Difference between revisions of "Clover-Six and Vester-Six"
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* Venner f/3.5 lens, newly available ({{yen|98|1939}}). | * Venner f/3.5 lens, newly available ({{yen|98|1939}}). | ||
| − | The '''Clover-Six 3, 4 and B''' were advertised between 1941 and 1943.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 336. </REF> At the right end of the top plate, the decorative knob has been replaced by a depth-of-field dial. An advertisement dated April 1942<REF> Advertisement published in ''Hōdō Shashin'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 69. </REF> gives the following characteristics: | + | The '''Clover-Six 3, 4 and B''' were advertised between 1941 and 1943.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 336. </REF> At the right end of the top plate, the decorative knob has been replaced by a depth-of-field dial, even if at least one camera has been observed with no dial at all.<REF> Example observed in an eBay auction. </REF> It is confirmed that the back has a single red window. An advertisement dated April 1942<REF> Advertisement published in ''Hōdō Shashin'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 69. </REF> gives the following characteristics: |
* '''Clover-Six 3''': f/4.5 lens, 1–200 shutter ({{yen|129|1942}}); | * '''Clover-Six 3''': f/4.5 lens, 1–200 shutter ({{yen|129|1942}}); | ||
* '''Clover-Six 4''': f/3.5 lens, 1–200 shutter ({{yen|151|1942}}); | * '''Clover-Six 4''': f/3.5 lens, 1–200 shutter ({{yen|151|1942}}); | ||
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It is said that the self-timer equipped shutter is an Oriental while the others are called Vester.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 336. </REF> On the Vester shutters, the shutter plate is metal and is marked ''GINREI KOHKI'' at the top. | It is said that the self-timer equipped shutter is an Oriental while the others are called Vester.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 336. </REF> On the Vester shutters, the shutter plate is metal and is marked ''GINREI KOHKI'' at the top. | ||
| − | {{Kokusan}} says that the lenses are Venner 78/4.5 and 80/3.5, but | + | {{Kokusan}} says that the lenses are Venner 78/4.5 and 80/3.5, but actual examples have been observed with a Venner Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens.<REF> 78/4.5 and 80/3.5 lenses: {{Kokusan}}, p. 336. 75/3.5 lens: examples observed in online auctions. </REF> Some cameras do not have the ''Anastigmat'' marking but instead capital letters before the Venner name, apparently associated with the 80mm focal length. An N.K.L. Venner has been reported but it is unsure and these initials could as well be G.R.C. or K.O.L.<REF> Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction and example reported in an eBay auction. </REF> |
== The Vester-Six == | == The Vester-Six == | ||
Revision as of 14:03, 27 November 2006
The Clover-Six (クロバーシックス) and Vester-Six (ベスターシックス) are Japanese 6×6 folding cameras. The Clover-Six were distributed by Hagi Kōgyō Bōeki between 1937 and 1943 and the Vester-Six are nearly identical except for the name.[1] These cameras were probably related to the company Ginrei Kōki, see below.
Contents
General description
The Clover-Six and Vester-Six are horizontal folders. The viewfinder is contained in a short housing that also supports the accessory shoe. The advance knob is on the left end of the top plate and there is another knob on the right end. The back is hinged to the right and film advance is controlled by red window.
The Clover-Six
The Clover-Six is marked CLOVER-SIX in front of the viewfinder housing but there is no marking in the leather covering.
The original Clover-Six appeared at the end of 1937. It has no body release and has a brilliant finder attached to the shutter housing. It is said that there are three red windows in the back.[2] An advertisement dated December 1937[3] offers this version for ¥68 with a Venner 78/4.5 lens and a Vester I shutter (10–200, T, B). The shutter plate is black and is marked GRC Co at the top and VESTER I at the bottom. The right knob seems to be decorative only and has a smooth rim.
The Clover-Six 2 replaced the previous model in mid 1938. It has a body release and no brilliant finder. The right knob has a knurled rim and it is said that the back has a single red window. The shutter is the same Vester I as on the previous model. The shutter plate has similar markings but the speed scale is sometimes chrome instead of black. An advertisement dated June 1939[4] only calls the camera "Clover Six" and lists two variants:
The Clover-Six 3, 4 and B were advertised between 1941 and 1943.[5] At the right end of the top plate, the decorative knob has been replaced by a depth-of-field dial, even if at least one camera has been observed with no dial at all.[6] It is confirmed that the back has a single red window. An advertisement dated April 1942[7] gives the following characteristics:
- Clover-Six 3: f/4.5 lens, 1–200 shutter (¥129);
- Clover-Six 4: f/3.5 lens, 1–200 shutter (¥151);
- Clover-Six B: f/3.5 lens, 1–200 shutter, self-timer (¥163).
It is said that the self-timer equipped shutter is an Oriental while the others are called Vester.[8] On the Vester shutters, the shutter plate is metal and is marked GINREI KOHKI at the top.
Kokusan kamera no rekishi says that the lenses are Venner 78/4.5 and 80/3.5, but actual examples have been observed with a Venner Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens.[9] Some cameras do not have the Anastigmat marking but instead capital letters before the Venner name, apparently associated with the 80mm focal length. An N.K.L. Venner has been reported but it is unsure and these initials could as well be G.R.C. or K.O.L.[10]
The Vester-Six
The Vester-Six is identical to the Clover-Six 3, 4 and B, with a depth-of-field dial on the right end of the top plate. The only difference is that a metal plate engraved VESTER-SIX is screwed to the front of the finder housing and that VESTER-SIX is embossed in the back leather.
No advertisement for the Vester-Six has been found yet. On the actual examples of the Vester-Six, the following lens and shutter combinations are known:
- G.R.C. Venner 80mm f/3.5 lens, Vester 3 shutter (T, B, 1–200);[11]
- Anastigmat Venner 75mm f/3.5, Vester 3 shutter (T, B, 1–200).
In both cases, the shutter plate is marked GINREI KOHKI at the top and VESTER .3 at the bottom, with a logo on the right.
Who made them?
The Clover-Six is usually attributed to Hagi.[12] An advertisement for the Clover-Six dated December 1937[13] seems to state that Hagi was both the maker and the distributor: the words "製造発売元" are faintly visible besides the company name.
The Vester-Six is attributed to Ginrei Kōki by McKeown[14] and by this page at Japan Family Camera. The names Vester or Vesta have been used by Ginrei for other products, as well as the Venner lens name.
The GRC Co or GINREI KOHKI markings found on the shutter plates of both the Clover-Six and Vester-Six only prove for sure that the Vester shutters were made by Ginrei. The G.R.C. marking found on some of the Venner lenses also indicates that the lenses were also sub-contracted to Ginrei. However the origin of the body is still unsure.
Notes
- ↑ Dates of the Clover-Six: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 336.
- ↑ Three red windows: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 336.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 69.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 69.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 336.
- ↑ Example observed in an eBay auction.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 69.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 336.
- ↑ 78/4.5 and 80/3.5 lenses: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 336. 75/3.5 lens: examples observed in online auctions.
- ↑ Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction and example reported in an eBay auction.
- ↑ Examples pictured in this page at Japan Family Camera and in this post at a Chinese forum. An identical example has been observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 336, McKeown, p. 374.
- ↑ Advertisement published inAsahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 69.
- ↑ McKeown, pp. 345–6.
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 79–83.
- 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. 345–6 and 374.
Links
In Japanese:
- Clover-Six in a page of the AJCC
- Vester-Six at Japan Family Camera
In Chinese:
- Post about the Vester-Six in a Chinese forum
