Mulix

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Japanese Six (6×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
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collapsible
Ehira Chrome Six | Minolta Six | Shinko Super | Weha Chrome Six
unknown
Freude Six | Heart Camera | Konter Six | Tsubasa Six
Postwar models ->
Japanese 6×6 TLR, pseudo TLR and medium format SLR ->
Japanese Semi (4.5×6) and older 6×9 ->

The Mulix (マリックス)[1] is a Japanese 6×6 folding camera, made by Tanaka and distributed by Kuwata Shōkai from 1940 to 1943.[2]

Description

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 made by Fuji Kōgaku, which was perhaps a subcontractor. 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 made by Tanaka itself.[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 list of set prices compiled in October 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] All the advertisements give Kuwata Shōkai as the sole company name. 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 April 1943 government inquiry on Japanese camera production mentions the Mulix in two versions, one with a Mulixar 75/4.5 lens and a KP III shutter giving T, B, 1–200 speeds made by Kinshō, and another with a Mulixar 75/3.5 lens and a Hydromatic Super (ハイヅロマチックスーパー) shutter giving B, 1–500 speeds.[8]

The camera pictured in this page has a Mulixar 75mm f/3.5 lens. The 200–1, B, T speed settings are engraved on the shutter plate in that order. The bottom of the shutter plate is curiously marked K.PRONTOR.S. This shutter perhaps corresponds to the KP III, and the initials "K.S." were used by Kinshō on other products.

Pictures

Notes

  1. The Japanese pronunciation is closer to "Malix", and Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 341, calls the camera "Malix" by mistake.
  2. Dates: advertisements mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 341. Made by Tanaka: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 90.
  3. Four elements made by Tanaka: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens items Lb36 and Lc26. Advertisements dated January and July 1942 (reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.94, and here at Gochamaze) also mention four-element lenses.
  4. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 95.
  5. "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 4, sections 3 and 6A.
  6. 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.
  7. Feature described in the advertisements dated January and July 1942.
  8. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943, items 90 and 99, shutter items 18-P-9 and 18-Q-7.

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.)
  • "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Items 90 and 99.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 4, sections 3 and 6A.

The Mulix is not listed in Sugiyama.

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