Difference between revisions of "Letix"
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The '''Letix''' is a 4×4cm format camera, using [[127 film]], released by [[Ricoh|Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō]] (Asahi Optical Industries) around 1940. This company was a sub-company of Riken (today [[Ricoh]]). At about the same time, Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō was making the [[Roico]], another 4×4 camera. The Letix appears in advertisements dated 1940<REF> {{Showa10ad|Letix|319|October 1940|Asahi Camera}} </REF> and 1941, with the mention of Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō as the maker and K.K. Kaneki Shōten (株式会社カネキ商店) as the distributor. | The '''Letix''' is a 4×4cm format camera, using [[127 film]], released by [[Ricoh|Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō]] (Asahi Optical Industries) around 1940. This company was a sub-company of Riken (today [[Ricoh]]). At about the same time, Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō was making the [[Roico]], another 4×4 camera. The Letix appears in advertisements dated 1940<REF> {{Showa10ad|Letix|319|October 1940|Asahi Camera}} </REF> and 1941, with the mention of Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō as the maker and K.K. Kaneki Shōten (株式会社カネキ商店) as the distributor. | ||
| − | The Letix has a [[bakelite]] body, like the [[Olympic]], but the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a metal telescopic tube. The Letix has a tubular optical finder in a short top housing with an accessory shoe and what seems to be an exposure counter. This device was necessary because at the time, the film paperback was not marked for 4×4cm pictures. The advance knob is on the left end of the top plate. The back seems to be removable together with the bottom plate. The front of the body is embossed ''LETIX'' | + | The Letix has a [[bakelite]] body, like the [[Olympic]], but the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a metal telescopic tube. The Letix has a tubular optical finder in a short top housing with an accessory shoe and what seems to be an exposure counter. This device was necessary because at the time, the film paperback was not marked for 4×4cm pictures. The advance knob is on the left end of the top plate. The back seems to be removable together with the bottom plate. The front of the body is sometimes embossed ''LETIX'' in uppercase and sometimes ''Letix'' in lowercase. {{McKeown}} also shows a picture of a body embossed ''Retix''. This funny mistake can be explained because the Japanese language does not distinguish between the "l" and "r" letters. |
The lens is a front cell focusing Ukas Anastigmat 50mm f:4.5. It is said to be a triplet, and it is also said that the lens name later became Helios Anastigmat<REF> According to [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/letix.html this page of the Ricoh official website]. The name Helios Anastigmat is mentioned by {{McKeown}} on the [[Seica]]. </REF>. The shutter has T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds, and is probably the same as on the [[Olympic]] cameras. The shutter plate is marked ''Letix'', with an ''AKK'' logo (for <U>A</U>sahi <U>K</U>ōgaku <U>K</U>ōgyō). | The lens is a front cell focusing Ukas Anastigmat 50mm f:4.5. It is said to be a triplet, and it is also said that the lens name later became Helios Anastigmat<REF> According to [http://www.ricoh.co.jp/camera/cameralist/letix.html this page of the Ricoh official website]. The name Helios Anastigmat is mentioned by {{McKeown}} on the [[Seica]]. </REF>. The shutter has T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds, and is probably the same as on the [[Olympic]] cameras. The shutter plate is marked ''Letix'', with an ''AKK'' logo (for <U>A</U>sahi <U>K</U>ōgaku <U>K</U>ōgyō). | ||
A camera looking very much like the Letix has been observed at an eBay auction with the name Kraft followed by No2586, with a [[Seikosha]] [[Licht]] shutter. See also [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hspbestaz/bestk.htm this page at Asacame with a Kraft]. Maker said to be Ehito Kogaku (エヒト光学). | A camera looking very much like the Letix has been observed at an eBay auction with the name Kraft followed by No2586, with a [[Seikosha]] [[Licht]] shutter. See also [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hspbestaz/bestk.htm this page at Asacame with a Kraft]. Maker said to be Ehito Kogaku (エヒト光学). | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Notes == | ||
| + | <references /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Printed bibliography == | ||
| + | * {{Showa10}} Items 35 and 319. | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
Revision as of 19:26, 28 July 2006
Template:127 Japan The Letix is a 4×4cm format camera, using 127 film, released by Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō (Asahi Optical Industries) around 1940. This company was a sub-company of Riken (today Ricoh). At about the same time, Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō was making the Roico, another 4×4 camera. The Letix appears in advertisements dated 1940[1] and 1941, with the mention of Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō as the maker and K.K. Kaneki Shōten (株式会社カネキ商店) as the distributor.
The Letix has a bakelite body, like the Olympic, but the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a metal telescopic tube. The Letix has a tubular optical finder in a short top housing with an accessory shoe and what seems to be an exposure counter. This device was necessary because at the time, the film paperback was not marked for 4×4cm pictures. The advance knob is on the left end of the top plate. The back seems to be removable together with the bottom plate. The front of the body is sometimes embossed LETIX in uppercase and sometimes Letix in lowercase. McKeown also shows a picture of a body embossed Retix. This funny mistake can be explained because the Japanese language does not distinguish between the "l" and "r" letters.
The lens is a front cell focusing Ukas Anastigmat 50mm f:4.5. It is said to be a triplet, and it is also said that the lens name later became Helios Anastigmat[2]. The shutter has T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds, and is probably the same as on the Olympic cameras. The shutter plate is marked Letix, with an AKK logo (for Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō).
A camera looking very much like the Letix has been observed at an eBay auction with the name Kraft followed by No2586, with a Seikosha Licht shutter. See also this page at Asacame with a Kraft. Maker said to be Ehito Kogaku (エヒト光学).
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement for the Letix, published in the October 1940 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 319.
- ↑ According to this page of the Ricoh official website. The name Helios Anastigmat is mentioned by McKeown on the Seica.
Printed bibliography
- 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 35 and 319.
Links
In Japanese:
- Letix in the camera list at the Ricoh official website
Other:
- Riken 127 cameras and A-Z 127 cameras, including the Letix on this page, at Asacame
- A page from the All Japan Classic Camera Club, presenting the Roico and the Letix side by side
| Asahi Bussan and Riken prewar and wartime cameras () | ||
|---|---|---|
| rigid or collapsible | ||
| Vest Adler | Gokoku | Semi Kinsi | Letix | Olympic | New Olympic | Regal Olympic | Semi Olympic | Super Olympic | Vest Olympic | Riken No.1 | Ricohl | Roico | Seica | Zessan | ||
| folders | pseudo TLR | TLR |
| Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Adler Four | Adler Six | Gaica | Heil | Kinsi | Chukon Ref | Ricohflex | Ricohflex B |
