Difference between revisions of "First Roll"

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== Evolution in the advertisements ==
 
== Evolution in the advertisements ==
 
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/2610530561/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3192/2610530561_fee3b3c4ba_m_d.jpg]
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|| ''Advertisement for the First cameras in the October 1936 supplement to ''[[Camera Club]]'', mentioning the First Roll. {{public domain Japan old}}''
 
|| ''Advertisement for the First cameras in the October 1936 supplement to ''[[Camera Club]]'', mentioning the First Roll. {{public domain Japan old}}''
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== Actual examples ==
 
== Actual examples ==
The versions with [[Magna]] shutter and either Toko f/6.3 or State f/4.5 lens have been observed on repeated occasions.<REF> Toko f/6.3 lens: examples pictured in Baird, p.63 of ''Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras'', in {{SUG}}, item 1044, sold as [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=25200&acat=25200&offset=1&_ssl=off lot no.658] of Westlicht auction no.6, as [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=148875&acat=148875&offset=1&_ssl=off lot no.777] of Westlicht auction no.15, and observed in an online auction. — State f/4.5 lens: examples pictured in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/C_Photo_08.jpg pictured] in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.57.html this page of the AJCC website], sold as [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=25200&acat=25200&offset=2&_ssl=off lot no.659] of Westlicht auction no.6, and observed in an online auction. — The example pictured in Baird, p.73 of ''The Japanese Camera'', is reported to have a Toko Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5, but this lens certainly does not exist and the camera certainly has a State f/4.5 instead. </REF> The Magna shutter gives 25, 50, 100, B, T speeds selected by a small wheel at the top. It also has a simple thread-and-pin self-timer device. The shutter plate is marked ''MAGNA'' in the speed dial, ''SEIKOSHA'' at the bottom and has the ''SKS'' logo at the top right. The Toko f/6.3 lens has the Tōkyō Kōgaku logo and is engraved ''Tokyo Kogaku TOKO–Anastigmat 1:6.3 F=10.5cm Nr.xxxx'' or simply ''Toko–Anastigmat 1:6.3 F=10.5cm Nr.xxxx''.<REF> ''Tokyo Kogaku TOKO–Anastigmat'': example observed in an online auction (lens no.1431). ''Toko–Anastigmat'': example pictured in Baird, p.63 of ''Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras'', and perhaps example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1044. </REF> The State f/4.5 lens has ''State–Anastigmat 1:4.5 F=10.5cm Nr.xxxxx'' and the Tōkyō Kōgaku logo; it seems that the early ones have a black rim and the late ones have a silver rim.<REF> Black rim: example sold as [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=25200&acat=25200&offset=2&_ssl=off lot no.659] of Westlicht auction no.6 (lens no.5477). Silver rim: example [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/C_Photo_08.jpg pictured] in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.57.html this page of the AJCC website] (lens no.13543), and example observed in an online auction (lens no.136x3). </REF>
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The versions with [[Magna]] shutter and either Toko f/6.3 or State f/4.5 lens have been observed on repeated occasions.<REF> Toko f/6.3 lens: examples pictured in Baird, p.63 of ''Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras'', in {{SUG}}, item 1044, offered for sale as [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=6&inO=658 lot no.658] at [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=6 Westlicht auction no.6]; as [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=15&inO=777 lot no.777] at [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=15 Westlicht auction no.15], and another observed in an online auction. — State f/4.5 lens: examples pictured in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/C_Photo_08.jpg pictured] in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.57.html this page of the AJCC website], sold as [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=6&inO=659 lot no.659] at Westlicht auction no.6, and also observed in an online auction. — The example pictured in Baird, p.73 of ''The Japanese Camera'', is reported to have a Toko Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5, but this lens certainly does not exist and the camera certainly has a State f/4.5 instead. </REF> The Magna shutter gives 25, 50, 100, B, T speeds selected by a small wheel at the top. It also has a simple thread-and-pin self-timer device. The shutter plate is marked ''MAGNA'' in the speed dial, ''SEIKOSHA'' at the bottom and has the ''SKS'' logo at the top right. The Toko f/6.3 lens has the Tōkyō Kōgaku logo and is engraved ''Tokyo Kogaku TOKO–Anastigmat 1:6.3 F=10.5cm Nr.xxxx'' or simply ''Toko–Anastigmat 1:6.3 F=10.5cm Nr.xxxx''.<REF> ''Tokyo Kogaku TOKO–Anastigmat'': example observed in an online auction (lens no.1431). ''Toko–Anastigmat'': example pictured in Baird, p.63 of ''Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras'', and perhaps example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1044. </REF> The State f/4.5 lens has ''State–Anastigmat 1:4.5 F=10.5cm Nr.xxxxx'' and the Tōkyō Kōgaku logo; it seems that the early ones have a black rim and the late ones have a silver rim.<REF> Black rim: the already-cited example sold as lot 659 of Westlicht auction 6 (lens no.5477). Silver rim: example [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/C_Photo_08.jpg pictured] in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.57.html this page of the AJCC website] (lens no.13543), and example observed in an online auction (lens no.136x3). </REF>
  
 
One example of the First Roll with [[Simlar]] f/4.5 lens and [[Seikosha (shutter)|Seikosha]] shutter is pictured in {{SUG}}.<REF> Example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1045. </REF> The shutter gives T, B, 1–250 speeds; the shutter plate is inscribed ''SEIKOSHA–TOKYO'' at the top and ''SEIKOSHA'' again at the bottom. This particular example is missing the wireframe finder.
 
One example of the First Roll with [[Simlar]] f/4.5 lens and [[Seikosha (shutter)|Seikosha]] shutter is pictured in {{SUG}}.<REF> Example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1045. </REF> The shutter gives T, B, 1–250 speeds; the shutter plate is inscribed ''SEIKOSHA–TOKYO'' at the top and ''SEIKOSHA'' again at the bottom. This particular example is missing the wireframe finder.
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==
In English:
 
* Past sales by [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/ Westlicht]:
 
** [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=25200&acat=25200&offset=1&_ssl=off First Roll] (Magna, Toko f/6.3) and [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=25200&acat=25200&offset=2&_ssl=off First Roll] (Magna, State f/4.5), lots no.658–9 of auction no.6 (November 6, 2004)
 
** [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=148875&acat=148875&offset=1&_ssl=off First Roll] (Seikosha, Toko f/6.3), lot no.777 of auction no.15 (May 23, 2009)
 
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
 
* [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/C_Photo_08.jpg First Roll] (Magna, State f/4.5) in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.57.html this page] of the [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/ AJCC website] (with a [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/06Aki/06Aki_11Inoue.htm sample picture])
 
* [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/C_Photo_08.jpg First Roll] (Magna, State f/4.5) in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.57.html this page] of the [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/ AJCC website] (with a [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/06Aki/06Aki_11Inoue.htm sample picture])

Revision as of 19:30, 21 February 2019

Japanese older 6×9 (edit)
folding First Center | First Roll | Kinka Roll | Lyra (6×9) | Pearl No.3 | Pearl No.2 | Year-Eight Pearl | Reex | Royal Junior
box Dox | Sakura (box)
3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 4.5×6, 6×6 and plate ->
Modern 6×9 RF and SLR ->

The First Roll (ファーストロール) is a Japanese 6×9cm folding camera, advertised by First Camera Works or Minagawa Shōten from 1933 to 1936 and probably sold until the war.[1] It was certainly made by Kuribayashi.[2]

Description of the body

The First Roll is a vertical folding camera taking both 6×9 and 4.5×6 exposures. It is not self erecting and the lens standard needs to be manually pulled out after opening. There is a focusing scale on the left of the folding bed but no focusing control is visible: it seems that the camera is focused by manually moving the lens standard back and forth. The U-shaped lens standard and the focusing rails are similar to the corresponding parts on the First plate folder, as is pointed out by Baird.[3] The focal length is always 105mm.

There is a brilliant finder and a folding wireframe finder including an inner frame for half-format exposures. The eyepiece can be retracted by pivoting along the back.

The advance key is at the bottom right (as seen by a photographer holding the camera horizontally) and there are tripod threads both under the body and under the folding bed. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather handle. There are two red windows near the top of the back, protected by sliding covers. Variations have been observed in the shape of these covers.

The name Roll is inscribed on the standing leg.

Evolution in the advertisements

It seems that the First Roll was initially offered with German lenses and shutters. According to Lewis, the camera was offered in 1933 with a Vario shutter and a Trinar f/6.3 lens for ¥30 and with a Trinar f/4.5 lens for ¥45.[4] Baird also mentions Radionar and Tessar f/4.5 lenses mounted on Compur shutters.[5]

The camera was advertised in Asahi Camera February 1934 in two versions:[6]

Advertisements in Asahi Camera dated May and July 1935 show the following range:[7]

The September 1935 advertisement in the same magazine adds a version with a Simlar f/4.5 four-element lens by Tōkyō Kōgaku and a Seikosha shutter (1–250, self-timer), priced at ¥105.[8] It is sometimes said that this version was called "First Roll Deluxe", but this is not confirmed by the advertisement.[9]

The last known advertisements are dated October 1936.[10] However, the First Roll still appears in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, in two versions called "First Roll I" (¥45) and "First Roll II" (¥56), with no further detail.[11]

Actual examples

The versions with Magna shutter and either Toko f/6.3 or State f/4.5 lens have been observed on repeated occasions.[12] The Magna shutter gives 25, 50, 100, B, T speeds selected by a small wheel at the top. It also has a simple thread-and-pin self-timer device. The shutter plate is marked MAGNA in the speed dial, SEIKOSHA at the bottom and has the SKS logo at the top right. The Toko f/6.3 lens has the Tōkyō Kōgaku logo and is engraved Tokyo Kogaku TOKO–Anastigmat 1:6.3 F=10.5cm Nr.xxxx or simply Toko–Anastigmat 1:6.3 F=10.5cm Nr.xxxx.[13] The State f/4.5 lens has State–Anastigmat 1:4.5 F=10.5cm Nr.xxxxx and the Tōkyō Kōgaku logo; it seems that the early ones have a black rim and the late ones have a silver rim.[14]

One example of the First Roll with Simlar f/4.5 lens and Seikosha shutter is pictured in Sugiyama.[15] The shutter gives T, B, 1–250 speeds; the shutter plate is inscribed SEIKOSHA–TOKYO at the top and SEIKOSHA again at the bottom. This particular example is missing the wireframe finder.

The other observed lens and shutter combinations are as follows:

Notes

  1. The 1933 release date is given by Baird, pp.17 and 63–4 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras, Sugiyama, items 1044–5, McKeown, p.576 and Lewis, p.50. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.339, lists advertisements dated 1934 to 1936. Baird, p.65 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras, says that the camera was still made in 1937. The First Roll was still listed in the official price list compiled in October 1940.
  2. Baird, pp.17–9 and 63–5 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras, p.73 of The Japanese Camera; McKeown, p.576. No original document has been found to confirm this.
  3. Baird, p.64 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras.
  4. Lewis, p.50.
  5. Baird, p.65 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras.
  6. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.85.
  7. May 1935: advertisement reproduced in Baird, p.17 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras. July 1935: advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.72.
  8. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.85.
  9. "First Roll Deluxe": Sugiyama, item 1045; Baird, p.65 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras. Baird says that this version was released in 1937, but this is a mistake.
  10. October 1936 supplement to Camera Club, second cover. The last advertisement listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.339, is in Asahi Camera of the same month.
  11. "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 6, sections 1 and 2.
  12. Toko f/6.3 lens: examples pictured in Baird, p.63 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras, in Sugiyama, item 1044, offered for sale as lot no.658 at Westlicht auction no.6; as lot no.777 at Westlicht auction no.15, and another observed in an online auction. — State f/4.5 lens: examples pictured in pictured in this page of the AJCC website, sold as lot no.659 at Westlicht auction no.6, and also observed in an online auction. — The example pictured in Baird, p.73 of The Japanese Camera, is reported to have a Toko Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5, but this lens certainly does not exist and the camera certainly has a State f/4.5 instead.
  13. Tokyo Kogaku TOKO–Anastigmat: example observed in an online auction (lens no.1431). Toko–Anastigmat: example pictured in Baird, p.63 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras, and perhaps example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1044.
  14. Black rim: the already-cited example sold as lot 659 of Westlicht auction 6 (lens no.5477). Silver rim: example pictured in this page of the AJCC website (lens no.13543), and example observed in an online auction (lens no.136x3).
  15. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1045.
  16. Example observed in an online auction with lens no.9722.
  17. Example pictured in Baird, p.65 of Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras.

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 196. (See also the advertisement for items 106–7.)
  • Baird, John R. Collectors guide to Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras. Grantsburg, WI (USA): Centennial Photo Service, 1991. ISBN 0-931838-16-9. Pp.17–9 and 63–5.
  • Baird, John R. The Japanese Camera. Yakima, WA: Historical Camera Publications, 1990. ISBN 1-879561-02-6. P.73 (picture only).
  • Camera Club. Saishin shashinki zenshū (最新写真機全集, Compendium of the latest cameras.) Supplement to the October 1936 issue. Advertisement on the second cover.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 6, sections 1 and 2.
  • 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). P.50.
  • 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.576.
  • 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. Items 1044–5.

Links

In Japanese:


Kuribayashi prewar and wartime cameras (edit)
rollfilm folders
Eagle | Speed Pocket | First Roll | First Center | Semi First | First Six | Baby Semi First | Semi Rotte | Hokoku | Mizuho
plate folders rigid SLR TLR unknown
Mikuni | First | First Etui | Kokka | Romax | Tokiwa Molby Speed Reflex First Reflex Baby First