Difference between revisions of "Mikuni"
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{{Japanese plate | {{Japanese plate | ||
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/705386277/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1017/705386277_d1a5833a6e_m_d.jpg]<br>''{{public domain Japan old}}'' | |image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/705386277/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1017/705386277_d1a5833a6e_m_d.jpg]<br>''{{public domain Japan old}}'' | ||
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|| ''Advertisement by [[Minagawa]] in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' February 1930. {{public domain Japan old}}'' | || ''Advertisement by [[Minagawa]] in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' February 1930. {{public domain Japan old}}'' | ||
|} | |} | ||
+ | The advertisement by [[Minagawa|Minagawa Kamera-ten]] in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' February 1930 presents the Mikuni along with the [[First plate folders|First]]. The same illustration is provided, again reading ''Contessa-Nettel'' on the speed setting wheel. The following versions are listed: | ||
+ | * Trimer f/6.3, unknown shutter, {{yen|40|1930}}; | ||
+ | * Trimer f/4.5, unknown shutter, {{yen|48|1930}}; | ||
+ | * Trimer f/4.5, [[Compur]] shutter, {{yen|65|1930}}. | ||
<br style="clear: left;" /> | <br style="clear: left;" /> | ||
+ | == Surviving examples and other sources == | ||
+ | At the time Baird wrote his book on [[Petri|Kuribayashi]] cameras, no Mikuni camera was known to exist.<REF> Baird, p.47. </REF> The drawing reproduced in Baird and {{McKeown}} and supposedly showing a Mikuni is very different from those found in the original advertisements;<REF> Baird, p.46; {{McKeown}}, p.575. </REF> it is not known if it comes from some other original document and shows a different version of the camera, or if it was a modern reconstitution of the supposed aspect of the camera. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In addition to the lens and shutter combinations cited above, Lewis and Baird mention the Tessar f/4.5 and the Welka f/4.5 (however Welka might be a typo for Wekar); Lewis also adds the [[Amigo]] f/4.5.<REF> Baird, p.46, Lewis, p.44. </REF> | ||
+ | |||
+ | One 6.5×9cm plate folder is presented as a Mikuni in [http://mutohide.net/reconst/amigo-1.htm this page at Handmade and Classic Camera]. It has an [[Amigo]]-Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5 and a rim-set [[Compur]] shutter. It is not known if the identification as a Mikuni is confirmed by a marking on the camera itself or if this is a mere guess. The body significantly differs from the illustrations in the original advertisements reproduced above. It is very similar to the [[Romax plate folder]] attributed to [[Petri|Kuribayashi]] in Baird and {{McKeown}}: it has the same folding struts and focusing rails, and the front standard has strong similarities.<REF> Romax pictured in Baird, p.59, and in {{McKeown}}, p.576. </REF> | ||
+ | |||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* ''[[Asahi Camera]]''. Advertisement by [[Saneidō|Saneidō Honten]] in March 1928 (p.A20), and by [[Minagawa|Minagawa Kamera-ten]] in May 1929 (p.A30), July 1929 (p.A28), February 1930 (p.A36). | * ''[[Asahi Camera]]''. Advertisement by [[Saneidō|Saneidō Honten]] in March 1928 (p.A20), and by [[Minagawa|Minagawa Kamera-ten]] in May 1929 (p.A30), July 1929 (p.A28), February 1930 (p.A36). | ||
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== Links == | == Links == | ||
In Japanese: | In Japanese: | ||
− | * [http://mutohide.net/reconst/amigo-1.htm Mikuni camera with Amigo lens and Compur shutter], at [http://mutohide.net/ Handmade and Classic Camera] | + | * [http://mutohide.net/reconst/amigo-1.htm Mikuni or Romax camera with Amigo lens and Compur shutter], at [http://mutohide.net/ Handmade and Classic Camera] |
Revision as of 22:49, 26 February 2008
The Mikuni or Mikuni Camera (ミクニカメラ) is a Japanese 6.5×9cm plate folder, distributed by Saneidō and Minagawa in the late 1920s and early 1930s, and probably made by Kuribayashi.[1]
Contents
Description
The Mikuni has an all-metal body, split folding struts and double extension bellows driven by a focusing wheel on the photographer's right. There is a distance scale on the left, a swiveling brilliant finder and a wireframe finder. The front standard allows vertical movements controlled by a wheel on the right, and perhaps horizontal movements as well.
Commercial life
Advertisement by Saneidō in Asahi Camera March 1928. (Image rights) |
The advertisement by Saneidō Honten in Asahi Camera March 1928 presents the Mikuni as the "latest model" (最新型).[2] It shows a drawing of the Mikuni with a dial-set Compur shutter. The Speed Reflex, also made by Kuribayashi, is presented on the next page.[3] The Mikuni was supplied with three plate holders and one film pack holder. Two versions were available, both having a Wekar lens by Kenngott:
Advertisements by Minagawa in Asahi Camera May and July 1929. (Image rights) |
The advertisements by Minagawa Kamera-ten in Asahi Camera May and July 1929 say that the Mikuni received the first prize for "excellent Japanese products" at the Tokyo Fair.[4] The same prize was mentioned for the Speed Reflex in an advertisement by Saneidō in May 1929.[5] It was probably granted to the Kuribayashi company as a whole. The following options were available in May:
- Wekar f/6.3, Vario, ¥39.50;
- Wekar f/4.5, Ibsor, ¥60;
- Meyer Trioplan f/6.3, Ibsor, ¥50;
- Meyer Trioplan f/4.5, Compur, ¥70.
In July, the Wekar f/4.5 and Ibsor option was no longer offered and the price of the Meyer f/6.3 and Ibsor option was lowered to ¥48. In the most expensive option, the Trioplan f/4.5 lens could be replaced by a Trimer f/4.5 lens, made by an unknown company.[6] The picture is the same in the two advertisements; it curiously shows the words Contessa-Nettel on the speed setting wheel of the Compur shutter, probably because the drawer copied a picture of a Contessa-Nettel camera to draw the shutter.
Advertisement by Minagawa in Asahi Camera February 1930. (Image rights) |
The advertisement by Minagawa Kamera-ten in Asahi Camera February 1930 presents the Mikuni along with the First. The same illustration is provided, again reading Contessa-Nettel on the speed setting wheel. The following versions are listed:
- Trimer f/6.3, unknown shutter, ¥40;
- Trimer f/4.5, unknown shutter, ¥48;
- Trimer f/4.5, Compur shutter, ¥65.
Surviving examples and other sources
At the time Baird wrote his book on Kuribayashi cameras, no Mikuni camera was known to exist.[7] The drawing reproduced in Baird and McKeown and supposedly showing a Mikuni is very different from those found in the original advertisements;[8] it is not known if it comes from some other original document and shows a different version of the camera, or if it was a modern reconstitution of the supposed aspect of the camera.
In addition to the lens and shutter combinations cited above, Lewis and Baird mention the Tessar f/4.5 and the Welka f/4.5 (however Welka might be a typo for Wekar); Lewis also adds the Amigo f/4.5.[9]
One 6.5×9cm plate folder is presented as a Mikuni in this page at Handmade and Classic Camera. It has an Amigo-Anastigmat 10.5cm f/4.5 and a rim-set Compur shutter. It is not known if the identification as a Mikuni is confirmed by a marking on the camera itself or if this is a mere guess. The body significantly differs from the illustrations in the original advertisements reproduced above. It is very similar to the Romax plate folder attributed to Kuribayashi in Baird and McKeown: it has the same folding struts and focusing rails, and the front standard has strong similarities.[10]
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera. Advertisement by Saneidō Honten in March 1928 (p.A20), and by Minagawa Kamera-ten in May 1929 (p.A30), July 1929 (p.A28), February 1930 (p.A36).
- Baird, John R. Collectors guide to Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras. Grantsburg, WI (USA): Centennial Photo Service, 1991. ISBN 0-931838-16-9. Pp.14–6 and 46–7.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.44.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.575.
The Mikuni is not listed in Sugiyama.
Links
In Japanese:
Kuribayashi prewar and wartime cameras ( ) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
rollfilm folders | ||||
Eagle | Speed Pocket | First Roll | First Center | Semi First | First Six | Baby Semi First | Semi Rotte | Hokoku | Mizuho | ||||
plate folders | rigid | SLR | TLR | unknown |
Mikuni | First | First Etui | Kokka | Romax | Tokiwa | Molby | Speed Reflex | First Reflex | Baby First |
- ↑ Made by Kuribayashi: Baird, pp.14–6 and 46–7, Lewis, p.44, McKeown, p.575.
- ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera March 1928, p.A20.
- ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera March 1928, p.A21.
- ↑ Advertisements in Asahi Camera May 1929, p.A30, and July 1929, p.A28: 東京博覧会ニ於テ最高賞優良国産賞受賞シ日本カメラ界ノ面目ヲ施セリ.
- ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera May 1929, p.A31: 於御大礼記念東京博覧会第一位優良国産賞受領.
- ↑ Trimer spelling: advertisement for the First plate folders in Asahi Camera May 1929, p.A29.
- ↑ Baird, p.47.
- ↑ Baird, p.46; McKeown, p.575.
- ↑ Baird, p.46, Lewis, p.44.
- ↑ Romax pictured in Baird, p.59, and in McKeown, p.576.