Kinka plate folders
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 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 copies of the Kinka has appeared, whose quality does not equal the original. The pictures show a worm screw on the photographer's right for focusing, a brilliant finder and a wireframe finder. It seems that there is no movement ability. The camera 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.
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| 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.
An advertisement in the December 1935 issue of Photo Times says that Kikōdō was a distributor of the Super, Kinka and Peter cameras.
Notes
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.
