Difference between revisions of "Honor SL"
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{{Japanese 35mm focal plane VF and RF}} | {{Japanese 35mm focal plane VF and RF}} | ||
| + | The '''Honor SL''' (オーナーSL) is a Japanese 35mm rangefinder camera taking [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]] lenses, made from 1959 by [[Zuihō|Zuihō Kōgaku]]. It is often described as a Leica copy, though its design was actually inspired from the [[Canon L1]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Description == | ||
| + | The die-cast body and removable back of the Honor SL are reportedly the same as those of the [[Honor S1]],<REF name="KKS37 p57"> Awano, p.57 of {{KKS}} no.37. </REF> certainly to avoid spending money on making new dies for the camera. There is an oval black spacer at the junction between the main body and the top cover,<REF name="KKS37 p57" /> pretending to be a part of the die-cast body and supporting the two strap lugs. The leatherette covering sometimes has two separate patches above the lens mount, outlining the top cover of the former Honor S1, perhaps an indication that the camera was assembled from unfinished S1 bodies. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The top cover is all new, and its design was blatantly copied on that of the [[Canon L1]]. It contains a viewfinder and rangefinder combined in a single eyepiece, offset to the left as seen by the photographer. It seems that the viewfinder contains a bright frame, certainly for 50mm focal length only, with fixed parallax indications. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The film is advanced by a lever, containing a black exposure counter. It is rewound by a folding crank at the opposite end. The sprocket shaft is disengaged for rewind by turning a collar around the release button, with ''A'' and ''R'' indications. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The focal plane shutter is operated by two separate dials; it is probably the same as on the [[Honor S1]], except for the slow speed governor. The top dial is black and normally has B, 30–1 (in yellow), 60, 125, 250, 500 positions. The front dial is black and chrome, and has T, 1, 2, 4 positions in one direction, and 8, 15, 30 (in yellow) in the other. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The camera has a PC flash socket at the left end of the top plate. There is a sliding button switching from ''FP'' to ''X'' (in yellow), above the socket and next to the rewind crank. The accessory shoe is at its usual location between the viewfinder and speed dial. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The back, similar to that of the [[Honor S1]], is removable together with the bottom plate for film loading. It is locked by two keys at the bottom, with ''O'' and ''C'' indications. The tripod thread is contained inside the right-hand key. The camera can take standard film cartridges or refillable Leica cassettes, as the Honor S1. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The name ''Honor'' and model name ''S.L'' are engraved above the viewfinder, together with a red film plane indicator. The company name ''Zuiho Opt. Co., Ltd. Japan'' is engraved at the rear of the top cover. Finally, the serial number is engraved in front of the accessory shoe: ''No.xxxxx''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Announce and production == | ||
| + | The camera was announced in the new products column of the December 1959 issue of {{NCA}}.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.379. This is the only document listed in that source. </REF> It was not advertised in Japan, and was perhaps made for export only.<REF> Awano, p.57 of {{KKS}} no.37; the author does not seem aware of the article in {{NCA}} December 1959. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Serial numbers are confirmed from 90202 to 90695.<REF> No.90202: example sold as [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=35231&acat=35231&offset=1&_ssl=off lot no.357] of Westlicht auction no.7. No.90695: example pictured in HPR, p.191, and sold as [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=133075&acat=133075&offset=1&_ssl=off lot no.426] of Westlicht auction no.14. </REF> The sequence certainly started at 90000 or 90001. The first digit "9" might correspond to year 1959, when the batch was started — a similar explanation seems to account for the 6xxx and 7xxxx numbers of the [[Honor S1]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Some sources report a version with 1/1000 top speed,<REF> HPR, p.190. </REF> but no picture has been observed so far. As for the [[Honor S1]] with 1/1000 top speed, it is likely that this corresponds to an experiment or a posterior modification, and that the shutter was not designed to provide 1/1000 speed reliably. | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* {{Zukan}} Item 1140. | * {{Zukan}} Item 1140. | ||
| + | * Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Kokusan Barunakku-gata kamera: Ōnā, Ichikon" (国産バルナック型カメラ・オーナー、イチコン, Japanese Leica-type cameras: Honor, Ichicon). In {{KKS037}} Pp.56–7. | ||
* Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Ōnā SL" (オーナーSL, Honor SL). In {{CCN}} no.36 (June 1980). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. | * Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Ōnā SL" (オーナーSL, Honor SL). In {{CCN}} no.36 (June 1980). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. | ||
* {{HPR}} Pp.183–4 and 190–1. | * {{HPR}} Pp.183–4 and 190–1. | ||
* {{McKeown12}} P.1064. | * {{McKeown12}} P.1064. | ||
| + | * Nekogahora Makoto (猫洞まこと). "Ōnā SL" (オーナーSL, Honor SL). In {{KKS045}} Pp.14–5. | ||
* {{300LC}} Pp.200–2. | * {{300LC}} Pp.200–2. | ||
* {{Zukan}} Item 3275. | * {{Zukan}} Item 3275. | ||
Revision as of 17:55, 15 April 2009
The Honor SL (オーナーSL) is a Japanese 35mm rangefinder camera taking Leica screw mount lenses, made from 1959 by Zuihō Kōgaku. It is often described as a Leica copy, though its design was actually inspired from the Canon L1.
Description
The die-cast body and removable back of the Honor SL are reportedly the same as those of the Honor S1,[1] certainly to avoid spending money on making new dies for the camera. There is an oval black spacer at the junction between the main body and the top cover,[1] pretending to be a part of the die-cast body and supporting the two strap lugs. The leatherette covering sometimes has two separate patches above the lens mount, outlining the top cover of the former Honor S1, perhaps an indication that the camera was assembled from unfinished S1 bodies.
The top cover is all new, and its design was blatantly copied on that of the Canon L1. It contains a viewfinder and rangefinder combined in a single eyepiece, offset to the left as seen by the photographer. It seems that the viewfinder contains a bright frame, certainly for 50mm focal length only, with fixed parallax indications.
The film is advanced by a lever, containing a black exposure counter. It is rewound by a folding crank at the opposite end. The sprocket shaft is disengaged for rewind by turning a collar around the release button, with A and R indications.
The focal plane shutter is operated by two separate dials; it is probably the same as on the Honor S1, except for the slow speed governor. The top dial is black and normally has B, 30–1 (in yellow), 60, 125, 250, 500 positions. The front dial is black and chrome, and has T, 1, 2, 4 positions in one direction, and 8, 15, 30 (in yellow) in the other.
The camera has a PC flash socket at the left end of the top plate. There is a sliding button switching from FP to X (in yellow), above the socket and next to the rewind crank. The accessory shoe is at its usual location between the viewfinder and speed dial.
The back, similar to that of the Honor S1, is removable together with the bottom plate for film loading. It is locked by two keys at the bottom, with O and C indications. The tripod thread is contained inside the right-hand key. The camera can take standard film cartridges or refillable Leica cassettes, as the Honor S1.
The name Honor and model name S.L are engraved above the viewfinder, together with a red film plane indicator. The company name Zuiho Opt. Co., Ltd. Japan is engraved at the rear of the top cover. Finally, the serial number is engraved in front of the accessory shoe: No.xxxxx.
Announce and production
The camera was announced in the new products column of the December 1959 issue of Nihon Camera.[2] It was not advertised in Japan, and was perhaps made for export only.[3]
Serial numbers are confirmed from 90202 to 90695.[4] The sequence certainly started at 90000 or 90001. The first digit "9" might correspond to year 1959, when the batch was started — a similar explanation seems to account for the 6xxx and 7xxxx numbers of the Honor S1.
Some sources report a version with 1/1000 top speed,[5] but no picture has been observed so far. As for the Honor S1 with 1/1000 top speed, it is likely that this corresponds to an experiment or a posterior modification, and that the shutter was not designed to provide 1/1000 speed reliably.
Bibliography
- 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. Item 1140.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Kokusan Barunakku-gata kamera: Ōnā, Ichikon" (国産バルナック型カメラ・オーナー、イチコン, Japanese Leica-type cameras: Honor, Ichicon). 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.37, March 1996. No ISBN number. Leica Book '96 (ライカブック'96). Pp.56–7.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Ōnā SL" (オーナーSL, Honor SL). In Camera Collectors' News no.36 (June 1980). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
- HPR. Leica Copies. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1994. ISBN 1-874485-05-4. Pp.183–4 and 190–1.
- 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.1064.
- Nekogahora Makoto (猫洞まこと). "Ōnā SL" (オーナーSL, Honor SL). 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.45, March 1998. ISBN 4-257-13014-8. Sekai no Raika-gata kamera (世界のライカ型カメラ, Leica-like cameras of the world). Pp.14–5.
- Pont, P.-H., and Princelle, J.-L. 300 Leica Copies. Neuilly: Fotosaga, 1990. ISBN 2-906840-03-3. Pp.200–2.
- 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. Item 3275.
Links
In English:
- Pages of Nekosan's website:
- Honor family
- Honor SL compared to a Canon P in a page of lookalike cameras
- Honor SL at Ian Norris' Prime Lens
- Honor SL among copies of the Leica III at Massimo Bertacchi's Innovative Cameras
- Honor family and Honor SL (text only) at Pacific Rim Camera
- Past sales by Westlicht:
- Honor SL with Hexanon 50mm f/1.9: lot no.357 of auction no.7 (May 21, 2005)
- Honor SL with Honor 50mm f/1.9: lot no.426 of auction no.14 (November 30, 2008)
- Honor SL with Honor 50mm f/1.9: lot no.604 of auction no.9741 (November 18, 2003) by Christies
In German:
- Honor SL: lot no.793 of auction no.8 (January 24, 2009) by Rahn
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Awano, p.57 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.37.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.379. This is the only document listed in that source.
- ↑ Awano, p.57 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.37; the author does not seem aware of the article in Nihon Camera December 1959.
- ↑ No.90202: example sold as lot no.357 of Westlicht auction no.7. No.90695: example pictured in HPR, p.191, and sold as lot no.426 of Westlicht auction no.14.
- ↑ HPR, p.190.
