Focabell

Miranda Focabell no.620541 with Mirax-B reflex housing and Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head. Picture courtesy of eBayer toolchest. (Image rights)

The Focabell (フォーカベル) is a bellows system, made by Orion Seiki, later Orion Camera then Miranda Camera. It originally formed a system with the Mirax reflex housing and Supreme lens head, but it was also offered for other SLR cameras, and finally became part of the Miranda SLR system. The name Focabell was surely derived from "Focusing Bellows".

Dual-rail Focabell

Description

The original Focabell is a robust dual-rail bellows assembly, weighing about 800g. Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), founder of the Orion company, said that use of light alloy for the rails and moving parts was rejected for durability reasons.

The device has three sliding standards, individually locked by a lever or by a knob on the left. The rear standard holds the rear end of the bellows and the rear mount, which can rotate 90 degrees for vertical pictures. The middle standard is for the tripod thread. The front standard holds a focusing stage, controlled by a knob on the right for fine focusing, and supporting the front end of the bellows with the front lens mount.

Miranda Focabell no.620541 with Orion Mirax-B and Supreme-C 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head. Picture courtesy of eBayer toolchest. (Image rights)

There is normally a nameplate screwed to the focusing stage, with the name Focabell and the company name Orion Camera Co. or Miranda Camera Co., and another plate screwed further to the rear, with the serial number and the words Made in Japan. Isolated examples are known without the rear plate, and even with a simple Bell engraving on the front plate. Known numbers have six digits, of which the first two may be related to the year of design, except for a non standard version with four-digit number.

Early period

Versions

Focabell-AII with Mirax-A. From a Mirax brochure. (Image rights)

The early Focabell have Orion Camera Co. markings and lever locks on the left-hand side. It was made in many versions, for different camera types. These are recognized by a letter, which was certainly applied in the order of introduction of the different versions. Sources are conflicting on the meaning of some letters, certainly because mistakes were caused by confusions between the letters G, I and J. The following list can be reconstructed:

• Focabell-A or AII, for Mirax (A is screw mount, AII is bayonet mount);
• Focabell-B, for "Telyt box" (i.e. PLOOT / Visoflex) and "close-up sliding support" (複写滑走盤, i.e. Focaslide);
• Focabell-C, for Exakta;
• Focabell-D, for Contax S;
• Focabell-E, for Reflex-Korelle;
• Focabell-E', for Reflex-Korelle (large mount), perhaps the Reflex-Korelle III;
• Focabell-F or FII, for Meister-Korelle (difference between the F and FII is unknown);
• Focabell-G, for Primarflex;
• Focabell-H, for Asahiflex;
• Focabell-I, for Rectaflex;
• Focabell-J, for Hasselblad.

Focabell-A	Focabell-C	Focabell-D	Focabell-E	Focabell-H	Focabell-I	Focabell-J
From Shashin Kōgyō May 1954 or a Mirax brochure. (Image rights)

The small models, for 35mm cameras, have a 44mm screw mount at the front, to take the Supreme-C 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head or other accessories made for the Mirax. It seems that an adapter was supplied with each version, to attach the lenses made for the corresponding camera mount. All have a rotating rear mount, locked by a small lever at the top, except for the Focabell-B and AII.

Serial numbers for the Focabell-A are known from 530727 to 531118, and a Focabell-C has been observed with no.531431. The Focabell-AII replaced the screw mount model A in 1954. It has the new Mirax bayonet mount (later used on the Miranda SLR) at the rear only. The bayonet can be attached in either direction, removing the need for a rotating mount. The earliest serial number known for this version is 531020, revealing some overlap with the model A; all the other examples with Orion Camera markings have a number in the 541xxx range, from 541116 to 541729.

Focabell-H and Supreme-C 10.5cm f/2.8, on an Asahiflex. From Shashin Kōgyō May 1955. (Image rights)

The large models, for 6×6cm cameras, have larger bellows, front and rear standards, and a fixed rear mount. The front lens mount is that of the Meister-Korelle, whatever the rear mount. An adapter was certainly supplied to fit the camera's lens range.

Focabell-E and Heliar 16.5cm, on a Reflex-Korelle.	Focabell-J and Tele-Hexar 40cm f/5.6, on a Hasselblad.
From Shashin Kōgyō May 1954. (Image rights)

Orion offered to adapt various long focal lenses to fit the Focabell. Examples pictured in original documents include a Voigtländer Heliar 16.5cm, typical of the lenses used on prewar large format cameras, and a Konishiroku Tele-Hexar 40cm f/5.6, certainly taken from a wartime Japanese aerial camera. A similar lens is visible in this page at Koujiya Camera on a Focabell-G.

