Idea (metal)
The Idea (アイデア) are Japanese plate folders made by Rokuoh-sha, the manufacturing branch of Konishiroku (predecessor of Konica). This page is about the models made after the introduction of a metal body in 1930, existing in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm size. All the metal Idea have a vertical body and split folding struts. For the earlier wooden models, see Idea (wooden).
1930 model
The Idea models released in 1930 were the first to have a metal body.[1] The bellows have "one and a half" extension,[2] and there is a small focusing index on the photographer's right, moving along a distance scale. The U-shaped front standard has rounded contours and allows vertical movements.[3] There is a brilliant finder, a wireframe hinged to the front standard and a small round eyepiece at the rear. There is a leather handle and a folding bed release at the top. The original ground glass hood has the name Rokuoh-sha embossed in the leather, and the metal plate holders and film pack holder also have ROKUOH-SHA inscribed in relief.
The 1930 model exists in 6.5×9cm and 8×10.5cm size, and was reportedly offered with the following lens and shutter combinations:[4]
- Deltas f/6.8 lens, Gammax shutter;[5]
- Trinar f/6.3 lens by Rodenstock, Pronto shutter;[6]
- Trinar f/6.3 lens by Rodenstock, Ibsor shutter;[7]
- Vero N°4 f/6.3 lens, Betax shutter.
One example is also known with the Trinar f/6.3 lens and a Koilos shutter (T, B, 25–100), in 8×10.5cm size.[8]
The camera was advertised in the June 1932 issue of Asahi Camera, where the price is given as "from ¥35" for 6.5×9cm daimeishi size and "from ¥44" for 8×10.5cm tefuda size, with an f/6.8 lens.
Advertisement in Asahi Camera June 1932. (Image rights) |
The known surviving examples show some variations in the position of the brilliant finder and consequently in the shape of the lens standard. At least three types exist. The presumably older one, observed in 6.5×9cm size, has the brilliant finder centered above the lens; this finder is collapsible and has a square window.[9] The presumably intermediate type, observed in 8×10.5cm size, has a large collapsible finder offset to the left, with a round window.[10] The presumably late type, observed in 6.5×9cm size, has a smaller rigid finder offset to the left, with a round window, similar to that of the 1933 Idea.[11]
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera June 1932. Advertisement by Konishiroku Honten on p.A4.
- 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. Items 1–2. (See also the advertisements for item 170.)
- Kikuoka Sei (菊岡清). "Konica history 3. Meiji 41-nen – Taishō 12-nen." (Konica history 3. 明治41年–大正12年. From Meiji year 41 (1908) to Taishō year 12 (1923).) 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.10, September 1987. No ISBN number. Konishiroku kamera no rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, special issue on Konishiroku). Pp.24–32.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). Pp.47 and 182.
- 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.538.
- Sakai Shūichi (酒井修一). "'Anbako' kara 'ōtofōkasu' he: kamera no hensen to tomo ni ayunda 114-nen" (「暗函」から「オートフォーカス」へ・カメラの変遷と共に歩んだ114年, From 'camera obscura' to 'autofocus': 114 years of camera evolution). 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.10, September 1987. No ISBN number. Konishiroku kamera no rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, special issue on Konishiroku). Pp.8–13.
- 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. Items 1096–103.
- Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Konica history 5. Shōwa 8-nen – 20-nen." (Konica history 5. 昭和8年–20年. From Shōwa year 8 (1933) to Shōwa year 20 (1945).) 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.10, September 1987. No ISBN number. Konishiroku kamera no rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, special issue on Konishiroku). Pp.40–4.
Links
In Japanese:
- Idea (metal) in the first page of the Yamada Camera Museum
- Pages of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website: