National and Ugein
The National cameras are a series of Japanese folders sold in the late 1930s by the distributor Eikō-Dō. The actual maker is unknown. See also National (127 folder).
The 4.5×6 Semi National II (セミ・ナショナルⅡ型) and 6×6 National Six II (ナショナル・シックスⅡ型) are advertised together in 1939, again by Eikō-Dō[1]. Nothing is known of a possible model I. Both have a body release. Only the National Six is pictured in the advertisement, it has a horizontal folding bed, a folding optical finder and a Rulex shutter by Neumann & Heilemann. Both cameras are offered in four variants each[2], at a price varying between ¥75 and ¥150.
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement for the Semi National and National Six, reproduced in a page of Japanese prewar ads (third ad from the top) at the Heiki Seikatsu website, originally published in the Oct 1939 issue of Asahi Camera.
- ↑ From what can be deciphered and by analogy with other advertisements for similar cameras, these variants seem to be four lens/shutter combinations with an f:3.5 or f:4.5 lens and an A or B variant of the Rulex, the A being the more expensive. The shutter speeds are illegible.
Web bibliography
- Advertisement for the Semi National and National Six, reproduced in a page of Japanese prewar ads (third ad from the top) at the Heiki Seikatsu website, originally published in the Oct 1939 issue of Asahi Camera.