Lyra Six
Work in progress.
The Lyra Six is a Japanese 6×6 folder, that was made by Fuji Kōgaku. It is a horizontal folder, copy of the Ikonta 6×6, with a folding optical finder, centered above the top plate.
The original model has no body release. There is a knob at the top left to advance the film, and an accessory shoe at the extreme right of the top plate. The folding bed opening button is on the right of the finder. The camera is embossed LYRA in the front leather. It is advertised in September 1937[1], in a dual format version that can take both 6×6 and 4.5×6 exposures. It is offered with a Super Lyra shutter providing T, B, 1–300 speeds and a choice of three lenses:
- Terionar f:4.5 (¥65);
- Terionar f:3.5 (¥80);
- Terionar f:2.9 (¥98).
The f:2.9 has 80mm focal length, while the focal length of the other two lens variants is unclear. According to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, later 1937 advertisements offer the Fujikō A (T, B, 1–300) and Fujikō B (T, B, 5–250) shutters instead of the Super Lyra. It is unclear if these variants are still dual format.
An ad in the Sep 1938 issue of Asahi Camera showed all the Lyra range, with the Lyra Six, the Lyra Flex, the Semi Lyra and the Baby Lyra. The Lyra Six was offered with a choice of three lenses:
- f:4.5 lens for ¥72 (bad scan, prices hard to read)
- f:3.5 lens for ¥85
- f:2.9(?) lens for ¥105(?)
The case was not included in the price.
The Lyra Six also appeared in a 1938 price list of a dealer called Shinbi-Dō (眞美堂 in old writing), offered with three lens variants:
- a f:2.9 lens, for ¥90
- a f:3.5 lens, for ¥72
- a f:4.5 lens, for ¥60
A version with body release was offered for a supplement.
The Lyra Six II is identical to the previous model, with a body release protruding in front of the top plate. It is advertised in 1939[2], with an f:2.9 lens and probably a Fujikō A shutter, for ¥135, together with the less expensive Lyra Six III. There is no mention of dual format.
An hybrid example, dual format with a Super Lyra shutter (T, B, 1–300), a Terionar 80/2.9 lens and the body release of the Lyra Six II has been observed for sale recently.
The Lyra Six III is a cheaper variant, with a key in place of the knob advance, a decorative knob in place of the accessory shoe, a bulkier folding optical finder, strap lugs and a body release in a more usual location on the top plate. It is advertised in 1939[3] in four lens/shutter combinations:
- Terionar f:4.5 and Fujikō B (¥74);
- Terionar f:3.5 and Fujikō B (¥84);
- Terionar f:4.5 and Fujikō A (¥85);
- Terionar f:3.5 and Fujikō A (¥95).
The Lyra Six III has one red window in the center of the back, protected by a horizontally sliding cover. The camera is embossed LYRA SIX in the back leather, with both words separated by the red window.
Yet another ad has been observed, from the Oct 1939 issue of Asahi Camera, where the Lyra Six is offered together with the Lyrax (see this page). A number of versions are listed, but the ad is illegible.
A later variant of the Lyra Six has an optical finder contained in a top housing.
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement for the Semi Lyra, Baby Lyra and Lyra Six, originally published in the September 1937 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi in two parts, items 291–2 and 295.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Lyrax and Lyra Six II and III, published in the August 1939 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 296.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Lyra Six III, published in the May 1939 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 297. — Advertisement for the Lyrax and Lyra Six II and III, published in the August 1939 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 296.
Printed 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. Items 295–8.
Links
In Japanese: