Difference between revisions of "Koho"

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The first shutter made by [[Olympus|Takachiho]] was called '''Laurel''' (ローレル, ''rōreru''), it is the direct predecessor of the Koho. The Laurel has 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, B, T speeds. The pre-series version of the [[Olympus folders#Semi Olympus II|Semi Olympus II]], with off-centered finder, was advertised in late 1937 with a Laurel shutter.<ref> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' (October 1937) reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;62, and in Hibi, p.&nbsp;62 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;8. [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/pdf/semi_olympus.pdf Brochure] available in pdf format in [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/vol01/index.html this page of the Zuiko Club website]. </ref> The name "Laurel" was dropped because it was already registered,<REF> Francesch, p.&nbsp;24. Hibi, p.&nbsp;63 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;8, says that it was registered by [[Tōkyō Kōgaku]] but this is perhaps a confusion with the postwar [[Laurelflex]] made by that company. </REF> and the picture of a [[Olympus folders#Semi Olympus II|Semi Olympus II]] appears in an advertisement dated May 1938 with the transitional name ''DAURED'' on the shutter rim.<ref> Advertisement reproduced in Hibi, p.&nbsp;62 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;8. </ref>
 
The first shutter made by [[Olympus|Takachiho]] was called '''Laurel''' (ローレル, ''rōreru''), it is the direct predecessor of the Koho. The Laurel has 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, B, T speeds. The pre-series version of the [[Olympus folders#Semi Olympus II|Semi Olympus II]], with off-centered finder, was advertised in late 1937 with a Laurel shutter.<ref> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' (October 1937) reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;62, and in Hibi, p.&nbsp;62 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;8. [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/pdf/semi_olympus.pdf Brochure] available in pdf format in [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/vol01/index.html this page of the Zuiko Club website]. </ref> The name "Laurel" was dropped because it was already registered,<REF> Francesch, p.&nbsp;24. Hibi, p.&nbsp;63 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;8, says that it was registered by [[Tōkyō Kōgaku]] but this is perhaps a confusion with the postwar [[Laurelflex]] made by that company. </REF> and the picture of a [[Olympus folders#Semi Olympus II|Semi Olympus II]] appears in an advertisement dated May 1938 with the transitional name ''DAURED'' on the shutter rim.<ref> Advertisement reproduced in Hibi, p.&nbsp;62 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;8. </ref>
  
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/582649591/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/582649591_94408169d2_m_d.jpg]
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<br>''Koho shutter to 1/200, unusual variant with no T setting.''
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<br>''Picture courtesy of Richard Marks. {{with permission}}''
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== Versions of the Koho ==
 
== Versions of the Koho ==
 
The '''first version''' of the Koho is similar to the Laurel, with the same speed range: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, B, T. As seen from the front, it has the winding lever at the top right, the release lever at the top left, the selftimer lever with a red dot at the bottom left and a distance release post on the left. It was mounted on the series version of the [[Olympus folders|Semi Olympus II]], and at least one example is known on an original [[Olympus folders|Semi Olympus]].<REF> Example pictured in Francesch, p.&nbsp;57, in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;747, in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1214, in [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/ this page of the Olympus corporate site] and in many other sources. </REF>
 
The '''first version''' of the Koho is similar to the Laurel, with the same speed range: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, B, T. As seen from the front, it has the winding lever at the top right, the release lever at the top left, the selftimer lever with a red dot at the bottom left and a distance release post on the left. It was mounted on the series version of the [[Olympus folders|Semi Olympus II]], and at least one example is known on an original [[Olympus folders|Semi Olympus]].<REF> Example pictured in Francesch, p.&nbsp;57, in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;747, in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1214, in [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/history/camera/ this page of the Olympus corporate site] and in many other sources. </REF>
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The '''third version''' has the same speed range (1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, B, T) but it is adapted for a body release. It has the winding lever at the top left, the selftimer lever with a red dot at the bottom left, and the release also at the bottom left, activated by the cam of the body release. The aperture setting has moved to the top of the shutter housing. This version was mounted on most variants of the [[Olympus folders|Olympus Six]]. In some advertisements for the Olympus Six the shutter was sometimes called Koho II or Koho III.<ref> For example in an [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/pdf/olympus_six.pdf Olympus Six brochure] available in [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/vol01/index.html this page of the Olympus corporate site]. </ref>
 
The '''third version''' has the same speed range (1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, B, T) but it is adapted for a body release. It has the winding lever at the top left, the selftimer lever with a red dot at the bottom left, and the release also at the bottom left, activated by the cam of the body release. The aperture setting has moved to the top of the shutter housing. This version was mounted on most variants of the [[Olympus folders|Olympus Six]]. In some advertisements for the Olympus Six the shutter was sometimes called Koho II or Koho III.<ref> For example in an [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/pdf/olympus_six.pdf Olympus Six brochure] available in [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/vol01/index.html this page of the Olympus corporate site]. </ref>
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{{br}}
 
== Other cameras equipped with a Koho shutter ==
 
== Other cameras equipped with a Koho shutter ==
 
This list is incomplete.
 
