Difference between revisions of "Koho"

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The '''Koho''' (Kōhō) is a leaf shutter, made from 1937 by Takachiho (predecessor of [[Olympus]]). It was inspired by the German [[Prontor]].<REF> Sakurai Eiichi, p.&nbsp;65 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;20. </REF> All the versions are in #0 size and have a self-timer. The Koho was mainly mounted on the [[Semi Olympus]], [[Semi Olympus II]] and [[Olympus Six]], but Takachiho also sold it to other makers.
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The '''Koho''' (Kōhō) is a leaf shutter, made from 1937 by Takachiho (predecessor of [[Olympus]]). It was inspired by the German [[Prontor]].<REF> Sakurai Eiichi, p.65 of {{KKS}} no.20. </REF> All the versions are in #0 size and have a self-timer. The Koho was mainly mounted on the [[Semi Olympus]], [[Semi Olympus II]] and [[Olympus Six]], but Takachiho also sold it to other makers.
  
 
== Laurel predecessor ==
 
== Laurel predecessor ==
−
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 early version of the [[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 [[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 early version of the [[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.62, and in Hibi, p.62 of {{KKS}} no.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.24. Hibi, p.63 of {{KKS}} no.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 [[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.62 of {{KKS}} no.8. </ref>
  
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<div class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align: center; width: 208px;">
 
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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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</div>
 
 
== 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 regular version of the [[Semi Olympus II]], and at least one example is known on an original [[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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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/2448740894/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2448740894_e0480f8894_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/582649591/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1065/582649591_94408169d2_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/943444611/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1366/943444611_ad43569ae9_m_d.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''Left: first version to 1/150. Picture by Adrian Gotts. {{with permission}}''<br>''Middle: second version to 1/200, unusual variant with no T setting. Picture by Richard Marks. {{with permission}}''<br>''Right: third version to 1/200. Picture by M. Walters. {{with permission}}''
 +
|}
 +
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 regular version of the [[Semi Olympus II]], and at least one example is known on an original [[Semi Olympus]].<REF> Example pictured in Francesch, p.57, in {{McKeown}}, p.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 '''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]].<REF> Semi Olympus II: see for example [http://www.geocities.jp/o_photoclub/OLYHistory/photodata/jpg/1930/1930_07_2.jpg this page of the Olympus Photo Club website]. Semi Olympus: example pictured in Hibi, pp.&nbsp;62 and 63 of {{KKS}} no.&nbsp;8, and in the catalogue of the Olympus exhibition of the JCII (cover, pp.&nbsp;3 and 4). </REF>
+
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]].<REF> Semi Olympus II: see for example [http://www.geocities.jp/o_photoclub/OLYHistory/photodata/jpg/1930/1930_07_2.jpg this page of the Olympus Photo Club website]. Semi Olympus: example pictured in Hibi, pp.62 and 63 of {{KKS}} no.8, and in the catalogue of the Olympus exhibition of the JCII (cover, pp.3 and 4). </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 Six]]. In some advertisements for the Olympus Six the shutter was sometimes called Koho II, Koho III or New 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 Six]]. In some advertisements for the Olympus Six the shutter was sometimes called Koho II, Koho III or New 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>
 
{{br}}
 
{{br}}
 
== Other cameras equipped with a Koho shutter ==
 
== Other cameras equipped with a Koho shutter ==
 +
{| class="plainlinks floatright" width=250px style="text-align: center;"
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/792071838/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1424/792071838_2bd4a31a3a_m_d.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''Third version on a [[Zeitax]]. Picture by Dan Orton. {{with permission}}''
 +
|}
 
This list is incomplete.
 
This list is incomplete.
 
* first version
 
* first version
−
** [[Semi First and First Six|V Semi First]] (with a First Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens)<REF> Example pictured in Baird, p.&nbsp;75, and observed in an online auction. </REF>
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** [[Semi First and First Six|V Semi First]] (with a First Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens)<REF> Example pictured in Baird, p.75, and example observed in an online auction. </REF>
−
** [[Semi Kelly]]<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;336. </REF>
+
** [[Semi Kelly]]<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.336. </REF>
 
* second version
 
* second version
 
** [[Condor folders|New Semi Condor]]<ref> Example observed at an online auction. </ref> (It has what looks like a complicated linkage to a body release.)
 
** [[Condor folders|New Semi Condor]]<ref> Example observed at an online auction. </ref> (It has what looks like a complicated linkage to a body release.)
 
** [[National and Ugein|Ugein (single finder)]]<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>
 
** [[National and Ugein|Ugein (single finder)]]<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>
 
* third version
 
* third version
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** [[Mamiya Six|Mamiya Six III]]<REF> Example pictured in {{McKeown}}. </REF>
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** [[Mamiya Six|Mamiya Six III]]<REF> Example pictured in {{McKeown}}, p.644. </REF>
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** [[Zeitax]] with a folding optical finder and a Zeitax Anastigmat 7.5cm f:3.5 lens<ref> See [http://www.andows.com/blog/archives/2004/01/03-0409.php here]. </ref>
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** [[Zeitax]] with a folding optical finder and a Zeitax Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens<ref> See [http://www.andows.com/blog/archives/2004/01/03-0409.php here]. </ref>
 
** [[Sintax]]
 
** [[Sintax]]
 
* unknown version
 
* unknown version
Line 33: Line 38:
  
 
== The Kōhō name ==
 
== The Kōhō name ==
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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".<REF> See [http://www.olympus.co.jp/jp/corc/history/camera/ this page of the Olympus corporate site], and Francesch, p.&nbsp;24. </REF> This is a clear allusion to the Olympus name (itself from Mount Olympus).
+
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".<REF> See [http://www.olympus.co.jp/jp/corc/history/camera/ this page of the Olympus corporate site], and Francesch, p.24. </REF> This is a clear allusion to the Olympus name (itself from Mount Olympus).
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 40: Line 45:
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
* {{Showa10}}
 
* {{Showa10}}
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* {{Baird Petri}} P.&nbsp;75.
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* {{Baird Petri}} P.75.
 
* {{Francesch Olympus}}
 
* {{Francesch Olympus}}
−
* Hibi Takashi (日比孝). "Nihon no supuringu kamera: Orinpasu" (日本のスプリングカメラ・オリンパス, "Japanese folding cameras: Olympus"). {{KKS008}} Pp.&nbsp;62&ndash;5.
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* Hibi Takashi (日比孝). "Nihon no supuringu kamera: Orinpasu" (日本のスプリングカメラ・オリンパス, "Japanese folding cameras: Olympus"). {{KKS008}} Pp.62–5.
 
* Maitani Yoshihisa (米谷美久). [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/vol01/index.html "Kamera-zukuri he no bōken"] (カメラ創りへの冒険, "Venturing into camera production"). Volume 1 of [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/index.html ''Haikei &mdash; Sekkeisha yori''] (拝啓・設計者より, "Dear Sir, from the designer"). Published in the [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/ Zuiko Club website], belonging to the Olympus Imaging Corp.
 
* Maitani Yoshihisa (米谷美久). [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/vol01/index.html "Kamera-zukuri he no bōken"] (カメラ創りへの冒険, "Venturing into camera production"). Volume 1 of [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/index.html ''Haikei &mdash; Sekkeisha yori''] (拝啓・設計者より, "Dear Sir, from the designer"). Published in the [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/ Zuiko Club website], belonging to the Olympus Imaging Corp.
 
* {{McKeown}}
 
* {{McKeown}}

Revision as of 09:17, 28 April 2008

The Koho (Kōhō) is a leaf shutter, made from 1937 by Takachiho (predecessor of 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, Semi Olympus II 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 early 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]

Versions of the Koho

2448740894_e0480f8894_m_d.jpg 582649591_94408169d2_m_d.jpg 943444611_ad43569ae9_m_d.jpg
Left: first version to 1/150. Picture by Adrian Gotts. (Image rights)
Middle: second version to 1/200, unusual variant with no T setting. Picture by Richard Marks. (Image rights)
Right: third version to 1/200. Picture by M. Walters. (Image rights)

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 regular 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, Koho III or New Koho III.[7]

Other cameras equipped with a Koho shutter

792071838_2bd4a31a3a_m_d.jpg
Third version on a Zeitax. Picture by Dan Orton. (Image rights)

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 example observed in an online auction.
  9. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.336.
  10. ↑ Example observed at an online auction.
  11. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  12. ↑ Example pictured in McKeown, p.644.
  13. ↑ See here.
  14. ↑ See this page of the Olympus corporate site, and Francesch, p.24.

Bibliography

Links

In Japanese:

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