Difference between revisions of "Middl 120"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(a sketch)
m (Links: Removed commented out Link URL, page still not present)
(20 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{stub}}
+
{{NeedPhotos}}{{Japanese Semi postwar and Six postwar}}
{{Japanese Semi and Six}}
+
The '''Middl 120'''<REF> The name is consistently written this way, with a missing "e". In Lewis, it is called "Middle 120" by mistake. </REF> (ミドル・120) is a series of Japanese folders, made by [[Otowa]] around 1952&ndash;3. The first models take 4.5&times;6 pictures and are horizontal folders with straight diagonal struts, and the last model is a dual-format 4.5&times;6 and 6&times;6 folder.
The '''Middl 120''' (ミドル・120) is a series of Japanese folders, made by a company called Otowa Kōki (音羽光機).
 
  
There was a first model with folding optical finder, then the '''Middl 120-A''' with the finder contained in a top housing, then the dual format '''Middl 120-Z''' for both 6&times;6 and 4.5&times;6.
+
== Probable early model ==
 +
 
 +
There is a record of a presumably early model with a '''folding optical finder'''.<REF> The only document found is the picture in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.25.htm#yhasegawa this page of the AJCC], where it is called both "Middl" and "Middl 120". </REF> It has a flat top plate, in chrome finish, with an accessory shoe on the left end and the advance knob on the right end. The finder in centered, the bed opening button is slightly to the left and there seems to be a body release above the right strut.
 +
 
 +
== The Middl 120-A ==
 +
=== Description of the body ===
 +
The '''Middl 120-A'''<REF> {{McKeown}} lists this model both under the companies "Middl Optical Works Ltd" (p.&nbsp;670) and "Otowa Kogaku" (p.&nbsp;770), with a near duplicate description but the model attributed to Otowa is mistakenly reported as a 6&times;6. </REF> is a 4.5&times;6 model.
 +
 
 +
There is a top housing containing the viewfinder, slightly offset to the right. The accessory shoe is to the left of the finder, and the folding bed release is just in front of it. The shutter release and the advance knob are on the right end and there is a decorative round plate on the left end<REF> The decorative round plate has fallen from the example pictured in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;770. </REF>. The back is hinged to the left and has a single red window at the bottom to control film advance, protected by a horizontally sliding cover.
 +
 
 +
The camera is engraved ''Middl'' and ''120-A'' above the viewfinder, with the ''OKS'' logo in front of the top housing. It is also embossed ''Middl 120'' in the back leather. It is reported that the piece of leather covering the back latch is embossed ''Middl Optical Works''.<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;670. </REF>
 +
 
 +
A '''Middl 120-A2''' is also reported but no detail is available.<REF> Lewis, p.&nbsp;83. </REF>
 +
 
 +
=== Lens and shutter equipment ===
 +
The Middl 120-A was advertised in the December 1952 issue of ''[[Ars Camera]]''<REF> Reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;192. </REF>, with Otowa mentioned as the maker and [[Mizuno|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]] as the authorized dealer. The lens was announced as a Seriter 75/3.5, but this focal length has not yet been observed and may be a mistake. The shutter gives B, 1&ndash;200 speeds, has a self-timer and is synchronized via an ASA bayonet connector. No marking is visible on the shutter in the advertising picture but it is certainly an [[NKS]].
 +
 
 +
Some actual examples have a Seriter Anastigmat 80mm f:3.5 lens and an [[NKS]] shutter (B, 1&ndash;200), identified as such in the speed ring. The shutter plate also has a logo and a small ''NKS'' marking at the top, that is not visible in the advertising picture.<REF> Example pictured in [https://web.archive.org/web/20040906102608/http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JA_MIDDL_120A_PIC.htm this page Japan Family Camera] (archived) and example pictured in McKeown, p.&nbsp;770. </REF> with a Seriter Anastigmat 80mm f:3.5 and a  shutter identified as ''NKS'' on the speed rim. The shutter plate of these examples has a logo and a small ''NKS'' marking at the top, that seems to be absent from the one pictured in the advertisement.
 +
 
 +
Another example has been observed<REF> In [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/middle120a.htm this page at je2luz]. </REF> with a similar shutter and a lens called Middl (and engraved ''MiddL'' with a capital "L").
 +
 
 +
== The Middl 120-Z ==
 +
 
 +
The '''Middl 120-Z''' is a dual format model, for both 6&times;6 and 4.5&times;6. It is offered in an advertisement from the January 1953 issue of ''[[Ars Camera]]''<REF> Reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;192. </REF>, with a Seriter 75/3.5 and an NKS shutter having the same features as the one mounted on the previous model. Curiously, this advertisement illustrates the description of the new model with a picture of the Middl 120-A (it is engraved as such on the top). The name '''Middl Six''' (ミドルシックス) is also used together with Middl 120-Z. No picture of this camera has yet been observed.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
== Printed bibliography ==
+
== Bibliography ==
* {{Showa10}} Items 903&ndash;5.
+
* {{Showa10}} Items 903 and 905.
 
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.&nbsp;670 and 770.
 
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.&nbsp;670 and 770.
 
* {{Lewis}} Pp.&nbsp;79 and 83 (brief mentions only).
 
* {{Lewis}} Pp.&nbsp;79 and 83 (brief mentions only).
Line 15: Line 37:
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
* [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.25.htm#yhasegawa Middl 120] with folding optical finder at a page of the [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/ AJCC], it is the folder pictured on the right
+
* [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.25.htm#yhasegawa Middl 120] with a folding optical finder at a page of the [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/ AJCC], it is the folder pictured on the right
 
* [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/middle120a.htm Middl 120-A] with [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/middlmono1.htm sample pictures] at [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/ je2luz]
 
* [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/middle120a.htm Middl 120-A] with [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/middlmono1.htm sample pictures] at [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/ je2luz]
* [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JA_MIDDL_120A_PIC.htm Middl 120-A] at [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ Japan Family Camera]
+
 
There is also a [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/MIDDL_PIC.htm Middl Flex] at [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ Japan Family Camera].
 
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
 +
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category: M]]
 
[[Category: M]]

Revision as of 11:36, 14 February 2018

This article needs photographs. You can help Camera-wiki.org by adding some. See adding images for help.


Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Apollo | Semi Blond | Semi Crystar | Daido Semi | Doris | Semi Frank | Semi Gelto | Semi Golder | Karoron | Karoron RF | Kely | Kiko Semi | Korin | Kuri | BB Kuri | Lark | Semi Leotax | Semi Leotax DL / R | Lo Ruby | Semi Lord | Luck | Semi Lyra | Semi Masmy | Middl 120 | Semi Mihama | Mikado | Million Proud | Semi Minolta III | Semi Minolta P | Semi Oscon | Semi Pearl | Pearl I–III | Pearl IV | Petri | Petri RF | Petri Super | Pioneer | Semi Proud | Semi Rocket | Rocky Semi | Rosen | Ruby | Shinkoh Rabbit | Semi Sport | Tsubasa Semi | Union Semi | Union Model U | Walcon Semi | Waltax | Semi Wester | Zenobia
rigid or collapsible
Semi Dak | Semi Hobix | Super Semi Plum | Rocket Camera | Tomy
Prewar models ->
Japanese Six (6×6)
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Aires Viceroy | Angel Six | Aram Six | Astoria Super Six | Atom Six | Balm Six | Baron | Beauty Six (1950) | Beauty Six (1953) | Calm Six | Carl Six | Centre Six | Crown | Crystar Six | Daido Six | Dorima Six | Doris Six | Ehira Six | Elbow Six | First Six | Flora Six | Fodor Six | Frank Six | Fujica Six | Super Fujica Six | Futami Six | Gotex | Grace Six | Kohken Chrome Six | Kyowa Six | Liner Six | Lyra Six | Mamiya Six | Middl Six | Mihama Six | Mine Six | Minon Six | Mizuho Six | Motoka Six | Mount Six | Muse Six | Super Naiku | Ofuna Six | Olympus Six | Olympus Chrome Six | Orion Six | Oscar Six | Pigeon Six | Planet | Please Six | Pluto Six | Poppy Six | Press Van | Press Van-120 | Proud Chrome Six | Proud Super Six | Renown Six | Ricoh Six | Ruvikon | Ruvinal | Sanon Six | Silver Six | Sisley 1 | Sisley 2 & 3 | Sister Six | Tenar Six | Toho Six | Tomic | Toyoca Six | Ugein Six | Wagen Six | Walcon 6 | Welmy Six | Wester | Windsor Six
rigid or collapsible
Dia Six | Ehira Chrome Six | Enon Six | Flora | Flashline | Fujipet | Harmony | Mikono-6 | Orion | Ponix | Rich-Ray-6 | Shumy | Weha Chrome Six
Prewar models ->

The Middl 120[1] (ミドル・120) is a series of Japanese folders, made by Otowa around 1952–3. The first models take 4.5×6 pictures and are horizontal folders with straight diagonal struts, and the last model is a dual-format 4.5×6 and 6×6 folder.

Probable early model

There is a record of a presumably early model with a folding optical finder.[2] It has a flat top plate, in chrome finish, with an accessory shoe on the left end and the advance knob on the right end. The finder in centered, the bed opening button is slightly to the left and there seems to be a body release above the right strut.

The Middl 120-A

Description of the body

The Middl 120-A[3] is a 4.5×6 model.

There is a top housing containing the viewfinder, slightly offset to the right. The accessory shoe is to the left of the finder, and the folding bed release is just in front of it. The shutter release and the advance knob are on the right end and there is a decorative round plate on the left end[4]. The back is hinged to the left and has a single red window at the bottom to control film advance, protected by a horizontally sliding cover.

The camera is engraved Middl and 120-A above the viewfinder, with the OKS logo in front of the top housing. It is also embossed Middl 120 in the back leather. It is reported that the piece of leather covering the back latch is embossed Middl Optical Works.[5]

A Middl 120-A2 is also reported but no detail is available.[6]

Lens and shutter equipment

The Middl 120-A was advertised in the December 1952 issue of Ars Camera[7], with Otowa mentioned as the maker and Mizuno Shashinki-ten as the authorized dealer. The lens was announced as a Seriter 75/3.5, but this focal length has not yet been observed and may be a mistake. The shutter gives B, 1–200 speeds, has a self-timer and is synchronized via an ASA bayonet connector. No marking is visible on the shutter in the advertising picture but it is certainly an NKS.

Some actual examples have a Seriter Anastigmat 80mm f:3.5 lens and an NKS shutter (B, 1–200), identified as such in the speed ring. The shutter plate also has a logo and a small NKS marking at the top, that is not visible in the advertising picture.[8] with a Seriter Anastigmat 80mm f:3.5 and a shutter identified as NKS on the speed rim. The shutter plate of these examples has a logo and a small NKS marking at the top, that seems to be absent from the one pictured in the advertisement.

Another example has been observed[9] with a similar shutter and a lens called Middl (and engraved MiddL with a capital "L").

The Middl 120-Z

The Middl 120-Z is a dual format model, for both 6×6 and 4.5×6. It is offered in an advertisement from the January 1953 issue of Ars Camera[10], with a Seriter 75/3.5 and an NKS shutter having the same features as the one mounted on the previous model. Curiously, this advertisement illustrates the description of the new model with a picture of the Middl 120-A (it is engraved as such on the top). The name Middl Six (ミドルシックス) is also used together with Middl 120-Z. No picture of this camera has yet been observed.

Notes

  1. The name is consistently written this way, with a missing "e". In Lewis, it is called "Middle 120" by mistake.
  2. The only document found is the picture in this page of the AJCC, where it is called both "Middl" and "Middl 120".
  3. McKeown lists this model both under the companies "Middl Optical Works Ltd" (p. 670) and "Otowa Kogaku" (p. 770), with a near duplicate description but the model attributed to Otowa is mistakenly reported as a 6×6.
  4. The decorative round plate has fallen from the example pictured in McKeown, p. 770.
  5. McKeown, p. 670.
  6. Lewis, p. 83.
  7. Reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 192.
  8. Example pictured in this page Japan Family Camera (archived) and example pictured in McKeown, p. 770.
  9. In this page at je2luz.
  10. Reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 192.

Bibliography

Links

In Japanese: