Dox
The Dox (ドックス) is a series of Japanese box cameras distributed in 1950–2 by Chūō Shashin-yōhin. The name of the manufacturing company is unknown.
Contents
Original model: Dox New Hope
The original Dox Camera (ドックスカメラ) — sometimes called Dox New Hope because of the inscription on the front plate[1] — was first announced in the October 1950 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced below.[2] It was priced at ¥850. An advertisement in Ars Camera July 1951 offers the camera for an unchanged price,[3] and further documents are reported until September of the same year.[4]
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| Announcement in Asahi Camera October 1950. (Image rights) |
This model is an ordinary box camera, taking both 6×9cm and 4.5×6cm exposures on 120 film. The rear panel is hinged to the bottom for film loading and is locked by a spring-loaded latch at the top. It contains two uncovered red windows, offset to the left.
There are two brilliant finders, for horizontal and vertical pictures. A handle is diagonally attached to the top panel. The advance knob and release lever are on the photographer's right. The shutter gives B and 1/25 settings, selected by a small lever placed above the main release. The lens is a simple meniscus (roughly 90mm f/10),[5] apparently placed behind the shutter. The name DOX–NEW HOPE is inscribed on a rectangular nameplate attached under the lens.
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 Ars Camera November 1951[6] for ¥1,300 with B and 1/25 speed settings and a 90mm f/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 Ars Camera December 1952[7] for ¥1,200 with B and 1/25 speed settings, an f/10 meniscus lens and three aperture settings: 11, 16 and 22.
Notes
- ↑ The camera is called Dox New Hope in Sugiyama, item 4123.
- ↑ Column in Asahi Camera October 1950, p.120. It is the oldest document listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.355.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.150.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.355.
- ↑ 90mm f/10: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.355.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.150.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.150.
Bibliography
Original documents
- Asahi Camera October 1950. "Shinseihin memo" (新製品, New products memo). P.120.
Recent sources
- 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.
