Dox
The Dox (ドックス) is a series of box cameras made in Japan in 1951 and 1952. They were distributed by Chūō Shashin-yōhin and made by an unknown company.
Original model and New Hope model
The original Dox is an ordinary box camera taking both 6×9 and 4.5×6 exposures. There are two brilliant finders and the advance knob and release lever are on the right. There is a meniscus lens, said to be a 90/10, and a two-setting shutter giving B and 1/25.[1] This model was advertised in July 1951 for ¥850.[2] This camera is probably the same as the Dox New Hope pictured in Sugiyama.[3] This camera has a nameplate attached under the lens, reading DOX–NEW HOPE. The advertising picture also shows a nameplate at the same place, perhaps reading the same.
Dox New Six
The Dox New Six (ドックスニューシックス) is a 6×6 version. It has only one brilliant finder in the middle, because of the square format. It is thus half way between a box and a pseudo TLR. It is equipped with a tripod thread. It was advertised in November 1951[4] for ¥1,300 with B and 1/25 speed settings and a 90/10 lens.
Dox III
The Dox III (ドックスⅢ型) is similar to the original Dox. It has a revised front plate, marked DOX or perhaps DOX III at the bottom and perhaps DCW at the top. It was advertised in December 1952[5] for ¥1,200 with B and 1/25 speed settings, an f/10 meniscus lens and three aperture settings: 11, 16 and 22.
Notes
- ↑ 90/10 lens: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 355.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 150.
- ↑ Sugiyama item 4123.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 150.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 150.
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 616–9.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 4123.
