Difference between revisions of "Maruso Camera"
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{{Japanese no-need-darkroom}} | {{Japanese no-need-darkroom}} | ||
| − | The '''Maruso Camera''' are Japanese cameras using the [[no-need-darkroom]] process, | + | The '''Maruso Camera''' are Japanese cameras using the [[no-need-darkroom]] process, advertised in the late 1940s by [[Marusō|Marusō Kōgaku]] and [[Ugajin|Ugajin Denki Kōgaku]], and about which little is known. |
== History and documents == | == History and documents == | ||
| − | + | Two advertisements for a Maruso Camera appear in the April 20, 1948 issue of {{NSKT}}. The first one was placed by the company [[Marusō|Marusō Kōgaku]].<REF> Advertisement on p.4 of {{NSKT}} April 20, 1948, reproduced on p.82 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF> It mentions a "Maruso patented twin-lens reflex" (マルソー特許二眼レフ), equipped with an "automatic one-second device"<REF> "Equipped with an automatic one-second device": 自動一秒付. </REF> — presumably a self-timer — and offered for {{yen|280|1948}}, and specifies that the camera was "even sold abroad".<REF> 海外迄も売れる. </REF> | |
| − | The other advertisement<REF> Advertisement on p.6 of {{NSKT}} April 20, 1948, reproduced on p.84 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF> mentions a "Maruso Camera" or "Maruso patented homemade reflex" (マルソー特許国産レフ), presumably the same camera. It mentions the "automatic one-second device" too, and says that the camera takes Leica-size single exposures.<REF> 特許ライカ判一枚撮り. </REF> The advertisement says nothing of the actual film stock used, but it can be presumed that the camera takes daylight loading [[no-need-darkroom]] film sheets, measuring about 2.5×4cm. Various prices are given: {{yen|150|1948}}, {{yen|280|1948}}, {{yen|380|1948}} and {{yen|850|1948}}. These certainly correspond to different versions of the camera, but no further explanation is provided. | + | The other advertisement was placed by [[Ugajin|Ugajin Denki Kōgaku]].<REF> Advertisement on p.6 of {{NSKT}} April 20, 1948, reproduced on p.84 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF> It mentions a "Maruso Camera" or "Maruso patented homemade reflex" (マルソー特許国産レフ), presumably the same camera. It mentions the "automatic one-second device" too, and says that the camera takes Leica-size single exposures.<REF> 特許ライカ判一枚撮り. </REF> The advertisement says nothing of the actual film stock used, but it can be presumed that the camera takes daylight loading [[no-need-darkroom]] film sheets, measuring about 2.5×4cm. Various prices are given: {{yen|150|1948}}, {{yen|280|1948}}, {{yen|380|1948}} and {{yen|850|1948}}. These certainly correspond to different versions of the camera, but no further explanation is provided. |
== Surviving example == | == Surviving example == | ||
Revision as of 17:21, 3 November 2008
The Maruso Camera are Japanese cameras using the no-need-darkroom process, advertised in the late 1940s by Marusō Kōgaku and Ugajin Denki Kōgaku, and about which little is known.
History and documents
Two advertisements for a Maruso Camera appear in the April 20, 1948 issue of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin. The first one was placed by the company Marusō Kōgaku.[1] It mentions a "Maruso patented twin-lens reflex" (マルソー特許二眼レフ), equipped with an "automatic one-second device"[2] — presumably a self-timer — and offered for ¥280, and specifies that the camera was "even sold abroad".[3]
The other advertisement was placed by Ugajin Denki Kōgaku.[4] It mentions a "Maruso Camera" or "Maruso patented homemade reflex" (マルソー特許国産レフ), presumably the same camera. It mentions the "automatic one-second device" too, and says that the camera takes Leica-size single exposures.[5] The advertisement says nothing of the actual film stock used, but it can be presumed that the camera takes daylight loading no-need-darkroom film sheets, measuring about 2.5×4cm. Various prices are given: ¥150, ¥280, ¥380 and ¥850. These certainly correspond to different versions of the camera, but no further explanation is provided.
Surviving example
One example of a Maruso Camera is pictured in Sugiyama.[6] It is a simple box camera with no viewfinder, reportedly taking 2.5×4cm no-need-darkroom film stock. The shutter plate is inscribed MARUSO CAMERA at the bottom, and MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN above the lens. The shutter has B and 1/25 settings, and is tripped by a lever on the right of the lens. This model is certainly one of the cheaper versions advertised in 1948, along with the pseudo TLR models.
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement on p.4 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin April 20, 1948, reproduced on p.82 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku.
- ↑ "Equipped with an automatic one-second device": 自動一秒付.
- ↑ 海外迄も売れる.
- ↑ Advertisement on p.6 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin April 20, 1948, reproduced on p.84 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku.
- ↑ 特許ライカ判一枚撮り.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 4154. The camera is attributed to "Maruso Trading Co.", but this is certainly a confusion.
Bibliography
- Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin (日本写真興業通信). Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku (百号ごと十回の記録, Ten records, every hundred issues). Tokyo: Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin Sha (日本写真興業通信社), 1967. No ISBN number. Advertisements on pp.82 and 84, corresponding to pp.4 and 6 of the April 20, 1948 issue.
- 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. Item 4154.
