Difference between revisions of "Doris (3×4)"
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== Maker == | == Maker == | ||
− | The maker is not clearly known. {{McKeown}} attributes the camera to [[Prince|Prince Camera Works]].<REF> {{McKeown}}, p. 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. 80. </REF> | + | The maker is not clearly known. {{McKeown}} attributes the camera to [[Prince|Prince Camera Works]].<REF> {{McKeown}}, p. 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. 80. </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 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 (4.5×6)]]). | 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 (4.5×6)]]). | ||
== Description == | == 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 | + | 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 above the middle of the top plate. There is a button on the right of the finder, meant to look like a body release but that is only the release of the front standard. The back is hinged to the right and contains two red windows, protected by a pivoting common cover. On the advertising pictures, the advance knob is on the right end of the top plate and there is a smaller film flange at the opposite end, but the sole example observed has a reversed configuration. |
== Evolution == | == Evolution == | ||
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* [[Miyoshi|U.L.L.]] Anastigmat 50/3.5 lens, [[Selon]] shutter ({{yen|68|1940}}). | * [[Miyoshi|U.L.L.]] Anastigmat 50/3.5 lens, [[Selon]] shutter ({{yen|68|1940}}). | ||
− | The Doris is also reported with a [[Miyoshi|U.L.L.]] Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens and a [[Kerio]] shutter giving T, B, 25–150 speeds.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 338. </REF> | + | An actual example has been observed with the Doris Anastigmat 50mm f/4.5 lens and a shutter plate marked ''DORIS'' at the top, but it has 150, 100, 50, 25, B, T speed settings. The Doris is also reported with a [[Miyoshi|U.L.L.]] Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens and a [[Kerio]] shutter giving T, B, 25–150 speeds.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 338. </REF> |
The successor of the Doris is the [[Baby Doris]], a 3×4 vertical folder also distributed by Fukada Shōkai. | The successor of the Doris is the [[Baby Doris]], a 3×4 vertical folder also distributed by Fukada Shōkai. |
Revision as of 14:22, 27 November 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]
Contents
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 above the middle of the top plate. There is a button on the right of the finder, meant to look like a body release but that is only the release of the front standard. The back is hinged to the right and contains two red windows, protected by a pivoting common cover. On the advertising pictures, the advance knob is on the right end of the top plate and there is a smaller film flange at the opposite end, but the sole example observed has a reversed configuration.
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]:
An actual example has been observed with the Doris Anastigmat 50mm f/4.5 lens and a shutter plate marked DORIS at the top, but it has 150, 100, 50, 25, B, T speed settings. 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
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
- ↑ McKeown, p. 803, calls this camera "Baby Doris (horizontal)".
- ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
- ↑ Niimi, p. 92.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
- ↑ This variant is pictured is the book Kamera zukan by Sugiyama and Naoi, according to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
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 155. (See also the advertisement for items 230–1.)
- 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. 803.
- Niimi Kahee (新見嘉兵衛). Kamera-mei no gogen sanpo (カメラ名の語源散歩, Strolls in the etymology of camera names). 2nd ed. Tokyo: Shashin Kōgyō Shuppansha, 2002. ISBN 4-87956-060-X