Difference between revisions of "Maruso Refe"

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{{Japanese pseudo TLR}}
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{{Japanese pseudo TLR
The '''Semi Ref''' (セミーレフ)<REF> This camera is called "Maruso Refe" in {{SUG}}, item 4155, because of the marking around the lens. The name "Semi Ref" is given by {{Kokusan}}, p.354, and probably comes from an original source. </REF> is a Japanese 4.5×6 box camera, released in 1950 and attributed to [[Marusō|Marusō Kōgaku]].<REF> Date: magazine article mentioned in {{Kokusan}}, p.354. </REF>
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| image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47329743781/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7915/47329743781_e12afa081f_m_d.jpg]<br>''From {{ACA}} October 1950. {{public domain Japan new}}''
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}}
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The '''Maruso Refe''' is a Japanese box camera taking 4.5×6cm exposures on [[120 film]], made around 1950 by [[Marusō|Marusō Kōgaku]].<REF> Attribution to Marusō Kōgaku: column in {{ACA}} October 1950, p.120. The attribution to "Maruso Trading Co." in {{SUG}}, item 4155, is certainly a confusion. </REF>
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
The Semi Ref is a box shaped camera, and can be described as a box or a [[pseudo TLR]]. The body is made of tin.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 4155. </REF> The advance knob is on the right hand side. The release lever is to the right of the lens and there is a B and I (Bulb and Instant) selector on the left. There is a large brilliant finder at the top, and strap attachments on both sides of the body.
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The Maruso Refe is a box shaped camera, and can be described as a box or a [[pseudo TLR]]. The body is made of sheet tin.<REF> Sheet metal: column in {{ACA}} October 1950, p.120. Tin: {{SUG}}, item 4155. </REF> The advance knob is on the photographer's right hand. The release lever is to the right of the lens and there is a B and I (Bulb and Instant) selector on the left. There is a large brilliant finder at the top, and strap attachments on both sides of the body.
  
The lens is a fixed-focus meniscus. A close-up attachment exists, said to allow pictures down to 60cm.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.354. </REF> The lens plate is written ''Maruso Refe'' at the top and ''MADE IN JAPAN'' at the bottom.
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The lens is a fixed-focus meniscus, allowing pictures from 2m to infinity.<REF name="ACA 10/50"> Column in {{ACA}} October 1950, p.120. </REF> A close-up attachment was available for pictures at 60cm distance.<REF name="ACA 10/50" /> The lens plate is written ''Maruso Refe'' at the top and ''MADE IN JAPAN'' at the bottom.
  
== Usage ==
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== History and documents ==
It is said that the camera was made on specifications of the Japan Travel Bureau and rented to Japanese inn clients for ¥200 a day.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.354; {{SUG}}, item 4155. </REF>
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The camera was featured as a new product in the October 1950 issue of {{ACA}}, reproduced below.<REF name="ACA 10/50" /> In this document, the camera is called "Semi Ref" (セミーレフ) and attributed to [[Marusō|Marusō Kōgaku]]. The price was set as {{yen|850|1950}}, with extra ¥100 for the close-up attachment. The camera was supplied to inns selected by the Japan Travel Bureau, where it was rented to the clients for ¥200 a day.<REF name="ACA 10/50" /><REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.354. </REF><REF> {{SUG}}, item 4155. </REF>
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/33454003908/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7863/33454003908_3b69ee0837_d.jpg]
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|| ''Announcement in {{ACA}} October 1950. {{public domain Japan new}}''
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== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
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=== Original documents ===
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* {{ACA}} October 1950. "Shinseihin memo" (新製品, New products memo). P.120.
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=== Recent sources ===
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 578. (Unlike most other cameras covered in this book, no advertisement is reproduced.)
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 578. (Unlike most other cameras covered in this book, no advertisement is reproduced.)
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 4155.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 4155.
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 box]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 box]]
[[Category: S]]
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[[Category: M]]
[[Category: R|Ref, Semi]]
 

Latest revision as of 18:28, 9 March 2019

Japanese pseudo TLR (edit)
Prewar and wartime models
4.5×6 Hansa Rollette Ref | Roll Light Ref | Union Ref
4×4 Pilot Ref (4×4)
3×4 Alma Baby Ref | Baby Ref | Baby Roll Ref | Chukon Ref | Clover Baby Ref | Mario Ref | Pilot Ref | Prince Baby Ref | Truth
Postwar models
6×6 Cometflex | Dox New Six | Elliotte | Flex-O-Cord | Honestflex | Koniken | Mikono Flex C | Oplen Junior | Palma Brilliant | Rionflex | Rosko Brilliant | Topflex | Vesterflex
4.5×6 Binox | Maruso Refe
4×4 Herlight
Japanese true TLR ->
Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5 ->

The Maruso Refe is a Japanese box camera taking 4.5×6cm exposures on 120 film, made around 1950 by Marusō Kōgaku.[1]

Description

The Maruso Refe is a box shaped camera, and can be described as a box or a pseudo TLR. The body is made of sheet tin.[2] The advance knob is on the photographer's right hand. The release lever is to the right of the lens and there is a B and I (Bulb and Instant) selector on the left. There is a large brilliant finder at the top, and strap attachments on both sides of the body.

The lens is a fixed-focus meniscus, allowing pictures from 2m to infinity.[3] A close-up attachment was available for pictures at 60cm distance.[3] The lens plate is written Maruso Refe at the top and MADE IN JAPAN at the bottom.

History and documents

The camera was featured as a new product in the October 1950 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced below.[3] In this document, the camera is called "Semi Ref" (セミーレフ) and attributed to Marusō Kōgaku. The price was set as ¥850, with extra ¥100 for the close-up attachment. The camera was supplied to inns selected by the Japan Travel Bureau, where it was rented to the clients for ¥200 a day.[3][4][5]

Notes

  1. Attribution to Marusō Kōgaku: column in Asahi Camera October 1950, p.120. The attribution to "Maruso Trading Co." in Sugiyama, item 4155, is certainly a confusion.
  2. Sheet metal: column in Asahi Camera October 1950, p.120. Tin: Sugiyama, item 4155.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Column in Asahi Camera October 1950, p.120.
  4. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.354.
  5. Sugiyama, item 4155.

Bibliography

Original documents

  • Asahi Camera October 1950. "Shinseihin memo" (新製品, New products memo). P.120.

Recent sources

  • 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 578. (Unlike most other cameras covered in this book, no advertisement is reproduced.)
  • 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 4155.