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.
The original Calm Six
The original Calm Six has an auto-stop advance device. There is double exposure prevention, and the advance knob contains an exposure counter and a film reminder. 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.
The only surviving example of the original Calm Six observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama.[2] This camera has a milled focusing ring.
The Calm Six S
Some examples of the Calm Six have the letter S engraved at the front of the top housing, next to the name Calm. This version was presumably called Calm Six S, but this is not confirmed by any original document observed so far. The distinguishing features of the Calm Six S are unknown.
One example of the Calm Six S is known with a milled focusing ring; it is indistinguishable from the original Calm Six except for the marking.[3] At least this camera has the body serial number engraved in front of the accessory shoe. Another Calm Six S is known with a plain focusing ring driven by a round tab.[4]
The Calm Six J
The Calm Six J is a simplified version of the Calm Six. It does not have the auto-stop device, and the film advance is controlled via a single red window in the back, protected by a horizontally sliding cover. The advance knob does not have an exposure counter or film indicator, but a simple arrow telling the turning direction.
The lens is a Calm 8.0cm f/3.5, engraved CALM 1:3.5 f=8.0cm N.K. Opt. Co. The shutter gives B, 1–200 speeds and is engraved EPSILON at the bottom of the speed ring.
The Calm Six J was featured in the February 1956 issue of Photo Art, where it was perhaps described as dual format (6×6 and 4.5×6) by mistake.[5]
One early Calm Six J has been observed with the serial number above the top housing, followed by the letter J.[6] It has the milled focusing ring and an arrow engraved in the top housing next to the advance knob; this arrow is a duplicate of that already present on the knob itself. The camera might have been assembled from an unfinished original Calm Six, with the plain knob, red window and letter J added as an afterthought.
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.349.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1284.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1285.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.381. This source says that the camera is dual format, probably after the article in Photo Art.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
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:
