Difference between revisions of "Mansfield Skylark"

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|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5001/5375267373_9b1971ebb1.jpg
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|image_text= Skylark E
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|image_by= Colin J Clarke
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'''Skylark''' is the name of no less than ''four'' [[Clones, Rebadges and Rebrands|rebadged]] cameras sold by [[Mansfield|Mansfield Industries]] of Chicago, Illinois.
  
  
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== Mansfield Skylark camera ==
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* The 1957 '''Skylark''' is a rebadged '''Argon'''<ref>Sugiyama/Naoi “Collector’s Guide to Japanese Cameras” code #3099, p.140.</ref> rangefinder camera, the export version of the [[Windsor 35]] by [[Tōkō Shashin]]. This rangefinder camera has a 45mm f/1.9 lens, shutter speeds 1 - 1/500 second plus 'B' (a much higher specification than the early-50s Windsor 35 in the current Camera-wiki.org article).
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This is an automatic, point-and-shoot, fixed lens, 35mm recreational camera from the early 1960s.
 
  
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== Camera Specifications ==
 
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You can present the camera specifications either in the text or in a list. There is also a [[Template:Camera|Camera Template]] but it is likely to suffer modifications in the future.
 
  
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Some specifications are mandatory:
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* The 1957 '''Skylark E''' (pictured right) is a [[Royal 35M]] by [[Royal Camera|Royal Camera Company]], rebadged for Mansfield. Like the 35M, this coupled rangefinder camera has a Tominar 45mm f/1.9 lens , with shutter speeds 1 - 1/500 second plus 'B', and an uncoupled selenium meter.
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* manufacturer
 
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* image support, with number of pixels or film format
 
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* architecture (Single Lens Reflex, Twin Lens Reflex, Viewfinder, Rangefinder, etc.)
 
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* lens (name, focal length and aperture) or lens mount
 
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* shutter type and shutter speed range
 
  
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Other specifications are important too:
 
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* dates of production
 
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* alternative names
 
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* exposure metering system and exposure modes
 
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* ASA/ISO range
 
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* focusing distance
 
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* flash connection and built-in flash
 
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* battery
 
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* weight
 
  
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And you can add any other specifications you feel useful, depending on the camera type:
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* The 1957 '''Skylark V''' is a rebadged [[Royal 35p|Royal 35P]], a coupled rangefinder camera with a Cimenar 45mm f/1.9 lens (stopping down to f/16), and shutter speeds 1 - 1/300 second plus 'B'. It has no meter.
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* digital processor and sensor name
 
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* number of lens elements
 
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* shutter name
 
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* ...
 
  
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== Pictures ==
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{|class="floatright plainlinks"
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It is good if you can add pictures of the camera. See the page about [[Camerapedia.org:Adding Images|Adding Images]] for the rules and guidelines.
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|-
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|{{Flickr image
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| image_source=http://www.flickr.com/photos/dg_houlihan/2200389856/in/pool-camerawiki/
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| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/2200389856_d52cf6fa3a.jpg
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| image_align=
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| image_text=<br/>Flash settings guide in the case.
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}}
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|-
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{{Flickr image
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| image=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2199595849_116592f5ac.jpg
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| image_text=Mansfield Skylark, film guide determines shutter setting
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|-
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|colspan=2;|<center><small>images by [[:Category:Image by Diana Geneviève|Diana Geneviève]] </small>{{non-commercial}}</center>
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|-
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|}
  
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== Description ==
 
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You can add a description of the camera. It is particularly useful when there is no picture.
 
  
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== Handling notes ==
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* The 1961 '''Skylark''' is a slightly modified [[Palmat Automatic]] made by [[Yamato]]. This last Skylark is of a much lower specification than its predecessors. It is a fixed-focus viewfinder camera with automatic exposure controlled by a selenium meter. This was the only Skylark that was actually engraved with “Mansfield” as well as the “MI” crest logo seen on the earlier versions.
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You can add notes about the camera's use, mention issues and give some tips. But keep in mind that other camerapedians could disagree with your particular opinion about a camera. If you want to write your personal feelings, you can create a page in your own user namespace with a review of the camera, for ex. [[User:John_Doe/Nikon F]].
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** The lens is a coated 40mm f/3.5 Mantar or Luminor (the same lens, either renamed for Mansfield or using Yamato's original name for it).
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** The shutter has speeds 1/10 - 1/200s. However, these are not identified as such; the speed scale is labelled with numbers 2 to 6, and 'B'. In normal use, the shutter speed is set with reference to the 'Film Guide' panel on the camera back. That is, shutter speed is used to compensate for different film speeds.
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** There is a second control on the underside of the lens barrel which controls aperture (although not labeled as such). In daylight, this is set to 'Auto', and the aperture is set automatically by a [[trapped needle]] mechanism driven by the meter. For flash photos the control is moved to the aperture suited to one of three distance zones.<ref> On different examples, these may be shown in feet/meters or simply "A, B, and C." The stated distances would only be correct for particular ASA speed & flashbulb type combinations; the others require a correction factor and would be set to a "pretend" distance. Presumably the A, B, C, revision was considered less confusing.</ref> The manual also advises setting the top scale to "2" (the slowest shutter speed) presumably for proper [[Flashbulbs | flashbulb]] [[flash sync | sync]].
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** The selenium meter generates its own voltage, so needs no battery.
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** The viewfinder is large, and has a brightline frame (an [[Viewfinder#Albada_finders|Albada]] type) with parallax correction marks for close-up use. There is, however, no depth-of-field guide, which would be useful on a fixed-focus camera.
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** There is an ingenious periscopic device that shows a green-filtered light in the viewfinder, if the ambient light is sufficiently bright for the meter needle to detect (that is, it confirms that there is enough light to take a photograph). This is simply light transmitted from behind the meter panel, not a lamp.
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** Like Yamato's other cameras, the back and base detach as one piece to load and unload the camera.
  
