Difference between revisions of "Lily (metal and tropical)"
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{{Japanese plate}} | {{Japanese plate}} | ||
| − | The '''Lily''' (リリー) are Japanese plate folders made by Rokuoh-sha, the manufacturing branch of [[Konica|Konishiroku]] (predecessor of [[Konica]]). This page is about the models made after the introduction of a metal body in 1930, including the Tropical Lily despite its wooden construction. These models exist in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm size. ''For the earlier wooden models, see [[Lily (wooden)]].'' | + | The '''Lily''' (リリー) are Japanese plate folders made by Rokuoh-sha, the manufacturing branch of [[Konica|Konishiroku]] (predecessor of [[Konica]]). This page is about the models made after the introduction of a metal body in 1930, including the Tropical Lily despite its wooden construction. These models exist in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm size. |
| + | |||
| + | ''For the earlier wooden models, see [[Lily (wooden)]].'' | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
Revision as of 11:16, 23 January 2008
The Lily (リリー) are Japanese plate folders made by Rokuoh-sha, the manufacturing branch of Konishiroku (predecessor of Konica). This page is about the models made after the introduction of a metal body in 1930, including the Tropical Lily despite its wooden construction. These models exist in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm size.
For the earlier wooden models, see Lily (wooden).
Contents
Description
The metal Lily have typical folding struts hinged in the middle, inspired from the Voigtländer Bergheil models. The U-shaped front standard allows vertical movements, controlled by a small knob at the top of the right-hand branch, and horizontal movements, controlled by two small knobs at the base. The bellows have true double extension, and there is a small focusing wheel at the end of the folding bed, on the photographer's right, and a distance scale on the left. There is a collapsible brilliant finder offset to the left at the top of the front standard, and a wireframe hinged to the front standard. The most advanced models add a second focusing wheel on the left, and even an Albada finder on the left-hand side of the body (see below). There is a leather handle at the top, and the folding bed release is on the right-hand side of the body. The name Lily is normally inscribed in cursive script in a round escutcheon inside the folding bed. The original ground glass hood has the name Rokuoh-sha embossed in the leather, and the metal plate holders also have ROKUOH-SHA inscribed in relief.
Evolution
Original 1930 model
The metal Lily models were released in 1930.[1] The original 1930 model (昭和5年型) does not have the focus lock on the focusing wheel, added on the 1934 model. The eyepiece for the wireframe finder has a rectangular shape and folds on a metal part screwed to the side plate and extending towards the front; it is smaller than that of the 1934 model.
The 1930 Lily was reportedly offered with the following lens and shutter combinations:[2]
- Tessar f/4.5 lens by Carl Zeiss, rim-set Compur shutter, in 6.5×9cm;[3]
- Tessar f/4.5 lens by Carl Zeiss, dial-set Compur shutter, in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm;
- Heliar f/4.5 lens by Voigtländer, dial-set Compur shutter, in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm;
- Trinar f/4.5 lens by Rodenstock, Ibsor shutter, in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm;[4]
- Trinar f/6.3 lens by Rodenstock, Ibsor shutter, in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm;[5]
- Verito f/4.8 lens by Wollensak, Betax shutter, in 8×10.5cm;
- Cooke f/6.8 lens, Compur shutter, in 8×10.5cm.
An example in 6.5×9cm size is known with a Radionar f/4.5 lens by Schneider and a rim-set Compur shutter, but it is not known if this combination is original.[6]
It is said that twenty examples in 6.5×9cm size were delivered to Nippon Kōgaku, to mount its first camera lens Anytar Anastigmat 12cm f/4.5 with a dial-set Compur shutter.[7] At least one surviving example is known to exist, pictured in Sugiyama.
Tropical Lily
The Tropical Lily (トロピカルリリー) was released in 1931, in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm size. It has a body made of teak and frosted metal fittings. The bellows is made of maroon leather, and the parts which are black lacquered on the regular model are painted maroon on the Tropical Lily. The shape and features are otherwise similar to the 1930 model. The name TROPICAL Lily is written inside the folding bed, instead of the mere Lily of the regular model.
The Tropical Lily was offered with the rim-set Compur shutter and a choice of three lenses: the Tessar f/4.5 by Carl Zeiss, the Heliar f/4.5 by Voigtländer and the Hexar f/4.5 by Rokuoh-sha itself.[8] Th Hexar f/4.5 was the first camera lens made in Japan, and was first mounted on the Tropical Lily, in 11.5cm or 10.5cm focal length for 6.5×9cm size and in 13.5cm focal length for 8×10.5cm.[9] A surviving example in 6.5×9cm size is pictured with the Hexar Ser.1 11.5cm f/4.5 in Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, and another with the Hexar Ser.1 10.5cm f/4.5 in Sugiyama.[10] An example in 8×10.5cm size is pictured with the Hexar Ser.1 13.5cm f/4.5 in Lewis.[11] Examples with the Tessar lens are known in 6.5×9cm size and in 8×10.5cm size.[12] No example with Heliar lens has been observed so far.
Next model
The next model was probably released in 1934, but some sources say 1933.[13] It mainly differs by the larger eyepiece for the wireframe finder, consisting of a large rectangular plate directly folding over the leather covering, and by the addition of a focus lock to the focusing wheel. The camera sometimes has a depth-of-field plate on the left-hand side of the body. The other major innovation is the introduction of Japanese lenses and shutters, and the camera was reportedly offered with the following combinations:[14]
- Hexar Ser.1 f/4.5 lens by Rokuoh-sha, rim-set Compur shutter, in 6.5×9cm or 8×10.5cm;[15]
- Hexar Ser.1 f/4.5 lens by Rokuoh-sha, Durax shutter, in 6.5×9cm;
- Optor f/4.5 lens by Asahi Kōgaku, Durax shutter, in 6.5×9cm;[16]
- Trinar f/4.5 lens by Rodenstock, Ibsor shutter, in 8×10.5cm and perhaps in 6.5×9cm.[17]
This model was perhaps still offered with the Tessar and Heliar lenses as well.[18] One example is pictured in Sugiyama in 8×10.5cm size with an Heliar 13.5cm f/4.5 lens and a rim-set Compur shutter, but it has a Voigtländer nameplate screwed to the top of the shutter plate, and it is dubious whether its lens and shutter equipment is original.[19]
The transition from the previous model was perhaps gradual. One example has been observed in 6.5×9cm size with the newer focus lock and the older viewfinder eyepiece; it has a Toko-Anastigmat 10.5cm f/6.3 lens by Tōkyō Kōgaku and a Magna shutter by Seikōsha.[20]
New Lily
The New Lily (新型リリー) is an upgraded model released in 1937.[21] The simple viewfinder eyepiece is replaced by an Albada finder, and a second focusing wheel is added to the photographer's left, opposite the other one. The New Lily only exists in 6.5×9cm size, and was reportedly offered in four lens and shutter combinations:[22]
- Tessar f/4.5 lens by Carl Zeiss, Compur-Rapid shutter (T, B, 1–400);
- Hexar f/4.5 lens by Rokuoh-sha, Compur-Rapid shutter (T, B, 1–400);[23]
- Simlar f/4.5 lens by Tōkyō Kōgaku, Leo shutter (T, B, 1–250) by Seikōsha;[24]
- Hexar f/4.5 lens by Rokuoh-sha, Durax shutter (T, B, 1–125) by the same.[25]
Heliar and Optor f/4.5 lenses were perhaps also offered on the New Lily.[26] One example has been observed with a Hexar Ser.1 10.5cm f/4.5 lens and a Compur shutter (T, B, 1–250),[27] and another with a Trinar-Anastigmat f/4.5 lens by Rodenstock and a Durax shutter.[28]
The New Lily was advertised in the June 1936 and April 1937 issues of Asahi Camera.[29] The April 1937 advertisement says that the price of the camera started at ¥85 with an f/4.5 lens.[30] The advertisement in Photo Times February 1937 gives the price of ¥185 for the version with Heliar f/4.5 and ¥195 for that with Tessar f/4.5, certainly the most expensive one.[31]
Military Lily
The Military Lily was made to meet military needs. It only exists in 8×10.5cm size. It has the two focusing wheels of the New Lily, and the same viewfinder as the 1934 model. The Lily logo inside the folding bed is replaced by a military logo showing two red palms. The lens is a Hexar Ser.1 13.5cm f/4.5; all the numbers observed so far are in the 14xxx range.[32] The shutter gives T, B, 1–200 speeds and was made by Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō (predecessor of Minolta). The name KTI–TIYOKO is inscribed at the top of the shutter plate; "Tiyoko" is an alternative writing for "Chiyoko", abbreviation of Chiyoda Kōgaku. This is an early example of cooperation between the two companies, certainly imposed by the military, some 65 years before they merged.
Late mentions
The official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 has a "Lily" for ¥130, with no further details.[33] It is probable that the imported lenses and shutters were no more available at the time.
The government inquiry listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943 also has a "Lily" attributed to Konishiroku, with a Hexar 105/4.5 four-element lens and a Durax shutter reportedly giving T, B, 1–150 speeds.[34] The Durax normally has 1/125 top speed, and this unusual range is perhaps a mistake.
Notes
- ↑ Tanaka, p.35 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Combinations reported in Tanaka, p.36 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, and in this page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website.
- ↑ Pictured in 6.5×9cm size in Sugiyama, item 1123, in McKeown, p.538 and in this page at ksmt.
- ↑ Pictured in 8×10.5cm size in Sugiyama, item 1129, where it is wrongly called "Lily (Showa 8)", and in Tanaka, p.36 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ It is perhaps the combination pictured in 8×10.5cm size in McKeown, p.538.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1124.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1126.
- ↑ Tanaka, p.37 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, and this page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website.
- ↑ First mounted on the Tropical Lily: Tanaka, p.37 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, Lewis, p.183, and this page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website.
- ↑ Hexar Ser.1 11.5cm: example pictured on the cover page of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, and in Tanaka, on p.37 of the same magazine. The lens has no.2741. Hexar Ser.1 10.5cm: example pictured in the first colour pages in Sugiyama, and as item 1125. The lens has no.3129.
- ↑ Example pictured in Lewis, p.47. The lens has no.1532x.
- ↑ 6.5×9cm: example pictured in McKeown, p.545, and example pictured here and here at Ito Collection. 8×10.5cm: example pictured in Tanaka, p.37 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Sugiyama, items 1127 and 1130, says 1933 and calls the camera "Lily (Showa 8)", for Shōwa year 8. (The other cameras called the same in this source actually correspond to other models.) Tanaka, p.41 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, says 1934 (Shōwa year 9). This page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website confusedly says 1934 and Shōwa year 8 (1933). Tanaka is probably the most accurate.
- ↑ Combinations reported in Tanaka, p.41 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Pictured in 8×10.5cm size in Sugiyama, item 1130.
- ↑ Pictured in 6.5×9cm size in Sugiyama, item 1127 (with a depth-of-field plate), and in Tanaka, p.41 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ 6.5×9cm: this page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website. Tanaka, p.41 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, says 8×10.5cm only.
- ↑ See this page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1132.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction, lens no.11446.
- ↑ Date: Tanaka, p.41 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, Sugiyama, item 1133. This page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website says 1936.
- ↑ Tanaka, p.42 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Pictured in Sugiyama, item 1128, where it is wrongly called "Lily (Showa 8)".
- ↑ Observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Pictured in Sugiyama, item 1133.
- ↑ Heliar and Optor: this page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website. The Heliar and Compur-Rapid combination is mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.343.
- ↑ Example pictured in Tanaka, p.42 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.343.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.103.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.82.
- ↑ Example pictured in Tanaka, p.42 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10 (no.14251). Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1131, wrongly called "Lily (Showa 8)" (no.14xxx). Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1134 (no.1444x). Example observed in online auctions (no.140xx and 14556).
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 8, section 4B.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 201.
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. Item 314. (See also the advertisement for item 167.)
- "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Item 201.
- "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 8, section 4B.
- 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.46–7, 54 and 183.
- 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 545.
- 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 1123–34. (See also the colour pictures at the beginning.)
- Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Konica history 4. Taishō 12-nen – Shōwa 8-nen." (Konica history 4. 大正12年–昭和8年. From Taishō year 12 (1923) to Shōwa year 8 (1933).) 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.33–8. (See also the cover page of the magazine.)
- Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Konica history 5. Shōwa 8-nen – 20-nen." (Konica history 5. 昭和8年–20年. From Shōwa year 8 (1933) to Shōwa year 20 (1945).) 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.40–4.
Links
In English:
- Lily (1934) in a page of large format cameras of Ross Alford's classic camera site
In Japanese:
- Lily (1930 model) at ksmt.com
- New Lily in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- Tropical Lily, also in a page of tropical cameras, at the Ito Collection (the picture of the first page is distorted)
- Pages of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website:
