Difference between revisions of "Kinka plate folders"
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== The original Kinka == | == 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> | + | 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", certainly 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}}; | ||
Revision as of 20:14, 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", certainly 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.
