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| − | {{Japanese Semi prewar and Six | + | {{disambig}} |
| − | |image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/245332575/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/93/245332575_3c0c7b18a1_m_d.jpg]
| + | For two decades, [[Olympus]] (or its predecessor [[Olympus|Takachiho]]) produced folding cameras for 120 film. These are the 4.5×6 [[Semi Olympus]] and [[Semi Olympus II]] and the 6×6 and 4.5×6 dual-format [[Olympus Six]] and [[Olympus Chrome Six]]. All of them are now described in separate pages. |
| − | <br>''Picture courtesy of eBayer Johnnyapg. {{with permission}}''
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| − | For two decades, [[Olympus]] (or its predecessor Takachiho) produced folding cameras for 120 film. The first models were the 4.5×6 format Semi Olympus. Then followed the 6×6 and 4.5×6 dual-format Olympus Six that was made before, during, and immediately after the war. From 1948, improved models were sold as the Chrome Six. | |
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| − | == Semi Olympus ==
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| − | The first camera made by Takachiho (later [[Olympus]]) was the '''Semi Olympus''' (セミ・オリンパス).
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| − | === Description ===
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| − | The Semi Olympus is a 4.5×6cm folding camera for 16 exposures on 120 film, with a vertical folding bed and a folding optical finder. The body is a copy of the German [[Baldax]] (the large model for #0 shutter size). It was made by the Japanese company [[Proud]], and it is the same as the body of the [[Semi Proud (prewar)|prewar Semi Proud]].<REF> Sakurai Eiichi, pp. 64–5 of {{KKS}} no. 20, Hagiya, p. 14 of the same magazine, Hibi, p. 62 of {{KKS}} no. 8 and other sources. Francesch, pp. 23 and 56–7, says that the body was made by the German company [[Plaubel]], but this is a confusion. </REF>
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| − | The advance knob is at the bottom right, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. The film advance is controlled by red windows. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather handle. The folding bed release is to the right of the viewfinder and there is no body release. The name ''OLYMPUS'' is embossed in the front leather.
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| − | The lens is a four-element [[Zuiko]] 75mm f/4.5, focused by turning the front element. It was the first serial produced camera lens from the future Olympus company. The lens rim is engraved ''Takatiho Tôkyô Zuikô 1:4.5 f=75mm. No.1xxx'',<REF> "Takatiho" and "Takachiho" are alternative romanizations of the same name. The pronunciation has the "chi" of "chilly", not the "ti" of "tinfoil". </REF> except on one composite example described below.
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| − | === Origin ===
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| − | Takachiho had developed camera lenses from 1934. The first results were tried in mid 1936, among which a 105/4.5 and a 75/4.5, both with four elements in three groups, designed by Pr. Miyata <!-- Shōichi or Hisaichi -->(宮田尚一) under the supervision of Mr Suzuki (鈴木).<REF> 105/4.5 and 75/4.5: Hagiya, p. 13 of {{KKS}} no. 20. Pr. Miyata and Mr Suzuki: Sakurai Eiichi, p. 64 of the same magazine. </REF> Various camera manufacturers were approached but the lenses did not sell. Miyazaki Shizuma (宮崎静馬), founder of [[Proud|Proud-sha]], suggested to make a camera around the Zuiko lens and to sell it under the "Olympus" brand, already registered by Takachiho for microscopes.<REF> Sakurai Eiichi, p. 64 of {{KKS}} no. 20. </REF> He offered to supply the camera bodies, same as on the [[Semi Proud (prewar)|Semi Proud]], and insisted in adopting the [[Compur]] shutter, to make the camera easier to sell.<REF> Sakurai Eiichi, pp. 64–5 of {{KKS}} no. 20. </REF>
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| − | Most sources say that the Semi Olympus was first sold in 1936, some specify September.<REF> September 1936: Sakai, p. 7 of {{KKS}} no. 20; [http://www.geocities.jp/o_photoclub/OLYHistory/category/semi/semi.htm Olympus Photo Club history page]. </REF> According to Sakurai Eiichi, only one lot was made before the shutter imports stopped;<REF> Sakurai Eiichi, p. 65 of {{KKS}} no. 20. </REF> he does not state the reason for this, although it might have been the outbreak of war with China.
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| − | === Documents ===
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| − | Today the Semi Olympus is usually called "Semi Olympus I", but it seems that this designation was not used at the time it was sold. The camera was featured in a column of the March 1937 issue of ''[[Camera Club]]''; this is the oldest mention reported in Japanese photographic magazines.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 335. </REF>
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| − | The Semi Olympus was advertised in the June 1937 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' and in the July 1937 issue of ''[[Ars Camera]]''.<REF> Hibi, p. 63 of {{KKS}} no. 8. </REF> The advertisement in ''Asahi Camera'' was placed by the distributor [[Yamashita|Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten]].<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 62, in Hibi, p. 62 of {{KKS}} no. 8 and in Hagiya, p. 10 of {{KKS}} no. 20. </REF> It mentions two versions, one with a [[Rulex|Rulex A]] shutter made by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], priced {{yen|78|1937}}, the other with an [[Compur|Auto-Compur]] shutter priced {{yen|98|1937}}, with a supplement of ¥5 for the case. (Some sources say that the camera was priced at ¥105, but no original document has been observed yet to confirm this.)<REF> Price of ¥105: Sakurai Eiichi, p. 65 of {{KKS}} no. 20, Hagiya, p. 14 of the same magazine. Even the testimony of Sakurai is not completely certain: such a minor detail might have been remembered wrongly. </REF>
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| − | === Surviving examples ===
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| − | The '''version with Compur shutter''' is usually said to be the earliest one. Two surviving examples are known, with lens no. 1048 and 1142.<REF> Lens no. 1048: example pictured in Francesch, p. 56, in {{McKeown}}, p. 747 and in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1213. Lens no. 1142: example owned by John Foster and pictured in [http://www.biofos.com/coll/subcoll/folder.html this page of his website]. </REF> The Compur shutter plate has the ''FD'' logo on the right (for <U>F</U>riedrich <U>D</U>eckel), the usual ''COMPUR'' marking at the bottom and a small plate marked ''OLYMPUS'' screwed at the top, at the place usually provided in the Compur rim-set shutters to display the camera maker's name. The aperture scale goes from 4.5 to 22 and is screwed to the bottom. The shutter itself gives T, B, 1–250 speeds, has a self-timer and a screw to attach a soft release. There is a lever in front of the shutter plate, linked to the Compur shutter. It is tripped by the photographer's right hand and acts as a release. The Compur was designed for a body release, and without this linkage the position of the release lever would have been impractical because of the folding struts.
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| − | The '''version with Rulex shutter''' is generally unknown to Western collectors. However one surviving example has recently surfaced (pictured in this page), with lens no. 1137. The Rulex gives 1–200, B, T speeds and has the early type of shutter plate, as described in the [[Rulex]] page. It has an ''OLYMPUS'' nameplate screwed to the top of the shutter plate, the same as on the Compur shutter. The aperture scale looks the same as on the Compur.
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| − | {{br}}
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| − | <div class="plainlinks" style="text-align: center;">
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| − | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/544747394/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1095/544747394_b9539dba1f_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/544747398/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1218/544747398_6abb7ac42a_d.jpg]
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| − | <br>''Semi Olympus, Rulex shutter, Zuikô 7.5cm f/4.5 lens no. 1137.''
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| − | <br>''Pictures courtesy of Henk. {{with permission}}''
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| − | </div>
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| − | It is usually said that there is a later '''version with Koho shutter'''. The [[Koho]] shutter was made by [[Olympus|Takachiho]] itself and was mounted on the Semi Olympus II and later on the Olympus Six. It was first announced for the Semi Olympus II under the name "Laurel". The existence of a Semi Olympus with Koho shutter would imply a sales overlap with the Semi Olympus II. No advertisement for this version is known, and none of the advertisements for the Semi Olympus II mentions the original model.
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| − | Two surviving examples of the Semi Olympus actually exist with a Koho shutter. One has lens no. 1078 and a shutter giving 1–200, B, T speeds.<REF> Example pictured in Hibi, pp. 62 and 63 of {{KKS}} no. 8, and in the catalogue of the Olympus exhibition of the JCII (cover, pp. 3 and 4). </REF> The lens number is close to the other numbers mentioned above. However the shutter version is strange: the Koho was first produced for the Semi Olympus II with 1/150 top speed, and the switch to 1/200 top speed did not occur for at least one year.<REF> The advertisement for the Semi Olympus II published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' September 1938 still mentions 1/150 top speed. </REF>
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| − | The other example has lens no. 6358 and is held at the Olympus gallery. It has a Koho shutter giving 1–150, B, T speeds. This time the lens number is problematic: the other four cameras are in the 10xx and 11xx range, the lowest lens number observed on a Semi Olympus II is no 2001 and lens no. 7242 is pictured in a brochure on an Olympus Six, dated about 1940.<REF> Semi Olympus II with lens no. 2001: example held at the Olympus gallery, pictured in Francesch (cover page) and in {{McKeown}}, p. 747. Olympus Six with lens no. 7242: [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/pdf/olympus_six.pdf brochure for the Olympus Six] available from the Olympus corporate site. </REF> The lens no. 6358 would not have been produced before about 1939.
