Mulix
The Mulix (マリックス)[1] is a Japanese 6×6 folding camera, distributed by Kuwata Shōkai from 1940 to 1943.[2] It was perhaps made by Kuwata itself.
Description
KKS logos
(Image rights)
The Mulix is an ordinary copy of the Ikonta 6×6, with a folding finder, a key at the top left to advance the film, strap lugs and a body release. The back is hinged to the right and has a single red window in the middle. The back leather is embossed MULIX vertically on the left and the case is also embossed MULIX.
The body is extremely similar to the Lyra Six III and Lyra Six F, to the point that it can be suspected that it was made by Fuji Kōgaku. However the folding struts and the red window cover are engraved KKS, initials found on other Kuwata products.
All the models are fitted with a front-cell focusing four-element Mulixar lens.[3]
Evolution
An advertisement dated October 1940[4] shows two versions (not distinguished by name in any way) with a choice between (a) an f/4.5 lens and T, B, 5–250 speeds and (b) an f/3.5 lens and B, 1–500 speeds. In the advertising picture, the finder's front part is black and the shutter plate is written KKS at the top. No price is indicated. This version has not yet been observed and it is not known if it was effectively sold.
The Template:Kakaku1940 short, compiled on October 25, 1940 and published in January 1941, mentioned the "Mulix I" for ¥79 and the "Mulix II" for ¥110, with no further detail.[5]
Advertisements dated February 1941, January and July 1942[6] show a chrome finder front part and a new conical-shaped lens rim, partly hiding the shutter plate. The new lens rim makes focusing possible even with a filter or a hood attached.[7] Three models were offered:
- Mulix II: f/3.5 lens, slow speeds to 1s (¥135 in 1941, ¥154 in 1942);
- Mulix III: f/4.5 lens, slow speeds to 1s (¥110 in 1941, ¥125 in 1942);
- Mulix I: f/4.5 lens, slow speeds to 1/5s (¥79 in 1941, ¥93 in 1942).
Various Mulix filters were offered to go with the camera, each at ¥5.80. Oddly, the model numbers don't follow a logical progression and these advertisements do not mention top speeds. It seems that the Mulix II listed in the 1940 price list was renamed Mulix III. The camera pictured in this page has 200–1, B, T speeds written in that order, and the shutter plate is curiously marked K.PRONTOR.S at the bottom.
All the advertisements give Kuwata Shōkai as the sole company name.
Pictures
Mulix II, Mulixar Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens, speeds from 1s to 1/200. Pictures courtesy of eBayer hbpartner. (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ The Japanese pronunciation is closer to "Malix", and Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 341, calls the camera "Malix" by mistake.
- ↑ Dates: advertisements mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 341.
- ↑ Four elements: Advertisement dated January 1942, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 94, and advertisement dated July 1942, reproduced in the Gochamaze website.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 95.
- ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 4, sections 3 and 6A.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera February 1941, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 77; advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin January 1942, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 94; [[advertisement published in Asahi Graph 29 July 1942, reproduced in the Gochamaze website.
- ↑ Feature described in the advertisements dated January and July 1942.
Source / 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. Item 256. (See also the advertisement for item 133.)
The Mulix is not listed in Sugiyama.
Links
- Advertisement from the 29 July 1942 issue of Asahi Graph, reproduced in the 120 film camera page of the Gochamaze website