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== Sources ==
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==Notes==
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Your page cannot be a good page if it does not mention its sources. See [[Camerapedia.org:Citing Sources]].
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<references/>
  
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== External Links ==
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==Links==
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=== General links ===
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* [http://westfordcomp.com/classics/mansfieldskylark/index.htm Skylark] (pictures of and taken with the camera) at Gene M's [http://www.westfordcom.com Westfordcomp.com]
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The links from a camera page can include reviews, repair information, collectors' pages, the manufacturer's official website, etc. Please '''credit''' the links that you insert, by giving the name of the author of the page or at least the name of the website, and by giving a direct link to the main page of the website whenever possible.
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=1520 Skylark] in Sylvain Halgand's [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/carrousel/html/index.php Collection Appareils] (in French)
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* Discussion of the [http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Dm5t Skylark] (especially the E, with a couple of pictures of it), on [http://www.photo.net Photo.net]
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* [http://www.pbase.com/cameras/mansfield/skylark Skylark] (a few photos of the 1961 model) at [http://www.pbase.com PBase]
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* [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/argon/argon_camera.htm Argon Camera] English instruction manual in PDF of Agron (AKA Mansfield Skylark) at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html OrphanCameras.com]
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* [https://www.cameramanuals.org/pdf_files/mansfiled_skylard_automatic.pdf Mansfield Skylark Automatic PDF manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html OrphanCameras.com]
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* [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/mansfield/skylark-v/skylark-v.htm Mansfield Skylark V in PDF] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html www.OrphanCameras.com]
  
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=== Sample Image Galleries ===
 
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Links to pbase.com or some such site with a database of images that can be sorted by camera. Please remember that sample pictures have their place only if they demonstrate some particularity of the camera, and that the purpose of Camerapedia is not to make publicity around your photographic work.
 
  
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[[Category:Editing guidelines]]
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[[Category:Japanese 35mm viewfinder]][[Category:M]][[Category:S|Skylark]]
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[[Category:Bestiary|Skylark]]

Latest revision as of 00:47, 16 December 2022

5375267373_9b1971ebb1.jpg
Skylark E
image by Colin J Clarke (Image rights)

Skylark is the name of no less than four rebadged cameras sold by Mansfield Industries of Chicago, Illinois.


  • The 1957 Skylark is a rebadged Argon[1] rangefinder camera, the export version of the Windsor 35 by Tōkō Shashin. This rangefinder camera has a 45mm f/1.9 lens, shutter speeds 1 - 1/500 second plus 'B' (a much higher specification than the early-50s Windsor 35 in the current Camera-wiki.org article).


  • The 1957 Skylark E (pictured right) is a Royal 35M by Royal Camera Company, rebadged for Mansfield. Like the 35M, this coupled rangefinder camera has a Tominar 45mm f/1.9 lens , with shutter speeds 1 - 1/500 second plus 'B', and an uncoupled selenium meter.


  • The 1957 Skylark V is a rebadged Royal 35P, a coupled rangefinder camera with a Cimenar 45mm f/1.9 lens (stopping down to f/16), and shutter speeds 1 - 1/300 second plus 'B'. It has no meter.
2200389856_d52cf6fa3a.jpg

Flash settings guide in the case.
2199595849_116592f5ac.jpg
Mansfield Skylark, film guide determines shutter setting
images by Diana Geneviève (Image rights)


  • The 1961 Skylark is a slightly modified Palmat Automatic made by Yamato. This last Skylark is of a much lower specification than its predecessors. It is a fixed-focus viewfinder camera with automatic exposure controlled by a selenium meter. This was the only Skylark that was actually engraved with “Mansfield” as well as the “MI” crest logo seen on the earlier versions.
    • The lens is a coated 40mm f/3.5 Mantar or Luminor (the same lens, either renamed for Mansfield or using Yamato's original name for it).
    • The shutter has speeds 1/10 - 1/200s. However, these are not identified as such; the speed scale is labelled with numbers 2 to 6, and 'B'. In normal use, the shutter speed is set with reference to the 'Film Guide' panel on the camera back. That is, shutter speed is used to compensate for different film speeds.
    • There is a second control on the underside of the lens barrel which controls aperture (although not labeled as such). In daylight, this is set to 'Auto', and the aperture is set automatically by a trapped needle mechanism driven by the meter. For flash photos the control is moved to the aperture suited to one of three distance zones.[2] The manual also advises setting the top scale to "2" (the slowest shutter speed) presumably for proper flashbulb sync.
    • The selenium meter generates its own voltage, so needs no battery.
    • The viewfinder is large, and has a brightline frame (an Albada type) with parallax correction marks for close-up use. There is, however, no depth-of-field guide, which would be useful on a fixed-focus camera.
    • There is an ingenious periscopic device that shows a green-filtered light in the viewfinder, if the ambient light is sufficiently bright for the meter needle to detect (that is, it confirms that there is enough light to take a photograph). This is simply light transmitted from behind the meter panel, not a lamp.
    • Like Yamato's other cameras, the back and base detach as one piece to load and unload the camera.

Notes

  1. ↑ Sugiyama/Naoi “Collector’s Guide to Japanese Cameras” code #3099, p.140.
  2. ↑ On different examples, these may be shown in feet/meters or simply "A, B, and C." The stated distances would only be correct for particular ASA speed & flashbulb type combinations; the others require a correction factor and would be set to a "pretend" distance. Presumably the A, B, C, revision was considered less confusing.

Links

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