National and Ugein
The Semi National (セミ・ナショナル) and National Six (ナショナル・シックス) are Japanese folders, distributed by Eikō-Dō from late 1937 to 1940, continued as the Ugein (ユーゲン) from 1941 to 1944 and revived after the war as the Ruvinal (ルビナル).[1] It was perhaps made by a company called National Camera Works or by Toakoki. For the 4×6.5 National folder, see National (4×6.5).
All models share the same horizontal body, with folding struts inspired from the Balda folders and a back hinged to the left.
Contents
Semi National and National Six
The original National models have a folding optical finder centred above the top plate and a heavy advance key at the right end. They have no body release and the front leather is embossed National.
The Semi National appeared first. It was advertised as a new model in the December 1937 issue of Asahi Camera,[2] offered in the following variants, all equipped with a Rulex shutter by Neumann & Heilemann:
- Rulex D (25, 50, 100, T, B), f/4.5 lens (¥50);
- Rulex B (5–200, T, B), f/4.5 lens (¥60);
- Rulex B (5–200, T, B), f/3.5 lens (¥70);
- Rulex A (1–200, T, B), f/4.5 lens (¥65);
- Rulex A (1–200, T, B), f/3.5 lens (¥78).
The advertisement shows the company name National Camera Works.
The National Six apparently only differs by the picture format, finder size and presumably red window position. Both models are offered for the exact same price. In an advertisement dated June 1938[3], the variants with f/3.5 lens and Rulex shutter have disappeared and the two following are offered instead:
- Super Rapid shutter (1–300, T, B, self-timer), f/4.5 lens (¥70);
- Super Rapid shutter (1–300, T, B, self-timer), f/3.5 lens (¥80).
The fitting of a body release in offered as an option for extra ¥7.
Semi National II and National Six II
The Semi National II and National Six II have a body release and seem to have an advance knob instead of the key. In an advertisement dated June 1939[4], both models are offered for the same price in the following variants:
- Rulex B shutter (5–200, T, B), National f/4.5 lens (¥70);
- Rulex A shutter (1–200, T, B), National f/4.5 lens (¥75);
- Super Rapid shutter (1–250, T, B, self-timer), National f/4.5 lens (¥85);
- Rulex A shutter (1–200, T, B), National f/3.5 lens (¥90).
Notice that the most expensive lens was not associated with the most expensive shutter, and that the top speed of the Super Rapid was lower than the year before. It is said that the National lens has 80mm focal length.[5]
A U.L.L. lens was available as an option for extra ¥5. The advertising picture shows a National Six II with a Super Rapid shutter: the shutter plate is marked TOYO NEW at the top and SUPER RAPID at the bottom.
An advertisement published in the October 1939 of Asahi Camera is visible in this page of the Heiki Seikatsu website (third advertisement from the top). The list of variants and prices seem to be the same as described above.
Semi National III and National Six III
The Semi National III and National Six III have a short top housing containing a direct vision finder on the left and a brilliant finder on the right, with an accessory shoe between both. The layout was meant to look like a rangefinder camera from a distance.
In an advertisement dated February 1940[6], both models are offered for the same price in the following variants:
- Rulex B shutter (5–200, T, B), National f/4.5 lens (¥85);
- Rulex A shutter (1–250, T, B), National f/4.5 lens (¥89);
- Rulex A shutter (1–250, T, B), National f/3.5 lens (¥105);
- Compur shutter (1–300, T, B), National f/3.5 lens (¥170).
A U.L.L. lens was available as an option for extra ¥5.
Ugein III
The National model III was renamed Ugein III (ユゲーンⅢ型), with no further change. There are still two versions, one for 4.5×6 pictures and the other for 6×6, but their name is the same.
In an advertisement dated March 1941[7], the camera is offered as Ugein III even if the advertising picture still shows a camera with a National marking. The following variants are listed:
- Rulex B shutter (5–250), f/4.5 lens (4.5×6: ¥85, 6×6: ¥79);
- Rulex B shutter (5–250), f/3.5 lens (4.5×6: ¥95, 6×6: ¥94);
- Rulex A shutter (1–300), f/4.5 lens (4.5×6 and 6×6: ¥100);
- Rulex A shutter (1–300), f/3.5 lens (4.5×6: ¥105, 6×6: ¥112);
- Koho shutter by Takachiho (1–150, self-timer), f/4.5 lens (4.5×6: ¥110, 6×6: ¥128);
- Koho shutter (1–150, self-timer), f/3.5 lens (4.5×6: ¥130, 6×6: ¥140).
It is said that the lens name is Ugein.[8] The difference in price between the 4.5×6 and 6×6 versions inexplicably differs from one variant to the other, to the point that typos are suspected.
In an advertisement dated February 1942[9], the shutter names are not mentioned but they can be guessed as follows:
- Rulex A shutter (1–300), f/4.5 lens (4.5×6 and 6×6: ¥118);
- Rulex A shutter (1–300), f/3.5 lens (4.5×6: ¥124, 6×6: ¥133);
- Koho shutter (1–200, self-timer), f/4.5 lens (4.5×6: ¥130, 6×6: ¥151);
- Koho shutter (1–200, self-timer), f/3.5 lens (4.5×6: ¥154, 6×6: ¥166).
The advertising picture shows an example equipped with the Koho shutter. The speed rim is engraved KOHO and the shutter plate is marked OLYMPUS-TOKYO-N at the top and UGEIN at the bottom.
Ugein
The Ugein III is replaced in 1943[10] by a new Ugein (ユゲーン) dual-format model, taking both 4.5×6 and 6×6 exposures. It has an optical finder centred in a new top housing covering all the top plate. The brilliant finder was dispensed with, and the advance knob has moved to the left end of the top housing.
In an advertisement dated October 1943[11], the Ugein is offered with an f/3.5 lens for ¥191.56. The shutter is equipped with a self-timer, but its name and speeds are not given. It is said that it is a Wester II (by Nishida) giving T, B, 1–200 speeds.[12] The advertisement mentions the name of the maker as "Tōkyō Tōa Kōki-sha" (東京東亜光機社), perhaps simply meaning "Toakoki company based in Tokyo".
Notes
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp. 338 and 342.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 81.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 81.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 81.
- ↑ 80mm focal length: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 81.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 99.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 342.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 100.
- ↑ Date: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 342.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 100.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 342.
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 158–63, 286–7, 1022–4. (See also the advertisements for items 1025–7.)
- 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.
Links
- Advertisement for the Semi National II and National Six II, published in the October 1939 issue of Asahi Camera and reproduced in a page of Japanese prewar advertisements at the Heiki Seikatsu website (it is the third advertisement from the top)
