Difference between revisions of "Doris (3×4)"

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== Maker ==
 
== Maker ==
The maker is not clearly known: in the advertisements observed, the Doris is presented as a "sister" of the [[Semi Prince]] ("セミプリンスの姉妹品"), but it is not explicitly attributed to [[Fujimoto]] or to [[Prince|Prince Camera Works]]<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;803, attributes this camera to Prince Camera Works and calls it "Baby Doris (horizontal)". </REF>. Another theory is that it was made by [[Condor Camera|Nissan Kōgaku]], a company that was apparently founded by a Mr Motodori. This is suggested by the camera's name, that was used again after the war by Tōkyō Seiki, the successor of Nissan Kōgaku.
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The maker is not clearly known. {{McKeown}} attributes the camera to [[Prince|Prince Camera Works]].<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;803, calls this camera "Baby Doris (horizontal)". </REF> In the advertisements observed, the Doris is presented as a "sister of the [[Semi Prince]]" ("セミプリンスの姉妹品"), but it is not explicitly attributed to Prince Camera Works or to [[Fujimoto]] (the maker of the Semi Prince.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;80. </REF>
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Another theory is that it was made by [[Condor Camera|Nissan Kōgaku]], a company that was apparently founded by a Mr Motodori. This is suggested by the camera's name, that is said to come from Mr Motodori's name<REF> Niimi, p. 92. </REF> and that was used again after the war by Tōkyō Seiki, the successor of Nissan Kōgaku (see the [[Doris (4.5&times;6)]]).
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==

Revision as of 12:48, 27 October 2006

Template:127 Japan The Doris (ドリス) is a Japanese 3×4 folding camera, distributed from 1939 to 1941 by Fukada Shōkai.[1]

Maker

The maker is not clearly known. McKeown attributes the camera to Prince Camera Works.[2] In the advertisements observed, the Doris is presented as a "sister of the Semi Prince" ("セミプリンスの姉妹品"), but it is not explicitly attributed to Prince Camera Works or to Fujimoto (the maker of the Semi Prince.[3]

Another theory is that it was made by Nissan Kōgaku, a company that was apparently founded by a Mr Motodori. This is suggested by the camera's name, that is said to come from Mr Motodori's name[4] and that was used again after the war by Tōkyō Seiki, the successor of Nissan Kōgaku (see the Doris (4.5×6)).

Description

The Doris is a strut-folder: the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a square metal plate, supported by scissor struts placed on both sides. There is a tubular viewfinder centered above the body. The advance knob is on the right end of the top plate, and the back is hinged to the right.

Evolution

The Doris was advertised in October 1939[5] as a new product, in three variants priced ¥58, ¥48 and ¥43, with no description and no picture. In the April 1940 issue of Asahi Camera[6], more details are available, but only two variants are described:

  • Doris Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, Doris shutter giving 25, 50, 100, T, B speeds (¥43 — case extra ¥6)[7];
  • U.L.L. Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, Selon shutter[8] giving 5, 10, 25, 100, 250, T, B speeds, marked SELON at the top of the shutter plate (¥58).

The camera is featured in the new products column of the May 1940 issue of Asahi Camera[9], and a third variant is shown in an advertisement dated October 1940[10]:

The Doris is also reported with a U.L.L. Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens and a Kerio shutter giving T, B, 25–150 speeds.[11]

The successor of the Doris is the Baby Doris, a 3×4 vertical folder also distributed by Fukada Shōkai.

Notes

  1. Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
  2. McKeown, p. 803, calls this camera "Baby Doris (horizontal)".
  3. Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
  4. Niimi, p. 92.
  5. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
  6. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
  7. This variant is pictured is the book Kamera zukan by Sugiyama and Naoi, according to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
  8. The Selon shutter is called Selon II (セロンシヤターⅡ) in this advertisement, but this is dropped in the later one dated October 1940.
  9. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
  10. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
  11. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.

Bibliography