Difference between revisions of "Camel, Comex 35, Kikuca 35 and Rolex 35 III"
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| − | The '''Camel''' | + | The '''Camel''', '''Comex''', '''Kikuca 35''' and '''Rolex 35''' are Japanese 35mm viewfinder cameras with a leaf shutter, made in the first half of the 1950s. |
| − | == | + | == Common features == |
| − | + | All the models share the same octogonal body. The back is removed together with the bottom plate for film loading. The viewfinder is contained in a short top housing, which also supports an accessory shoe on the right. The advance and rewind knob, exposure counter, shutter release and rewind unlock lever are shaped as on the early Leica or Canon rangefinder cameras. There is a thin metal casing around the lens, with a characteristic shape and a ''24X36'' engraving at the top. The body release linkage probably runs through this casing, and an axis protrudes at the bottom to connect it with the shutter itself. | |
| − | The | + | == The Camel == |
| + | The '''Camel''' has a focusing helical with a focusing tab at the base of the lens barrel. The distance is visible in a window placed above the barrel. | ||
| − | + | It was ostensibly made by a company called [[Tōhōkōken]]: the top housing is engraved ''Camel mode II'' and ''Tōhōkōken camera'' in smaller letters. There is a typo, and it is not known if the intended engraving was "model I" or "model II". | |
The lens is a Camel Anastigmat 50mm f/3.5, with a "C" for coating. The shutter is engraved ''NIPPOL'' at the base of the speed rim. It has B, 1–200 speeds, a self-timer and an ASA bayonet synch post. | The lens is a Camel Anastigmat 50mm f/3.5, with a "C" for coating. The shutter is engraved ''NIPPOL'' at the base of the speed rim. It has B, 1–200 speeds, a self-timer and an ASA bayonet synch post. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The only actual example observed so far is pictured in {{Sugiyama}}.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 3137. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == The Comex == | ||
| + | The '''Comex''' is a name variant of the Camel. It was announced in the April 1953 issue of ''[[Ars Camera]]'' as the '''Sanon 35''' (サノン35) by the distributor [[Takasago|Takasago Shōkai]].<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 352. </REF> It seems that the June 1953 issue of the same magazine says that the name was changed to '''Comex 35''' (コメックス35), and the camera was advertised as such until October of the same year.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 352. </REF> In an advertisement dated June 1953,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Photo Art]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 138. </REF> the camera was offered for {{yen|12,000|1953}} with a Comex 45/3.5 lens and a synchronized Purax shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer): the name ''PURAX'' is engraved at the base of the speed rim. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The only actual example observed so far is pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, where it is attributed to [[Akimoto|Akimoto Co., Ltd.]] for an unknown reason.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 3224. </REF> Its body shows no apparent difference. The top housing is engraved ''Comex'' and ''mode II'' or ''model II''.<REF> The picture in {{Sugiyama}}, item 3224, is not legible enough. </REF> The lens is a Comex Anastigmat 45mm f/3.5. The shutter is engraved ''WACO'' at the base of the speed rim, it has the same features as the Nippol mounted on the Camel. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 15: | Line 23: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
| − | * {{McKeown12}} | + | * {{Showa10}} Items 520 and 523. |
| − | * {{Zukan}} Items 3137 and 3290 | + | * {{McKeown12}} Pp. 44 and 922. |
| − | + | * {{Zukan}} Items 3137, 3224 and 3290. | |
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| − | * | + | * [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~rd2h-ari/NAZO_ROLEX35.htm Page about the Rolex 35] at [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~rd2h-ari/ Japan Family Camera], mentioning the Camel and the Comex |
[[Category: Japanese 35mm viewfinder]] | [[Category: Japanese 35mm viewfinder]] | ||
[[Category: C]] | [[Category: C]] | ||
Revision as of 10:32, 19 May 2007
The Camel, Comex, Kikuca 35 and Rolex 35 are Japanese 35mm viewfinder cameras with a leaf shutter, made in the first half of the 1950s.
Common features
All the models share the same octogonal body. The back is removed together with the bottom plate for film loading. The viewfinder is contained in a short top housing, which also supports an accessory shoe on the right. The advance and rewind knob, exposure counter, shutter release and rewind unlock lever are shaped as on the early Leica or Canon rangefinder cameras. There is a thin metal casing around the lens, with a characteristic shape and a 24X36 engraving at the top. The body release linkage probably runs through this casing, and an axis protrudes at the bottom to connect it with the shutter itself.
The Camel
The Camel has a focusing helical with a focusing tab at the base of the lens barrel. The distance is visible in a window placed above the barrel.
It was ostensibly made by a company called Tōhōkōken: the top housing is engraved Camel mode II and Tōhōkōken camera in smaller letters. There is a typo, and it is not known if the intended engraving was "model I" or "model II".
The lens is a Camel Anastigmat 50mm f/3.5, with a "C" for coating. The shutter is engraved NIPPOL at the base of the speed rim. It has B, 1–200 speeds, a self-timer and an ASA bayonet synch post.
The only actual example observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama.[1]
The Comex
The Comex is a name variant of the Camel. It was announced in the April 1953 issue of Ars Camera as the Sanon 35 (サノン35) by the distributor Takasago Shōkai.[2] It seems that the June 1953 issue of the same magazine says that the name was changed to Comex 35 (コメックス35), and the camera was advertised as such until October of the same year.[3] In an advertisement dated June 1953,[4] the camera was offered for ¥12,000 with a Comex 45/3.5 lens and a synchronized Purax shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer): the name PURAX is engraved at the base of the speed rim.
The only actual example observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama, where it is attributed to Akimoto Co., Ltd. for an unknown reason.[5] Its body shows no apparent difference. The top housing is engraved Comex and mode II or model II.[6] The lens is a Comex Anastigmat 45mm f/3.5. The shutter is engraved WACO at the base of the speed rim, it has the same features as the Nippol mounted on the Camel.
Notes
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 3137.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 352.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 352.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Photo Art, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 138.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 3224.
- ↑ The picture in Sugiyama, item 3224, is not legible enough.
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 520 and 523.
- 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. 44 and 922.
- 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 3137, 3224 and 3290.
Links
- Page about the Rolex 35 at Japan Family Camera, mentioning the Camel and the Comex
