Difference between revisions of "Lex"
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| − | The '''Lex''' is a Japanese [[leaf shutter]] made in the late 1930s and early 1940s. It | + | The '''Lex''' is a Japanese [[leaf shutter]] made by [[Mars]] in the late 1930s and early 1940s. It was called '''Pladon''' at an early stage. It is in #0 size, has no [[self-timer]] and is intended for use with a body release. |
| − | The [[ | + | == Pladon and Lex (T, B, 1–200) == |
| + | The '''Pladon''' (T, B, 1–200) was advertised around 1937 on the [[Reex]] 6×9cm folder.<REF> Undated leaflet presenting various cameras including the [[Reex]]. </REF> 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 there is a rather long release lever on the side. | ||
| − | The ''' | + | The '''Lex''' appears with '''T, B, 1–200''' speeds on surviving [[Reex]] cameras — "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 at least one particular camera, the aperture scale is reportedly covering another, directly inscribed on the shutter plate itself.)<REF> Yokogawa, p.74 of {{KKS}} no.53. </REF> |
| − | + | == Lex (T, B, 5–200) == | |
| − | + | 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 are 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. | |
| − | 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 | ||
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 13:52, 29 July 2009
The Lex is a Japanese leaf shutter made by Mars in the late 1930s and early 1940s. It was called Pladon at an early stage. It is in #0 size, has no self-timer and is intended for use with a body release.
Pladon and Lex (T, B, 1–200)
The Pladon (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 there is a rather long release lever on the side.
The Lex appears with T, B, 1–200 speeds on surviving Reex cameras — "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 at least one particular camera, the aperture scale is reportedly covering another, directly inscribed on the shutter plate itself.)[2]
Lex (T, B, 5–200)
Other Lex shutters, giving T, B, 5–200 speeds, have been observed on a Weha Six,[3] on a Loyal[4] and maybe on a Semi Proud II.[5] They have no PL logo, and the words Patents–Pending at the top are 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.[6]
Notes
- ↑ Undated leaflet presenting various cameras including the Reex.
- ↑ Yokogawa, p.74 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.53.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1266.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction, shutter name unconfirmed.
- ↑ 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
- Anonymous company. Leaflet for the Victory, Semi Dymos, Reex, Baby Ref, Union Ref and Baby Chrome. Date not indicated. Document reproduced in this Flickr album by Rebollo_fr.
- 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.
- 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.
- Yokogawa Takashi (横川孝). "Nazo no kokusan supuringu-kamera 'Reex'" (謎の国産スプリングカメラ「Reex」, The Reex: a mysterious Japanese self-erecting camera). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.53, December 1999. ISBN 4-257-13026-1. Tokushū: 50-nin no korekutā ni kiku watakushi no ichi-dai (特集:50人のコレクターに聞く私の1題, 50 stories told by camera collectors). Pp.74–5.
