Difference between revisions of "Fujica Six"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
m (Model IIBS)
m (Model IIBS: rewording)
Line 49: Line 49:
 
==Model IIBS==
 
==Model IIBS==
  
In November 1950, Fuji released the '''Fujica Six IIBS'''. Based on what we have called variant "c" of the IBS (see table above), this had the innovation of a small, rigid viewfinder attached to the otherwise flat top plate of the camera. A symmetrical pair of buttons around the finder served as shutter release and opener of the front.
+
In November 1950, Fuji released the '''Fujica Six IIBS'''. Based on what we have called variant "c" of the IBS (see table above), this had the innovation of a small, rigid viewfinder protruding from the otherwise flat top plate of the camera. One of a symmetrical pair of buttons around the finder served as a shutter release, the other to open the front.
  
 
Most examples of the IIBS were exported or sold in Japan via US military retail channels (the "PX") to US military personnel. A few were sold to the Japanese public, for around &yen;10,000.<br style="clear:both" />
 
Most examples of the IIBS were exported or sold in Japan via US military retail channels (the "PX") to US military personnel. A few were sold to the Japanese public, for around &yen;10,000.<br style="clear:both" />

Revision as of 13:33, 1 June 2006

Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Semi Ace | Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Semi Ako | Ami | Bakyna | Semi Chrome | Semi Clover | Collex | Semi Condor | Semi Dymos | Semi Elega | Semi First | Auto Semi First | Baby Semi First | Gaica | Semi Gelto | Semi Germa | Hansa Semi Rollette | Heil | Hokoku | Hope | Kadera | Kankyu | Kelly | Kiko Semi | Semi Kinka | Semi Konter | Semi Kreis | Semi Kulax | Semi Lead | Semi Leotax | Semi Lester | Loyal | Semi Lucky | Semi Lyra | Semi Makinet | Semi Metax | Semi Minolta (I) and II | Auto Semi Minolta | Semi Miss | Mizuho | Semi Mulber | Semi National | New Gold | Okaco | Oko Semi | Semi Olympus | Semi Olympus II | Semi Osamo | Semi Pearl | Primo | Semi Prince | Semi Proud | Semi Prux | Roavic | Semi Rody | Rondex | Semi Rosen | Semi Rotte | Seica | Seves | Semi Shiks | Sintax | Semi Sixteenth | Semi Solon | Semi Sport | Star Semi | Semi-Tex | Tsubasa Kiko Three | Tsubasa Nettar | Tsubasa Super Semi | Ugein | Vester-Lette | Victor | Waltax | Wester | Zeitax
collapsible
Semi Kinsi | Lord | Lyrax | Nippon | New Olympic | Semi Olympic | Semi Renky | Auto Victor | Well Super
stereo
Sun Stereo
unknown
Semi Elka | Semi Keef | Napoleon
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Apollo | Semi Blond | Semi Crystar | Daido Semi | Doris | Semi Frank | Semi Gelto | Semi Golder | Karoron | Karoron RF | Kely | Kiko Semi | Korin | Kuri | BB Kuri | Lark | Semi Leotax | Semi Leotax DL / R | Lo Ruby | Semi Lord | Luck | Semi Lyra | Semi Masmy | Middl 120 | Semi Mihama | Mikado | Million Proud | Semi Minolta III | Semi Minolta P | Semi Oscon | Semi Pearl | Pearl I–III | Pearl IV | Petri | Petri RF | Petri Super | Pioneer | Semi Proud | Semi Rocket | Rocky Semi | Rosen | Ruby | Shinkoh Rabbit | Semi Sport | Tsubasa Semi | Union Semi | Union Model U | Walcon Semi | Waltax | Semi Wester | Zenobia
rigid or collapsible
Semi Dak | Semi Hobix | Super Semi Plum | Rocket Camera | Tomy
Japanese Six (6×6) (edit)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Adler Six | Bonny Six | Clover-Six | Condor Six | First Six | Gelto Six | Gotex | Green | Lyra Six | Super Makinet Six | Mamiya Six | Miyako Six | Mulber Six | Mulix | National Six | Neure Six | Oko Six | Olympus Six | Pilot Six | Romax | Ugein | Vester-Six | Victor Six | Weha Six
collapsible
Ehira Chrome Six | Minolta Six | Shinko Super | Weha Chrome Six
unknown
Freude Six | Heart Camera | Konter Six | Tsubasa Six
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Aires Viceroy | Angel Six | Aram Six | Astoria Super Six | Atom Six | Balm Six | Baron | Beauty Six (1950) | Beauty Six (1953) | Calm Six | Carl Six | Centre Six | Crown | Crystar Six | Daido Six | Dorima Six | Doris Six | Ehira Six | Elbow Six | First Six | Flora Six | Fodor Six | Frank Six | Fujica Six | Super Fujica Six | Futami Six | Gotex | Grace Six | Kohken Chrome Six | Kyowa Six | Liner Six | Lyra Six | Mamiya Six | Middl Six | Mihama Six | Mine Six | Minon Six | Mizuho Six | Motoka Six | Mount Six | Muse Six | Super Naiku | Ofuna Six | Olympus Six | Olympus Chrome Six | Orion Six | Oscar Six | Pigeon Six | Planet | Please Six | Pluto Six | Poppy Six | Press Van | Press Van-120 | Proud Chrome Six | Proud Super Six | Renown Six | Ricoh Six | Ruvikon | Ruvinal | Sanon Six | Silver Six | Sisley 1 | Sisley 2 & 3 | Sister Six | Tenar Six | Toho Six | Tomic | Toyoca Six | Ugein Six | Wagen Six | Walcon 6 | Welmy Six | Wester | Windsor Six
rigid or collapsible
Dia Six | Ehira Chrome Six | Enon Six | Flora | Flashline | Fujipet | Harmony | Mikono-6 | Orion | Ponix | Rich-Ray-6 | Shumy | Weha Chrome Six
Japanese older 6×9 ->

