Fujimoto
Fujimoto is a Japanese company that still exists, making lab systems, enlargers and slide projectors. It was founded in 1913 to make photogravure equipment. It established as Fujimoto Mfg Co (Fujimoto Seisakusho, 藤本製作所) in 1933, began the production of cameras in 1934 and the production of enlargers in 1935. The cameras were sold by the Fukada Shōkai (深田商会) company. All activity stopped in 1945. In 1950 it was revived as Fujimoto Camera Mfg Co (Fujimoto Shashinki Seisakusho, 藤本写真機製作所).
The Prince name was reused by another company after the war, but the Lucky name is still used by Fujimoto for enlargers.
4.5x6 folding
- Semi Prince (1934), with Schneider lenses and German shutters
- Semi Lucky (1934), first with Schneider lenses and German shutters, but exists with Neumann & Heilemann Radionar 7.5cm/4.5 and Neumann & Heilemann Perfekt shutter to 1/250
- Semi Sport (1940), Fujimoto Rapidex shutter
- Semi Luck (1950)
McKeown lists the Semi Lucky under "K.S. Fabrik", together with a Semi Rosen, relating it to the Proud company.
6.5x9 folding plate
- Prince Peerless, probably made by Fujimoto
6x6 TLR
It is unclear if the Princeflex camera was made by Fujimoto or Neumann & Heilemann. The two companies are probably related.
Links
- History at the Fujimoto corporate site, in Japanese
