Calm Six
The Calm Six (カルムシックス) is a Japanese 6×6cm folding camera made by Nihon Kōki in 1955–7.
Contents
General description
The Calm Six has a horizontal body with three-part folding struts. The combined range and viewfinder is contained in a top housing. All the models have unit focusing and rangefinder coupling. The advance knob is at the right end, the shutter release is at its usual location next to it, and the folding bed release is on the front door itself. There is an accessory shoe above the top housing. The back is hinged to the left, and the company name NIPPON KOKI is embossed in the leather covering. The company logo NK is embossed in the leather of the front door. On all the models, the shutter has a self-timer and a PC synch socket.
The first generation
Common features
The models of the first generation are recognized by the viewfinder eyepiece offset to the right, as seen by the photographer, and by the small rectangular second-image window at the left end of the top housing. The name Calm is engraved at the front of the top housing and the body serial number is engraved in front of the accessory shoe.
The original Calm Six and Calm Six S
The original Calm Six has an auto-stop advance device. There is double exposure prevention and an exposure counter contained inside the advance knob. The position of the first exposure is set via start marks on the rollfilm paper backing, and there is no red window at all. The system works for 6×6cm pictures only, and the camera cannot take 4.5×6cm exposures.
The original Calm Six was featured in Japanese magazines dated July 1955.[1] In an advertisement dated August 1955, it was offered with a Toko f/3.5 lens and a Copal shutter (B, 1–300) for ¥17,500.
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.349.
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 464 and 1192–4.
- 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). Pp.720–1.
- 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 1284–7.
Links
In Japanese:
