Lily (horizontal)
The Lily (リリー) are Japanese plate folders made by Rokuoh-sha, the manufacturing branch of Konishi or Konishiroku (predecessors of Konica). This page is about the horizontal models, in meishi, tefuda and hagaki size.[1]
For the original vertical model, see Lily (original). For the later metal models, see Lily (metal).
Contents
General description
The horizontal Lily were patterned after the Voigtländer Alpin. They have a mixed construction with a wooden main body and a metal folding bed.[2] The bellows have double extension, driven by a knob on the photographer's right. The front standard has a U-shaped main part and horn-shaped handles to pull it forward. It allows vertical and horizontal movements. There is a handle on the right-hand side (as seen by the photographer), and a folding Newton finder above the main body. (The Lily No.2 is sometimes described as the first Japanese camera to have a Newton finder, but the earlier Idea Telephoto already had this type of viewfinder.)[3] The name The Lily is inscribed on a round plate attached above the body, next to the viewfinder.
The Lily No.2 is sometimes described as the first Japanese camera to have a Newton finder,[4] and the first Japanese camera to have rise and cross movements,[5] but both assertions are wrong: the 1909 Idea Telephoto already had a Newton finder, and the 1908 Noble or 1909 original Lily already had both movements. The Lily No.2 might have been the first Japanese to have rise movement controlled by a rack-and-pinion gear.
The Lily No.2 and Special Lily
Commercial life
The Lily No.2 (リリー二号) was reportedly introduced in January 1916 in tefuda format (8×10.5cm), and in September in meishi format (5.5×8cm).[6] The following lens and shutter combinations were reportedly offered in 1916:[7]
- Wollensak Voltas lens, Victo shutter, on the meishi model;
- Wollensak Vinco lens, Victo shutter, on the meishi model;
- Wollensak Vinco lens, Victor shutter, on the tefuda model;
- Voigtländer Dynar lens, Compound shutter, on the tefuda model.
The Special Lily (スペシャルリリー) was released as an upmarket version, indistinguishable from the Lily No.2 but for its more expensive lens and shutter combinations.[7] This model was reportedly introduced in September 1916, at first in tefuda-size only, with an Optimo shutter and a Wollensak Velostigmat Ser.II f/4.5 lens.[7] In January 1919, a hagaki-size model (8×14cm) was introduced with the same lens; a Bausch & Lomb Zeiss Ser.IC f/4.5 lens option was simultaneously added in tefuda-size.[8] A Wollensak Verito f/4.5 lens is also reported at some time.[9] It is said that the Special Lily was later available with a Compur shutter and Heliar f/4.5, Collinear f/6.8 or Dagor f/6.8 lenses.[10]
|
| Advertisement in Ars Camera September 1921. (Image rights) |
The Lily No.2 appears in an advertisement in Ars Camera September 1921. The following lens and shutter combinations are listed:
| lens | shutter | price in meishi-size | price in tefuda-size |
| Wollensak Voltas f/8 | Victo | ¥78 | ¥93 |
| Idea Anastigmat f/7.5 | Victo | ¥97 | ¥103 |
| Velostigmat Ser.IV f/6.3 | Victo | ¥108 | _ |
| Velostigmat Ser.IV f/6.3 | Auto | _ | ¥138 |
| Velostigmat Ser.IV f/6.3 | Optimo | ¥138 | ¥158 |
| Velostigmat Ser.I f/6.3 | Optimo | _ | ¥192 |
| Velostigmat Ser.II f/4.5 | Optimo | ¥204 | ¥229 |
| Zeiss Tessar Ser.IIB (f/6.3)[11] | Optimo | _ | ¥236 |
| Collinear f/6.3 | Compur | _ | ¥226 |
| Dynar f/6.3 | Compur | _ | ¥210 |
| Goerz Dagor | Compur | _ | ¥238 |
| Cooke Ser.III (f/6.3)[11] | Optimo | _ | ¥210 |
|
| Advertisement in Ars Camera April 1922. (Image rights) |
The camera was supplied with three double-sided plate holders and a black leather case. The following accessories were available:
- additional plate holders, ¥7.50 each;
- film pack holder, ¥4.20 in meishi-size, ¥6.50 in tefuda-size;
- "ordinary" (並製) camera case, ¥7 for the meishi model, ¥8 for the tefuda model;
- "special" (特製) camera case, ¥7.50 for the meishi model, ¥9 for the tefuda model.
The name "Special Lily" was perhaps dropped at the time: it does not appear anywhere in the document, which nonetheless lists expensive combinations. It does not appear either in another advertisement dated 1921, which lists some of these combinations (not all).[12] The advertisement in Ars Camera April 1922 shows the "Lily", "Idea" and "Pearl", but gives almost no detail.
In addition to the lenses and shutters listed above, one source also mentions the Deltas f/6.8 lens and the Betax shutter.[13]
Actual examples
Examples are known in tefuda-size with the following combinations:
- Tessar 136mm f/6.3 lens, Compound shutter (1–200);[14]
- unknown lens, Gammax No.1 shutter (T, B, 100–10);[15]
- Idea Anastigmat f/7.5 lens, Gammax shutter (T, B, 100–10);[16]
- Idea Anastigmat f/7.5 lens, Victo shutter (10–100);[17]
- Wollensak Velostigmat lens, Auto shutter (T, B, 100–1);[18]
- Wollensak Velostigmat Ser.IV f/6.3 lens, Optimo No.1 shutter (T, B, 1–300);[19]
- Wollensak Ser.II 5in f/4.5 lens, Optimo shutter, corresponding to the Special Lily.[20]
Among these, minor variations are visible in the front standard: the two branches of the U-shaped main part are of unequal length on some cameras, and symmetrical on others.
All these examples have the viewfinder in the middle and the round nameplate to the right (as seen by the photographer). One anomalous example has been observed with the finder offset to the right and the round nameplate on the left. It also differs by details of the rack-and-pinion gear. It was reported as tefuda-size but it actually seems bigger, and perhaps corresponds to the hagaki model (8×14cm). This particular example has a Goerz Dagor 168mm f/6.8 lens in a dial-set Compur shutter (1–200), but the shutter dial is inscribed C.P. GOERZ, and the lens and shutter unit is perhaps not original.
The meishi model is less common than the tefuda model. Examples are known with the following combinations:
- unknown lens, Pronto shutter;[21]
- unknown lens, Gammax shutter;[22]
- no-name US 4 (f/8) lens, Victo shutter.[23]
Notes
- ↑ The mention of daimeishi-size (6.5×9cm) in Lewis, p.23, and in the chronology of the official company history Shashin to tomo ni hyaku-nen, reproduced in Tanaka, p.94 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, is surely a mistake.
- ↑ Metal folding bed: Kikuoka, p.26 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ First Japanese camera to have a Newton finder: Lewis, p.23, Sugiyama, item 1118. The Lily No.2 is also said to be "the first Japanese camera to have rise and cross front movements" in Lewis, p.23, but this is another mistake: the earlier Lily or Noble already had such movements. The Lily No.2 might be the first Japanese camera to have geared movements.
- ↑ Lewis, p.23, Sugiyama, item 1118.
- ↑ Lewis, p.23.
- ↑ Dates: Kikuoka, pp.26–7 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10. The date is given as January 1916 in the chronology of the official company history Shashin to tomo ni hyaku-nen, reproduced in Tanaka, p.94 of the same magazine; the format is mentioned as daimeishi (6.5×9cm) in this document, surely by mistake.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Kikuoka, p.26 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Kikuoka, pp.26–7 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10. Lewis, p.24, says that "the Special Lily was also available in daimeishi format", but this is certainly a mistake, and the existence of a meishi model is unconfirmed.
- ↑ This page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha.
- ↑ Kikuoka, p.27 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 The aperture appears in the 1921 advertisement reproduced in this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in this page at R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha.
- ↑ Lewis, p.23.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1120.
- ↑ Examples observed in online auctions.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1121.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1122.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page at Asacame. The lens is wrongly reported as an f/4.5, but "Series IV" and f/6.3 are faintly legible on the picture.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page at Asacame. The lens is wrongly reported as an f/4.5, but "Series IV" and f/6.3 are faintly legible on the picture.
- ↑ Example observed for sale by a dealer.
- ↑ Example pictured in Kikuoka, p.27 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Example pictured in McKeown, p.538.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1118. The lens is wrongly described as f/4 whereas the aperture scale is certainly graduated in the Uniform Scale. This mistake is repeated in McKeown, p.538.
Bibliography
- Ars Camera. Advertisement by Konishi Honten in September 1921. No page number.
- Kikuoka Sei (菊岡清). "Konica history 3. Meiji 41-nen – Taishō 12-nen." (Konica history 3. 明治41年–大正12年. From Meiji year 41 (1908) to Taishō year 12 (1923).) 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.10, September 1987. No ISBN number. Konishiroku kamera no rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, special issue on Konishiroku). Pp.24–32.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). Pp.23–4.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). Pp.538 and 543.
- 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. Items 1118 and 1120–2.
- Tanaka Yoshirō (田中芳郎). "Meiji–Taishō jidai no Konishi Honten no kamera wo shiru tame no hon" (明治・大正時代の小西本店のカメラを知るための本, Books about the Konishi Honten cameras of the Meiji and Taishō eras). 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.10, September 1987. No ISBN number. Konishiroku kamera no rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, special issue on Konishiroku). Pp.92–4.
Links
In Japanese:
- Special Lily and Neat Lily at Asacame
- Lily No.2 or Special Lily (tefuda-size) in the Junk Binbō blog
- Lily No.2 and more pictures in Miyazawa Noriyuki's camera site
- Pages of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website:
- Lily cameras
- Lily No.2, Special Lily and Neat Lily in the camera list
| Konishiroku prewar and wartime cameras () | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| plate | hand cameras | stereo hand cameras | strut folders | box | telephoto | SLR |
| Idea (original) | Idea A | Idea B | Idea Snap | Idea No.1 | Idea (metal) | Lily (original) | Lily (horizontal) | Lily (metal) | Tropical Lily | Noble | Ohca | Sakura Palace | Sakura Pocket Prano | Sakura Prano | Idea Binocular | Sakura Binocular Prano | Minimum Idea | Idea Spring | Korok | Champion | Cherry | Sakura Army | Sakura Honor | Sakura Navy | Idea Telephoto | Idea Reflex (1910 and 1911) | Idea Reflex (1932) | Neat Reflex | Sakura Reflex Prano | |
| rollfilm | folders | box or collapsible | TLR | |||
| Pearlette | Special Pearlette | B Pearlette | Pearl (for plates and rollfilm) | Pearl No.2 | Pearl (Year 8) | Baby Pearl | Semi Pearl | Sakura Palace | Record | Sakura (box) | Sakura (bakelite) | Sakura-flex | ||||
