Kinshō
Kinshō Kōki Seisakusho (錦彰光機製作所, meaning Kinshō Optical Works) was a Japanese company based in Kyoto.[1]
The company used the initials "K.S." and "K.S.K.", probably standing for Kinshō and Kinshō Kōki respectively. The K.S. logo was used on the Vero Four and the K.S. FABRIK marking on the Rapid-Presto shutter. The K.S.K. initials are found on at least one example of the Rapid-Presto.[2] The "K.S. Nippon" marking reportedly inscribed on the back of a Semi Rosen U is certainly related.[3]
McKeown says that "K.S. Fabrik" is related to Proud and that it made the Semi Lucky and the Semi Rosen.[4] The attribution of the Semi Lucky is a mistake: it is well established that it was made by Fujimoto. The relation to Proud is unconfirmed, it is perhaps a confusion induced by the name Rosen, probably owned by Ōsawa Shōkai which also sold the Baby Rosen and Rosen Four made by Proud.
The initials n.m.k. are also found on an early example of the Vero Four F. The exact same marking, with its characteristic lowercase letters, is found on the Flora 6×6cm prototype, and this might indicate some relationship with Kinshō — the meaning of the N.M.K. initials is unknown.
Camera list
Vero Four F
Confirmed:
Probable:
Shutter list
- Rapid-Presto (T, B, 1–500) on the Semi Rosen U, Primo and Cine Vero[8]
- KP III (T, B, 1–200) on the Mulix[9]
The Rapid-Vero mounted on the Vero Four is perhaps a name variant of the Rapid-Presto, and it has the same range of speeds (including a typical 1/300 setting).[10]
Other
Kinshō made the Verona 60/3.5 three-element lens mounted on the Vero Four F.[11]
Trivia around the K.S. name
There are other occurrences of a similar name, that are maybe completely unrelated.
A shutter only marked K.K.S. (T, B, 1–200) has been observed on an example of the Semi Rosen U.[12] The initials might stand for Kinshō Kōki Seisakusho. The same initials "K.K.S." are frequently found on products distributed by Kuwata Shōkai, like the Mulix. The KKS logo found on the Mulix also appears on the Green, a version of the Gotex by Kigawa. A different KKS logo is also found on some examples of the Semi Kinka.
An ever ready case for a Semi Prince has been observed with the marking K.S.U. embossed in the back.[13] The postwar Sumida company that followed the prewar Proud company also used a KSK logo, whose meaning is unknown.
Notes
- ↑ Its address in 1943 was Kyōto-shi Kamigyō-ku Kita-Ōjidōri Horikawa-kado (京都市上京区北大路通堀川角). Source: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.
- ↑ Example mounted on a Cine Vero (see this page).
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction. The "K.S. Nippon" marking was reported in the auction's description.
- ↑ McKeown, p.572.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 153.
- ↑ A K.S. Nippon marking has been reported on the back of an example in an online auction. Sugiyama, items 1243–4, and McKeown, pp.592 and 804, attribute the camera to "K.S. Fabrik" and Proud.
- ↑ McKeown, p.592, attributes the Cine Vero to Kyoto Precision Mfg. The name "Vero" and the Rapid-Presto shutter might indicate that it was made by Kinshō.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-R-4.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-P-9.
- ↑ The "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 153, says that the Vero Four has a Rapid-Presto shutter whereas all the observed cameras have a Rapid-Vero.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens item K4.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction. The top speed is barely legible.
- ↑ Case observed in an online auction.
Bibliography
- "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7.
- 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). Pp.572, 592 and 804.
- 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.
