Difference between revisions of "Okada and Daiichi"

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'''Okada Kōgaku''', later '''Daiichi Kōgaku''', then '''Zenobia Kōgaku''' was a Japanese camera maker based in Tokyo.
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'''Daiichi Kōgaku K.K.''' (第一光学株式会社) was a Japanese camera maker, active from 1952 and perhaps earlier.
+
 
 +
''Okada should not be confused with [[Okaya]], and Daiichi Kōgaku is unrelated to the wartime [[Daiichi Kikō]] and [[Daiichi Kōki]].''
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
Daiichi Kōgaku was based in Tokyo.<REF> Its address was Tōkyō-to Itabashi-ku Shimura-Maeno-chō 1045 (東京都板橋区志村前野町1045). </REF> It is probably unrelated to the wartime [[Daiichi Kikō]] and [[Daiichi Kōki]]. (''Daiichi'' is Japanese for "first" and is used in many company names.) The distributor of the Daiichi Kōgaku cameras was [[Hattori|Hattori Tokei-ten]].
+
=== Until 1945 ===
 +
'''Okada Kōgaku Seiki K.K.''' (岡田光学精機株式会社)<REF> Full name: prospect pictured [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.3.htm#okada here at the AJCC], and {{Inquiry1943_short}}. </REF> was perhaps already active in the mid-1930s: many sources say that it made the [[Walz (original)|original Walz]] 3×4 camera in 1936–7, attributed to "Walz Camera Works" in original advertisements.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.344 (item 346); {{Sugiyama}}, item 1262; {{McKeown}}, p.745. </REF> From 1940, the company made the [[Waltax|Okaco and Waltax]] 4.5×6 folders. The Kolex lens and Dabit-Super shutter mounted on these cameras were made by the company itself, which was also making binoculars.<REF> Lens and shutter made by the company: {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens items La1 and Lb34 and shutter item 18-R-2. Binoculars: [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/okaco_l.jpg wartime advertisement] reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. </REF> The company name was often abbreviated to '''Okako''' (岡光, Okakō, from <u>Oka</u>da <u>Kō</u>gaku), and the cameras have an ''OKAKO TOKYO'' logo. In 1943, the address was Toshima-ku Nishisugamo-chō<!-- or Nishisugamo-machi --> 4–276 (東京都豊島区西巣鴨町4–276).<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}. </REF>
  
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The company made the [[Zenobia]] series of 4.5&times;6 folders and the [[Zenobiaflex]] 6&times;6 TLR. The Zenobia folder is a continuation of the [[Waltax]] by [[Okada Kōgaku]], with different lens and shutter names. For some reason, the brand names of the camera, lens and shutter were changed almost simultaneously, with almost no change in the features. It is possible either that Okada renamed itself as or was bought by Daiichi. Both {{Kokusan}} and {{McKeown}} attribute the postwar Waltax models to Daiichi, but all the Waltax cameras are marked "Okako" (from <u>Oka</u>da <u>Kō</u>gaku), only the very last examples having D.O.C.&ndash;Rapid shutters indicating a connection with Daiichi.
+
=== From Okada to Daiichi ===
 +
The Waltax series was continued after the war. The company changed its name from Okada Kōgaku to '''Daiichi Kōgaku K.K.''' (第一光学株式会社) at some time. Its address from 1951 to 1954 was Itabashi-ku Shimura-Maeno-chō 1045 (東京都板橋区志村前野町1045).<REF> Source: advertisement on p.11 of the supplement to the December 1951 issue of ''[[Photo Art]]'', and advertisements dated April 1952 to April 1954 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.144. </REF> A document dated December 1951 seems to imply that the name change was fairly recent.<REF> Supplement to the December 1951 issue of ''[[Photo Art]]'', p.11. </REF> It seems that the Waltax models made after the change of the company name are the late Waltax Senior with D.O.C.-Rapid shutter, dated late 1951 the new shutter name certainly standing for <U>D</U>aiichi <U>O</U>ptical <U>C</U>ompany, a translation of Daiichi Kōgaku K.K. (The sources attributing all the postwar Waltax to Daiichi Kōgaku are probably wrong.)<REF> Postwar Waltax attributed to Daiichi Kōgaku: {{Sugiyama}}, items 1430–2, {{Kokusan}}, p.375 (items 1062–8), {{McKeown}}, p.239. Lewis, p.61, attributes the Waltax II to Okada. </REF>
  
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The D.O.C.-Rapid was Daiichi's own leaf shutter with B, 1&ndash;500 speeds, it was later called Daiichi-Rapid. The company also made its own Hesper, later Neo-Hesper lens, as well as an enlarging E. Hesper 50mm f:3.5 four-element lens<REF> {{Shashinbako|Zenobia, Zenobiaflex and E. Hesper lens|18985253}} </REF>.
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The Waltax was renamed [[Zenobia]] in early 1952, with almost no change in the features, and the Bio-Kolex lens became the Hesper. The reason for the near simultaneous change of the company name and of the brand names of the camera, lens and shutter is unknown. The [[Zenobiaflex]] 6×6 TLR was introduced in 1953. The D.O.C.-Rapid leaf shutter was upgraded and renamed Daiichi-Rapid around 1953, and the Hesper lens was recomputed as the Neo-Hesper around 1954.
  
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At some time, the company made a preseries of Leica copies, called [[Ichicon|Ichicon-35]].<!-- The camera itself is marked "ICHICON" thin space em-dash thin space "35" --> According to [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/honor.htm a page by Nekosan], the Ichicon-35 is related to the [[Honor]] and only a preseries was made. The same source indicates that the company went bankrupt soon after; according to HPR, "production of the camera was sold" in 1954 to Mejiro Kōgaku, which sold it as the Honor and referred to itself on the camera itself as "Honor Opt."<REF> HPR, ''Leica Copies'' (London: Classic Collection Publications, 1994; ISBN 1-874485-05-4), pp.&nbsp;183&ndash;4. </REF>
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=== Financial problems and labour conflict ===
 +
In 1954, the company was producing 3,000 cameras per month and had 450 employees, but it did not anticipate the sudden loss of popularity of the folding cameras and the switch of the market towards 35mm cameras.<REF> 3,000 cameras per month, 450 employees: [http://oohara.mt.tama.hosei.ac.jp/rn/28/rn1956-517.html extract of the Labour Year Book of Japan 1956], published in November 1955. </REF> In May, the announcement that 125 people would be laid off caused conflicts with the trade unions. A lockout was declared in June during ten days, and the workers reacted by occupying the factory and organizing the production themselves. The conflict ended at the end of June, but the company had unpaid notes which caused a suspension of banking transactions. Production remained stopped for two months, resuming in late August, and 200 people voluntarily retired. The financial situation of the company was still bad, and in March 1955 the factory was closed and all the remaining workers were dismissed.<REF> All details: [http://oohara.mt.tama.hosei.ac.jp/rn/28/rn1956-517.html extract of the Labour Year Book of Japan 1956], published in November 1955. </REF>
  
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The factory was closed in March 1955 and all the workers were laid off.<REF> [http://oohara.mt.tama.hosei.ac.jp/rn/28/rn1956-517.html Extract of the Labour Year Book of Japan 1956]. </REF>. However the company was reborn as '''Zenobia Kōgaku K.K.''' (ゼノビア光学株式会社) in 1956<REF> Advertisements dated between 1956 and 1958, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, page 252. The address was first the same as used by Daiichi, then it became Tōkyō-to Itabashi-ku Azusawa 2, 4 (東京都板橋区小豆沢２の４). </REF>, adopting the brand name of the cameras. It sold some late Zenobia and Zenobiaflex models, then developed the [[Zenobia 35]] fixed-lens rangefinder and
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The company made a preseries of Leica copies around 1954, called the [[Ichicon|Ichicon-35]].<!-- The camera itself is marked "ICHICON" thin space em-dash thin space "35" --> Production of the camera was transferred to Mejiro Kōgaku, certainly because of the difficulties met by Daiichi, and it was sold as the [[Honor]], with "Honor Opt." markings.<REF> HPR, ''Leica Copies'', pp.183–4. See also [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/honor.htm this page by Nekosan]. </REF>
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remained in existence at least until 1958.
 
  
 +
=== Reborn as Zenobia ===
 +
The company was reborn as '''Zenobia Kōgaku K.K.''' (ゼノビア光学株式会社) in 1956, adopting the brand name of the cameras. The address was initially the same as used by Daiichi, then it became Itabashi-ku Azusawa 2, 4 (東京都板橋区小豆沢２の４) in 1957–8.<REF> Advertisements dated June 1956 to January 1958, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.252. </REF> The company sold some late [[Zenobia]] and [[Zenobiaflex]] models, then developed the [[Zenobia 35]] fixed-lens rangefinder and remained in existence until late 1958.<REF> The last advertisements and articles listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.389, are dated November 1958. </REF>
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{| class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align: center;"
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|-
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/288418266/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/103/288418266_5b3121d11b_t_d.jpg]
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/294383278/in/pool-camerapedia http://static.flickr.com/115/294383278_757012baf3_t_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Waltax''
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|| ''Waltax Senior''
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|}
 
{| class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align: center;"
 
|-
 
|-
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== Camera list ==
 
== Camera list ==
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* [[Zenobia]] (4.5&times;6 folders)
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* [[Walz (original)|Walz]] (3×4 strut folder)
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* [[Zenobiaflex]] (6&times;6 TLR)
+
* [[Waltax|Okaco]] (4.5×6 folder)
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* [[Waltax]] (4.5×6 folders)
 +
* [[Zenobia]] (4.5×6 folders)
 +
* [[Zenobiaflex]] (6×6 TLR)
 
* [[Zenobia 35]] (35mm rangefinder)
 
* [[Zenobia 35]] (35mm rangefinder)
 
* Ichicon-35 (Leica copy)
 
* Ichicon-35 (Leica copy)
  
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== Camera timeline ==
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== Other ==
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{{Daiichi timeline}}
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* E. Hesper 50mm f/3.5 enlarging lens (four elements, click-stop diaphragm)<REF> [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/18985253.html Advertisement dated 1954] reproduced at the [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/ Shashin-Bako website] </REF>
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 +
 +
== Bibliography ==
 +
* {{Showa10}}
 +
* HPR. ''Leica Copies''. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1994. ISBN 1-874485-05-4.
 +
* {{Inquiry1943}}
 +
* {{Lewis}}
 +
* {{McKeown12}}
 +
* ''Nihon rōdō nenkan'' (日本労働年鑑, Labour Year Book of Japan) Vol.28, 1956. Ohara Institute for Social Research, 20 Nov. 1955. [http://oohara.mt.tama.hosei.ac.jp/rn/28/rn1956-517.html Extract about Daiichi Kōgaku] in the [http://oohara.mt.tama.hosei.ac.jp/ OISR website].
 +
* ''[[Photo Art]] 12-gatsu-gō furoku Saishin Kokusan Shashinki Sō-katarogu'' (フォトアート12月號附録最新国産写真機総カタログ, General catalogue of the latest Japanese cameras, supplement to the December issue). December 1951. P.11.
 +
* {{Zukan}}
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In English:
 
In English:
 +
* [http://www.submin.com/16mm/collection/okada/introduction.htm A page with Okada subminiatures] at [http://www.submin.com/ www.submin.com]
 
* [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/honor.htm A page about the Honor], somewhat explaining the Ichicon-35 story, at [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/ Nekosan's website]
 
* [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/honor.htm A page about the Honor], somewhat explaining the Ichicon-35 story, at [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/ Nekosan's website]
 
* [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/copies/honor.htm A page about the Honor] at [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/rindex.htm Pacific Rim Photographica Pages], says something about the Ichicon-35 that differs slightly from Nekosan's version of the story
 
* [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/copies/honor.htm A page about the Honor] at [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/rindex.htm Pacific Rim Photographica Pages], says something about the Ichicon-35 that differs slightly from Nekosan's version of the story
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* [http://mgroleau.com/photo/japon/daiichi/daiichi.html Daiichi page] at [http://mgroleau.com/ Mario Groleau's site]
 
* [http://mgroleau.com/photo/japon/daiichi/daiichi.html Daiichi page] at [http://mgroleau.com/ Mario Groleau's site]
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
−
* [http://oohara.mt.tama.hosei.ac.jp/rn/28/rn1956-517.html Extract of the Labour Year Book of Japan 1956], saying that Daiichi was producing 3,000 cameras per month around 1954, reduced its workforce in 1954 and 1955, a move that caused conflicts with trade unions, and closed the factory in March 1955. This source was published in November 1955 and maybe it is not aware of a future rebirth of the company.
+
* [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.3.htm#okada Original Waltax and early prospects] showing the full company name, in the [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/ AJCC website]
 +
* [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/okaco_l.jpg Advertisement for the Semi Okaco camera and Okako binoculars] dated 1942 or later, reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura
 +
* [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/18985253.html Advertisement for the Zenobia, Zenobiaflex and E. Hesper lens], published in 1954, reproduced in a [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/cat_911880.html page of Japanese postwar advertisements] at the [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/ Shashin-Bako website]
 +
 
 +
== Camera timeline ==
 +
{{Okada timeline}}
 +
{{Daiichi timeline}}
  
 
[[Category: Japanese camera makers]]
 
[[Category: Japanese camera makers]]
 
[[Category: Okada/Daiichi|*]]
 
[[Category: Okada/Daiichi|*]]

Revision as of 13:25, 1 March 2008

Okada Kōgaku, later Daiichi Kōgaku, then Zenobia Kōgaku was a Japanese camera maker based in Tokyo.

Okada should not be confused with Okaya, and Daiichi Kōgaku is unrelated to the wartime Daiichi Kikō and Daiichi Kōki.

History

Until 1945

Okada Kōgaku Seiki K.K. (岡田光学精機株式会社)[1] was perhaps already active in the mid-1930s: many sources say that it made the original Walz 3×4 camera in 1936–7, attributed to "Walz Camera Works" in original advertisements.[2] From 1940, the company made the Okaco and Waltax 4.5×6 folders. The Kolex lens and Dabit-Super shutter mounted on these cameras were made by the company itself, which was also making binoculars.[3] The company name was often abbreviated to Okako (岡光, Okakō, from Okada Kōgaku), and the cameras have an OKAKO TOKYO logo. In 1943, the address was Toshima-ku Nishisugamo-chō 4–276 (東京都豊島区西巣鴨町4–276).[4]

From Okada to Daiichi

The Waltax series was continued after the war. The company changed its name from Okada Kōgaku to Daiichi Kōgaku K.K. (第一光学株式会社) at some time. Its address from 1951 to 1954 was Itabashi-ku Shimura-Maeno-chō 1045 (東京都板橋区志村前野町1045).[5] A document dated December 1951 seems to imply that the name change was fairly recent.[6] It seems that the Waltax models made after the change of the company name are the late Waltax Senior with D.O.C.-Rapid shutter, dated late 1951 the new shutter name certainly standing for Daiichi Optical Company, a translation of Daiichi Kōgaku K.K. (The sources attributing all the postwar Waltax to Daiichi Kōgaku are probably wrong.)[7]

The Waltax was renamed Zenobia in early 1952, with almost no change in the features, and the Bio-Kolex lens became the Hesper. The reason for the near simultaneous change of the company name and of the brand names of the camera, lens and shutter is unknown. The Zenobiaflex 6×6 TLR was introduced in 1953. The D.O.C.-Rapid leaf shutter was upgraded and renamed Daiichi-Rapid around 1953, and the Hesper lens was recomputed as the Neo-Hesper around 1954.

Financial problems and labour conflict

In 1954, the company was producing 3,000 cameras per month and had 450 employees, but it did not anticipate the sudden loss of popularity of the folding cameras and the switch of the market towards 35mm cameras.[8] In May, the announcement that 125 people would be laid off caused conflicts with the trade unions. A lockout was declared in June during ten days, and the workers reacted by occupying the factory and organizing the production themselves. The conflict ended at the end of June, but the company had unpaid notes which caused a suspension of banking transactions. Production remained stopped for two months, resuming in late August, and 200 people voluntarily retired. The financial situation of the company was still bad, and in March 1955 the factory was closed and all the remaining workers were dismissed.[9]

The company made a preseries of Leica copies around 1954, called the Ichicon-35. Production of the camera was transferred to Mejiro Kōgaku, certainly because of the difficulties met by Daiichi, and it was sold as the Honor, with "Honor Opt." markings.[10]

Reborn as Zenobia

The company was reborn as Zenobia Kōgaku K.K. (ゼノビア光学株式会社) in 1956, adopting the brand name of the cameras. The address was initially the same as used by Daiichi, then it became Itabashi-ku Azusawa 2, 4 (東京都板橋区小豆沢２の４) in 1957–8.[11] The company sold some late Zenobia and Zenobiaflex models, then developed the Zenobia 35 fixed-lens rangefinder and remained in existence until late 1958.[12]

288418266_5b3121d11b_t_d.jpg 294383278_757012baf3_t_d.jpg
Waltax Waltax Senior
358483855_a14301b576_t_d.jpg 322090955_3f047bfbdf_t_d.jpg
Zenobia Zenobiaflex

Camera list

Other

  • E. Hesper 50mm f/3.5 enlarging lens (four elements, click-stop diaphragm)[13]

Notes

  1. ↑ Full name: prospect pictured here at the AJCC, and "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras").
  2. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.344 (item 346); Sugiyama, item 1262; McKeown, p.745.
  3. ↑ Lens and shutter made by the company: "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens items La1 and Lb34 and shutter item 18-R-2. Binoculars: wartime advertisement reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura.
  4. ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras").
  5. ↑ Source: advertisement on p.11 of the supplement to the December 1951 issue of Photo Art, and advertisements dated April 1952 to April 1954 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.144.
  6. ↑ Supplement to the December 1951 issue of Photo Art, p.11.
  7. ↑ Postwar Waltax attributed to Daiichi Kōgaku: Sugiyama, items 1430–2, Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.375 (items 1062–8), McKeown, p.239. Lewis, p.61, attributes the Waltax II to Okada.
  8. ↑ 3,000 cameras per month, 450 employees: extract of the Labour Year Book of Japan 1956, published in November 1955.
  9. ↑ All details: extract of the Labour Year Book of Japan 1956, published in November 1955.
  10. ↑ HPR, Leica Copies, pp.183–4. See also this page by Nekosan.
  11. ↑ Advertisements dated June 1956 to January 1958, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.252.
  12. ↑ The last advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.389, are dated November 1958.
  13. ↑ Advertisement dated 1954 reproduced at the Shashin-Bako website

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.
  • HPR. Leica Copies. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1994. ISBN 1-874485-05-4.
  • "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.
  • 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).
  • 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).
  • Nihon rōdō nenkan (日本労働年鑑, Labour Year Book of Japan) Vol.28, 1956. Ohara Institute for Social Research, 20 Nov. 1955. Extract about Daiichi Kōgaku in the OISR website.
  • Photo Art 12-gatsu-gō furoku Saishin Kokusan Shashinki Sō-katarogu (フォトアート12月號附録最新国産写真機総カタログ, General catalogue of the latest Japanese cameras, supplement to the December issue). December 1951. P.11.
  • 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.

Links

In English:

In French:

In Japanese:

Camera timeline

Okada timeline (edit) Daiichi->
Type 1940s 1950s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
                                                                                                                       
4.5×6 folder viewfinder Waltax Junior
Waltax Waltax Waltax II ... Waltax III ... Waltax Senior
Okaco ... Waltax Deluxe
rangefinder Waltax Acme
Cameras whose actual existence or dates are dubious are in a lighter shade of grey.
<-Okada Daiichi and Zenobia timeline (edit)
Type 1950s
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
                                                                     
4.5×6 folder viewfinder Zenobia P Zenobia M
Zenobia C
rebadged versions: Union Semi Walcon Semi
Zenobia H
uncoupled rangefinder Zenobia R
coupled rangefinder Super Zenobia SR-I Super Zenobia SR
6×6 TLR knob advance Zenobiaflex Zenobiaflex II Zenobiaflex F-II
crank advance Zenobiaflex
Automat
35mm rangefinder f/2.8 Zenobia 35 Zenobia 35
F2.8
f/2 Zenobia 35 F2
Leica copy Ichicon-35
Company: Daiichi Kōgaku ... Zenobia Kōgaku
Cameras whose actual existence is dubious are in a lighter shade.
Cameras in yellow are variants sold and maybe assembled by other companies.
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