Gold plate folders
The Gold plate folders are Japanese folding cameras taking 6.5 9cm pictures on film plates or sheet film. They were distributed by Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, it is not known if they are related to the company Gold Camera Kōgyōsho. At least three models were sold, quite different one from the other.
The B Gold
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| Extract of a Gold leaflet: B Gold model. (Image rights) |
The B Gold (B型ゴールド) has single extension bellows and no movement ability. The focusing goes down to 1'5" (1尺5寸), it is not known if it is driven by a focusing lever or if the front standard is simply pulled forward by hand. The lens is a Rapid f/6.8 and the shutter has B, 25, 50 settings. The shutter plate is inscribed Gold at the top. The B Gold was sold for ¥15 with three plate holders, a film-pack adapter and a soft release.
The A Gold
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| Extract of a Gold leaflet: A Gold model. (Image rights) |
The A Gold (A型ゴールド) has rack-and-pinion focusing controlled by a small wheel on the photographer's left. There is no movement ability.
The f/6.3 model has "one-and-a-half" extension bellows (一段半伸). The lens is a Torionar f/6.3 and the shutter is an Elka C giving T, B, 10–150 speeds. The shutter plate is inscribed ELKA–C at the bottom and Patent~Pending at the top, with a logo on the right. This model cost ¥30 with three plate holders, a film-pack adapter and a soft release.
The f/4.5 model has double extension bellows. The lens is a Lucomar f/4.5 and the shutter is a Rulex D giving T, B, 25–150 speeds and made by Neumann & Heilemann. The choice of a shutter having lesser features is unexplained. This model cost ¥38 with the same accessories as cited above.
The Special Gold
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| Extract of a Gold leaflet: Special Gold model. (Image rights) |
The Special Gold (スペシャルゴールド) has double extension bellows and vertical movement ability. The focusing is by rack-and-pinion driven by a wheel on the right. Three versions were offered:
- Lucomar f/4.5 lens, Rulex B shutter, T, B, 5–150 speeds (¥50);
- Corygon f/4.5 lens, Compur shutter, T, B, 1–250 speeds, self-timer (¥85);
- Corygon f/4.5 lens, Compur-Rapid shutter, T, B, 1–400 speeds, self-timer (¥100).
Notes
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.
These cameras are not listed in Sugiyama.