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| − | It is thus likely that the two surviving cameras are composite. They were probably created by the company itself, outside the regular production. They could have been made to dispose of a stock of unsold Semi Olympus bodies. However the fact that one of them remains the property of the company suggests that they were made for an internal purpose, perhaps to serve as a testbed for the Koho shutters.
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| − | == Semi Olympus II ==
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| − | The '''Semi Olympus II''' (セミ・オリンパス・Ⅱ型) was the first camera entirely made by the company. The body was designed by Mr Kitagawa (北川).<REF> Sakurai Eiichi, p. 64 of {{KKS}} no. 20. </REF>
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| − | === Description ===
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| − | The Semi Olympus II is a horizontal folder taking 4.5×6cm pictures. The folding struts are the same as on the [[Balda]] products, certainly under the influence of the previous Semi Olympus. The camera has a tubular viewfinder, an advance knob at the left end of the top plate and an accessory shoe at the right end. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather handle; there are two red windows at the bottom to control the film advance, protected by a common cover plate pivoting on an axis in the middle. The bottom of the camera has two film flanges, with the shape of a truncated cone; one has a 1/4″ tripod thread and the other has a 3/8″ thread.
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| − | The ''OLYMPUS TOKYO'' logo is embossed in the leather above the red windows and in the handle. The serial number is engraved in the advance knob, together with an arrow indicating the winding direction.
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| − | The lens is the same Zuiko 75/4.5 as its predecessor.
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| − | === Evolution ===
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| − | The '''first version''' of the Semi Olympus II had a finder off-centered to the left, and the folding bed opening button was at the center. There was a black accessory shoe to the right end of the top plate. It was advertised in the Oct 1937 issue of ''Asahi Camera'' as a new model, and it was also presented in a 1937 brochure.<ref>Available at [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/vol01/index.html this page of the Olympus corporate site].</ref> In both documents the 1–150, B, T shutter was called Laurel (ローレル, ''rōreru''). On some pictures the shutter rim seems to be marked ''LAUREL''. On the brochure there is a sticker indicating a price of ¥105. The book by Francesch and the Olympus Photo Club history pages both indicate that "Laurel" was the original name of the Koho shutter, and that it was dropped because it was already registered; and the latter pages also mention the existence of a transitional variant with the shutter named "Dauled". The only pictures of the first variant with offset finder and Laurel shutter that have been observed come from the original advertising, so it is not clear whether it was actually sold.
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| − | The '''second version''' had a centered finder and an opening button offset to the left while the accessory shoe was at the same place. The body serial number was engraved on the advance knob, together with an arrow indicating the winding direction. The 1–150, B, T shutter was now called [[Koho]]. The shutter plate was marked ''OLYMPUS-TOKYO N'' at the top, and the shutter rim was marked ''KOHO.'' An ''OLYMPUS TOKYO'' logo was embossed in the back leather. The film advance was controlled via two red windows in the back, covered by a pivoting black plate. They were at the bottom, because the numbers used were those for the 6×9 format, each one having to be read twice. At the time, the rollfilm backing was probably not marked for the 4.5×6 format.
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| − | There were advertisements in at least the June 1938, September 1938 and October 1939 issues of ''Asahi Camera,''<ref>See [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm this page] and [http://www.warbirds.jp/heiki/31000.htm this one] respectively.</ref> with a price of ¥95 or ¥105 depending on the date. Incidentally, in all the ads for the Semi Olympus II, the lens is called 瑞光 ("Zuikō" in ''kanji'' script) while the shutter is called コーホー ("Kōhō" in ''katakana'' script).
