Difference between revisions of "Mulber Six"
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== General description == | == General description == | ||
| − | The Mulber Six is | + | The Mulber Six is a vertical folder, unlike most 6×6 models. It is inspired by the [[Baldax]] but it is not an exact copy. It has a folding optical finder on the left of the body (as seen by a photographer holding the camera vertically) and the advance knob on the opposite side. There is a cross engraved in the finder's front element and indents in the four corners to indicate the 4.5×6 frame size. The back is hinged to the left (holding the camera horizontally). The front leather is embossed ''Mulber Six''. |
== The original model == | == The original model == | ||
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* Lausar 75/4.5 lens, 2–250 shutter ({{yen|70|1936}}); | * Lausar 75/4.5 lens, 2–250 shutter ({{yen|70|1936}}); | ||
* Lausar 75/4.5 lens, 1–300 shutter with self-timer ({{yen|80|1936}}). | * Lausar 75/4.5 lens, 1–300 shutter with self-timer ({{yen|80|1936}}). | ||
| − | The shutter plate is marked ''Patents~Pending'' at the top and perhaps | + | An example of the cheapest variant has been observed.<REF> Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> The lens is engraved ''Eclat Anastigmat 1:4.5 f=7.5cm'' and the shutter has 5–150, B, T speeds. The shutter plate is marked ''Patents~Pending'' at the top and perhaps ''KOMVUR'' at the bottom in handwritten style. This rip-off of the [[Compur]] name is completed by a logo on the right of the shutter plate, with the letters "F" and "B" (or "D"?) mixed in a circle, obviously intended to remind the [[Deckel]] logo ("F" and "D") of the genuine Compur shutters. The advertising picture seems to read ''COMBUR'' instead of ''KONVUR''. |
== The second model == | == The second model == | ||
| − | The '''second model'''<REF> It is called "Mulber Six II" in {{Kokusan}} (item 259) but the advertisements observed only say Mulber Six. </REF> has a setting shutter. A release lever is attached to the shutter plate | + | The '''second model'''<REF> It is called "Mulber Six II" in {{Kokusan}} (item 259) but the advertisements observed only say Mulber Six. </REF> has a setting shutter. A release lever is attached to the shutter plate. The latter is marked ''MULBER'' at the bottom, but the rest of the markings are similar to the previous model. |
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| + | This model appears in an advertisement dated July 1937.<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki13.jpg Advertisement] published in the 14 July 1937 of ''Asahi Graph'', reproduced in [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm this page] at the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]. </REF> Another advertisement dated October 1937 shows the full range of variants. The list is the same as above, except that the 2–250 shutter option has been replaced by a 1–300 shutter (without self-timer). The prices were unchanged. | ||
The same model was still advertised in the September 1938 issue of ''Asahi Camera''<REF> Scans of the magazine observed in an eBay auction. </REF>, together with the [[Mulber (3×4)]] camera. The list of variants and prices were exactly the same. | The same model was still advertised in the September 1938 issue of ''Asahi Camera''<REF> Scans of the magazine observed in an eBay auction. </REF>, together with the [[Mulber (3×4)]] camera. The list of variants and prices were exactly the same. | ||
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== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 13:02, 24 October 2006
The Mulber Six (マルバシックス) is a Japanese folding camera taking both 6×6 and 4.5×6 format pictures on 120 film. It was distributed by Kuwata Shōkai between 1935 and 1939.[1]
Contents
General description
The Mulber Six is a vertical folder, unlike most 6×6 models. It is inspired by the Baldax but it is not an exact copy. It has a folding optical finder on the left of the body (as seen by a photographer holding the camera vertically) and the advance knob on the opposite side. There is a cross engraved in the finder's front element and indents in the four corners to indicate the 4.5×6 frame size. The back is hinged to the left (holding the camera horizontally). The front leather is embossed Mulber Six.
The original model
The original model has no body release and an everset shutter. In an advertisement dated December 1936[2], it is offered in the following variants:
- Eclat 75/4.5 lens, 5–150 shutter (¥60);
- Eclat 75/4.5 lens, 2–250 shutter (¥65);
- Eclat 75/4.5 lens, 1–300 shutter with self-timer (¥75);
- Lausar 75/4.5 lens, 5–150 shutter (¥65);
- Lausar 75/4.5 lens, 2–250 shutter (¥70);
- Lausar 75/4.5 lens, 1–300 shutter with self-timer (¥80).
An example of the cheapest variant has been observed.[3] The lens is engraved Eclat Anastigmat 1:4.5 f=7.5cm and the shutter has 5–150, B, T speeds. The shutter plate is marked Patents~Pending at the top and perhaps KOMVUR at the bottom in handwritten style. This rip-off of the Compur name is completed by a logo on the right of the shutter plate, with the letters "F" and "B" (or "D"?) mixed in a circle, obviously intended to remind the Deckel logo ("F" and "D") of the genuine Compur shutters. The advertising picture seems to read COMBUR instead of KONVUR.
The second model
The second model[4] has a setting shutter. A release lever is attached to the shutter plate. The latter is marked MULBER at the bottom, but the rest of the markings are similar to the previous model.
This model appears in an advertisement dated July 1937.[5] Another advertisement dated October 1937 shows the full range of variants. The list is the same as above, except that the 2–250 shutter option has been replaced by a 1–300 shutter (without self-timer). The prices were unchanged.
The same model was still advertised in the September 1938 issue of Asahi Camera[6], together with the Mulber (3×4) camera. The list of variants and prices were exactly the same.
Notes
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 341. Lewis, p. 53, confirms the 1935 release date.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 95.
- ↑ Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ It is called "Mulber Six II" in Kokusan kamera no rekishi (item 259) but the advertisements observed only say Mulber Six.
- ↑ Advertisement published in the 14 July 1937 of Asahi Graph, reproduced in this page at the Gochamaze website.
- ↑ Scans of the magazine observed in an eBay auction.
Bibliography
- 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. Items 258–60. (See also the advertisements for item 261.)
- 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. 53 (brief mention only).
Links
In Japanese:
