Dianette and Pionette
Dianette and Pionette are two names for the same camera, a Japanese 4×6.5 strut-folder that was made by Fuji Kōgaku. It was sold as Pionette in Kantō (Eastern Japan) and Dianette in Kansai (Western Japan)[1]. It is a copy of the German Piccolette, like the Pearlette by Konishiroku, and it can also take 3×4 exposures.
The shutter is a Picco with T, B, 25, 50, 100 speeds, like on the Baby Lyra, and the choice of lenses includes the following[2]:
- Terionar f:4.5;
- Anastigmat Pionar f:6.3;
- meniscus f:8.
They are advertised in 1936[3], for ¥28 with a focusing f:6.3 lens.
There are body variations. The camera advertised has a round cut-off at each side of the body and a front plate extending to the bottom, acting as a standing leg, like the example presented on this page at Konrin's Garage. It also has a folding finder offset on one of the body sides, absent on the example cited above. The Dianette pictured in McKeown has a retractable standing leg, straight body sides and a folding frame finder, centered on one of the body sides.
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi p. 337.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi p. 337 and McKeown p. 328–9.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Dianette and Pionette, published in the March 1936 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 137.
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 137 and 187.
- 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. 328–9.
Links
In Japanese:
- Pionette at Konrin's Garage
- Japanese prewar 127 film cameras, including the Dianette, at Nekosan's website