This list is incomplete.

Revision as of 22:38, 21 June 2007

The Koho (Kōhō) is a leaf shutter, made from 1937 by Takachiho (later Olympus). It was inspired by the German Prontor.[1] All the versions are in #0 size and have a self-timer. The Koho was mainly mounted on the Semi Olympus and Olympus Six, but Takachiho also sold it to other makers.

Laurel predecessor

The first shutter made by Takachiho was called Laurel (ローレル, rōreru), it is the direct predecessor of the Koho. The Laurel has 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, B, T speeds. The pre-series version of the Semi Olympus II, with off-centered finder, was advertised in late 1937 with a Laurel shutter.[2] The name "Laurel" was dropped because it was already registered,[3] and the picture of a Semi Olympus II appears in an advertisement dated May 1938 with the transitional name DAURED on the shutter rim.[4]

582649591_94408169d2_m_d.jpg
Koho shutter to 1/200, unusual variant with no T setting.
Picture courtesy of Richard Marks. (Image rights)

Versions of the Koho

The first version of the Koho is similar to the Laurel, with the same speed range: 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, B, T. As seen from the front, it has the winding lever at the top right, the release lever at the top left, the selftimer lever with a red dot at the bottom left and a distance release post on the left. It was mounted on the series version of the Semi Olympus II, and at least one example is known on an original Semi Olympus.[5]

The second version has the same controls and a top speed of 1/200. It has been observed on late examples of the Semi Olympus II and on at least one example of the original Semi Olympus.[6]

The third version has the same speed range (1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, B, T) but it is adapted for a body release. It has the winding lever at the top left, the selftimer lever with a red dot at the bottom left, and the release also at the bottom left, activated by the cam of the body release. The aperture setting has moved to the top of the shutter housing. This version was mounted on most variants of the Olympus Six. In some advertisements for the Olympus Six the shutter was sometimes called Koho II or Koho III.[7]

Other cameras equipped with a Koho shutter

This list is incomplete.

On all the above cameras except perhaps the Sintax, the shutter plate is marked Olympus Tokyo N. This plate has a cut for an aperture scale placed at the bottom, and it does not fit very well with the third version of the Koho. The Sintax has a SINTAX marking at the bottom of the shutter plate, probably filling the cut.

The Kōhō name

The name Kōhō was written コーホー in katakana, but it certainly comes from the word 高峰, which means "high peak" or "high mountain".[14] This is a clear allusion to the Olympus name (itself from Mount Olympus).

Notes

  1. ↑ Sakurai Eiichi, p. 65 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20.
  2. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera (October 1937) reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 62, and in Hibi, p. 62 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8. Brochure available in pdf format in this page of the Zuiko Club website.
  3. ↑ Francesch, p. 24. Hibi, p. 63 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8, says that it was registered by Tōkyō Kōgaku but this is perhaps a confusion with the postwar Laurelflex made by that company.
  4. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Hibi, p. 62 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8.
  5. ↑ Example pictured in Francesch, p. 57, in McKeown, p. 747, in Sugiyama, item 1214, in this page of the Olympus corporate site and in many other sources.
  6. ↑ Semi Olympus II: see for example this page of the Olympus Photo Club website. Semi Olympus: example pictured in Hibi, pp. 62 and 63 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8, and in the catalogue of the Olympus exhibition of the JCII (cover, pp. 3 and 4).
  7. ↑ For example in an Olympus Six brochure available in this page of the Olympus corporate site.
  8. ↑ Example pictured in Baird, p. 75, and observed in an online auction.
  9. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 336.
  10. ↑ Seen at a Yahoo Japan auction.
  11. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  12. ↑ Example pictured in McKeown.
  13. ↑ See here.
  14. ↑ See this page of the Olympus corporate site, and Francesch, p. 24.

Bibliography

Links

In Japanese:

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