Difference between revisions of "Kinka plate folders"
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The '''Kinka''' (錦華カメラ) 6.5×9cm plate folders were made in the early 1930s by [[Yamamoto Shashinki Kōsakusho]]. One source says that it was released in 1931.<REF> Lewis, p.47. </REF> and was offered with a Meyer f/4.5 or f/6.3 lens, and a [[Vario]], [[Vario|New Vario]], [[Prontor|Auto Prontor]], [[Ibsor]] or [[Compur]] shutter. | The '''Kinka''' (錦華カメラ) 6.5×9cm plate folders were made in the early 1930s by [[Yamamoto Shashinki Kōsakusho]]. One source says that it was released in 1931.<REF> Lewis, p.47. </REF> and was offered with a Meyer f/4.5 or f/6.3 lens, and a [[Vario]], [[Vario|New Vario]], [[Prontor|Auto Prontor]], [[Ibsor]] or [[Compur]] shutter. | ||
− | The June 1932 advertisement in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' says that the camera is all-metal and has double extension bellows and [[Meyer]] Anastigmat lenses. It also says that a host of | + | == The original Kinka == |
+ | The June 1932 advertisement in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' says that the camera is all-metal and has double extension bellows and [[Meyer]] Anastigmat lenses. It also says that the Kinka was copied by a host of other cameras, whose most prominent sales point is to keep silent on their build quality. The pictures show a worm screw on the photographer's right for focusing and an oval plate engraved ''KINKA <small>HAND CAMERA</small>'' on the folding bed. The camera has small folding struts, a [[brilliant finder]] and a wireframe finder, and it seems to have no movement ability. It was supplied with three plate holders and one film pack holder. The following versions are listed:<REF> Lewis, p.47, gives similar lens and shutter options, but says "Auto Prontor" for "Auto Pronto" by mistake. </REF> | ||
* f/6.3, [[Vario|New Vario]], {{yen|32|1932}}; | * f/6.3, [[Vario|New Vario]], {{yen|32|1932}}; | ||
* f/4.5, [[Vario|New Vario]], {{yen|39|1932}}; | * f/4.5, [[Vario|New Vario]], {{yen|39|1932}}; | ||
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The two surviving examples pictured in {{Sugiyama}} are similar to the camera presented in the June 1932 advertisement. One of them has a Trioplan 10.5cm f/6.3 lens and a Vario shutter (25, 50, 100, B, T).<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1073. </REF> The other has a Maro Anastigmat 105mm f/6.3 lens and a dial-set shutter (25, 50, 100, B, T), also inscribed ''MARO'' on the speed dial.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1073. </REF> This Maro brand is otherwise unknown. | The two surviving examples pictured in {{Sugiyama}} are similar to the camera presented in the June 1932 advertisement. One of them has a Trioplan 10.5cm f/6.3 lens and a Vario shutter (25, 50, 100, B, T).<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1073. </REF> The other has a Maro Anastigmat 105mm f/6.3 lens and a dial-set shutter (25, 50, 100, B, T), also inscribed ''MARO'' on the speed dial.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1073. </REF> This Maro brand is otherwise unknown. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == The Kinka C and Kinka D == | ||
+ | The '''Kinka C''' is a cheaper version of the original Kinka, and it has the same folding struts and wireframe finder. It was advertised in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' in July 1935.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.67. </REF> It only exists with an f/8 lens, and the shutter plate shown in the advertising picture is inscribed ''KINKA C'' at the top. It seems that the focusing worm screw has disappeared, and the camera is perhaps focused by manually moving the front standard. It was sold for {{yen|15|1935}} with one plate holder and one film pack holder. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The '''Kinka D''' is a more expensive model, presented together with the Kinka C in the July 1935 advertisement.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.67. </REF> It has double extension bellows and a patented exposure table. The folding struts and handle attachment differ from that of the previous models, and the wireframe finder has been replaced by a folding frame finder attached to the rear. Two versions are listed: | ||
+ | * Radionar f/3.5 lens, [[Rulex|Rulex A]] shutter (1–200), {{yen|70|1935}}; | ||
+ | * Trionar<REF> Inferred from the ''katakana'' トリオナー. </REF> f/4.5 lens, [[Elka]] shutter, with simple self-timer, {{yen|40|1935}}. | ||
+ | |||
+ | One surviving example of the Kinka D has been observed with the Rulex and Radionar combination; the Radionar lens was made by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], certainly under license from [[Schneider]]. The camera has a small focusing wheel on the photographer's right. | ||
An advertisement in the December 1935 issue of ''[[Photo Times]]'' says that [[Kikōdō]] was a distributor of the [[Super plate folders|Super]], Kinka and [[Peter]] cameras. | An advertisement in the December 1935 issue of ''[[Photo Times]]'' says that [[Kikōdō]] was a distributor of the [[Super plate folders|Super]], Kinka and [[Peter]] cameras. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Kinka C was reportedly advertised again in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' December 1936.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.335. </REF> This is the last known mention of a Kinka plate folder. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == |
Revision as of 20:08, 6 January 2008
The Kinka (錦華カメラ) 6.5×9cm plate folders were made in the early 1930s by Yamamoto Shashinki Kōsakusho. One source says that it was released in 1931.[1] and was offered with a Meyer f/4.5 or f/6.3 lens, and a Vario, New Vario, Auto Prontor, Ibsor or Compur shutter.
The original Kinka
The June 1932 advertisement in Asahi Camera says that the camera is all-metal and has double extension bellows and Meyer Anastigmat lenses. It also says that the Kinka was copied by a host of other cameras, whose most prominent sales point is to keep silent on their build quality. The pictures show a worm screw on the photographer's right for focusing and an oval plate engraved KINKA HAND CAMERA on the folding bed. The camera has small folding struts, a brilliant finder and a wireframe finder, and it seems to have no movement ability. It was supplied with three plate holders and one film pack holder. The following versions are listed:[2]
- f/6.3, New Vario, ¥32;
- f/4.5, New Vario, ¥39;
- f/4.5, Auto Pronto, ¥45;
- f/4.5, Ibsor, ¥50;
- f/4.5, Auto Compur, ¥65.
Advertisement in Asahi Camera June 1932. (Image rights) |
The two surviving examples pictured in Sugiyama are similar to the camera presented in the June 1932 advertisement. One of them has a Trioplan 10.5cm f/6.3 lens and a Vario shutter (25, 50, 100, B, T).[3] The other has a Maro Anastigmat 105mm f/6.3 lens and a dial-set shutter (25, 50, 100, B, T), also inscribed MARO on the speed dial.[4] This Maro brand is otherwise unknown.
The Kinka C and Kinka D
The Kinka C is a cheaper version of the original Kinka, and it has the same folding struts and wireframe finder. It was advertised in Asahi Camera in July 1935.[5] It only exists with an f/8 lens, and the shutter plate shown in the advertising picture is inscribed KINKA C at the top. It seems that the focusing worm screw has disappeared, and the camera is perhaps focused by manually moving the front standard. It was sold for ¥15 with one plate holder and one film pack holder.
The Kinka D is a more expensive model, presented together with the Kinka C in the July 1935 advertisement.[6] It has double extension bellows and a patented exposure table. The folding struts and handle attachment differ from that of the previous models, and the wireframe finder has been replaced by a folding frame finder attached to the rear. Two versions are listed:
- Radionar f/3.5 lens, Rulex A shutter (1–200), ¥70;
- Trionar[7] f/4.5 lens, Elka shutter, with simple self-timer, ¥40.
One surviving example of the Kinka D has been observed with the Rulex and Radionar combination; the Radionar lens was made by Neumann & Heilemann, certainly under license from Schneider. The camera has a small focusing wheel on the photographer's right.
An advertisement in the December 1935 issue of Photo Times says that Kikōdō was a distributor of the Super, Kinka and Peter cameras.
The Kinka C was reportedly advertised again in Asahi Camera December 1936.[8] This is the last known mention of a Kinka plate folder.
Notes
- ↑ Lewis, p.47.
- ↑ Lewis, p.47, gives similar lens and shutter options, but says "Auto Prontor" for "Auto Pronto" by mistake.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1073.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1073.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.67.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.67.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana トリオナー.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.335.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) June 1932. Advertisement by Yamamoto Shashinki Kōsakusho on p.A34.
- 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 64–5 (see also the advertisement for items 124–5).
- 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.47–8.
- 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.1020.
- 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 1073–4.