Difference between revisions of "Mihama Six"
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− | The '''Mihama Six''' was a series of 6×6 folding cameras using 120 film, produced by [[Mihama]] (or Suruga) from 1952 until 1957. There were a number of models, all sharing the same body with horizontal folding bed. This body was manufactured by [[Takane]], at least this is sure for the early days. | + | The '''Mihama Six''' was a series of 6×6 folding cameras using 120 film, produced by [[Mihama]] (or Suruga) from 1952 until 1957. There were a number of models, all sharing the same body with horizontal folding bed. This body was manufactured by [[Takane]], at least this is sure for the early days. There was an ''MSK'' logo appearing on the folding struts. |
All the versions had manual film advance, and all but one could take both 6×6 and 4.5×6 pictures. These had two red windows in the back, one for each format, with a sliding cover accordingly engraved. All the lenses were 75mm f/3.5 unless stated otherwise. Mihama does not seem to have been a lens maker, and "Mihama" lenses can be presumed to have been a mere matter of branding. | All the versions had manual film advance, and all but one could take both 6×6 and 4.5×6 pictures. These had two red windows in the back, one for each format, with a sliding cover accordingly engraved. All the lenses were 75mm f/3.5 unless stated otherwise. Mihama does not seem to have been a lens maker, and "Mihama" lenses can be presumed to have been a mere matter of branding. | ||
− | The first '''Mihama Six''' was released in 1952 | + | The first '''Mihama Six''' was released in 1952 — the name of the company at the time was Mihama Seikō (三浜精工株式会社). At first glance it may appear to be a rangefinder camera, but instead it had two viewfinders, one for 6×6 and the other for 6×4.5. It has been observed with either a Mihama or a Seriter lens, and with an [[NKS]] shutter (B, 1–200). It has been reported with a Nomular 75/3.2 lens, and also with an alternative shutter, called MKS or MSK depending on the source. |
McKeown mentions a '''Mihama Six Model-X''', a simpler version, apparently for 6×6 format only. On the picture, the camera body is similar to the other versions but it has no top housing, only a tubular optical finder centered on the top plate and an accessory shoe between the finder and the advance knob. | McKeown mentions a '''Mihama Six Model-X''', a simpler version, apparently for 6×6 format only. On the picture, the camera body is similar to the other versions but it has no top housing, only a tubular optical finder centered on the top plate and an accessory shoe between the finder and the advance knob. |
Revision as of 18:02, 1 June 2006
The Mihama Six was a series of 6×6 folding cameras using 120 film, produced by Mihama (or Suruga) from 1952 until 1957. There were a number of models, all sharing the same body with horizontal folding bed. This body was manufactured by Takane, at least this is sure for the early days. There was an MSK logo appearing on the folding struts.
All the versions had manual film advance, and all but one could take both 6×6 and 4.5×6 pictures. These had two red windows in the back, one for each format, with a sliding cover accordingly engraved. All the lenses were 75mm f/3.5 unless stated otherwise. Mihama does not seem to have been a lens maker, and "Mihama" lenses can be presumed to have been a mere matter of branding.
The first Mihama Six was released in 1952 — the name of the company at the time was Mihama Seikō (三浜精工株式会社). At first glance it may appear to be a rangefinder camera, but instead it had two viewfinders, one for 6×6 and the other for 6×4.5. It has been observed with either a Mihama or a Seriter lens, and with an NKS shutter (B, 1–200). It has been reported with a Nomular 75/3.2 lens, and also with an alternative shutter, called MKS or MSK depending on the source.
McKeown mentions a Mihama Six Model-X, a simpler version, apparently for 6×6 format only. On the picture, the camera body is similar to the other versions but it has no top housing, only a tubular optical finder centered on the top plate and an accessory shoe between the finder and the advance knob.
The Mihama Six II (1953) added a sliding control for the viewfinder. It had a Mihama lens and an NKS shutter (B, 1–200). The Mihama Six IIIA (1954) — from Suruga Seiki (駿河精機株式会社) rather than Mihama — added a depth-of-field scale; it has been observed with either a Mihama lens or a Kepler triplet lens, and either an NKS shutter (B, 1–200) or an NKS-FB shutter (B, 1–300).
The Mihama Rhyme Six I (1954) had a single viewfinder but added a non-coupled rangefinder. Viewing the camera from the front (as if being photographed by it), we see the viewfinder to the left and the rangefinder is to the right: the reverse of the usual arrangement. It came with either a Tri-Lausar lens (from Tomioka) or a Kepler lens. The Mihama Rhyme Six II (also 1954) switched around the positions of the viewfinder and rangefinder. The Mihama Six R (1955) was a Rhyme Six II with a Toko lens (from Tōkyō Kōgaku) and either NKS-FB or Copal shutter (B, 1–300). An advertisement in the January 1955 issue of Shashin Salon offers the IIIA for ¥9800 and the R for ¥15,300.
The Mihama Six S (also 1955) was a major improvement, with a coupled rangefinder and unit focusing. The lens was either a Kepler or a Toko, the shutter either NKS-FB or Copal MX (B, 1–300). An advertisement in the June 1955 issue of Shashin Salon offers it for ¥14,000. The Mihama Six S2 — 1957, from Mihama Kamera (ミハマカメラ株式会社) — had a brightline finder, a Lausar 80mm f/3.5 lens and shutter speeds of B, 1–400. An advertisement in the August 1957 issue of Shashin Salon offers it, complete with case and flashgun, for ¥13,000.
Sources / further reading
- 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 In Japanese only. Pp. 198–9, 306–7, 369–70, 408.
- Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Mine Shikkusu: Gunma-ken Takasaki-shi no kameramēkā" (ミネシックス:群馬県高崎市のカメラメーカー, Mine Six: A camera-maker in Takasaki, Gunma). Chapter 7 of Zunō kamera tanjō: Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari (ズノーカメラ誕生:戦後国産カメラ10物語, The birth of the Zunow camera: Ten stories of postwar Japanese camera makers). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1999. ISBN 4-257-12023-1 In Japanese only. First published in issue 27 (December 1993) of Kamera rebyū Kurashikku kamera senka (カメラレビュー・クラシックカメラ専科). (Source for the claim that the body of the Six was manufactured by Takane.)
- Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no tsukaikata to jissha sakurei (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の使い方と実写作例, Let's try spring cameras: The use of and actual examples from 69 varieties). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4879560723 In Japanese only. On pp. 126–7, Kawamata Masataku (川又正卓) writes up his Six IIIA.
Links
In English:
In Japanese:
- Mihama Rhyme Six page at Puppy's Island, with sample pictures
- Mihama Rhyme Six sample gallery
- Mihama Six Model II article, with pictures and sample photos at SCR's Gazō & Mycamera's pages
- Mihama Six Model II page, with pictures and sample photos, at Samsul's photo website
- Mihama Six Model II at Japan Family Camera
- Mihama Six Model II repair notes, with pictures and sample photos at the Handmade and Classic Camera website
- Mihama Six Model S page, including an original ad, at the website of Mihama Giken, an unrelated company