Difference between revisions of "Condor folders"

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== General description ==
 
== General description ==
−
All the Condor folders share the same vertical folding body, inherited from the [[Victor folders|Semi Victor and Victor Six]] and copied from the large [[Baldax]] model for #0 size shutters. When held vertically by the photographer, the advance knob is at the top right and the folding optical finder is at the middle left. The body release is on the right of the viewfinder and 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]].
+
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]].
  
−
All the Condor models have a Delter Anastigmat lens.
+
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.
  
−
== Semi Condor and Condor Six ==
+
== Evolution ==
−
In 1939, the 4.5&times;6 '''Semi Condor''' (セミコンドル) and 6&times;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]].'' <REF> {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;336&ndash;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 Six is embossed ''Condor-Six'' in the front leather while the Semi is simply embossed ''Condor''. 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), while the other adds an auto-stop film advance device and an exposure counter. This device is externally similar to the one mounted on the [[Plaubel]] rollfilm backs and on the [[Roll-Op II]] camera.
+
=== Semi Condor and Condor Six ===
−
 
+
In 1939, the 4.5&times;6 '''Semi Condor''' (セミコンドル) and 6&times;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]]''.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;336&ndash;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.
−
In advertisements by Nissan Kōgaku Kōgyō-sha dated September and October 1939<REF> Advertisements published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;73. Three authorized dealers are cited: [[Sanwa Shōkai]], [[Mizuno|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]] and [[Yamamoto Shashinki-ten]]. </REF>, the following variants are offered, all having a variant of the [[Rulex]] shutter by [[Neumann & Heilemann]]:
 
  
 +
=== Early advertisements ===
 +
In advertisements dated September and October 1939,<REF> Advertisements published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;73. </REF> the Condor were offered with a [[Rulex]] shutter by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], in the following versions:
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
 
|-
 
|-
Line 18: Line 19:
 
| lens and shutter
 
| lens and shutter
 
|-
 
|-
−
| style="text-align:left" | Deller Anastigmat f/4.5,<br>Rulex B || {{yen|70|1939}} || {{yen|72|1939}} || _
+
| style="text-align:left" | Delter Anastigmat f/4.5,<br>Rulex B || {{yen|70|1939}} || {{yen|72|1939}} || _
 
|-
 
|-
−
| style="text-align:left" | Deller Anastigmat f/4.5,<br>Rulex A || {{yen|78|1939}} || {{yen|80|1939}} || {{yen|86|1939}}
+
| style="text-align:left" | Delter Anastigmat f/4.5,<br>Rulex A || {{yen|78|1939}} || {{yen|80|1939}} || {{yen|86|1939}}
 
|-
 
|-
−
| style="text-align:left" | Deller Anastigmat f/3.5,<br>Rulex A || {{yen|90|1939}} || {{yen|93|1939}} || {{yen|98|1939}}
+
| style="text-align:left" | Delter Anastigmat f/3.5,<br>Rulex A || {{yen|90|1939}} || {{yen|93|1939}} || {{yen|98|1939}}
 
|}
 
|}
 +
The shutter speeds are not specified, but a comparison with previous and later versions indicates that the Rulex B has T, B, 5&ndash;150 and the Rulex A has T, B, 1&ndash;200 or 250. The advertisements were placed by [[Nissan|Nissan Kōgaku Kōgyōsha]], a company whose relationship with [[Motodori]] is unknown. Three authorized dealers were cited: [[Sanwa Shōkai]], [[Mizuno|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]] and [[Yamamoto Shashinki-ten]].
 +
 +
In November 1939, the Semi Condor was advertised by the distributor [[Sanwa Shōkai]] with the [[Rulex|Rulex A]] (T, B, 1&ndash;250) or [[Rulex|Rulex B]] (T, B, 5&ndash;150) shutter and the f/4.5 lens.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;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 shutter speeds are not specified, but a comparison with preceding and succeding versions indicates that the Rulex B is T, B, 5&ndash;150 and the Rulex A is T, B, 1&ndash;200 or 250. The Deller name has been observed on the lens engravings of a [[Victor folders|Semi Victor]] with Rulex D shutter and of a New Semi Condor with [[Koho]] shutter, but it is consistently written ''derutā'' (デルター) in the advertisements and {{McKeown}} gives both Delter and Deltar, perhaps by mistake.<REF> Both cameras observed in Yahoo Japan auctions. McKeown gives Delter for the Victor, p.&nbsp;945, and Deltar for the New Semi Condor, p.&nbsp;738. </REF>
+
=== The 17 exposure and 13 exposure feature ===
 +
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 dated September 1939 is titled "Red Window Revolution" (赤窓の革命).<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;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&times;6 format, whereas 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.
  
−
The Condor Six was only offered in 1939.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF> In late 1939, the Semi Condor was modified with a new type of back latch and no holding strap. An advertisement dated November 1939<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;72. </REF> offers this late variant of the Semi Condor, with the f/4.5 lens only. The shutter speeds are mentioned: T, B, 1&ndash;250 for the Rulex A and T, B, 5&ndash;150 for the Rulex B. This advertisement was inserted by the distributor [[Sanwa Shōkai]] and does not necessarily reflect the full range offered by the maker.
+
The explanation about red windows is irrelevant for the 6&times;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 Semi Condor was offered until 1940<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF> and it still appears in an advertisement dated August 1940<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;72. </REF>, side by side with the New Semi Condor, in the three variants already mentioned.
+
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.&nbsp;72. </REF>
  
−
== New Semi Condor ==
+
=== New Semi Condor ===
−
The '''New Semi Condor''' (ニューセミコンドル) gradually replaced the Semi Condor in 1940.<REF> Date: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF> There is an exposure table added on the back, the handle has disappeared and there is a new type of back latch, opened by a sliding bar.
+
The '''New Semi Condor''' (ニューセミコンドル) appeared in mid-1940.<REF> Date: advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF> It has an exposure table added on the back and always has the newer type of back latch.
  
−
Advertisements dated 1940 and 1941 by Condor Camera Works and [[Sanwa Shōkai]]<REF> Advertisements published in the June 1940 (Sanwa Shōkai), August 1940 and January 1941 (both Condor Camera Works) issues of ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;72. </REF> show the following range of variants:
+
Advertisements dated June and August 1940 and January 1941<REF> Advertisements published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;72. </REF> show the following range of versions:
−
* f:3.5, Rulex A, ({{yen|105|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|94|1941}} in 1941);
+
* f/3.5, Rulex A, ({{yen|105|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|94|1941}} in 1941);
−
* f:3.5, Rulex B, ({{yen|95|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|85|1941}} in 1941);
+
* f/3.5, Rulex B, ({{yen|95|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|85|1941}} in 1941);
−
* f:4.5, Rulex A, ({{yen|88|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|81|1941}} in 1941);
+
* f/4.5, Rulex A, ({{yen|88|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|81|1941}} in 1941);
−
* f:4.5, Rulex B, ({{yen|78|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|74|1941}} in 1941).
+
* f/4.5, Rulex B, ({{yen|78|1940}} in 1940, {{yen|74|1941}} in 1941).
−
The top speed of the Rulex B had been upgraded to 1/200 by June 1940 and the top speed of the Rulex A to 1/300 by January 1941.
+
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 B had been upgraded to 1/200 by June 1940 and 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:
 +
* f/3.5, Rulex A;
 +
* f/4.5, Rulex A;
 +
* f/4.5, Rulex B.
  
−
The New Semi Condor with 1&ndash;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<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;72. </REF> by the distributor Ueno Shōten (上野商店), overtly saying that the camera is reminiscent of the German [[Baldax]].
+
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" (&yen;74, &yen;85, &yen;88 and &yen;98), "Condor Six I, II, III" (&yen;79, &yen;89 and &yen;110), "New Condor I, II" (&yen;128 and &yen;160), "New Semi Condor I, II, III, IV" (&yen;74, &yen;85, &yen;88 and &yen;160).<REF> {{Kakaku1940_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&times;6cm cameras; it is otherwise unknown.
  
−
The New Semi Condor was still offered in 1942. An advertisement by [[Sanwa Shōkai]], dated March 1942<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;73. </REF>, offers it together with the [[Zeitax|Semi Zeitax]], a camera that is perhaps related (see the [[Zeitax#Who made them|discussion]] in the Zeitax page). The following variants are listed:
+
The New Semi Condor with 1&ndash;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 ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;72. </REF> The f/4.5 version was priced at &yen;85 and the f/3.5 version at &yen;96, less than the official set prices of &yen;93 and &yen;108.
−
* f/3.5 lens, Rulex A shutter<REF> The shutter is only called "A shutter" in the advertisement, but the picture shows a Rulex. </REF>, T, B, 1&ndash;300 speeds ({{yen|108|1942}});
 
−
* f/4.5 lens, Rulex A shutter, T, B, 1&ndash;300 speeds ({{yen|93|1942}}).
 
  
−
An example of the New Semi Condor has been observed<REF> Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> with a black accessory shoe added to the right of the viewfinder (maybe not original) and a [[Koho]] shutter giving 1&ndash;200, B, T speeds, made by [[Olympus|Takachiho]], of the variant mounted on the late [[Olympus folders#Semi Olympus II|Semi Olympus II]]. This variant of the Koho is not meant to be coupled with a body release, and it seems that a complicated linkage was added between the body release and the shutter release lever. The lens is a 7.5cm f:3.5 Deller Anastigmat. The case is embossed ''SEMI CONDOR''. Another case for a Condor folder has been observed for sale, this time only embossed ''CONDOR''.
+
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>
  
−
== The 17 exposure and 13 exposure feature ==
+
An advertisement by [[Sanwa Shōkai]], dated March 1942,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;73. </REF> still offered the New Semi Condor, together with the [[Zeitax|Semi Zeitax]]. The following variants were listed:
−
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 dated September 1939<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;73. </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.
+
* f/3.5 lens, Rulex A shutter,<REF> The shutter is only called "A shutter" in the advertisement, but the picture shows a Rulex. </REF> T, B, 1&ndash;300 speeds ({{yen|108|1942}});
 +
* f/4.5 lens, Rulex A shutter, T, B, 1&ndash;300 speeds ({{yen|93|1942}}).
  
−
The explanation about red windows is irrelevant for the 6&times;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.
+
=== Actual examples ===
 +
An example of the New Semi Condor has been observed with a Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens and a [[Koho]] shutter (1&ndash;200, B, T), made by [[Olympus|Takachiho]], of the variant mounted on the late [[Olympus folders#Semi Olympus II|Semi Olympus II]].<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> This variant of the Koho is not designed for a body release, and a complicated linkage was added between the body release and the shutter release lever. The camera has a black accessory shoe added to the right of the viewfinder, which is maybe not original. The case is embossed ''S<small>EMI</small> C<small>ONDOR</small>''. (Another case for a Condor folder has been observed for sale, only embossed ''CONDOR''.)
  
−
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.&nbsp;72. </REF>
+
A Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens and [[Koho]] shutter have also been observed as a separate unit.<REF> Lens and shutter observed in an online auction. </REF> They were probably mounted on a New Semi Condor.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 61: Line 69:
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
* {{Showa10}} Items 112&ndash;6. (See also the advertisement for item 118.)
 
* {{Showa10}} Items 112&ndash;6. (See also the advertisement for item 118.)
 +
* {{Kakaku1141}} Type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B.
 +
* {{Kakaku1940}} Type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B; type 4, sections 3, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B.
 
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.&nbsp;717 and 738.
 
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.&nbsp;717 and 738.
 
The Condor folders are not listed in {{Sugiyama}}.
 
The Condor folders are not listed in {{Sugiyama}}.

Revision as of 16:36, 12 July 2007

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.

Evolution

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

In advertisements dated September and October 1939,[3] 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 and the Rulex A has T, B, 1–200 or 250. The advertisements were placed by Nissan Kōgaku Kōgyōsha, a company whose relationship with Motodori is unknown. Three authorized dealers were cited: Sanwa Shōkai, Mizuno Shashinki-ten and Yamamoto Shashinki-ten.

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 17 exposure and 13 exposure feature

The Condor models are 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).[5] 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.[6]

New Semi Condor

The New Semi Condor (ニューセミコンドル) appeared in mid-1940.[7] 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[8] show the following range of versions:

  • f/3.5, Rulex A, (¥105 in 1940, ¥94 in 1941);
  • f/3.5, Rulex B, (¥95 in 1940, ¥85 in 1941);
  • f/4.5, Rulex A, (¥88 in 1940, ¥81 in 1941);
  • f/4.5, Rulex B, (¥78 in 1940, ¥74 in 1941).

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 B had been upgraded to 1/200 by June 1940 and 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:

  • f/3.5, Rulex A;
  • f/4.5, Rulex A;
  • f/4.5, Rulex B.

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).[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

An advertisement by Sanwa Shōkai, dated March 1942,[12] still offered the New Semi Condor, together with the Semi Zeitax. The following variants were listed:

  • f/3.5 lens, Rulex A shutter,[13] T, B, 1–300 speeds (¥108);
  • f/4.5 lens, Rulex A shutter, T, B, 1–300 speeds (¥93).

Actual examples

An example of the New Semi Condor has been observed with a Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens and a Koho shutter (1–200, B, T), made by Takachiho, of the variant mounted on the late Semi Olympus II.[14] This variant of the Koho is not designed for a body release, and a complicated linkage was added between the body release and the shutter release lever. The camera has a black accessory shoe added to the right of the viewfinder, which is maybe not original. The case is embossed SEMI CONDOR. (Another case for a Condor folder has been observed for sale, only embossed CONDOR.)

A Delter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens and Koho shutter have also been observed as a separate unit.[15] They were probably mounted on a New Semi Condor.

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 published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 73.
  4. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 72.
  5. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 73.
  6. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 72.
  7. ↑ Date: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337.
  8. ↑ Advertisements published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 72.
  9. ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B; type 4, sections 3, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B.
  10. ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 72.
  11. ↑ "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B.
  12. ↑ Advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 73.
  13. ↑ The shutter is only called "A shutter" in the advertisement, but the picture shows a Rulex.
  14. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  15. ↑ Lens and shutter observed in an online auction.

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 112–6. (See also the advertisement for item 118.)
  • "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.
  • Template:Kakaku1940 Type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 7B; type 4, sections 3, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B.
  • 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. 717 and 738.

The Condor folders are not listed in Sugiyama.

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