Orion Focabell-A bellows no.531018 (single mount) with Mirax-B and Supreme-C 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head. Pictures courtesy of Igor's Camera Exchange. (Image rights)

The early Focabell were sold in a beautiful jewel case, similar to that of the Mirax and Supreme lenses, with FOCABELL and the name of the lens mount inscribed on the lid. That for the Focabell-G is curiously marked PRIMA REFLEX instead of "Primarflex" or "Primar Reflex". The jewel case is itself contained in a reddish brown cardboard box.

Commercial life

The Focabell was released by Orion Seiki some time after the Mirax reflex housing. An article in the June 1952 issue of Shashin Kōgyō by Ogihara Akira says that a bellows system was planned for the near future. The device was released in late 1952 or early 1953, and it is pictured in another article by Ogihara dated May 1953.

Brochure for the Mirax, Focabell and Supreme, c.1953 (extract). Scan by Jeffrey Felton. (Image rights)

The above Japanese brochure, dated c.1953, lists the Focabell-A to H, and gives the corresponding catalogue numbers 700A to 700H. It offers to convert various lenses (from 100mm to 300mm) for use on the Mirax or Focabell.

Advertisements by Summit Shōkai in Asahi Camera September 1953. (Those dated October and November 1953 are nearly identical.) (Image rights)

The Focabell appears in advertisements placed by the distributor Summit Shōkai in the September to November 1953 issues of Asahi Camera. They provide the same list of lens mounts, in a more condensed form.

Advertisement by Matsushima in Asahi Camera November 1953. (Image rights)

In addition to the advertisement by Summit, the November 1953 issue of Asahi Camera also contains an advertisement by Matsushima, perhaps indicating that Orion changed its main distributor. The document gives a short price list: ¥12,000 for the model A, ¥13,500 for the model B and ¥15,000 for the model C.

After Matsushima became the main distributor of the Focabell, Summit perhaps continued to sell Orion products under alternative names, and at least one advertisement by Summit is known to list a "Bellow" (ベロー) for ¥10,000.

Brochure for the Mirax, Focabell and Supreme, c.1954. Scans by Jeffrey Felton. (Image rights)

The article by Ogihara Akira in the May 1954 issue of Shashin Kōgyō is the first to show the Focabell-AII with Mirax bayonet mount at the rear. It gives a detailed description, and contains pictures of various other versions. A contemporary brochure, reproduced above, has similar pictures.

Advertisements by Matsushima in Asahi Camera. Top left: January, February and August 1955. Top right: March 1955. Bottom: April 1955. (Image rights)

Matsushima continued to distribute the Mirax and Focabell for some time, and advertisements are found in the January to April 1955 issues of Asahi Camera, and again in August.

Advertisement by Matsushima in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights).

The June 1955 special issue of Photo Art contains a full-page advertisement by Matsushima, which also mentions the manufacturer's name Orion Seiki, and describes the Focabell on two places, including a full price list (the models I and J were certainly swapped by mistake):

• model A, for Mirax, ¥12,000;
• model B, for "Telyt box" (Visoflex), ¥13,500;
• model C, for Exakta, ¥15,000;
• model D, for Contax S, ¥14,000;
• model E, for Reflex-Korelle (small mount), ¥14,000;
• model E', for Reflex-Korelle (large mount), ¥19,000;
• model F, for Meister-Korelle, ¥19,000;
• model G, for Primarflex (bayonet mount), ¥19,000;
• model H, for Asahiflex, ¥13,500;
• model I (see above), for Hasselblad, ¥19,700;
• model J (see above), for Rectaflex, ¥15,000.

Focabell-H with Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head, on an Asahiflex. From the front cover of Shashin Kōgyō July 1954. (Image rights).

Column in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights).

Late 1950s

Focabell-AII with Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head, on a Miranda T. From Shashin Kōgyō September 1955. (Image rights)

The production of the Focabell-AII continued after the introduction of the Miranda SLR, for which it was the standard bellows system. The document below is an extract of the Miranda T user manual, describing the Focabell.

Focabell-AII with Supreme-H 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head, on a Miranda T. From the Miranda T user manual. (Image rights)

After the company changed its name in 1957, the Orion Camera Co. marking became Miranda Camera Co. The early Miranda version, with no bayonet at the front, is called "type 1" by some collectors. Serial numbers for that version are known in the 542xxx range. The device was still distributed by Matsushima, together with the Mirax, at least until 1958, as appears on advertisements reproduced below.

Advertisement in Shashin Kōgyō April 1958. (Image rights)

Advertisements in Asahi Camera May and July 1958. (Image rights)

After the introduction of bayonet mount lenses, the company offered an AU adapter ring, to attach these lenses on screw-mount only accessories, such as the Focabell or extension tubes. Its name probably means "automatic", because auto diaphragm was introduced on the first bayonet mount lenses (with external actuation).

Into the Miranda system

With time, the Focabell became fully integrated into the Miranda system, and it is not known if it continued to be offered for other camera mounts as well.

The Miranda external bayonet was added to the front mount, at some point after 1960. The new version, with Miranda markings, lever locks and dual mount, is sometimes called "type 2". Serial numbers for that version are known in the 62xxxx range, from 620210 to 621384. The first two digits might indicate that the design was modified in 1962. At the period, the red jewel case was replaced by a two-piece red cardboard box, inscribed FOCABELL and MIRANDA CAMERA CO. LTD., TOKYO on the lid.

Miranda Focabell (type 3) no.620541 with Orion Mirax-B and Supreme-C 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head. Pictures courtesy of eBayer toolchest (Image rights).

After a while, the standard lens head became the Soligor Miranda 135mm f/3.5, which replaced the Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8. The device was accordingly modified by the addition of a rod with a magnification scale between the two rails ("type 3"). The scale gives both the magnifying ratio and the distance in feet; it is graduated for a 50mm standard lens on one side, and for the short barrel 135mm f/3.5 on the other side (inscribed f=135mm Short Barrel). The unit pictured above corresponds to that version, with Miranda markings, lever locks, dual mount and magnification scale. It dates from the mid-1960s, and is much later than the Mirax-B and Supreme lens head pictured with it.

Serial numbers for the type 3 are known in the 62xxxx range, from 620541 to 622259, and in the 63xxxx range, from 630225 to 631397. The early numbers partly overlap those of the type 2, perhaps indicating that the magnification scale was initially offered as an option. During the production of the type 3, the box was replaced by a blue cardboard box with clouds and stars, inscribed MIRANDA FOCABELL and MIRANDA CAMERA CO., LTD. TOKYO.

The final version of the dual-rail Focabell ("type 4") has wheels instead of levers on the left-hand side, to lock the three sliding standards. It has been repeatedly observed in a blue cardboard box with clouds all over, inscribed World's Finest MIRANDA FOCABELL DELUXE. This might indicate that the official name of the type 4 was "Focabell Deluxe", but no original document has yet been found to confirm this. The only serial number confirmed so far for that version is 634147.

At some period, the company introduced an Automatic adapter ring, for automatic diaphragm actuation with a dual cable release. It has a bayonet mount at the rear and a dual mount at the front. The cable release is plugged into the adapter, and its movement is transmitted to the diaphragm lever of the internal auto-diaphragm lenses.

Yet another version of the Miranda Focabell is known, with wheel locks and magnification scales directly engraved on the two rails. It has is a dual mount at the front and a Miranda bayonet at the rear; the bayonet latch is placed on the right, unlike all other Focabell with bayonet mount. The plate with the serial number is longitudinal (instead of transversal); it is engraved Focabell AII with a four-digit serial number. From the combination of features, it would seem logical that this version came after the "type 4", but this is unconfirmed. The only example confirmed so far, with no.7098, comes in a wooden red case, reminding those of earlier products of the Orion period, but with orange and gold decals labeled FOCABELL AII and Miranda.

Single-rail Focabell

After the dual-rail Focabell, or near the end of the production, the Bellox Jr was offered as a cheaper bellows unit for the Miranda. It was sold under the Miranda or Alpex brands (surely by Allied Impex), and the Alpex version was available in other mounts too (Exakta, 42mm screw mount, etc.). It was a name variant of the Kopil Folding Bellowscope made by Kobayashi Seiki, which was also available in various mounts including the Miranda bayonet.

After the Bellox Jr, the Focabell name was re-used on single-rail units, of which several models exist.

The Focabell-S has a folding rail with a rectangular section, and is much flimsier than the dual-rail models. It has a dual magnification scale engraved on the rail: for the short barrel 13.5cm lens on the left, and for standard 50mm lenses on the right. It comes in a light blue cardboard box. Several versions are reported, some of which are pictured in this page of the Miranda Historical Society.

Focabell-S. Picture courtesy of Pacific Rim Camera. (Image rights)

The Focabell Auto-S has a rigid rail with a round section, and seems to transmit the auto diaphragm control.

The Focabell A4 is a robust single-rail model, offered in the late 1970s, at the time of the Miranda EE-2. It has a robust construction, and it is similar to the Soligor Multiflex which was available in various mounts. It was probably not made by Miranda itself.

