Carl Six
The Carl Six or Carl-6[1] (カールシックス) is a Japanese 6×6 folder made by the company Carl, the former Kigawa Kōgaku. It is dual format and can also take 4.5×6cm pictures.
The Carl Six is a horizontal folding camera, with the viewfinder protruding from a sleek and low top housing. The advance knob is on the left when held by the photographer, on the top housing there is also an accessory shoe and the folding bed opening button at the center, the release button on the right and a low decorative knob at the right end. There is also a Carl-6 engraving and the rest of the top housing is leather covered. The hinged back opens to the right and has two red windows, one for each format. They are protected by horizontal sliding covers, running under a metal plate marked Carl, 16.E.X. and 12.E.X.
The original model is advertised in 1952[2] and 1953[3] in two versions, both with a Carl Anastigmat 80/3.5 coated lens and a K.O.C. shutter ("K.O.C." probably stands for Karl Optical Company):
- Carl Six I with K.O.C. B, 10–200 speeds;
- Carl Six II with K.O.C. B, 1–200 speeds.
Both shutters are synchronized via an ASA bayonet connector, and have a self-timer with a special patented lever.
The New Carl Six is advertised in 1953[4]. It is offered in three versions, with a coated 80/3.5 lens, apparently called Carl Six Anastigmat (カールシックスアナスチグマット), and a COC shutter synchronized via an ASA bayonet connector:
- New Carl Six BI with B, 10–200 speeds and a self-timer;
- New Carl Six BII with B, 1–200 speeds and a self-timer;
- New Carl Six BIII with B, 1–200 speeds and no self-timer.
The advertisement mentions a new type of finder with a switchable frame, replacing the previous finder with two vertical red lines to delineate the 4.5×6 format. It mentions the easy to fold struts and the sleek general design, but these features are common with the previous model. It also shows a COC Carl logo.
Notes
- ↑ The camera itself is engraved Carl-6 but the advertisements are labelled "Carl Six".
- ↑ Advertisement for the Carl Six I and II, published in the July 1952 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 462.
- ↑ Advertisements mentioned by Kokusan kamera no rekishi.
- ↑ Advertisement for the New Carl Six BI, BII and BIII, published in the April 1953 issue of Shashin Salon, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 463.
Printed 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 462–3.
