Difference between revisions of "Lex"

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The '''Lex''' appears with '''T, B, 1–200''' speeds on a surviving [[Reex]] camera<REF> Example presented in Yokogawa, pp.74–5 of {{KKS}} no.53. </REF> — "Reex" and "Lex" may be pronounced about the same by a Japanese speaker, and this is perhaps not a coincidence. It has the same features as the Pladon, including the specific release lever. It only differs by the newer design of the shutter plate, with metal stripes on both sides of the lens. The ''Patents–Pending'' marking and the ''PL'' logo are similar, and only and the name at the bottom has changed. (On the particular example observed, the aperture scale is reportedly covering another, directly inscribed on the shutter plate itself.)<REF> Yokogawa, p.74 of {{KKS}} no.53. </REF>
 
The '''Lex''' appears with '''T, B, 1–200''' speeds on a surviving [[Reex]] camera<REF> Example presented in Yokogawa, pp.74–5 of {{KKS}} no.53. </REF> — "Reex" and "Lex" may be pronounced about the same by a Japanese speaker, and this is perhaps not a coincidence. It has the same features as the Pladon, including the specific release lever. It only differs by the newer design of the shutter plate, with metal stripes on both sides of the lens. The ''Patents–Pending'' marking and the ''PL'' logo are similar, and only and the name at the bottom has changed. (On the particular example observed, the aperture scale is reportedly covering another, directly inscribed on the shutter plate itself.)<REF> Yokogawa, p.74 of {{KKS}} no.53. </REF>
  
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Other Lex shutters, giving '''T, B, 5–200''' speeds, have been observed on a [[Weha Six]] and on a [[Loyal]].<REF> Weha Six: example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1266. Loyal: example observed in an online auction. </REF> They have no ''PL'' logo, and the words ''Patents–Pending'' at the top were replaced by the company name ''Mars Tokyo'' and an index for the front-cell focusing lens. The aperture scale is directly inscribed at the bottom, under the shutter name.
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Other Lex shutters, giving '''T, B, 5–200''' speeds, have been observed on a [[Weha Six]],<REF> Example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1266. </REF> on a [[Loyal]]<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> and maybe on a [[Semi Proud|Semi Proud II]].<REF> Example observed in an online auction, shutter name unconfirmed. </REF> They have no ''PL'' logo, and the words ''Patents–Pending'' at the top were replaced by the company name ''Mars Tokyo'' and an index for the front-cell focusing lens. The aperture scale is directly inscribed at the bottom, under the shutter name.
  
 
The Lex shutter was also offered on the [[Semi Rosen|Semi Rosen III]] in 1940 and on the [[Roavic]] (5–200) in 1942.<REF> Semi Rosen III: {{Kokusan}}, p.343. Roavic: advertisement dated February 1942, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.105. In both cases, the shutter is called レックス in ''katakana'' only. </REF>
 
The Lex shutter was also offered on the [[Semi Rosen|Semi Rosen III]] in 1940 and on the [[Roavic]] (5–200) in 1942.<REF> Semi Rosen III: {{Kokusan}}, p.343. Roavic: advertisement dated February 1942, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.105. In both cases, the shutter is called レックス in ''katakana'' only. </REF>

Revision as of 23:24, 26 June 2009

The Lex is a Japanese leaf shutter made in the late 1930s and early 1940s. It seems that it was first called Pladon; its manufacturer used a PL logo at an early stage, and was later called Mars. It is in #0 size, has no self-timer and is intended for use with a body release.

The Lex shutters found on other cameras have a different range of speeds and have slightly different markings, without the PL logo and with the company name Mars Tokyo; this Mars company was maybe the successor of the company using the PL logo.

The Pladon shutter (T, B, 1–200) was advertised around 1937 on the Reex 6×9cm folder.[1] It has a black shutter plate, presumably inscribed Patents–Pending at the top and PLADON at the bottom, and has a round PL logo on the right. The aperture scale is attached to the bottom, and a release lever is attached to the front, certainly linked to a cam placed towards the bottom, and perhaps intended for use with a body release.

The Lex appears with T, B, 1–200 speeds on a surviving Reex camera[2] — "Reex" and "Lex" may be pronounced about the same by a Japanese speaker, and this is perhaps not a coincidence. It has the same features as the Pladon, including the specific release lever. It only differs by the newer design of the shutter plate, with metal stripes on both sides of the lens. The Patents–Pending marking and the PL logo are similar, and only and the name at the bottom has changed. (On the particular example observed, the aperture scale is reportedly covering another, directly inscribed on the shutter plate itself.)[3]

Other Lex shutters, giving T, B, 5–200 speeds, have been observed on a Weha Six,[4] on a Loyal[5] and maybe on a Semi Proud II.[6] They have no PL logo, and the words Patents–Pending at the top were replaced by the company name Mars Tokyo and an index for the front-cell focusing lens. The aperture scale is directly inscribed at the bottom, under the shutter name.

The Lex shutter was also offered on the Semi Rosen III in 1940 and on the Roavic (5–200) in 1942.[7]

Notes

  1. ↑ Undated leaflet presenting various cameras including the Reex.
  2. ↑ Example presented in Yokogawa, pp.74–5 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.53.
  3. ↑ Yokogawa, p.74 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.53.
  4. ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1266.
  5. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  6. ↑ Example observed in an online auction, shutter name unconfirmed.
  7. ↑ Semi Rosen III: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.343. Roavic: advertisement dated February 1942, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.105. In both cases, the shutter is called レックス in katakana only.

Bibliography

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