Difference between revisions of "Clover Vest, Friend and Kooa"
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{{Japanese Vest}} | {{Japanese Vest}} | ||
| − | The '''Friend''' | + | The '''Clover Vest''', the '''Friend''' and the '''Kooa''' are Japanese folding cameras taking 4×6.5cm exposures on [[127 film]], dating from the second half of the 1930s. |
| − | == | + | == Common description == |
| − | The | + | The three models have nearly the same body and were probably made by the same company.<REF> This is pointed out in Yazawa, pp. 3–5 of {{KKS}} no. 260. </REF> They are copies of the [[Pearlette]] by [[Konica|Konishiroku]], itself copied from the [[Piccolette]] by [[Contessa-Nettel]]. All these cameras are inspired by the [[Vest Pocket Kodak]]. |
| − | The front standard is mounted on a pair of scissor struts and extends towards the bottom to act as a standing leg. It seems that the shutter release slides to the right of the front standard. | + | The front standard is mounted on a pair of scissor struts and extends towards the bottom to act as a standing leg. It seems that the shutter release slides to the right of the front standard. There is a [[brilliant finder]] at the top of the front plate, on the photographer's left, and a wireframe finder. The wireframe retracts behind the front plate and the eyepiece, shaped as a trident, retracts under the red window cover. |
| − | + | The winding knob or key is situated at the bottom left, as seen by the photographer holding the camera vertically. The back is fixed and the film is loaded through the side plate, on the advance side. The plate is locked by a knob with ''C'' and ''O'' positions (presumably for <U>C</U>lose and <U>O</U>pen). The red window cover plate is circular as on the Pearlette, but it has a single aperture. | |
| + | |||
| + | The shutter is everset shutter and gives T, B, 25, 50, 100 speeds, selected by a small wheel at the top.<REF> Shutter speeds reported in Yazawa, p. 4 of {{CCN}} no. 260, and in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1067. </REF> The shutter plate is plain black, with the aperture scale at the bottom and no markings. The lens has f/6.3 aperture and is fixed-focus.<REF> The f/6.3 aperture is confirmed for the Friend and Kooa, and likely for the Clover Vest. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == The Clover Vest == | ||
| + | The '''Clover Vest''' was probably distributed by [[Hagi]], owner of the Clover brand. It is mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, for ¥33.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}, type 2, section 3. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in Yazawa.<REF> Yazawa, p. 5 of {{KKS}} no. 260. </REF> It has an advance knob, certainly made of black plastic, and the presence of the wireframe finder is unconfirmed. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The front standard is marked ''Clover'' in cursive style at the bottom and there is a clover-shaped logo at the top left (opposite the brilliant finder). | ||
| + | |||
| + | == The Friend == | ||
| + | The '''Friend''' (フレンド) was advertised in the March 1937 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' by [[Akabane|Akabane Shashinki-ten]].<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 91. </REF> The lens was mentioned as an Anastigmat f/6.3, with no further detail. The camera cost {{yen|22|1937}} and the case cost ¥3.50. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in {{Sugiyama}}.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1067. </REF> It has an advance key and a wireframe finder. The lens is reported as a Friend Anastigmat f/6.3. | ||
The front standard is marked ''Friend'' at the bottom and there is an intricate logo at the top left, looking like the ''RK'' logo of the [[Pearlette]]. | The front standard is marked ''Friend'' at the bottom and there is an intricate logo at the top left, looking like the ''RK'' logo of the [[Pearlette]]. | ||
| − | == | + | == The Kooa == |
| − | + | The Kooa is mentioned In the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, the Kooa is mentioned in two versions, called "Kooa I" (¥33) and "Kooa II" (¥45), with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}, type 2, section 3. </REF> | |
| + | |||
| + | The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in Yazawa.<REF> Yazawa, p. 5 of {{KKS}} no. 260. </REF> It has an advance key and a wireframe finder. Its lens is a Friend Anastigmat f/6.3. | ||
| − | + | The front standard is marked ''Kooa'' in cursive style at the bottom and there is a logo at the top left (opposite the brilliant finder), with the word ''KOOA'' inside a rising sun. | |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 21: | Line 37: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* {{Showa10}} Item 232. | * {{Showa10}} Item 232. | ||
| + | * {{Kakaku1940}} Type 2, sections 3 and 6A. | ||
* {{McKeown12}} P. 44. | * {{McKeown12}} P. 44. | ||
* {{Zukan}} Item 1067. | * {{Zukan}} Item 1067. | ||
| + | * Yazawa Seiichirō (矢沢征一郎). "Renzu no hanashi (170) Kōa" (レンズの話[170]コーア, Lens tales [170] Kooa). In {{CCN}} no. 260 (February 1999). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp. 3–5. | ||
[[Category: Japanese 4x6.5 viewfinder folding]] | [[Category: Japanese 4x6.5 viewfinder folding]] | ||
[[Category: Strut folding]] | [[Category: Strut folding]] | ||
| − | [[Category: F]] | + | [[Category: C]] |
| + | [[Category: F|Friend]] | ||
| + | [[Category: K|Kooa]] | ||
Revision as of 16:35, 5 June 2007
The Clover Vest, the Friend and the Kooa are Japanese folding cameras taking 4×6.5cm exposures on 127 film, dating from the second half of the 1930s.
