Difference between revisions of "Ofuna Six"

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(biblio +3, more on the minor changes)
(gilded mirror, details of the early adverts)
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== Original Ofuna Six, with non-coupled rangefinder ==
 
== Original Ofuna Six, with non-coupled rangefinder ==
 
=== Description ===
 
=== Description ===
The earlier and much better-known model seems to have been sold from the very end of 1953 and was still advertised in summer 1956.<REF> Advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, pp.348 and 379. </REF> It has a diecast body with rounded edges, and a non-coupled rangefinder which shares the eyepiece of the viewfinder, offset to the left as the camera is viewed by the photographer. The finder housing has an accessory shoe and is inscribed ''OFUNA SIX'' in the centre, and has the body serial number marked above the eyepiece. The rangefinder is controlled by a wheel falling under the right thumb, and the distance appears under a crescent-shaped window on the right end of the top plate. The film winding knob is to the left, and contains a film reminder.
+
The earlier and much better-known model was released at the very end of 1953 and was still advertised in summer 1956.<REF> Advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, pp.348 and 379. </REF> It has a diecast body with rounded edges, and a non-coupled rangefinder which shares the eyepiece of the viewfinder, offset to the left as the camera is viewed by the photographer. The finder housing has an accessory shoe and is inscribed ''OFUNA SIX'' in the centre, and has the body serial number marked above the eyepiece. The rangefinder is controlled by a wheel falling under the right thumb, and the distance appears under a crescent-shaped window on the right end of the top plate. The film winding knob is to the left, and contains a film reminder.
  
 
The struts for the door are curved and are not marked with any manufacturer's name. The ''OFUNA'' logo is embossed in the leather covering of the front door. The back is hinged to the right and has two square red windows for 6×6 and 6×4.5, protected by horizontally sliding covers. The company name ''OFUNA OPTICAL CO.'' is embossed in the leather covering at the bottom of the back.
 
The struts for the door are curved and are not marked with any manufacturer's name. The ''OFUNA'' logo is embossed in the leather covering of the front door. The back is hinged to the right and has two square red windows for 6×6 and 6×4.5, protected by horizontally sliding covers. The company name ''OFUNA OPTICAL CO.'' is embossed in the leather covering at the bottom of the back.
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The shutter changed over time: originally a [[Nissei]] Rapid (B, 1–500), from December 1954 an [[NKS|NKS-FB]] (B, 1–300), and finally (from some time in 1955–6) a [[Copal]] (B, 1–300).
 
The shutter changed over time: originally a [[Nissei]] Rapid (B, 1–500), from December 1954 an [[NKS|NKS-FB]] (B, 1–300), and finally (from some time in 1955–6) a [[Copal]] (B, 1–300).
  
Cosmetic and perhaps other changes were made over the camera's lifetime. The early examples, with [[Nissei]] shutter, have ''OFUNA SIX'' in one line in oblique script (the ends of the "S" extending below the "F" and above the X"), an ''OFUNA'' logo to the right of the accessory shoe (as seen by the photographer), ''∞—feet—4'' inscribed below the distance scale of the rangefinder, and no frame around the viewfinder or rangefinder window.<REF> This version is called "Ofuna Six (I)" in {{Kokusan}}, p.348. Examples with [[Nissei]] shutter are shown in [http://www.sagi-sake.com/bassevo/cameraofuna.htm this page at Kamera no heya] and in the November 1953 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.125. </REF> The later examples, with [[NKS]] or [[Copal]] shutter, have "OFUNA SIX" in one line and in a straightforward (non-oblique) script, no ''OFUNA'' logo on the top, no inscription below the distance scale, and frames added around the viewfinder and rangefinder windows.<REF> The version with [[NKS]] shutter is called "Ofuna Six (II)" in {{Kokusan}}, p.348. Detailed pictures of an example [[NKS]] shutter are shown in Hagiya, pp.160–61 of ''Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari''. </REF> At least one late cameras with [[Copal]] shutter has an additional screw at the right end of the top housing.<REF> Picture in Hagiya, p.161 of ''Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari''. </REF>
+
Cosmetic and perhaps other changes were made over the camera's lifetime. The early examples, with [[Nissei]] shutter, have ''OFUNA SIX'' in one line in oblique script (the ends of the "S" extending below the "F" and above the X"), an ''OFUNA'' logo to the right of the accessory shoe (as seen by the photographer), ''∞—feet—4'' inscribed below the distance scale of the rangefinder, and no frame around the viewfinder or rangefinder window.<REF> This version is called "Ofuna Six (I)" in {{Kokusan}}, p.348. Examples with [[Nissei]] shutter are shown in [http://www.sagi-sake.com/bassevo/cameraofuna.htm this page at Kamera no heya] and in the November 1953 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.125. </REF>
 +
 
 +
The later examples, with [[NKS]] or [[Copal]] shutter, have "OFUNA SIX" in one line and in a straightforward (non-oblique) script, no ''OFUNA'' logo on the top, no inscription below the distance scale, and frames added around the viewfinder and rangefinder windows.<REF> The version with [[NKS]] shutter is called "Ofuna Six (II)" in {{Kokusan}}, p.348. Detailed pictures of an example [[NKS]] shutter are shown in Hagiya, pp.160–61 of ''Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari''. </REF> It is said that the rangefinder mirror became gilded together with the adoption of the [[NKS]] shutter.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.348. </REF> At least one late camera with a [[Copal]] shutter has an additional screw at the right end of the top housing.<REF> Picture in Hagiya, p.161 of ''Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari''. </REF>
  
 
=== Advertisements and price ===
 
=== Advertisements and price ===
An advertisement in the November 1953 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' offers the Ofuna Six (with [[Nissei]] Rapid shutter) for {{yen|15,000|1953}} (exactly half the price of the [[Ofunaflex]]); one in the December 1954 issue offers it (with [[NKS]] shutter) for {{yen|14,500|1954}} (and the [[Mamiya Six|Mamiya Six&nbsp;K]] for {{yen|18,800|1954}}).<ref> Both advertisements are reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.125. </ref>
+
The Ofuna Six was advertised in Japanese magazines from November 1953, and featured as a new product in various magazines dated November and December.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.348. </REF> The advertisement in the November 1953 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' offers the Ofuna Six with [[Nissei]] Rapid shutter for {{yen|15,000|1953}} (exactly half the price of the [[Ofunaflex]]).<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.125. See also the 1954 advertisement reproduced in [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/51212433.html this page at Shashin-Bako], and the advertisement reproduced in Hagiya, p.157 of ''Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari'' (certainly dated 1954 despite what is said in the caption). </REF> An advertisement in the December 1954 issue offers it with [[NKS]] shutter for {{yen|14,500|1954}} (and the [[Mamiya Six|Mamiya Six&nbsp;K]] for {{yen|18,800|1954}}).<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.125. </REF>
  
 
About 2000 of these cameras were made.<ref> Hagiya, p.162. </ref>
 
About 2000 of these cameras were made.<ref> Hagiya, p.162. </ref>

Revision as of 15:27, 20 April 2008

Japanese Six (6×6)
Postwar models (edit)
folding
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rigid or collapsible
Dia Six | Ehira Chrome Six | Enon Six | Flora | Flashline | Fujipet | Harmony | Mikono-6 | Orion | Ponix | Rich-Ray-6 | Shumy | Weha Chrome Six
Japanese 6×6 TLR, pseudo TLR and medium format SLR ->
Japanese Semi (4.5×6) and older 6×9 ->

Ofuna Six (オフナーシックス, Ofunā Shikkusu)[1] was the name used by Ōfuna for two very different 6×6 rangefinder folders from 1953 to about 1957.[2]

Original Ofuna Six, with non-coupled rangefinder

Description

The earlier and much better-known model was released at the very end of 1953 and was still advertised in summer 1956.[3] It has a diecast body with rounded edges, and a non-coupled rangefinder which shares the eyepiece of the viewfinder, offset to the left as the camera is viewed by the photographer. The finder housing has an accessory shoe and is inscribed OFUNA SIX in the centre, and has the body serial number marked above the eyepiece. The rangefinder is controlled by a wheel falling under the right thumb, and the distance appears under a crescent-shaped window on the right end of the top plate. The film winding knob is to the left, and contains a film reminder.

The struts for the door are curved and are not marked with any manufacturer's name. The OFUNA logo is embossed in the leather covering of the front door. The back is hinged to the right and has two square red windows for 6×6 and 6×4.5, protected by horizontally sliding covers. The company name OFUNA OPTICAL CO. is embossed in the leather covering at the bottom of the back.

The lens is a unit-focussed Ofunar 75mm f/3.5 F.C., designed by Kunitomo Kenji (国友健司) within Ōfuna and made by the company itself, the same lens as is used on the Ofunaflex.

Evolution

The shutter changed over time: originally a Nissei Rapid (B, 1–500), from December 1954 an NKS-FB (B, 1–300), and finally (from some time in 1955–6) a Copal (B, 1–300).

Cosmetic and perhaps other changes were made over the camera's lifetime. The early examples, with Nissei shutter, have OFUNA SIX in one line in oblique script (the ends of the "S" extending below the "F" and above the X"), an OFUNA logo to the right of the accessory shoe (as seen by the photographer), ∞—feet—4 inscribed below the distance scale of the rangefinder, and no frame around the viewfinder or rangefinder window.[4]

The later examples, with NKS or Copal shutter, have "OFUNA SIX" in one line and in a straightforward (non-oblique) script, no OFUNA logo on the top, no inscription below the distance scale, and frames added around the viewfinder and rangefinder windows.[5] It is said that the rangefinder mirror became gilded together with the adoption of the NKS shutter.[6] At least one late camera with a Copal shutter has an additional screw at the right end of the top housing.[7]

Advertisements and price

The Ofuna Six was advertised in Japanese magazines from November 1953, and featured as a new product in various magazines dated November and December.[8] The advertisement in the November 1953 issue of Asahi Camera offers the Ofuna Six with Nissei Rapid shutter for ¥15,000 (exactly half the price of the Ofunaflex).[9] An advertisement in the December 1954 issue offers it with NKS shutter for ¥14,500 (and the Mamiya Six K for ¥18,800).[10]

About 2000 of these cameras were made.[11]

Rebadged Mine Six, with coupled rangefinder

A later model (c.1956–7) is only known from a single photograph, published in Hagiya from the album of Kano Masayuki (狩野正之), who was responsible for the assembly and quality control of the Ofunaflex and Ofuna Six from 1954.[12]

According to the testimonies of Kano Masayuki and Kunitomo Kenji recorded by Hagiya, this new Ofuna Six was ordered by Kashimura for export, after the production of the previous model had stopped.[13] The body was supplied by Takane and is the same as that of the Mine Six IIF. The lens is the Ofunar 7.5cm f/3.5 of the previous Ōfuna models. (Takane's manufacture of this camera was one part of an arrangement whereby Takane was able to obtain these Ofunar lenses rebranded as the Zunow Zuminor for the Mine Six IIIS(B); see Takane.)[14]

The pictured camera is indeed very similar to the Mine Six IIF. It has a sliding control on the front of the finder housing to move a 6×4.5 finder mask in and out of position. OFUNA–SIX is inscribed in one line of a non-oblique lettering across the top, and another illegible marking is written below. The knobs at both ends of the top housing are identical, and differ from those of the Mine Six IIF; the one at the photographer's left notably does not have a film reminder. The shutter is of an unknown type. It gives B, 1–300 speeds, engraved in the reverse order (300–1, B) on the silver shutter plate, and is synchronized via a PC synch socket. The pictured camera has a four-digit lens number, perhaps in the 78xx range.

Notes

  1. Note the change of pronunciation from that of Ōfuna (大船), the manufacturer.
  2. Much of the information in this article derives from Hagiya, "Ōfuna Kōgaku no kamera."
  3. Advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.348 and 379.
  4. This version is called "Ofuna Six (I)" in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.348. Examples with Nissei shutter are shown in this page at Kamera no heya and in the November 1953 advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.125.
  5. The version with NKS shutter is called "Ofuna Six (II)" in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.348. Detailed pictures of an example NKS shutter are shown in Hagiya, pp.160–61 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari.
  6. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.348.
  7. Picture in Hagiya, p.161 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari.
  8. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.348.
  9. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.125. See also the 1954 advertisement reproduced in this page at Shashin-Bako, and the advertisement reproduced in Hagiya, p.157 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari (certainly dated 1954 despite what is said in the caption).
  10. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.125.
  11. Hagiya, p.162.
  12. Picture in Hagiya, p.166 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari. Kano Masayuki: p.162 of the same source.
  13. Hagiya, p.167 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari.
  14. Hagiya, p.167 of Sengo kokusan kamera jū monogatari.

Sources / further reading

Links

In Japanese:


Ōfuna cameras (edit)
Herlight | Ofunaflex | Ofuna Six