Bibliography

Original documents

• Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Summit Shōkai:
  • September 1953, p.190;
  • October 1953, p.217;
  • November 1953, p.194.
• Asahi Camera. Advertisements by the photo department of Matsushima or Matsushima Megane-ten:
  • November 1953, p.59;
  • January 1955, p.229;
  • February 1955, p.190;
  • March 1955, p.180;
  • April 1955, p.211;
  • August 1955, p.206.
• Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin:
  • May 1958, p.221;
  • July 1958, p.213.
• Kitano Kunio (北野邦雄). "Orijinaru kokusan kamera 3: Asahifurekkusu." (オリジナル国産カメラ・３・アサヒフレックス, Original Japanese cameras 3: the Asahiflex). In Shashin Kōgyō no.35, May 1955. Pp.369–72. (This article is mainly on the Asahiflex, but mentions the Focabell and contains various pictures of the Focabell-H.)
• Miranda Camera. User manual of the Miranda ST, c.1960.
• Miranda Camera. User manual of the Miranda EE-2, c.1976. P.49.
• Ogihara Akira (荻原彰). "Mirakkusu ni tsuite" (ミラックスについて, About the Mirax). In Shashin Kōgyō no.1, June 1952. Pp.26–7. (Briefly mentions a bellows system under development.)
• Ogihara Akira (荻原彰). "Mirakkusu no kōzō to tokusei" (ミラックスの構造と特性, Construction and special features of the Mirax). In Shashin Kōgyō no.12, May 1953. Pp.275–7.
• Ogihara Akira (荻原彰). "Mirakkusu to Fōkaberu ni tsuite" (ミラックスとフォーカベルについて, On the Mirax and Focabell). In Shashin Kōgyō no.24, May 1954. Pp.344–8.
• Ogihara Akira (荻原彰). "Purizumu refu Miranda" (プリズムレフ・ミランダ, Miranda prism reflex). In Shashin Kōgyō no.39, September 1955. Pp.160–4.
• Orion Camera. Mirax & Focabell, Orion Camera's Product's. (ミラックスとフォーカベル, Orion Camera's product's.) Brochure in Japanese language, c.1953.
• Orion Camera. Reflex Box for Copy, Close-up, Micro and Tele-photography: Mirax & Focabell. Brochure in English language, c.1954.
• Orion Camera Co., Ltd. Miranda. User manual of the Miranda T, c.1955. Reproduced in this Flickr set.
• Photo Art rinji zōkan: Kamera akusesarī zensho (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラアクセサリー全書, Photo Art special issue: All the camera accessories). June 1955, no.80 of the magazine.
  • Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima Megane-ten on p.22.
  • "Zukai: Akusesarī no mekanikku. 12: Bōen, sessha, fukusha sōchi. Mirakkusu to Fōkaberu." (図解・アクセサリーのメカニック・12・望遠・接写・複写装置・ミラックスとフォーカベル. Drawings: accessory mechanisms. 12: Telephoto, close-up and reproduction devices. Mirax and Focabell.) P.51.
  • "Shashin no kaimi wa sessha to bōen satsuei kara: Purokusā, Ōtoappu, Refubokkusu, sonota." (写真の快味は接写と望遠撮影から・プロクサー・オートアップ・レフボックス・その他, Because the appeal of photography comes with close-up and telephoto pictures: Proxar, Auto-Up, reflex housing, etc.) Pp.118–20.
• Photo Art rinji zōkan: Kamera no chishiki (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラの知識, Photo Art special issue: Knowledge of cameras). October 1955, no.87 of the magazine. "Kakubu no kikō to sono sōsa. 14: Kamera ni toritsukeru akusesarī no chishiki. Renzu zenmen ni. b: Hojo satsuei kigu, renzu." (各部の機構とその操作・14・カメラに取付けるアクセサリーの知識・レンズ前面に・b・補助撮影器具・レンズ. Mechanism and operation of all the parts. 14: Knowledge of the accessories attached to the camera. In front of the lens. b: Accessory photographic instruments, lenses.) P.47. (Short mention only, with a small picture.)
• Shashin Kōgyō no.26, July 1954. Picture on the front cover.
• Shashin Kōgyō no.72, April 1958. Advertisement by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin, p.317.

Recent sources

• "Miranda akusesarī" (ミランダ・アクセサリー, Miranda accessories). In Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.64, June 2002. ISBN 4-257-13048-2. Miranda no keifu (ミランダの系譜, Miranda genealogy). Pp.44–5.

Links

In English:

• Pages of the Miranda Historical Society:
  • Focabell bellows system
  • Focabell and Mirax outfit among rare items

In Japanese:

• Pages of the Miranda Society Japan:
  • Focabell bellows system
  • Focabell among macro lenses
  • Text-only details on the Focabell among telephoto lenses
• Focabell-G for Primarflex, with modified Tele-Hexar 40cm f/5.6, in Koujiya Camera's blog