Difference between revisions of "Idea B and Idea Snap"
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== The {{tefuda}} models == | == The {{tefuda}} models == | ||
=== Description === | === Description === | ||
− | The {{tefuda}} models have an all-wooden vertically folding body, with a handle at the top. The bellows have single extension, and there is a distance scale on the photographer's left. Variations are known in the shape of the folding struts, of which | + | The {{tefuda}} models have an all-wooden vertically folding body, with a handle at the top. The bellows have single extension, and there is a distance scale on the photographer's left. Variations are known in the shape of the folding struts, of which at least three types exist — straight, thin and large. The front standard has two masts supporting the lensboard, and allows vertical movements only. There is a [[brilliant finder]] attached to the folding bed, to the photographer's left, with a retracting hood. The Pocket Idea B has a small ''POCKET IDEA'' nameplate attached to the base of the lens standard. |
+ | |||
+ | === Pocket Idea B === | ||
+ | It is said that the '''Pocket Idea B''' was introduced in August 1909, together with the [[Idea A|Pocket Idea A1]].<REF> Chronology of the official company history ''Shashin to tomo ni hyaku-nen'', reproduced in Tanaka, p.94 of {{KKS}} no.10, and Kikuoka, p.28 of the same magazine. </REF> | ||
+ | |||
+ | In the December 1911 catalogue by [[Konica|Konishi Honten]], the camera is called "Idea Pocket Hand Camera" in English and "Pocket Idea Camera B Hand Camera" (ポケット、アイデヤ、カメラB號手提暗箱) in Japanese script.<REF> December 1911 catalogue of [[Konica|Konishi Honten]], p.8. A similar document is reproduced in [http://www2f.biglobe.ne.jp/~ter-1212/sakura/idea.htm this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha], towards the bottom. </REF> It is offered for {{yen|15|1911}} with a rapid meniscus lens (迅速単玉), a simple Time and Instant shutter, and three double-sided plate holders. In the illustration, the camera has straight folding struts with an apparent spring, and has a square lensboard. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It is said that the camera was modified in March 1916 with a shutter made by the company itself; at least one original illustration also suggests that the folding struts were modified with a thinner shape.<REF> Folding struts: compare the two first illustrations in the section about the Pocket Idea B and Idea B in [http://www2f.biglobe.ne.jp/~ter-1212/sakura/idea.htm this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha], towards the middle of the page. </REF> Surviving examples are known with the words ''MANUFACTURED BY ROKUOH-SHA TOKYO'' inscribed on the shutter plate, around the lens, and sometimes with the ''RK'' logo of Rokuoh-sha on the T, B, I speed dial.<REF> Examples pictured in Kikuoka, p.29 of {{KKS}} no.10, and example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1083, wrongly identified as a [[Idea A|Pocket Idea A1]]. </REF> The aperture scale is graduated in the [[Uniform Scale]], from US 4 to US 64 (i.e. f/8 to f/32).<REF> {{SUG}}, item 1083, reports the lens as a [[Bausch & Lomb]] RR 12.7cm, but this is unconfirmed. </REF> | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Idea B === | ||
+ | It is said that the camera became the '''Idea B''' (アイデアB号) in July 1920, with a revised rounded lensboard.<REF> Kikuoka, p.29 of {{KKS}} no.10, and [http://www2f.biglobe.ne.jp/~ter-1212/sakura/idea.htm this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha]. The camera presented as a {{tefuda}}-size Idea B in the latter is certainly a {{meishi}} model instead. </REF> An advertisement dated 1922 for the "Idea B" mentions the ability to take film plates or a film pack, and offers two versions:<REF> Advertisement reproduced in [http://www2f.biglobe.ne.jp/~ter-1212/sakura/ideaB.htm this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha]. The date is reported as 1922 in [http://www2f.biglobe.ne.jp/~ter-1212/sakura/idea.htm this other page]. </REF> | ||
+ | * meniscus (単玉) lens, Ultex shutter, {{yen|28|1922}}; | ||
+ | * RR lens, Ultex shutter, {{yen|32|1922}}. | ||
+ | The camera comes with three double-sided plate holders and a case, and the film pack holder is offered as an accessory for ¥6.50. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Surviving examples are known with the newer lensboard, larger folding struts, and a round ''<small>The</small> Idea'' nameplate on the left. They have the following lens and shutter combinations: | ||
+ | * unknown lens, Ultex shutter (T, B, 100, 50, 25);<REF> The same example is pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1084 (wrongly identified as a "Pocket Idea A-1"), and in Kikuoka, p.28 of {{KKS}} no.10 (identified as a 1909 "Pocket Idea B"). </REF> | ||
+ | * [[Wollensak]] Rapid Rectilinear lens, Deltax shutter (T, B, 100, 50, 25).<REF> Example pictured in [http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/sakura/j420.html this page of Neco's camera collection]. </REF> | ||
+ | These cameras do retain the ''POCKET IDEA'' nameplate; the name change perhaps applied to the catalogues and advertisements only, and was perhaps not followed by a change in the camera markings. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == |
Revision as of 12:59, 24 May 2008
The Pocket Idea B (ポケットアイデアB号), Idea B (アイデアB号) and Idea Snap (アイデアスナップ) are Japanese plate folders made by Rokuoh-sha, the manufacturing branch of Konishi or Konishiroku (predecessors of Konica). The Pocket Idea B was first released in tefuda size (8×10.5cm), and later evolved as the Idea B. A smaller Idea B model was also released in meishi size (5.5×8cm), along with the cheaper Idea Snap. All these cameras were cheaper alternatives to the Idea A series, and both lines were replaced in 1923 by the Idea No.1.
See also the other Idea models.
Contents
The tefuda models
Description
The tefuda models have an all-wooden vertically folding body, with a handle at the top. The bellows have single extension, and there is a distance scale on the photographer's left. Variations are known in the shape of the folding struts, of which at least three types exist — straight, thin and large. The front standard has two masts supporting the lensboard, and allows vertical movements only. There is a brilliant finder attached to the folding bed, to the photographer's left, with a retracting hood. The Pocket Idea B has a small POCKET IDEA nameplate attached to the base of the lens standard.
Pocket Idea B
It is said that the Pocket Idea B was introduced in August 1909, together with the Pocket Idea A1.[1]
In the December 1911 catalogue by Konishi Honten, the camera is called "Idea Pocket Hand Camera" in English and "Pocket Idea Camera B Hand Camera" (ポケット、アイデヤ、カメラB號手提暗箱) in Japanese script.[2] It is offered for ¥15 with a rapid meniscus lens (迅速単玉), a simple Time and Instant shutter, and three double-sided plate holders. In the illustration, the camera has straight folding struts with an apparent spring, and has a square lensboard.
It is said that the camera was modified in March 1916 with a shutter made by the company itself; at least one original illustration also suggests that the folding struts were modified with a thinner shape.[3] Surviving examples are known with the words MANUFACTURED BY ROKUOH-SHA TOKYO inscribed on the shutter plate, around the lens, and sometimes with the RK logo of Rokuoh-sha on the T, B, I speed dial.[4] The aperture scale is graduated in the Uniform Scale, from US 4 to US 64 (i.e. f/8 to f/32).[5]
Idea B
It is said that the camera became the Idea B (アイデアB号) in July 1920, with a revised rounded lensboard.[6] An advertisement dated 1922 for the "Idea B" mentions the ability to take film plates or a film pack, and offers two versions:[7]
The camera comes with three double-sided plate holders and a case, and the film pack holder is offered as an accessory for ¥6.50.
Surviving examples are known with the newer lensboard, larger folding struts, and a round The Idea nameplate on the left. They have the following lens and shutter combinations:
- unknown lens, Ultex shutter (T, B, 100, 50, 25);[8]
- Wollensak Rapid Rectilinear lens, Deltax shutter (T, B, 100, 50, 25).[9]
These cameras do retain the POCKET IDEA nameplate; the name change perhaps applied to the catalogues and advertisements only, and was perhaps not followed by a change in the camera markings.
Notes
- ↑ Chronology of the official company history Shashin to tomo ni hyaku-nen, reproduced in Tanaka, p.94 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, and Kikuoka, p.28 of the same magazine.
- ↑ December 1911 catalogue of Konishi Honten, p.8. A similar document is reproduced in this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha, towards the bottom.
- ↑ Folding struts: compare the two first illustrations in the section about the Pocket Idea B and Idea B in this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha, towards the middle of the page.
- ↑ Examples pictured in Kikuoka, p.29 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, and example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1083, wrongly identified as a Pocket Idea A1.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1083, reports the lens as a Bausch & Lomb RR 12.7cm, but this is unconfirmed.
- ↑ Kikuoka, p.29 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, and this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha. The camera presented as a tefuda-size Idea B in the latter is certainly a meishi model instead.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha. The date is reported as 1922 in this other page.
- ↑ The same example is pictured in Sugiyama, item 1084 (wrongly identified as a "Pocket Idea A-1"), and in Kikuoka, p.28 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10 (identified as a 1909 "Pocket Idea B").
- ↑ Example pictured in this page of Neco's camera collection.
Bibliography
- 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.
- Konishi Honten. Saishin Shashin Kikai Mokuroku (最新写真器械目録, Latest catalogue of photographic apparatus). Published on December 18, 1911. Recent reprint.
- 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). P.23.
- 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 1083–4 (misidentified as "Pocket Idea A-1").
- Tanaka Yoshirō (田中芳郎). "Meiji–Taishō jidai no Konishi Honten no kamera wo shiru tame no hon" (明治・大正時代の小西本店のカメラを知るための本, Books about the Konishi Honten cameras of the Meiji and Taishō eras). 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.92–4.
Links
In Japanese:
- Pocket Idea B in Neco's camera collection, with more pictures here, here and here
- Idea Snap in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- Pages of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website:
- Idea cameras, with enlarged illustrations of the Pocket Idea B, Idea B (tefuda) and Idea Snap
- Shutter of the Pocket Idea B
- Pocket Idea B, Idea B (meishi) and Idea B (tefuda) in the camera list
Konishiroku prewar and wartime cameras ( ) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
plate | hand cameras | stereo hand cameras | strut folders | box | telephoto | SLR |
Idea (original) | Idea A | Idea B | Idea Snap | Idea No.1 | Idea (metal) | Lily (original) | Lily (horizontal) | Lily (metal) | Tropical Lily | Noble | Ohca | Sakura Palace | Sakura Pocket Prano | Sakura Prano | Idea Binocular | Sakura Binocular Prano | Minimum Idea | Idea Spring | Korok | Champion | Cherry | Sakura Army | Sakura Honor | Sakura Navy | Idea Telephoto | Idea Reflex (1910 and 1911) | Idea Reflex (1932) | Neat Reflex | Sakura Reflex Prano | |
rollfilm | folders | box or collapsible | TLR | |||
Pearlette | Special Pearlette | B Pearlette | Pearl (for plates and rollfilm) | Pearl No.2 | Pearl (Year 8) | Baby Pearl | Semi Pearl | Sakura Palace | Record | Sakura (box) | Sakura (bakelite) | Sakura-flex |