Doris (3×4)
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: 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 Camera Works[2]. 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 was used again after the war by Tōkyō Seiki, the successor of Nissan Kōgaku.
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[3] 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[4], 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)[5];
- U.L.L. Anastigmat 50/4.5 lens, Selon shutter[6] 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[7], and a third variant is shown in an advertisement dated October 1940[8]:
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.[9]
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, attributes this camera to Prince Camera Works and calls it "Baby Doris (horizontal)".
- ↑ 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.
