Difference between revisions of "Middl 120"

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{{Japanese Semi and Six}}
 
{{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 are horizontal folders for 4.5&times;6 pictures, with straight diagonal struts and a back hinged to the left. The last model is for both 6&times;6 and 4.5&times;6, but no picture has been found of it yet.
+
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.
  
 
== Probable early model ==
 
== Probable early model ==
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== The Middl 120-A ==
 
== 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 duplicate description. </REF> is a 4.5&times;6 model.
  
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.
+
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>
 
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>
  
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|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]] 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]].
+
A '''Middl 120-A2''' is also reported but no detail is available.<REF> Lewis, p.&nbsp;83. </REF>
  
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.
+
=== Lens and shutter equipment ===
 +
The Middl 120-A 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|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]] 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]].
  
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''.
+
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 [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JA_MIDDL_120A_PIC.htm this page Japan Family Camera] 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.
  
A '''Middl 120-A2''' is reported but no detail is available.<REF> Lewis, p.&nbsp;83. </REF>
+
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 ==
  
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 also employs the name '''Middl Six''' (ミドルシックス) together with 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 been observed yet.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==

Revision as of 20:25, 29 October 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. 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 is 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 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.

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 been observed yet.

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 duplicate description.
  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 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: