Difference between revisions of "Japanese 3×4 and 4×4 pseudo TLR"
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{{127 Japan}} | {{127 Japan}} | ||
== The concept == | == The concept == | ||
| − | Some [[pseudo TLR]] cameras taking 3×4cm pictures on [[127 film]] were sold between 1937 and | + | Some [[pseudo TLR]] cameras taking 3×4cm pictures on [[127 film]] were sold between 1937 and 1943 by Japanese companies. Their shape imitates a [[TLR|twin lens reflex]] but the finder is nothing more than a big [[brilliant finder]], and they are [[fixed focus|fixed-focus]]. |
There is a variety of names, but all are in fact the same camera. They have a black bakelite body<REF> According to [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/chukon.html this page about the Chukon Ref in the Ricoh official website]. </REF>, a 50/6.3 lens and B, 25, 50, 75, 100 shutter speeds. They seem to differ only by the nameplate, attached by two screws and easily interchanged, and by the lens and shutter markings. It is probable that these cameras were all produced in the same sub-contracting factories. | There is a variety of names, but all are in fact the same camera. They have a black bakelite body<REF> According to [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/chukon.html this page about the Chukon Ref in the Ricoh official website]. </REF>, a 50/6.3 lens and B, 25, 50, 75, 100 shutter speeds. They seem to differ only by the nameplate, attached by two screws and easily interchanged, and by the lens and shutter markings. It is probable that these cameras were all produced in the same sub-contracting factories. | ||
| − | == The | + | In the following, the models are described in alphabetical order. It seems that the Clover Baby Ref was the first model to appear in 1937 and that the last model was the Alma Baby Ref sold until 1943. |
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| + | == The Alma Baby Ref == | ||
| + | The '''Alma Baby Ref''' (アルマ・ベビーレフ) appears in advertisements dated 1942 and 1943.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 334. </REF> The company name that appears in an advertisement dated May 1943<REF> Advertisement published in ''Hōdō Shashin'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 59. </REF> is [[Banno|Banno Bōeki]], that was probably only the distributor. {{Kokusan}} attributes the camera to [[Miyoshi|Miyoshi Kōgaku]], like the other Alma cameras. That does not mean much for this model, because the actual maker was probably some other company, common to all the cameras described in this page. | ||
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| + | The Alma Baby Ref cost {{yen|23.50|1938}} in 1938. The lens and shutter are said to be called Argus.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 334. </REF> It is thus identical to the Clover Baby Ref, except for its ''Alma'' nameplate. | ||
| − | The ''' | + | == The Baby Roll Ref == |
| + | The '''Baby Roll Ref''' appears in {{McKeown}} and is attributed to Yuzawa Mfg. Co. (probably a translation of Yuzawa Seisakusho, 湯沢製作所). The nameplate and the plate above the hood are both marked ''Baby Roll Ref''. The shutter speeds are B, 25, 50, 100 and the shutter plate is marked ''Special Shutter'' at the top and perhaps ''Baby Roll Ref'' at the bottom. The lens is reported as a Soft Anastigmat 50/6.3, a name that probably faithfully describes its picture-taking capacities.<REF> McKeown, p. 1032. </REF> | ||
| − | The | + | == The Chukon Ref == |
| + | The '''Chukon Ref''' (チューコンレフ)<REF> The name Chūkon can be written 忠魂 and then it means "faithful spirit", sometimes in the sense of "loyal dead" or "war dead". Riken used such weird "patriotic" names during the war. </REF> appears in the new products column of the August 1939 issue of ''Asahi Camera''<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 337. </REF>. It was sold by Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō (today [[Ricoh]]) but it was not made by this company<REF> According to [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/chukon.html this page of the Ricoh official website]. </REF>. | ||
| − | + | The lens is said to be a Chukon Anastigmat<REF> In [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/chukon.html this page of the Ricoh official website]. </REF> and the shutter plate is marked ''Chukon Ref'' at the top and ''R.K.K.'' at the bottom (for <U>R</U>iken <U>K</U>ōgaku <U>K</U>ōgyō). | |
| − | The ''' | + | == The Clover Baby Ref == |
| + | The '''Clover Baby Ref''' (クロバー・ベビーレフ) appears in advertisements dated 1937<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 336. </REF>. The company name that appears in an advertisement dated August 1937<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 69. </REF> is [[Hagi|Hagi Kōgyō Bōeki]]. | ||
| − | The | + | The Clover Baby Ref cost {{yen|18.50|1937}}. It has a ''Clover Baby Ref'' nameplate, the lens is named Argus and the shutter too, engraved ''ARGUS'' in capital letters. |
== The Pilot Ref 3×4 and 4×4 == | == The Pilot Ref 3×4 and 4×4 == | ||
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The '''Pilot Ref''' (パイロットレフ) exists in two versions. The '''3×4 model''' appears in advertisements dated between 1938 and 1942, alongside the '''4×4 model'''in 1941 and 1942.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 338–9. </REF> The company name that appears in the advertisements is [[Tachibana|Tachibana Shōkai]]. | The '''Pilot Ref''' (パイロットレフ) exists in two versions. The '''3×4 model''' appears in advertisements dated between 1938 and 1942, alongside the '''4×4 model'''in 1941 and 1942.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 338–9. </REF> The company name that appears in the advertisements is [[Tachibana|Tachibana Shōkai]]. | ||
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A 3×4 example has been sold in a 2006 auction, with the ''Pilott Ref'' nameplate.<REF> Example sold in the 30 September 2006 auction by Auction Team Köln, for €390. The same example appears in [http://auction-team.de/new_highlights/2006_03/O0064385.html this page] of the [http://www.auction-team.de/english/index.htm Auction Team Köln website]. </REF> The lens is a Simpu Anastigmat 50/6.3. (The "Simpu" lens name is also found on the [[Semi-Tex]] 4.5×6 folder.) The shutter has a 70 setting instead of 75, the shutter plate is marked ''Rapid'' at the top, ''Shutter'' at the bottom and at the right it has a logo with ''N.S'' in a circle. | A 3×4 example has been sold in a 2006 auction, with the ''Pilott Ref'' nameplate.<REF> Example sold in the 30 September 2006 auction by Auction Team Köln, for €390. The same example appears in [http://auction-team.de/new_highlights/2006_03/O0064385.html this page] of the [http://www.auction-team.de/english/index.htm Auction Team Köln website]. </REF> The lens is a Simpu Anastigmat 50/6.3. (The "Simpu" lens name is also found on the [[Semi-Tex]] 4.5×6 folder.) The shutter has a 70 setting instead of 75, the shutter plate is marked ''Rapid'' at the top, ''Shutter'' at the bottom and at the right it has a logo with ''N.S'' in a circle. | ||
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== The Prince Baby Ref == | == The Prince Baby Ref == | ||
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The '''Prince Baby Ref''' (プリンスベビーレフ) appears in advertisements dated 1939 and 1940.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> Its price was ¥21 in October 1939<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 91. </REF>, April 1940<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 80. </REF> and August 1940<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 80. </REF>. It is said to have an Argus lens and shutter, like the Alma Baby Ref anc Clover Baby Ref.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> | The '''Prince Baby Ref''' (プリンスベビーレフ) appears in advertisements dated 1939 and 1940.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> Its price was ¥21 in October 1939<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 91. </REF>, April 1940<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 80. </REF> and August 1940<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 80. </REF>. It is said to have an Argus lens and shutter, like the Alma Baby Ref anc Clover Baby Ref.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> | ||
The company name that appears in the advertisements is the distributor [[Fukada Shōkai]]. {{Kokusan}} attributes the Prince Baby Ref to [[Prince|Prince Camera Works]], again this does not mean much for this camera. | The company name that appears in the advertisements is the distributor [[Fukada Shōkai]]. {{Kokusan}} attributes the Prince Baby Ref to [[Prince|Prince Camera Works]], again this does not mean much for this camera. | ||
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== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 19:51, 29 October 2006
Contents
The concept
Some pseudo TLR cameras taking 3×4cm pictures on 127 film were sold between 1937 and 1943 by Japanese companies. Their shape imitates a twin lens reflex but the finder is nothing more than a big brilliant finder, and they are fixed-focus.
There is a variety of names, but all are in fact the same camera. They have a black bakelite body[1], a 50/6.3 lens and B, 25, 50, 75, 100 shutter speeds. They seem to differ only by the nameplate, attached by two screws and easily interchanged, and by the lens and shutter markings. It is probable that these cameras were all produced in the same sub-contracting factories.
In the following, the models are described in alphabetical order. It seems that the Clover Baby Ref was the first model to appear in 1937 and that the last model was the Alma Baby Ref sold until 1943.
The Alma Baby Ref
The Alma Baby Ref (アルマ・ベビーレフ) appears in advertisements dated 1942 and 1943.[2] The company name that appears in an advertisement dated May 1943[3] is Banno Bōeki, that was probably only the distributor. Kokusan kamera no rekishi attributes the camera to Miyoshi Kōgaku, like the other Alma cameras. That does not mean much for this model, because the actual maker was probably some other company, common to all the cameras described in this page.
The Alma Baby Ref cost ¥23.50 in 1938. The lens and shutter are said to be called Argus.[4] It is thus identical to the Clover Baby Ref, except for its Alma nameplate.
The Baby Roll Ref
The Baby Roll Ref appears in McKeown and is attributed to Yuzawa Mfg. Co. (probably a translation of Yuzawa Seisakusho, 湯沢製作所). The nameplate and the plate above the hood are both marked Baby Roll Ref. The shutter speeds are B, 25, 50, 100 and the shutter plate is marked Special Shutter at the top and perhaps Baby Roll Ref at the bottom. The lens is reported as a Soft Anastigmat 50/6.3, a name that probably faithfully describes its picture-taking capacities.[5]
The Chukon Ref
The Chukon Ref (チューコンレフ)[6] appears in the new products column of the August 1939 issue of Asahi Camera[7]. It was sold by Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō (today Ricoh) but it was not made by this company[8].
The lens is said to be a Chukon Anastigmat[9] and the shutter plate is marked Chukon Ref at the top and R.K.K. at the bottom (for Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō).
The Clover Baby Ref
The Clover Baby Ref (クロバー・ベビーレフ) appears in advertisements dated 1937[10]. The company name that appears in an advertisement dated August 1937[11] is Hagi Kōgyō Bōeki.
The Clover Baby Ref cost ¥18.50. It has a Clover Baby Ref nameplate, the lens is named Argus and the shutter too, engraved ARGUS in capital letters.
The Pilot Ref 3×4 and 4×4
The Pilot Ref (パイロットレフ) exists in two versions. The 3×4 model appears in advertisements dated between 1938 and 1942, alongside the 4×4 modelin 1941 and 1942.[12] The company name that appears in the advertisements is Tachibana Shōkai.
The price varies between ¥16 and ¥23 depending on the date and model. The advertising pictures show no external difference between the two models, maybe they only display the 3×4 model. There are two nameplate variants, one marked Pilott Ref in lowercase letters (with two "t"), the other marked PILOT REF in uppercase letters (normal orthography). In the advertisements, the lens is called Clear[13] Anastigmat and the shutter plate is written Perfection.
A 3×4 example has been sold in a 2006 auction, with the Pilott Ref nameplate.[14] The lens is a Simpu Anastigmat 50/6.3. (The "Simpu" lens name is also found on the Semi-Tex 4.5×6 folder.) The shutter has a 70 setting instead of 75, the shutter plate is marked Rapid at the top, Shutter at the bottom and at the right it has a logo with N.S in a circle.
The Prince Baby Ref
The Prince Baby Ref (プリンスベビーレフ) appears in advertisements dated 1939 and 1940.[15] Its price was ¥21 in October 1939[16], April 1940[17] and August 1940[18]. It is said to have an Argus lens and shutter, like the Alma Baby Ref anc Clover Baby Ref.[19]
The company name that appears in the advertisements is the distributor Fukada Shōkai. Kokusan kamera no rekishi attributes the Prince Baby Ref to Prince Camera Works, again this does not mean much for this camera.
Notes
- ↑ According to this page about the Chukon Ref in the Ricoh official website.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 334.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 59.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 334.
- ↑ McKeown, p. 1032.
- ↑ The name Chūkon can be written 忠魂 and then it means "faithful spirit", sometimes in the sense of "loyal dead" or "war dead". Riken used such weird "patriotic" names during the war.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337.
- ↑ According to this page of the Ricoh official website.
- ↑ In this page of the Ricoh official website.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 336.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 69.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338–9.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana クリアー.
- ↑ Example sold in the 30 September 2006 auction by Auction Team Köln, for €390. The same example appears in this page of the Auction Team Köln website.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
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. Items 15, 78, 142, 175–6, 231. (See also the advertisements for items 155 and 177.)
- 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. 54–5.
- 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. 1032.
Links
In English:
In Japanese:
- Clover Baby Ref in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- Chukon Ref in the camera list of the Ricoh official website, with an article about Riken wartime camera names
| Asahi Bussan and Riken prewar and wartime cameras () | ||
|---|---|---|
| rigid or collapsible | ||
| Vest Adler | Gokoku | Semi Kinsi | Letix | Olympic | New Olympic | Regal Olympic | Semi Olympic | Super Olympic | Vest Olympic | Riken No.1 | Ricohl | Roico | Seica | Zessan | ||
| folders | pseudo TLR | TLR |
| Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Adler Four | Adler Six | Gaica | Heil | Kinsi | Chukon Ref | Ricohflex | Ricohflex B |
