. McKeown, p.1021.
  11. Example pictured in this page.

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 241.
  • "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō" (カメラの公定価格官報発表, Official announcement of the set prices of the cameras), November 1941. Extract of a table listing Japanese camera production and setting the retail prices, reproduced in "Bebī Semi Fāsuto 'Kore ha bebī wo nanotta semi-ki da'" (ベビーセミファースト"これはベビーを名乗ったセミ機だ", Baby Semi First, 'this is a Semi camera called Baby'), an article by Furukawa Yasuo (古川保男) in Camera Collectors' News no. 277 (July 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P. 27. Type 4, section 3.
  • "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 195–6.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 4, sections 3 and 5A.
  • 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.1021.

This camera is not listed in Sugiyama.

Links

In Japanese: