Difference between revisions of "First Reflex"
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| − | The '''First Reflex''' is a Japanese 6×6 TLR, made from late 1938 to 1944.<REF> Dates: advertisements and articles listed in {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> It was certainly | + | The '''First Reflex''' is a Japanese 6×6 TLR, made from late 1938 to 1944.<REF> Dates: advertisements and articles listed in {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> It was ostensibly made by First Camera Works but this is certainly only a name used by [[Minagawa|Minagawa Shōten]] for advertising purpose. The actual maker was probably [[Petri|Kuribayashi]]. The camera was advertised by First Camera Works then by [[Banno|Banno Bōeki]]. |
== Description == | == Description == | ||
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The nameplate is shaped like the nameplate of the early [[Rolleicord]] and is inscribed ''First Reflex.'' The viewing hood has a ''First <small>CAMERA WORKS</small>'' logo. | The nameplate is shaped like the nameplate of the early [[Rolleicord]] and is inscribed ''First Reflex.'' The viewing hood has a ''First <small>CAMERA WORKS</small>'' logo. | ||
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| + | == Advertisements and other documents == | ||
| + | Even if the nameplate on the camera itself reads "First Reflex", the camera was called "First Flex" in ''katakana'' in all the advertisements: ファースト・フレックス. | ||
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| + | The First Reflex was featured in the new products column of the October 1938 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]].''<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> It was offered for {{yen|265|1939}} in an advertisement dated January 1939, where the lens was mentioned as a Rotte Anastigmat f/3.5 and the shutter as an N-Compur. It is not clear if this shutter is the authentic German [[Compur]] or a Japanese copy called the same. It is said to have T, B, 1–300 speeds.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> | ||
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| + | The camera was listed in the {{Kakaku1940_short}}, compiled on October 25, 1940 and published in January 1941, in a single version priced ¥252.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}, type 7, section 1. </REF> | ||
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| + | Later documents make a distinction between two versions, called '''First Reflex I''' (Ⅰ型) and '''First Reflex II''' (Ⅱ型). They were mentioned in the {{Inquiry1943_short}}, listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, items 112–3. </REF> In this document, the model I is described as having a First 75/3.5 three-element lens made by [[Tokiwa Kōgaku]] and an unknown shutter giving 1–300, T, B speeds, and the model II as having a Hit 75/3.5 four-element lens made by [[Tōkyō Kōgaku]] and a Hit-Rapid shutter giving 1–500, T, B speeds and provided by [[Tokiwa Kōgaku]] too.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens items Lb18 and Lb38, shutter items 18-P-12 and 18-R-1. </REF> | ||
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| + | An advertisement dated October 1943 by [[Banno|Banno Bōeki]] gave similar specifications for the model I, offered for {{yen|340.20|1943}}.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Shashin Bunka]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 88. </REF> The model II was priced {{yen|362|1943}} with a Tokiwa f/3.5 four-element lens and 1–500 speeds. The advertising picture show no difference with the 1939 First Reflex. An advertisement dated May 1944 by the same distributor showed higher prices: {{yen|399.20|1944}} for the model I and {{yen|418|1944}} for the model II.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Shashin Kagaku]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 88. </REF> | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 18:31, 31 March 2007
The First Reflex is a Japanese 6×6 TLR, made from late 1938 to 1944.[1] It was ostensibly made by First Camera Works but this is certainly only a name used by Minagawa Shōten for advertising purpose. The actual maker was probably Kuribayashi. The camera was advertised by First Camera Works then by Banno Bōeki.
Description
The First Reflex is a 6×6 TLR, with semi-automatic film advance. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth. The film advance is probably semi-automatic. The focusing and film advance knobs are on the photographer's right, and there is a round exposure counter window at the top of the right-hand side plate. The focusing knob is surrounded by a depth-of-field plate.
There is a magnifying glass hinged to the back of the viewing hood. There is also a mirror for eye-level reflex viewing, which is deployed by a small lever situated on the right-hand side of the viewing hood.
The back is hinged to the top and has an exposure table (written in English). It also contains a red window, sometimes located under the exposure table and sometimes under the bottom of the camera, used to set the position of the first exposure.
The nameplate is shaped like the nameplate of the early Rolleicord and is inscribed First Reflex. The viewing hood has a First CAMERA WORKS logo.
Advertisements and other documents
Even if the nameplate on the camera itself reads "First Reflex", the camera was called "First Flex" in katakana in all the advertisements: ファースト・フレックス.
The First Reflex was featured in the new products column of the October 1938 issue of Asahi Camera.[2] It was offered for ¥265 in an advertisement dated January 1939, where the lens was mentioned as a Rotte Anastigmat f/3.5 and the shutter as an N-Compur. It is not clear if this shutter is the authentic German Compur or a Japanese copy called the same. It is said to have T, B, 1–300 speeds.[3]
The camera was listed in the Template:Kakaku1940 short, compiled on October 25, 1940 and published in January 1941, in a single version priced ¥252.[4]
Later documents make a distinction between two versions, called First Reflex I (Ⅰ型) and First Reflex II (Ⅱ型). They were mentioned in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.[5] In this document, the model I is described as having a First 75/3.5 three-element lens made by Tokiwa Kōgaku and an unknown shutter giving 1–300, T, B speeds, and the model II as having a Hit 75/3.5 four-element lens made by Tōkyō Kōgaku and a Hit-Rapid shutter giving 1–500, T, B speeds and provided by Tokiwa Kōgaku too.[6]
An advertisement dated October 1943 by Banno Bōeki gave similar specifications for the model I, offered for ¥340.20.[7] The model II was priced ¥362 with a Tokiwa f/3.5 four-element lens and 1–500 speeds. The advertising picture show no difference with the 1939 First Reflex. An advertisement dated May 1944 by the same distributor showed higher prices: ¥399.20 for the model I and ¥418 for the model II.[8]
Notes
- ↑ Dates: advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 7, section 1.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), items 112–3.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens items Lb18 and Lb38, shutter items 18-P-12 and 18-R-1.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 88.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Kagaku, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 88.
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 214–6.
- Baird, John R. Collectors guide to Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras. Grantsburg, WI (USA): Centennial Photo Service, 1991. ISBN 0-931838-16-9. Pp. 20 and 102–6.
- "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Items 112–3.
- Template:Kakaku1940
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). Pp. 39 and 54 (brief mentions only).
- 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). Pp. 577–8.
- 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 2007.
Links
In English:
- First Reflex and Firstflex TLR cameras at Barry Toogood's tlr-cameras.com (with pictures of the First Reflex)