The Fujica Six, a 6×6 folding viewfinder camera, was the very first camera to be produced by Fuji Photo Film. The first version came out in 1948, the last in 1953.

There were three main styles, of which the first and third came in a number of varieties.


Model I

The Fujica Six I, of which there were six acknowledged models, is a very simply designed camera. A single button serves to open both the front and the viewfinder, which consists of two metal-framed lenses. Film is inserted on the right and advanced to the left. Film advance requires use of the red window. There is only one of these: there is no provision for 6×4.5.

Thanks to the folding finder, this camera is particularly light and compact.

Within the name, "A" seems to have referred to the f4.5 lens, "B" to f3.5, "C" to export, and "S" to flash synchronization. The three variants of the IIBS were not labeled in any way; our use of "a", "b" and "c" is merely arbitrary and for the reader's convenience.

In the table here, "S.R." stands for Seikosha-Rapid, and "PC" (then regarded as "German") is what is now (2006) the standard flash terminal.

Model IIBS

In November 1950, Fuji released the Fujica Six IIBS. Based on what we have called variant "c" of the IBS (see table above), this had the innovation of a small, rigid viewfinder protruding from the otherwise flat top plate of the camera. One of a symmetrical pair of buttons around the finder served as a shutter release, the other to open the front.

Most examples of the IIBS were exported or sold in Japan via US military retail channels (the "PX") to US military personnel. A few were sold to the Japanese public, for around ¥10,000.

Model IIC

The Fujica Six IIC, of which two models were acknowledged, was radically redesigned. Most obviously, the diecast body had a smooth top. This curved over an enlarged viewfinder, which was moved slightly to the right (as seen by the photographer), thus making space for an accessory shoe to the left. The front was opened by a button on the front rather than the top.

Optically too the IIC was superior: the Rectar lens (itself soon to be replaced) of the earliest variant of the IICS was improved from its predecessor. The camera was unit-focusing: the entire lens assembly, and not just the frontmost element, moved for focusing.

The camera sold for ¥18,000.

The three variants of the IICS were not labeled in any way; our use of "a", "b" and "c" is merely arbitrary and for the reader's convenience. Meanwhile, "S" seems to have stood for Seikosha and "R" for Rectus. In the table, "PC" is what is now (2006) the standard flash terminal.

Further reading / reference

  • Koyasu Yoshinobu (子安栄信). "Fuji Shashin Firumu no kamera no subete" (富士写真フィルムのカメラのすべて All the cameras of Fuji Photo Film). In "Fuji Shashin Firumu no kamera" (富士写真フィルムのカメラ The cameras of Fuji Photo Film), no. 44 of Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera no Senka. Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1997. ISBN 4-257-13013-X (In Japanese only.) Koyasu deals with the Fujica Six on pp. 18–21.

External links