Common description
The three models have nearly the same body and were probably made by the same company.[1] They are copies of the Pearlette by Konishiroku, itself copied from the Piccolette by Contessa-Nettel. All these cameras are inspired by the Vest Pocket Kodak.
The front standard is mounted on a pair of scissor struts and extends towards the bottom to act as a standing leg. It seems that the shutter release slides to the right of the front standard. There is a brilliant finder at the top of the front plate, on the photographer's left, and a wireframe finder. The wireframe retracts behind the front plate and the eyepiece, shaped as a trident, retracts under the red window cover.
The winding knob or key is situated at the bottom left, as seen by the photographer holding the camera vertically. The back is fixed and the film is loaded through the side plate, on the advance side. The plate is locked by a knob with C and O positions (presumably for Close and Open). The red window cover plate is circular as on the Pearlette, but it has a single aperture.
The shutter is everset shutter and gives T, B, 25, 50, 100 speeds, selected by a small wheel at the top.[2] The shutter plate is plain black, with the aperture scale at the bottom and no markings. The lens has f/6.3 aperture and is fixed-focus.[3]
The Clover Vest
The Clover Vest was probably distributed by Hagi, owner of the Clover brand. It is mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, for ¥33.[4]
The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in Yazawa.[5] It has an advance knob, certainly made of black plastic, and the presence of the wireframe finder is unconfirmed.
The front standard is marked Clover in cursive style at the bottom and there is a clover-shaped logo at the top left (opposite the brilliant finder).
The Friend
The Friend (フレンド) was advertised in the March 1937 issue of Asahi Camera by Akabane Shashinki-ten.[6] The lens was mentioned as an Anastigmat f/6.3, with no further detail. The camera cost ¥22 and the case cost ¥3.50.
The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama.[7] It has an advance key and a wireframe finder. The lens is reported as a Friend Anastigmat f/6.3.
The front standard is marked Friend at the bottom and there is an intricate logo at the top left, looking like the RK logo of the Pearlette.
The Kooa
The Kooa is mentioned In the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, the Kooa is mentioned in two versions, called "Kooa I" (¥33) and "Kooa II" (¥45), with no further detail.[8]
The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in Yazawa.[9] It has an advance key and a wireframe finder. Its lens is a Friend Anastigmat f/6.3.
The front standard is marked Kooa in cursive style at the bottom and there is a logo at the top left (opposite the brilliant finder), with the word KOOA inside a rising sun.
Notes
- ↑ This is pointed out in Yazawa, pp. 3–5 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 260.
- ↑ Shutter speeds reported in Yazawa, p. 4 of Camera Collectors' News no. 260, and in Sugiyama, item 1067.
- ↑ The f/6.3 aperture is confirmed for the Friend and Kooa, and likely for the Clover Vest.
- ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 2, section 3.
- ↑ Yazawa, p. 5 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 260.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1067.
- ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 2, section 3.
- ↑ Yazawa, p. 5 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 260.
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. Item 232.
- Template:Kakaku1940 Type 2, sections 3 and 6A.
- 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). P. 44.
- 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. Item 1067.
- Yazawa Seiichirō (矢沢征一郎). "Renzu no hanashi (170) Kōa" (レンズの話[170]コーア, Lens tales [170] Kooa). In Camera Collectors' News no. 260 (February 1999). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp. 3–5.
