Difference between revisions of "Lex"

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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 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 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|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>
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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: column in {{ACA}} April 1940, pp.705–6, mentioned in {{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>
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
* Anonymous company. Leaflet for the [[Victory]], [[Semi Dymos]], [[Reex]], [[Japanese 3×4 and 4×4 pseudo TLR|Baby Ref]], [[Union Ref and Hansa Rollette Ref|Union Ref]] and [[Baby Chrome]]. Date not indicated. Document reproduced in [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157600606108614/ this Flickr album] by Rebollo_fr.
 
* Anonymous company. Leaflet for the [[Victory]], [[Semi Dymos]], [[Reex]], [[Japanese 3×4 and 4×4 pseudo TLR|Baby Ref]], [[Union Ref and Hansa Rollette Ref|Union Ref]] and [[Baby Chrome]]. Date not indicated. Document reproduced in [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157600606108614/ this Flickr album] by Rebollo_fr.
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* {{ACA}}. "Atarashii kikai to zairyō" (新しい機械と材料, New equipment and materials), April 1940, pp.705–7.
 
* {{Showa10}}
 
* {{Showa10}}
 
* {{Zukan}}
 
* {{Zukan}}

Revision as of 18:56, 29 May 2010

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

  1. Undated leaflet presenting various cameras including the Reex.
  2. Yokogawa, p.74 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.53.
  3. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1266.
  4. Example observed in an online auction.
  5. Example observed in an online auction, shutter name unconfirmed.
  6. Semi Rosen III: column in Asahi Camera April 1940, pp.705–6, mentioned in 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