Difference between revisions of "Middl 120"

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{{stub}}
 
{{Japanese Semi and Six}}
 
{{Japanese Semi and Six}}
The '''Middl 120''' (ミドル・120) is a series of Japanese folders, made by [[Otowa]].
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The '''Middl 120'''<REF> The name is consistently written this way, with a missing "e". </REF> (ミドル・120) is a series of Japanese folders, made by [[Otowa]] around 1952&ndash;3, first for 4.5&times;6 pictures, then for both 6&times;6 and 4.5&times;6. All are horizontal folders, with straight diagonal struts and a back hinged to the left.
  
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.
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== Probable early model ==
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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.
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== The Middl 120-A ==
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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 duplicate description. </REF> has a top housing, that contains the finder, slightly offset to the right, and supports an accessory shoe. The latter is offset to the left, with the bed opening button just in front of it. The body release and the advance knob are on the right end and 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 film advance is controlled by one red window at the bottom of the back, protected by a horizontally sliding cover.
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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>
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This model is 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 Shashinki-ten (水野写真機店) as the authorized dealer. The lens announced as a Seriter 75/3.5, but this focal length has not yet been observed and is maybe 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 but it is certainly an [[NKS]].
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Two examples have been observed<REF> One in [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JA_MIDDL_120A_PIC.htm this page at Japan Family Camera] and one pictured in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;770. </REF> with a Seriter Anastigmat 80mm f:3.5 and an B, 1&ndash;200 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.
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An example has also been observed<REF> In [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/middle120a.htm this page at je2luz]. </REF> with a lens marked ''MiddL''.
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== The Middl 120-Z ==
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The '''Middl 120-Z''' is dual format, for both 6&times;6 and 4.5&times;6.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Printed bibliography ==
 
== Printed bibliography ==
* {{Showa10}} Items 903&ndash;5.
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* {{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).

Revision as of 17:38, 7 August 2006

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Japanese older 6×9 ->

The Middl 120[1] (ミドル・120) is a series of Japanese folders, made by Otowa around 1952–3, first for 4.5×6 pictures, then for both 6×6 and 4.5×6. All are horizontal folders, with straight diagonal struts and a back hinged to the left.

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

The Middl 120-A[3] has a top housing, that contains the finder, slightly offset to the right, and supports an accessory shoe. The latter is offset to the left, with the bed opening button just in front of it. The body release and the advance knob are on the right end and a decorative round plate on the left end[4]. The film advance is controlled by one red window at the bottom of the back, 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]

This model is advertised in the December 1952 issue of Ars Camera[6], with Otowa mentioned as the maker and Mizuno Shashinki-ten (水野写真機店) as the authorized dealer. The lens announced as a Seriter 75/3.5, but this focal length has not yet been observed and is maybe 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 but it is certainly an NKS.

Two examples have been observed[7] with a Seriter Anastigmat 80mm f:3.5 and an B, 1–200 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.

An example has also been observed[8] with a lens marked MiddL.

The Middl 120-Z

The Middl 120-Z is dual format, for both 6×6 and 4.5×6.

Notes

  1. The name is consistently written this way, with a missing "e".
  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 duplicate description.
  4. The decorative round plate has fallen from the example pictured in McKeown, p. 770.
  5. McKeown, p. 670.
  6. Reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 192.
  7. One in this page at Japan Family Camera and one pictured in McKeown, p. 770.
  8. In this page at je2luz.

Printed bibliography

Links

In Japanese: