Difference between revisions of "National (4×6.5)"
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− | The National | + | The '''National''' (ナショナル) is a Japanese folding camera, taking both 4×6.5 and 3×4 pictures on [[127 film]] and distributed by [[Eikō-Dō]] from 1936 to 1938.<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p. 338. </REF> It was perhaps made by a company called [[National Camera Works]]. ''For the 4.5×6 and 6×6 National folders, see [[Semi National and National Six]].'' |
− | The | + | == Description of the body == |
+ | The camera is a vertical folder with curved struts. There is an advance knob on the top left (as seen by a photographer holding the camera vertically), and the finder is centred on the left. On the right of the viewfinder there is a button to release the folding bed, but there is no body release. The front leather is embossed ''National''. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Evolution == | ||
+ | In an advertisement dated March 1937<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 80. </REF>, the National has a folding frame finder, with two bars in the front frame to indicate the 3×4 image size. It is offered with an Elka<REF> Roman spelling reported in McKeown, p. 261. The adverisement is written エルカ in ''katakana''. </REF> shutter giving 25, 50, 100, B speeds, in three lens variants: | ||
+ | * Trionar or Torionar<REF> McKeown, p. 261, reports a Torionar spelling for a 70/6.8 lens mounted on a National and a Trionar spelling for a 75/4.5 lens mounted on a Collex, both distributed by Eikō-Dō. The adverisement is written トリオナー in ''katakana''. </REF> f/6.8 ({{yen|17|1937}}); | ||
+ | * Heliostar<REF> Inferred from the ''katakana'' ヘリオスター. </REF> f/6.3 ({{yen|25|1937}}); | ||
+ | * Bennar<REF> Inferred from the ''katakana'' ベンナー. </REF> f/4.5 ({{yen|35|1937}}). | ||
+ | It is said that the f/6.8 variant is [[fixed focus]] and has 70mm focal length<REF> McKeown, p. 261. </REF>, while the camera pictured in the advertisement seems to be the f/4.5 variant and has a front-cell focusing lens. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The next month, in April 1937, the camera is advertised with a rigid tubular finder, again with two bars in the front frame for 3×4 pictures.<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 72. </REF> The shutter and lenses offered are the same, as well as the prices, except that the Heliostar lens is written Hemiostar<REF> In ''katakana'' ヘミオスター. </REF>. In an advertisement dated June 1938<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 80. </REF>, all the lenses are called the same and the prices have changed: | ||
+ | * Trionar/Torionar f/6.8 ({{yen|19.50|1938}}); | ||
+ | * Trionar/Torionar f/6.3 ({{yen|30|1938}}); | ||
+ | * Trionar/Torionar f/4.5 ({{yen|38|1938}}). | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == |
Revision as of 09:41, 15 October 2006
The National (ナショナル) is a Japanese folding camera, taking both 4×6.5 and 3×4 pictures on 127 film and distributed by Eikō-Dō from 1936 to 1938.[1] It was perhaps made by a company called National Camera Works. For the 4.5×6 and 6×6 National folders, see Semi National and National Six.
Description of the body
The camera is a vertical folder with curved struts. There is an advance knob on the top left (as seen by a photographer holding the camera vertically), and the finder is centred on the left. On the right of the viewfinder there is a button to release the folding bed, but there is no body release. The front leather is embossed National.
Evolution
In an advertisement dated March 1937[2], the National has a folding frame finder, with two bars in the front frame to indicate the 3×4 image size. It is offered with an Elka[3] shutter giving 25, 50, 100, B speeds, in three lens variants:
It is said that the f/6.8 variant is fixed focus and has 70mm focal length[7], while the camera pictured in the advertisement seems to be the f/4.5 variant and has a front-cell focusing lens.
The next month, in April 1937, the camera is advertised with a rigid tubular finder, again with two bars in the front frame for 3×4 pictures.[8] The shutter and lenses offered are the same, as well as the prices, except that the Heliostar lens is written Hemiostar[9]. In an advertisement dated June 1938[10], all the lenses are called the same and the prices have changed:
Notes
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
- ↑ Roman spelling reported in McKeown, p. 261. The adverisement is written エルカ in katakana.
- ↑ McKeown, p. 261, reports a Torionar spelling for a 70/6.8 lens mounted on a National and a Trionar spelling for a 75/4.5 lens mounted on a Collex, both distributed by Eikō-Dō. The adverisement is written トリオナー in katakana.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana ヘリオスター.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana ベンナー.
- ↑ McKeown, p. 261.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 72.
- ↑ In katakana ヘミオスター.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
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. Item 157. (See also the advertisements for items 109 and 158–9.)
- 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. 261.