Difference between revisions of "Mycro"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (picture) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (more on the original Mycro) |
||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
The first advertisement for the camera appears in the October 1939 issue of {{ACA}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in Awano, p.5 of {{CCN}} no.274. </REF> It takes two full pages and basically contains the same information, but does not state a price. The camera is pictured with and without its dedicated hood, and one of the pictures is unintentionally reversed. The company names are [[Mycro-sha]] on one side, and the distributors [[Sasaki|Sasaki Shōten]] and [[Yamamoto Shashinki-ten]] on the other. Mycro-sha might be the original name of the manufacturer; this name only appears in this particular advertisement.<REF> Awano, p.2 of {{CCN}} no.274, says that Mycro-sha is only mentioned in the October 1939 advertisement in {{ACA}}. </REF> | The first advertisement for the camera appears in the October 1939 issue of {{ACA}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in Awano, p.5 of {{CCN}} no.274. </REF> It takes two full pages and basically contains the same information, but does not state a price. The camera is pictured with and without its dedicated hood, and one of the pictures is unintentionally reversed. The company names are [[Mycro-sha]] on one side, and the distributors [[Sasaki|Sasaki Shōten]] and [[Yamamoto Shashinki-ten]] on the other. Mycro-sha might be the original name of the manufacturer; this name only appears in this particular advertisement.<REF> Awano, p.2 of {{CCN}} no.274, says that Mycro-sha is only mentioned in the October 1939 advertisement in {{ACA}}. </REF> | ||
| − | The November 1939 advertisement in {{ACA}}, placed by Yamamoto and Sasaki alone, consists of a single page. It gives the price of {{yen|18.50|1939}}, case included, and mentions the hood and filter for ¥1.80.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.93. </REF> A similar advertisement | + | The November 1939 advertisement in {{ACA}}, placed by Yamamoto and Sasaki alone, consists of a single page. It gives the price of {{yen|18.50|1939}}, case included, and mentions the hood and filter for ¥1.80.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.93. </REF> A similar advertisement dated December clearly shows the ''A'' logo on the right film flange.<REF> Advertisement by Yamamoto and Sasaki on p.25 of {{NSKT}} December 15, 1939, reproduced in ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku'', p.59. </REF> In addition to the advertisements placed by Yamamoto and Sasaki, the Mycro was also independently advertised by [[Matsuzaki|Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten]] from about that time.<REF> Advertisement by Matsuzaki on p.9 of {{NSKT}} December 15, 1939, reproduced in ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku'', p.43. Awano, p.3 of {{CCN}} no.274, says that Matsuzaki advertised the Mycro in {{ACA}} from January 1940 to February 1941, but shows a reproduction of an advertisement reportedly dated October 1939 on p.6, perhaps by mistake. </REF> |
| − | The November 1940 advertisement in {{ACA}}, placed by [[Tōyō Shōkai]] and [[Yamamoto Shashinki-ten]], does not mention [[Sasaki]] any more.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in Awano, p.7 of {{CCN}} no.274. </REF> The Mycro is presented together with the [[Light (4×6.5)|Light]] 4×6.5cm camera, at an unchanged price. | + | The November 1940 advertisement in {{ACA}}, placed by [[Tōyō Shōkai]] and [[Yamamoto Shashinki-ten]], does not mention [[Sasaki]] any more.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in Awano, p.7 of {{CCN}} no.274. </REF> The Mycro is presented together with the [[Light (4×6.5)|Light]] 4×6.5cm camera, at an unchanged price. The Mycro appears in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, for ¥19.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 5, section 6A. </REF> |
| + | |||
| + | Advertisements mentioning the manufacturer [[Akita|Akita Seisakusho]] and the distributor [[Sanwa|Sanwa Shōkai]] first appeared in Summer 1941.<REF> Awano, pp.2–3 of {{CCN}} no.274. </REF> The August advertisement in {{ACA}} shows the manufacturer's name together with that three distributors: [[Sanwa|Sanwa Shōkai]], [[Mizuno|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]] and [[Yamamoto Shashinki-ten]]; that in the November issue shows [[Akita]]'s name alone.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in Awano, p.8 of {{CCN}} no.274. </REF> On both months, the price is given as {{yen|19|1941}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Akita]]'s name disappeared from the advertisements in 1942, and [[Sanwa]] emerged as the main distributor.<REF> Awano, pp.2–3 of {{CCN}} no.274. </REF> The April 1943 government inquiry on Japanese camera production lists the [[Mycro]] as made by [[Akita]] and distributed by [[Sanwa]].<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, items 185–6. </REF> It also says that the lens has three elements and was made by [[Kigawa]]; this might mean that the actual lens scheme changed at some time.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens item I1. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Mycro was advertised by [[Sanwa]] till late 1944. In February 1944, the price was {{yen|25.64|1944}}, it was {{yen|30.70|1944}} in September, reflecting the high inflation of the time.<REF> Advertisement on the fourth cover of {{NSKT}}, February 15, 1944, reproduced in ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku'', p.78, and advertisement in ''[[Nihon Shashin]]'' September 1944, reproduced in Awano, p.9 of {{CCN}} no.274. </REF> | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 33: | Line 39: | ||
* Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Maikuro sengohen (2)" (マイクロ戦後編[2], Mycro postwar edition [2]). In {{CCN}} no.276 (May 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. | * Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Maikuro sengohen (2)" (マイクロ戦後編[2], Mycro postwar edition [2]). In {{CCN}} no.276 (May 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. | ||
* Jonkman, Peter. "A new vision on the history of the Asahiflex". In ''Spotmatic'' no.27, January 2001. Available in [http://www.aohc.it/selart12e.htm this page] of the [http://www.aohc.it/index.htm Asahi Optical Historical Club]. (States that the lens of the Mycro was made by [[Pentax|Asahi Kōgaku]].) | * Jonkman, Peter. "A new vision on the history of the Asahiflex". In ''Spotmatic'' no.27, January 2001. Available in [http://www.aohc.it/selart12e.htm this page] of the [http://www.aohc.it/index.htm Asahi Optical Historical Club]. (States that the lens of the Mycro was made by [[Pentax|Asahi Kōgaku]].) | ||
| + | * {{Inquiry1943}}. Items 185–6. | ||
| + | * {{Kakaku0141}}. Type 5, section 6A. | ||
* {{Lewis}} Pp.62, 64 and 68. | * {{Lewis}} Pp.62, 64 and 68. | ||
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.869–70. | * {{McKeown12}} Pp.869–70. | ||
| − | * {{NSKT1000}} Advertisements on pp.43 and 59, corresponding to pp.9 and 25 of the December 15, 1939 issue. | + | * {{NSKT1000}} Advertisements on pp.43 and 59, corresponding to pp.9 and 25 of the December 15, 1939 issue, and on p.78, corresponding to the fourth cover of the February 15, 1944 issue. |
| + | |||
* {{Zukan}} Items 5005–6 and 5098–101. | * {{Zukan}} Items 5005–6 and 5098–101. | ||
Revision as of 12:49, 14 August 2008
The Mycro (マイクロ) is a Japanese subminiature camera, released in 1939. It was made by Akita Seisakusho and distributed by various companies until 1945. After World War II, it was exclusively distributed by Sanwa Shōkai, and the maker's name perhaps became Mycro Camera Co. Ltd. at some time.
Contents
General description
The Mycro takes ten 14×14mm exposures on unperforated 17.5mm film, the same as its competitor the Midget, which was released two years earlier. The Midget and Mycro were certainly the first still cameras in the world to use this type of film, certainly obtained by slicing 35mm film in two. After World War II the same format was adopted by Tougodo's Hit and a host of similar "Hit-type" cameras.
All the Mycro models have the same main body made of pressed metal. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a tube at the front. The lens is a fixed-focus 20mm f/4.5, and the aperture is set from 4.5 to 11 by an index placed under the barrel. The shutter has B, 25, 50, 100 settings selected by an index at the top, and the release lever is on the shutter casing itself. The film is advanced by a knob at the top left, as seen by the photographer. The back is hinged to the left and contains a single red window to control the advance.
Original model
Description and variations
The original Mycro has a tubular finder attached to the middle of the top plate, and a round film flange on the right. The red window on the back is uncovered and surrounded by a round metal frame. The back latch consists of a small sliding button. The shutter is everset and is tripped by a lever actuated by the photographer's right hand. The name Mycro is inscribed at the top of the shutter plate, above the lens. The ever-ready case is made of brown leather and embossed Mycro at the front; it curiously does not fully cover the top plate when shut.
Many variations are known on the original Mycro; these are detailed in this page at Mycro.jp and in this page at Submin.com. Two different markings exist on the right film flange, either a stylized A and a cross, or the words MYCRO T.A.Co. The letter "A" certainly stands for the manufacturer Akita, and "T.A." might correspond to the initials of the founder. Different lens markings are found, either 1:4.5 F=20mm at the bottom of the shutter plate and nothing on the lens rim, or F=20mm on the shutter plate and MYCRO ANASTIGMAT 1:4.5 on the lens rim. The latter might be a late variation, adopted before the release of the New Mycro. The back latch is either attached to the main body or to the back itself. Finally, some examples have a black painted finder instead of the regular chrome plated part, perhaps because of a shortage of raw materials during wartime.
History and documents
The Mycro was first announced in the new products column of the June 1939 issue of Asahi Camera.[1] In this document, the camera is attributed to the distributor Sasaki Shōten, the price is given as ¥18.50 and a dedicated hood with filter is mentioned for ¥1.80. The description states that the lens has four elements, maybe using the Rapid Rectilinear formula. It also mentions a "security device" on the shutter, actually a release lock; this is the S setting visible on the speed scale on some cameras. These two features are also repeatedly mentioned in advertisements.
The first advertisement for the camera appears in the October 1939 issue of Asahi Camera.[2] It takes two full pages and basically contains the same information, but does not state a price. The camera is pictured with and without its dedicated hood, and one of the pictures is unintentionally reversed. The company names are Mycro-sha on one side, and the distributors Sasaki Shōten and Yamamoto Shashinki-ten on the other. Mycro-sha might be the original name of the manufacturer; this name only appears in this particular advertisement.[3]
The November 1939 advertisement in Asahi Camera, placed by Yamamoto and Sasaki alone, consists of a single page. It gives the price of ¥18.50, case included, and mentions the hood and filter for ¥1.80.[4] A similar advertisement dated December clearly shows the A logo on the right film flange.[5] In addition to the advertisements placed by Yamamoto and Sasaki, the Mycro was also independently advertised by Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten from about that time.[6]
The November 1940 advertisement in Asahi Camera, placed by Tōyō Shōkai and Yamamoto Shashinki-ten, does not mention Sasaki any more.[7] The Mycro is presented together with the Light 4×6.5cm camera, at an unchanged price. The Mycro appears in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, for ¥19.[8]
Advertisements mentioning the manufacturer Akita Seisakusho and the distributor Sanwa Shōkai first appeared in Summer 1941.[9] The August advertisement in Asahi Camera shows the manufacturer's name together with that three distributors: Sanwa Shōkai, Mizuno Shashinki-ten and Yamamoto Shashinki-ten; that in the November issue shows Akita's name alone.[10] On both months, the price is given as ¥19.
Akita's name disappeared from the advertisements in 1942, and Sanwa emerged as the main distributor.[11] The April 1943 government inquiry on Japanese camera production lists the Mycro as made by Akita and distributed by Sanwa.[12] It also says that the lens has three elements and was made by Kigawa; this might mean that the actual lens scheme changed at some time.[13]
The Mycro was advertised by Sanwa till late 1944. In February 1944, the price was ¥25.64, it was ¥30.70 in September, reflecting the high inflation of the time.[14]
Notes
- ↑ Column reproduced in Awano, p.4 of Camera Collectors' News no.274.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Awano, p.5 of Camera Collectors' News no.274.
- ↑ Awano, p.2 of Camera Collectors' News no.274, says that Mycro-sha is only mentioned in the October 1939 advertisement in Asahi Camera.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.93.
- ↑ Advertisement by Yamamoto and Sasaki on p.25 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin December 15, 1939, reproduced in Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku, p.59.
- ↑ Advertisement by Matsuzaki on p.9 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin December 15, 1939, reproduced in Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku, p.43. Awano, p.3 of Camera Collectors' News no.274, says that Matsuzaki advertised the Mycro in Asahi Camera from January 1940 to February 1941, but shows a reproduction of an advertisement reportedly dated October 1939 on p.6, perhaps by mistake.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Awano, p.7 of Camera Collectors' News no.274.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 5, section 6A.
- ↑ Awano, pp.2–3 of Camera Collectors' News no.274.
- ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Awano, p.8 of Camera Collectors' News no.274.
- ↑ Awano, pp.2–3 of Camera Collectors' News no.274.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), items 185–6.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens item I1.
- ↑ Advertisement on the fourth cover of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin, February 15, 1944, reproduced in Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku, p.78, and advertisement in Nihon Shashin September 1944, reproduced in Awano, p.9 of Camera Collectors' News no.274.
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 248 and 841–2. (See also the picture on p.13.)
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Maikuro kamera (senzenhen)" (マイクロカメラ[戦前編], Mycro camera [prewar edition]). In Camera Collectors' News no.274 (April 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Maikuro sengohen (1)" (マイクロ戦後編[1], Mycro postwar edition [1]). In Camera Collectors' News no.275 (May 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Maikuro sengohen (2)" (マイクロ戦後編[2], Mycro postwar edition [2]). In Camera Collectors' News no.276 (May 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.
- Jonkman, Peter. "A new vision on the history of the Asahiflex". In Spotmatic no.27, January 2001. Available in this page of the Asahi Optical Historical Club. (States that the lens of the Mycro was made by Asahi Kōgaku.)
- "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 185–6.
- "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 5, section 6A.
- 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). Pp.62, 64 and 68.
- 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). Pp.869–70.
- Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin (日本写真興業通信). Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku (百号ごと十回の記録, Ten records, every hundred issues). Tokyo: Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin Sha (日本写真興業通信社), 1967. No ISBN number. Advertisements on pp.43 and 59, corresponding to pp.9 and 25 of the December 15, 1939 issue, and on p.78, corresponding to the fourth cover of the February 15, 1944 issue.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 5005–6 and 5098–101.
Links
In English:
- Mycro pages in English and in Japanese at Mycro.jp
- Mycro at Submin.com
- Mycro at Subclub.org
- Mycro in a page at Ioannis' camera collection
- Mycro IIIA at the Living Image vintage camera museum
- Mycro IIIA and sample pictures at Larry Hester's photography site
- Mycro with sample pictures at Light of Day
In Japanese:
- Advertisement for the Mycro in Asahi Graph September 23, 1942, reproduced in the Japanese camera page and the small format camera page at Gochamaze
- Advertisement for the Mycro in Ars Camera December 1949, reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura
