Lyra Six
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 1937[1], with a Super Lyra shutter providing T, B, 1–300 speeds and a choice of three lenses:
- Terionar 80/4.5 (¥65);
- Terionar 80/3.5 (¥80);
- Terionar 80/2.9 (¥98).
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.
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.
In the Lyra Six F, there is a key at the top left to advance the film, and 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.
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.
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:
