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).
Contents
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] it is pulled forward by two cylindrical pins. 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]
One example of the 1930 Idea is known with a Nikkor 105mm f/4.5 lens by Nippon Kōgaku, a Compur shutter (T, B, 1–250) and the early type of viewfinder.[12] Nippon Kōgaku had previously made a preseries of Lily cameras with its earlier Anytar lenses, and it perhaps switched to the Idea for its first Nikkor lenses.
1933 model
The 1930 model was replaced in 1933 by the Year-Eight Idea (8年型アイデア), only existing in 6.5×9cm size. The name "Year-Eight Idea" refers to Shōwa year 8, i.e. 1933; this name is found in today's sources but it is not known if it was used at the time.[13] It has a different body, easily recognized by the angled front standard pulled out by two triangular handles. Limited vertical movements are available, as on the 1930 model. There is a rigid brilliant finder offset to the left; the wireframe finder has indents at the bottom, and the rear eyepiece has a rectangular shape. All these features would be shared by the Ohca plate folder released by Konishiroku in 1935.
Two models exist; the simpler one has a focusing system similar to the 1930 model, with a focusing index and distance scale on the photographer's right, the same as on the 1930 model. The advanced model has true double extension bellows, with more elaborate focusing rails, a small focus wheel on the right and the distance scale on the left. The modern sources imply that the two models were offered simultaneously, but this is unconfirmed, and the double extension model might plausibly have replaced the simpler one.
The Year-Eight Idea was the first model to have Japanese lenses and shutters. The camera was initially announced with a Zion f/6.3 or f/4.5 lens made by Asahi Kōgaku and an Apus or Zeus shutter by Rokuoh-sha, in all four possible combinations.[14] Some months later, the Zion lens was replaced by the Optor, again in f/6.3 or f/4.5; it seems that the Zeus shutter was renamed Durax at about the same time.[15] Sources are conflicting on whether the Optor f/6.3 and Durax combination was offered or not.[16]
Surviving examples are known in the following combinations:
- Zion Anastigmat 10.5cm f/6.3, Apus, single extension;[17]
- Zion Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5, Apus, double extension (lens and shutter perhaps not original);[18]
- Optor Anastigmat 10.5cm f/6.3, Apus, single extension;[19]
- Optor Anastigmat 10.5cm f/6.3, Apus, double extension;[20]
- Optor Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5, Apus, single extension;[21]
- Optor Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5, Apus, double extension;[22]
- Optor Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5, Durax, single extension;[23]
- Optor Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5, Durax, double extension;[24]
No example has yet been observed with a Zeus shutter.
One source reports that the Year-Eight Idea was also offered with green leather covering and green bellows.[25] One example of the Idea has been reported with brown leather covering and tan bellows, an Optor f/6.3 lens and Apus shutter; no picture was observed and the exact model is unknown.[26]
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: