Difference between revisions of "Condor folders"

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{{Japanese Semi}}{{Japanese Six}}
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{{Japanese Semi prewar and Six prewar}}
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The '''Condor''' is a series of 4.5&times;6 and 6&times;6 folders, made from 1939 to at least 1942 by a Japanese company called sometimes [[Condor Camera|Nissan Kōgaku Kōgyō-sha]] in Japanese script (日産光學工業社) and sometimes [[Condor Camera|Condor Camera Works]] in Roman script.<REF> According to advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}. &mdash; {{McKeown}} attributes a "New Semi Condor" to "Nissan Kogaku" (p.&nbsp;738) and a "Condor" folder to [[Neumann & Heilemann]] (p.&nbsp;717), the latter probably by mistake.</REF>
 
  
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All the models are copies of the [[Baldax]], with a folding optical finder and a body release.
+
The '''Condor''' is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 and 6×6 folders, made from 1939 by [[Condor Camera|Motodori]],<REF> Date: advertisements and articles listed in {{Kokusan}}, pp.336–7. Attribution to Motodori: {{Kakaku1141_short}}. {{MK}} attributes a "New Semi Condor" to "Nissan Kogaku" (p.738), a company whose relationship to Motodori is unclear, and a "Condor" folder to [[Neumann & Heilemann]] (p.717), the latter because of a confusion with the maker of the shutter. </REF> and successors of the [[Victor folders]].
  
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== Semi Condor and Condor Six ==
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== General description ==
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All the Condor folders share the same body, inherited from the [[Victor folders|Semi Victor and Victor Six]] and copied from the large [[Baldax]] model. They have a folding optical finder, whose front part folds above the rear part. The folding bed release is to the right of the viewfinder, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally, and there is a body release on the left. The advance knob is at the bottom right. The back is hinged to the left. It seems that all models have a single red window to control film advance (see [[#The 17 exposure and 13 exposure feature|below]]), situated at the bottom left of the back and protected by a vertically sliding cover. This single red window is the only visible difference between the early Condor models and the preceding [[Victor folders]].
  
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The '''Semi Condor''' (セミコンドル) and '''Condor Six''' (コンドルシックス) appeared together in 1939<REF> They are both featured in the new product column of the May 1939 issue of ''Asahi Camera'' according to {{Kokusan}}. </REF>. It seems that both share the same body, copied from the bigger model of the [[Baldax]] for #0 size shutters. The Semi is a 4.5&times;6 version and the Six is a 6&times;6 version, adding an automatic film advance with an exposure counter, externally similar to the device mounted on the [[Plaubel]] rollfilm backs and on the [[Roll-Op II]] camera. The Six is embossed ''Condor-Six'' in the front leather while the Semi is simply embossed ''Condor''.
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The name is embossed in the front leather: ''Condor'' on the 4.5×6cm models and ''Condor-Six'' on the 6×6cm models. All the Condor models have a front-cell focusing Delter Anastigmat lens, except maybe the very last ones.
  
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These two models are advertised in 1939<REF> {{Showa10ad|Semi Condor and Condor Six|115&ndash;6|Aug 1939 and Sep 1939|Asahi Camera}} </REF> as made by Nissan Kōgaku Kōgyō-sha<REF> Three authorized dealers are cited: [[Sanwa Shōkai]] (三和商會), Mizuno Shashinki-ten (水野寫眞機店) and [[Yamamoto|Yamamoto Shashinki-ten]] (山本寫眞機店). </REF>. A variant of the Condor Six without the exposure counter and with film advance by red window is offered as the '''Condor Six ordinary model'''<REF> A translation of 普及型. </REF>.
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== Evolution ==
 +
=== Introduction of the Semi Condor and Condor Six ===
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In 1939, the 4.5×6 '''Semi Condor''' (セミコンドル) and 6×6 '''Condor Six''' (コンドルシックス) replaced the Semi Victor and Victor Six. They were both featured in the new product column of the May 1939 issue of {{ACA}}.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, pp.336–7. </REF>. They have a handle at the right end of the body, covering the back latch, and the back itself is opened by a small button situated behind. The Condor Six exists in two versions: one has red window advance like the Semi Condor and is called the '''ordinary model''' (普及型), whereas the other has an auto-stop film advance device and an exposure counter. This mechanism was copied on the [[Plaubel]] device mounted on rollfilm backs and on the [[Roll-Op|Roll-Op II]] camera.
  
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In the advertisements, the lens name is probably Deltar Anastigmat<REF> It is written デルター・アナスチグマット in all the advertisements observed, and {{McKeown}} reports a Deltar Anastigmat on the New Semi Condor attributed to "Nissan Kogaku". </REF> and the shutter is a [[Rulex]] made by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], in A or B variant (speeds not specified). Here is a list of the variants offered:
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=== Early advertisements ===
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* Condor Six, f:3.5, Rulex A, &yen;98;
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Advertisements were placed in {{ACA}} September and October 1939 by [[Nissan|Nissan Kōgaku Kōgyōsha]], a company whose relationship with [[Motodori]] is unclear.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.73. </REF> Three authorized dealers were cited: [[Sanwa|Sanwa Shōkai]], [[Mizuno|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]] and [[Yamamoto Shashinki-ten]]. The Condor were offered with a [[Rulex]] shutter by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], in the following versions:
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* Condor Six, f:4.5, Rulex A, &yen;86;
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{| border="1" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
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* Condor Six (ordinary), f:3.5, Rulex A, &yen;93;
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|-
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* Condor Six (ordinary), f:4.5, Rulex A, &yen;80;
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| body version || rowspan="2" | Semi Condor || rowspan="2" | Condor Six<br>(ordinary) || rowspan="2" | Condor Six<br>(exposure counter)
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* Condor Six (ordinary), f:4.5, Rulex B, &yen;72;
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|-
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* Semi Condor, f:3.5, Rulex A, &yen;90;
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| lens and shutter
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* Semi Condor, f:4.5, Rulex A, &yen;78;
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|-
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* Semi Condor, f:4.5, Rulex B, &yen;70.
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| style="text-align:left" | Delter Anastigmat f/4.5,<br>[[Rulex|Rulex B]] || {{yen|70|1939}} || {{yen|72|1939}} || _
 +
|-
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| style="text-align:left" | Delter Anastigmat f/4.5,<br>[[Rulex|Rulex A]] || {{yen|78|1939}} || {{yen|80|1939}} || {{yen|86|1939}}
 +
|-
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| style="text-align:left" | Delter Anastigmat f/3.5,<br>[[Rulex|Rulex A]] || {{yen|90|1939}} || {{yen|93|1939}} || {{yen|98|1939}}
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|}
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The shutter speeds are not specified, but a comparison with previous and later versions indicates that the [[Rulex|Rulex B]] has T, B, 5–150 or 200 and the [[Rulex|Rulex A]] has T, B, 1–200 or 250.
  
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Later in 1939<REF> {{Showa10ad|Semi Condor|112|Nov 1939|Asahi Camera}} It was inserted by Sanwa Shōkai and does not necessarily reflect the full range offered by the maker. It offers only the f:4.5 lens, with the two shutter options. </REF>, the Semi Condor was advertised alone by the distributor [[Sanwa Shōkai]] (三和商会). The shutter speeds were now mentioned: T, B, 1&ndash;250 for the Rulex A and T, B, 5&ndash;150 for the Rulex B.
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In November 1939, the Semi Condor was advertised by the distributor [[Sanwa|Sanwa Shōkai]] with the [[Rulex|Rulex A]] (T, B, 1–250) or [[Rulex|Rulex B]] (T, B, 5–150) shutter and the f/4.5 lens.<REF> Advertisement published in {{ACA}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.72. </REF> The picture shows a newer type of back latch, consisting of a long sliding bar with no holding strap. The advertisement does not necessarily reflect the full range offered by the maker. The range of speeds for the [[Rulex|Rulex B]] became T, B, 5–200 in a similar advertisement by Sanwa Shōkai dated December 1939, perhaps because the previous one was mistaken.<REF> Advertisement on p.15 of {{NSKT}}, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.49 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF> Another December 1939 advertisement by [[Mizuno|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]] lists a fraction of the Semi Condor and Condor Six range, and shows outdated pictures of the camera with the older back latch.<REF> Advertisement on p.22 of {{NSKT}}, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.56 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF>
  
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No Condor Six model has yet been observed, and the Semi Condor is difficult to tell from the New Semi Condor that followed.
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=== The 17 exposure and 13 exposure feature ===
 +
The Condor models were intermittently advertised as taking 17 exposures per film roll for the 4.5×6 version and 13 exposures for the 6×6. One advertisement dated September 1939 is titled "Red Window Revolution" (赤窓の革命).<REF> Advertisement published in {{ACA}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.73. </REF> It says that the Semi Condor was one of the first cameras (at least in Japan) to make use of the '1' to '16' numbers printed in the rollfilm paperback for the 4.5×6 format, whereas at the time other similar cameras had two red windows and were using the '1' to '8' numbers intended for 6×9. The use of only one red window ensures a more regular frame spacing, thus sparing some film. The advertisement says that after taking the 16 exposures it is possible to advance one more frame by hand, without the help of the film numbers, to attain a total of 17 exposures.
  
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== New Semi Condor ==
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The explanation about red windows is irrelevant for the 6×6 models, but in the same advertisement the exposure counter of the Condor Six is said to be designed for 13 exposures. This is strange because the advertisement published the month before in the same magazine only said 12 exposures for the Condor Six and 16 for the Semi Condor. It is unknown if the exposure counter was effectively modified or if all this was just marketing nonsense.
  
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The '''New Semi Condor''' (ニューセミコンドル) appears in 1940<REF> {{Showa10ad|New Semi Condor|113|June 1940|Asahi Camera}} It was inserted by Sanwa Shōkai and only offered the New Semi Condor. &mdash; {{Showa10ad|Semi Condor and New Semi Condor|114|August 1940|Asahi Camera}} It was inserted by the Condor Camera Works company and shows the same three authorized dealers as in note 3. It again mentions the possibility to make 17 exposures. The New Semi Condor appears as a new model, together with the Semi Condor, for which the 3.5&nbsp;B combination is not offered. No price is indicated. </REF> in 1941<REF> {{Showa10ad|New Semi Condor|114|Jan 1941|Asahi Camera}} Advertisement inserted by Condor Camera Works. The "New" in "New Semi Condor" only appears in the katakana name, the Roman name is simply Semi Condor. </REF> advertisements. The company name is now Condor Camera Works in Roman letters. At first, the new model is offered side by side with the Semi Condor. Apart from the reference to an exposure table on the back, the difference between the two is unclear. Unlike all the previous models, the New Semi Condor is offered with all four lens and shutter combinations (3.5&nbsp;A, 3.5&nbsp;B, 4.5&nbsp;A, 4.5&nbsp;B). By June 1940 the Rulex B shutter option has been upgraded to 1/200 top speed. By January 1941 the Rulex A option has also been upgraded to 1/300 top speed and the Semi Condor is no longer an option. Here is a list of the variants offered that month:
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The method described was certainly very inconvenient, which is surely why the mention of 17 exposures was abandoned some months later. An advertisement dated August 1940 still mentions 17 exposures but another dated January 1941 says 16.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.72. </REF>
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* f:3.5, Rulex A, &yen;94;
 
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* f:3.5, Rulex B, &yen;85;
 
−
* f:4.5, Rulex A, &yen;81;
 
−
* f:4.5, Rulex B, &yen;74.
 
  
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A variant with T, B, 1&ndash;300 shutter is sometimes offered as the '''New Semi Condor III'''<REF> {{Showa10ad|New Semi Condor III|114|May 1941|Shashin Bunka}} In this advertisement, the camera is overtly said to remind the German Baldax. The advertisement does not show any company name, {{Kokusan}} ambiguously attributes it to Ueno Shōten (上野商店) </REF> with either f:4.5 or f:3.5 lens, it is probably only an alternate name of the above model with Rulex A shutter.
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=== Documents mentioning the New Semi Condor ===
 +
The '''New Semi Condor''' (ニューセミコンドル) appeared in mid-1940.<REF> Date: advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.337. </REF> It has an exposure table added on the back and always has the newer type of back latch.
  
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The New Semi Condor is still offered in 1942<REF> {{Showa10ad|New Semi Condor and Semi Zeitax|118|Mar 1942|Hōdō Shashin}} </REF> by Sanwa Shōkai, together with a [[Zeitax|Semi Zeitax]]<REF> The Condor folders are very similar to the [[Zeitax#First a Baldax copy|first Zeitax model]]. Some hints might suggest that they were related: they appear together in this advertisement, both have been advertised elsewhere as taking 17 exposures and both have been observed with a [[Koho]] shutter. Maybe this is only coincidental. </REF>. Only the T, B, 1&ndash;300 shutter option is given<REF> This shutter option is only called "A shutter", with no mention of the Rulex name, but the camera pictured is equipped with a Rulex shutter. </REF>, with an f:4.5 or f:3.5 lens, for a price of &yen;93 or &yen;108.
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Advertisements dated June and August 1940 and January 1941<REF> Advertisements published in {{ACA}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.72. </REF> show the following range of versions:
 +
* f/3.5, [[Rulex|Rulex A]], ({{yen|105|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|94|1941}} in 1941);
 +
* f/3.5, [[Rulex|Rulex B]], ({{yen|95|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|85|1941}} in 1941);
 +
* f/4.5, [[Rulex|Rulex A]], ({{yen|88|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|81|1941}} in 1941);
 +
* f/4.5, [[Rulex|Rulex B]], ({{yen|78|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|74|1941}} in 1941).
 +
The June 1940 advertisement was placed by [[Sanwa|Sanwa Shōkai]], the other two mention "Condor Camera Works", certainly a dummy name (see [[Camera Works]]). The top speed of the [[Rulex|Rulex A]] to 1/300 by January 1941. The August 1940 advertisement still mentioned the older Semi Condor in three versions:
 +
* f/3.5, [[Rulex|Rulex A]];
 +
* f/4.5, [[Rulex|Rulex A]];
 +
* f/4.5, [[Rulex|Rulex B]].
  
−
A New Semi Condor has been observed at a Yahoo Japan auction. It differed from the advertised model only by the addition of an accessory shoe to the right of the viewfinder and by the shutter model: a [[Koho]] with 1&ndash;200, B, T speeds, made by [[Olympus|Takachiho]], of the variant mounted on the late [[Semi Olympus II]]. This variant of the Koho is not meant to be coupled with a body release, but it seems that a complicated linkage was added between the body release and the shutter release lever. The lens mounted on this example was a 7.5cm f:3.5 apparently called Deller Anastigmat<REF> The lens name is not easy to read in the auction's pictures, and Deller is not fully compatible with the デルター name mentioned above. </REF>. The case was embossed ''SEMI CONDOR''. Another case for a Condor folder has been observed for sale, this time only embossed ''CONDOR''.
+
The official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 has many versions of the Condor: "Semi Condor I, II, III, IV" (¥74, ¥85, ¥88 and ¥98), "Condor Six I, II, III" (¥79, ¥89 and ¥110), "New Condor I, II" (¥128 and ¥160), "New Semi Condor I, II, III, IV" (¥74, ¥85, ¥88 and ¥160).<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B; type 4, sections 3, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B. </REF> The Semi Condor, Condor Six and New Semi Condor correspond to the advertised models described before. The New Condor is listed among 6×6cm cameras; it is otherwise unknown.
  
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== The 17 exposure and 13 exposure feature ==
+
The New Semi Condor with 1–300 shutter speeds was sometimes offered as the '''New Semi Condor III''', with f/4.5 or f/3.5 lens. This name appears for example in an advertisement dated May 1941 by the distributor [[Ueno|Ueno Shōten]], overtly saying that the camera is reminiscent of the German [[Baldax]].<REF> Advertisement published in {{SB}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.72. </REF> The f/4.5 version was priced at ¥85 and the f/3.5 version at ¥96, less than the official set prices of ¥93 and ¥108.
  
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The Condor models are intermittently advertised as taking 17 exposures per film roll for the 4.5&times;6 version and 13 exposures for the 6&times;6. One advertisement from Sep 1939<REF> Advertisement mentioned above, originally published in the Sep 1939 issue of ''Asahi Camera''. </REF> is titled "Red Window Revolution" (赤窓の革命). It says that the Semi Condor was one of the first cameras (at least in Japan) to make use of the '1' to '16' numbers printed in the rollfilm paperback for the 4.5&times;6 format, while at the time other similar cameras had two red windows and were using the '1' to '8' numbers intended for 6&times;9. The use of only one red window ensures a more regular frame spacing, thus sparing some film. The advertisement says that after taking the 16 exposures it is possible to advance one more frame by hand, without the help of the film numbers, to attain a total of 17 exposures. This method was certainly very inconvenient, which is surely why the mention of 17 exposures was abandoned some months later<REF> It is still present in the advertisement originally published in the Aug 1940 issue of ''Asahi Camera'', mentioned above. </REF>. The explanation about red windows is irrelevant to the 6&times;6 models, but in the same advertisement the exposure counter of the Condor Six is nonetheless said to be designed for 13 exposures. This is strange because an advertisement published one month earlier in the same magazine only says twelve.
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The official price list dated November 1941 still has a Semi Condor IV and a New Semi Condor I, II, III and IV, attributed to [[Motodori|Motodori Kōgaku]].<REF> {{Kakaku1141_short}}, type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B. </REF>
 +
 
 +
An advertisement by [[Sanwa|Sanwa Shōkai]], dated March 1942,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.73. </REF> still offered the New Semi Condor, together with the [[Zeitax|Semi Zeitax]]. The following variants were listed:
 +
* f/3.5 lens, [[Rulex|Rulex A]] shutter,<REF> The shutter is only called "A shutter" in the advertisement, but the picture shows a [[Rulex]]. </REF> T, B, 1–300 speeds ({{yen|108|1942}});
 +
* f/4.5 lens, [[Rulex|Rulex A]] shutter, T, B, 1–300 speeds ({{yen|93|1942}}).
 +
 
 +
The government inquiry compiled in April 1943 has a Semi Condor, with a three-element Zeitax 75/3.5 lens made by [[Yachiyo]] and a Sport shutter (T, B, 1–300) made by [[Fujimoto]].<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 54, lens item Lb2, shutter item 24-Q-2. </REF>
 +
 
 +
== Actual examples ==
 +
{| class="plainlinks" style="margin: 0 auto; text-align: center;"
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47763333991/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47763333991_344716721a_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/46846942635/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46846942635_fc9a51ce9d_m.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/46974198414/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46974198414_86ff4fae97_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47765650631/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47765650631_db26f0f971_m.jpg]
 +
|-
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|| ''Semi Condor, Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/4.5 lens no.11074, [[Rulex|Rulex A]] shutter (1–250, B, T).<br />Pictures by Ross Nitkin. {{with permission}}''
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
All the actual examples observed so far have the newer type of back latch. Presumably early cameras are known with the following combinations:
 +
* Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/4.5, Rulex A (1–250), no exposure table;<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>
 +
* Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/4.5, Rulex B (5–200), no exposure table.<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>
 +
 
 +
One example seen has a Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5, a Sport shutter (1–300, B, T) made by [[Fujimoto]] and an exposure table on the back. That particular camera has the word ''CONDOR'' engraved on the advance knob. An example with similar lens and shutter specifications is pictured in {{SUG}}.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 1036. The lens name is misspelt "Deltar" in the description, but the lens engraving itself reads ''Delter''. </REF>
 +
 
 +
Another example has been observed with the same lens and a [[Koho]] shutter (1–200, B, T) made by [[Olympus|Takachiho]].<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> The Koho shutter is of the second version, as mounted on the late [[Semi Olympus II]] (see [[Koho]]); this version of the Koho is not designed for a body release, and a linkage was added behind the shutter from the body release to the top-mounted release lever. The camera has a black accessory shoe added to the right of the viewfinder, which is probably not original. A Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens and [[Koho]] shutter (second version) have also been observed as a separate unit, with a slightly different lens rim.<REF> Lens and shutter observed in an online auction. </REF> They were probably mounted on a New Semi Condor.
 +
{{br}}
 +
Another unit with the exposure table on the back has a Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens fitted in a [[Lex]] shutter made by [[Mars]]<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/sets/72157630306626130 Photographica Collection Dirk Spennemann]</ref>
 +
 
 +
{| class="plainlinks" style="margin: 0 auto; text-align: center;"
 +
| rowspan=2 | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/7451676916/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7111/7451676916_c100dd9180.jpg]
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/7451660234/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8025/7451660234_596903be0a_m.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/7451674710/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8019/7451674710_c0dc930d96_m.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
| colspan=2 | ''New Semi Condor, Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens no.15222, [[Lex]] shutter (B, T, 5–200).<br />Pictures by {{image author|Dirk HR Spennemann}}. {{with permission}}''
 +
|}
 +
{{br}}
 +
 
 +
An example fitted with a filmcounter till 13. Very unusual as the standard number of 6x6 images on a 120 type rollfilm is 12.
 +
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/7959368158/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/7959368158_affefaf4e6_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/7959365596/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8449/7959365596_b53a4e77d6_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/32582084@N06/7959362784/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8447/7959362784_ebb21c9f74_m.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''Motodori Shashin Kikai Kōgyō-sho Condor Six, Convex shutter, Delter Anastigmat f3.5/7.5cm lens.<br>Filmcounter till 13<br><small>Images by {{image author|yalluflex}}. </small>{{with permission}}''
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
Leather cases for the Condor folders have been observed with the name embossed at the front as ''CONDOR'' or ''S<small>EMI</small> C<small>ONDOR</small>''.<REF> Cases observed in online auctions. </REF> The original box has a plain dark colour, with the name ''S<small>EMI</small> C<small>ONDOR</small>'' inscribed in silver letters.<REF> Box observed in an online auction. </REF>
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
−
== Printed bibliography ==
+
== Bibliography ==
−
* {{Showa10}} Items 112&ndash;6.
+
=== Original documents ===
−
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.&nbsp;717 and 738.
+
* {{Kakaku1141}} Type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B.
 +
* {{Inquiry1943}} Item 54.
 +
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B; type 4, sections 3, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B.
 +
* {{NSKT1000}} Advertisements on pp.49 and 56, corresponding to pp.15 and 22 of the December 15, 1939 issue.
 +
 
 +
=== Recent sources ===
 +
* {{Showa10}} Items 112–6. (See also the advertisement for item 118.)
 +
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.717 and 738.
 +
* {{Zukan}} Item 1036.
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
Line 53: Line 120:
 
[[Category: Bestiary]]
 
[[Category: Bestiary]]
 
[[Category: C]]
 
[[Category: C]]
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[[Category: 1939]]

Latest revision as of 06:02, 4 March 2023

Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Semi Ace | Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Semi Ako | Ami | Bakyna | Semi Chrome | Semi Clover | Collex | Semi Condor | Semi Dymos | Semi Elega | Semi First | Auto Semi First | Baby Semi First | Gaica | Semi Gelto | Semi Germa | Hansa Semi Rollette | Heil | Hokoku | Hope | Kadera | Kankyu | Kelly | Kiko Semi | Semi Kinka | Semi Konter | Semi Kreis | Semi Kulax | Semi Lead | Semi Leotax | Semi Lester | Loyal | Semi Lucky | Semi Lyra | Semi Makinet | Semi Metax | Semi Minolta (I) and II | Auto Semi Minolta | Semi Miss | Mizuho | Semi Mulber | Semi National | New Gold | Okaco | Oko Semi | Semi Olympus | Semi Olympus II | Semi Osamo | Semi Pearl | Primo | Semi Prince | Semi Proud | Semi Prux | Roavic | Semi Rody | Rondex | Semi Rosen | Semi Rotte | Seica | Seves | Semi Shiks | Sintax | Semi Sixteenth | Semi Solon | Semi Sport | Star Semi | Semi-Tex | Tsubasa Kiko Three | Tsubasa Nettar | Tsubasa Super Semi | Ugein | Vester-Lette | Victor | Waltax | Wester | Zeitax
collapsible
Semi Kinsi | Lord | Lyrax | Nippon | New Olympic | Semi Olympic | Semi Renky | Auto Victor | Well Super
stereo
Sun Stereo
unknown
Semi Elka | Semi Keef | Napoleon
Postwar models ->
Japanese Six (6×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Adler Six | Bonny Six | Clover-Six | Condor Six | First Six | Gelto Six | Gotex | Green | Lyra Six | Super Makinet Six | Mamiya Six | Miyako Six | Mulber Six | Mulix | National Six | Neure Six | Oko Six | Olympus Six | Pilot Six | Romax | Ugein | Vester-Six | Victor Six | Weha Six
collapsible
Ehira Chrome Six | Minolta Six | Shinko Super | Weha Chrome Six
unknown
Freude Six | Heart Camera | Konter Six | Tsubasa Six
Postwar models ->

The Condor is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 and 6×6 folders, made from 1939 by Motodori,[1] and successors of the Victor folders.

General description

All the Condor folders share the same body, inherited from the Semi Victor and Victor Six and copied from the large Baldax model. They have a folding optical finder, whose front part folds above the rear part. The folding bed release is to the right of the viewfinder, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally, and there is a body release on the left. The advance knob is at the bottom right. The back is hinged to the left. It seems that all models have a single red window to control film advance (see below), situated at the bottom left of the back and protected by a vertically sliding cover. This single red window is the only visible difference between the early Condor models and the preceding Victor folders.

The name is embossed in the front leather: Condor on the 4.5×6cm models and Condor-Six on the 6×6cm models. All the Condor models have a front-cell focusing Delter Anastigmat lens, except maybe the very last ones.

Evolution

Introduction of the Semi Condor and Condor Six

In 1939, the 4.5×6 Semi Condor (セミコンドル) and 6×6 Condor Six (コンドルシックス) replaced the Semi Victor and Victor Six. They were both featured in the new product column of the May 1939 issue of Asahi Camera.[2]. They have a handle at the right end of the body, covering the back latch, and the back itself is opened by a small button situated behind. The Condor Six exists in two versions: one has red window advance like the Semi Condor and is called the ordinary model (普及型), whereas the other has an auto-stop film advance device and an exposure counter. This mechanism was copied on the Plaubel device mounted on rollfilm backs and on the Roll-Op II camera.

Early advertisements

Advertisements were placed in Asahi Camera September and October 1939 by Nissan Kōgaku Kōgyōsha, a company whose relationship with Motodori is unclear.[3] Three authorized dealers were cited: Sanwa Shōkai, Mizuno Shashinki-ten and Yamamoto Shashinki-ten. The Condor were offered with a Rulex shutter by Neumann & Heilemann, in the following versions:

body version Semi Condor Condor Six
(ordinary)		 Condor Six
(exposure counter)
lens and shutter
Delter Anastigmat f/4.5,
Rulex B		 ¥70 ¥72 _
Delter Anastigmat f/4.5,
Rulex A		 ¥78 ¥80 ¥86
Delter Anastigmat f/3.5,
Rulex A		 ¥90 ¥93 ¥98

The shutter speeds are not specified, but a comparison with previous and later versions indicates that the Rulex B has T, B, 5–150 or 200 and the Rulex A has T, B, 1–200 or 250.

In November 1939, the Semi Condor was advertised by the distributor Sanwa Shōkai with the Rulex A (T, B, 1–250) or Rulex B (T, B, 5–150) shutter and the f/4.5 lens.[4] The picture shows a newer type of back latch, consisting of a long sliding bar with no holding strap. The advertisement does not necessarily reflect the full range offered by the maker. The range of speeds for the Rulex B became T, B, 5–200 in a similar advertisement by Sanwa Shōkai dated December 1939, perhaps because the previous one was mistaken.[5] Another December 1939 advertisement by Mizuno Shashinki-ten lists a fraction of the Semi Condor and Condor Six range, and shows outdated pictures of the camera with the older back latch.[6]

The 17 exposure and 13 exposure feature

The Condor models were intermittently advertised as taking 17 exposures per film roll for the 4.5×6 version and 13 exposures for the 6×6. One advertisement dated September 1939 is titled "Red Window Revolution" (赤窓の革命).[7] It says that the Semi Condor was one of the first cameras (at least in Japan) to make use of the '1' to '16' numbers printed in the rollfilm paperback for the 4.5×6 format, whereas at the time other similar cameras had two red windows and were using the '1' to '8' numbers intended for 6×9. The use of only one red window ensures a more regular frame spacing, thus sparing some film. The advertisement says that after taking the 16 exposures it is possible to advance one more frame by hand, without the help of the film numbers, to attain a total of 17 exposures.

The explanation about red windows is irrelevant for the 6×6 models, but in the same advertisement the exposure counter of the Condor Six is said to be designed for 13 exposures. This is strange because the advertisement published the month before in the same magazine only said 12 exposures for the Condor Six and 16 for the Semi Condor. It is unknown if the exposure counter was effectively modified or if all this was just marketing nonsense.

The method described was certainly very inconvenient, which is surely why the mention of 17 exposures was abandoned some months later. An advertisement dated August 1940 still mentions 17 exposures but another dated January 1941 says 16.[8]

Documents mentioning the New Semi Condor

The New Semi Condor (ニューセミコンドル) appeared in mid-1940.[9] It has an exposure table added on the back and always has the newer type of back latch.

Advertisements dated June and August 1940 and January 1941[10] show the following range of versions:

The June 1940 advertisement was placed by Sanwa Shōkai, the other two mention "Condor Camera Works", certainly a dummy name (see Camera Works). The top speed of the Rulex A to 1/300 by January 1941. The August 1940 advertisement still mentioned the older Semi Condor in three versions:

The official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 has many versions of the Condor: "Semi Condor I, II, III, IV" (¥74, ¥85, ¥88 and ¥98), "Condor Six I, II, III" (¥79, ¥89 and ¥110), "New Condor I, II" (¥128 and ¥160), "New Semi Condor I, II, III, IV" (¥74, ¥85, ¥88 and ¥160).[11] The Semi Condor, Condor Six and New Semi Condor correspond to the advertised models described before. The New Condor is listed among 6×6cm cameras; it is otherwise unknown.

The New Semi Condor with 1–300 shutter speeds was sometimes offered as the New Semi Condor III, with f/4.5 or f/3.5 lens. This name appears for example in an advertisement dated May 1941 by the distributor Ueno Shōten, overtly saying that the camera is reminiscent of the German Baldax.[12] The f/4.5 version was priced at ¥85 and the f/3.5 version at ¥96, less than the official set prices of ¥93 and ¥108.

The official price list dated November 1941 still has a Semi Condor IV and a New Semi Condor I, II, III and IV, attributed to Motodori Kōgaku.[13]

An advertisement by Sanwa Shōkai, dated March 1942,[14] still offered the New Semi Condor, together with the Semi Zeitax. The following variants were listed:

The government inquiry compiled in April 1943 has a Semi Condor, with a three-element Zeitax 75/3.5 lens made by Yachiyo and a Sport shutter (T, B, 1–300) made by Fujimoto.[16]

Actual examples

47763333991_344716721a_m.jpg 46846942635_fc9a51ce9d_m.jpg
46974198414_86ff4fae97_m.jpg 47765650631_db26f0f971_m.jpg
Semi Condor, Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/4.5 lens no.11074, Rulex A shutter (1–250, B, T).
Pictures by Ross Nitkin. (Image rights)

All the actual examples observed so far have the newer type of back latch. Presumably early cameras are known with the following combinations:

  • Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/4.5, Rulex A (1–250), no exposure table;[17]
  • Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/4.5, Rulex B (5–200), no exposure table.[18]

One example seen has a Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5, a Sport shutter (1–300, B, T) made by Fujimoto and an exposure table on the back. That particular camera has the word CONDOR engraved on the advance knob. An example with similar lens and shutter specifications is pictured in Sugiyama.[19]

Another example has been observed with the same lens and a Koho shutter (1–200, B, T) made by Takachiho.[20] The Koho shutter is of the second version, as mounted on the late Semi Olympus II (see Koho); this version of the Koho is not designed for a body release, and a linkage was added behind the shutter from the body release to the top-mounted release lever. The camera has a black accessory shoe added to the right of the viewfinder, which is probably not original. A Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens and Koho shutter (second version) have also been observed as a separate unit, with a slightly different lens rim.[21] They were probably mounted on a New Semi Condor.
Another unit with the exposure table on the back has a Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens fitted in a Lex shutter made by Mars[22]

7451676916_c100dd9180.jpg 7451660234_596903be0a_m.jpg
7451674710_c0dc930d96_m.jpg
New Semi Condor, Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens no.15222, Lex shutter (B, T, 5–200).
Pictures by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)


An example fitted with a filmcounter till 13. Very unusual as the standard number of 6x6 images on a 120 type rollfilm is 12.

7959368158_affefaf4e6_m.jpg 7959365596_b53a4e77d6_m.jpg 7959362784_ebb21c9f74_m.jpg
Motodori Shashin Kikai Kōgyō-sho Condor Six, Convex shutter, Delter Anastigmat f3.5/7.5cm lens.
Filmcounter till 13
Images by yalluflex. (Image rights)


Leather cases for the Condor folders have been observed with the name embossed at the front as CONDOR or SEMI CONDOR.[23] The original box has a plain dark colour, with the name SEMI CONDOR inscribed in silver letters.[24]

Notes

  1. ↑ Date: advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.336–7. Attribution to Motodori: "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941. McKeown attributes a "New Semi Condor" to "Nissan Kogaku" (p.738), a company whose relationship to Motodori is unclear, and a "Condor" folder to Neumann & Heilemann (p.717), the latter because of a confusion with the maker of the shutter.
  2. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.336–7.
  3. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.73.
  4. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.72.
  5. ↑ Advertisement on p.15 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.49 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku.
  6. ↑ Advertisement on p.22 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.56 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku.
  7. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.73.
  8. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.72.
  9. ↑ Date: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.337.
  10. ↑ Advertisements published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.72.
  11. ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B; type 4, sections 3, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B.
  12. ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.72.
  13. ↑ "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B.
  14. ↑ Advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.73.
  15. ↑ The shutter is only called "A shutter" in the advertisement, but the picture shows a Rulex.
  16. ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 54, lens item Lb2, shutter item 24-Q-2.
  17. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  18. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  19. ↑ Sugiyama, item 1036. The lens name is misspelt "Deltar" in the description, but the lens engraving itself reads Delter.
  20. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  21. ↑ Lens and shutter observed in an online auction.
  22. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk Spennemann
  23. ↑ Cases observed in online auctions.
  24. ↑ Box observed in an online auction.

Bibliography

Original documents

  • "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō" (カメラの公定価格官報発表, Official announcement of the set prices of the cameras), November 1941. Extract of a table listing Japanese camera production and setting the retail prices, reproduced in "Bebī Semi Fāsuto 'Kore ha bebī wo nanotta semi-ki da'" (ベビーセミファースト"これはベビーを名乗ったセミ機だ", Baby Semi First, 'this is a Semi camera called Baby'), an article by Furukawa Yasuo (古川保男) in Camera Collectors' News no. 277 (July 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P. 27. Type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Item 54.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B; type 4, sections 3, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B.
  • Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin (日本写真興業通信). Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku (百号ごと十回の記録, Ten records, every hundred issues). Tokyo: Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin Sha (日本写真興業通信社), 1967. No ISBN number. Advertisements on pp.49 and 56, corresponding to pp.15 and 22 of the December 15, 1939 issue.

Recent sources

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