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| − | The Semi Olympus II was later upgraded with a Koho 1–200, B, T shutter.<ref>See [http://www.geocities.jp/o_photoclub/OLYHistory/photodata/jpg/1930/1930_07_2.jpg here], also observed at a Yahoo Japan auction.</ref>
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| − | == Olympus Six ==
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| − | Released in 1940, the '''Olympus Six''' (オリンパス・シックス) was now dual-format and could take 6×6 and 4.5×6 pictures with a mask.
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| − | The body looked similar to that of the Semi Olympus II, but it was actually quite different. There were two red windows in the back, one for each format, with a sliding cover accordingly marked ''6X6'' or ''4.5X6''. There was a body release and folding optical finder but no accessory shoe. The [[Koho]] shutter had 1–200, B, T speeds.
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| − | It was first advertised in June 1940 as the '''Semi Olympus III''', for ¥190 with a [[Zuiko]] f:4.5 lens and ¥235 with a Zuiko f:3.5 lens. The shutter was called Koho II. In Dec 1940 it was advertised as Olympus Six, with no price mentioned. Both lenses were said to have four elements, and the shutter was now called New Koho III (新コーホーⅢ). The only format mentioned in this ad was 6×6 (mistakenly written 6×6mm).
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| − | There has been mention<ref>[http://www.geocities.jp/o_photoclub/OLYHistory/category/6x6sp/6x6sp.htm Pages about the Olympus Six] of the Olympus Photo Club website.</ref> of a single-format variant dated Dec 1940, maybe referring to this advertisement. All the cameras observed have two red windows in the back and are dual format.
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| − | In an Olympus Six brochure available at the Olympus corporate site, the shutter is called Koho III and the two lens variants called '''Olympus Six I''' with the Zuiko f:4.5 lens and '''Olympus Six II''' with the Zuiko f:3.5 lens.
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| − | There is some confusion about the number of elements of the lenses mounted on the Olympus Six. Some sources say that the Six was released in 1939 with the same f:4.5 lens as the Semi Olympus, and that the lens became a five-element one in 1940, together with the introduction of another five-element f:3.5 version. However a post-1942 wartime ad<ref>Shown [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html here].</ref> announces both versions f:4.5 and f:3.5 with four-element lenses. John Foster says<ref>[http://www.biofos.com/coll/subcoll/folder.html Here].</ref> that the five-element lens is related to the ''Zuiko S'' lens marking.
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| − | Most Olympus Six bodies were embossed ''OLYMPUS-SIX'' in the back leather, while some of them were embossed ''SUPER-OLYMPUS''. Some sources, including Foster's page, say that this marking was related to the five-element lenses, but an Olympus Six has been observed<ref>[http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~enduin/cameracatalogus/htm/olympus_olympus_six.htm Here].</ref> with ''SUPER-OLYMPUS'' embossed in the back and no ''Zuiko S'' marking on the lens.
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| − | An Olympus Six with an unnamed T, B, 1–250 shutter has been observed,<ref>On [http://www.gold-camera.com/photo/pic.asp?iCat=59&iPic=1355 this page].</ref> and an Olympus Six with an unnamed 1–300, B, T shutter has been observed twice at an eBay auction, with lens serial numbers in the 24000 and 25000 range. The model with shutter to 1/300 is also mentioned.<ref>John Foster, [http://www.biofos.com/coll/subcoll/folder.html in this page].</ref> These models possibly date from the late wartime or immediate postwar period, at a time when the disorganization of the production may have led Olympus to use any shutter it could find. (Its own shutter plant was destroyed by aerial bombing on Apr 26, 1945.)
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| − | After the war, the Olympus Six was sold again, with the Zuiko 7.5cm f:3.5 lens. Foster's page shows one with a Koho shutter, certainly from remaining stocks, and various sources show another model with no strap lugs and the same [[Copal]] 1–200, B, T shutter as the later Chrome Six I.
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| − | == Olympus Chrome Six I / II / III ==
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| − | {| class="plainlinks" style="text-align: center;"
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| − | | rowspan="2" | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/344389078/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/344389078_2471b2d056_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/344389073/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/344389073_aa101534e4_m_d.jpg]
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| − | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/344387496/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/344387496_dd9e3f38e9_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/344389097/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/129/344389097_ee15185782_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/344389086/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/152/344389086_4ab666ea1b_t_d.jpg]
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| − | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/344387492/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/344387492_e45a8b6a88_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/344387505/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/157/344387505_bf6eac7c6f_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/344387509/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/130/344387509_d5f301f779_t_d.jpg]
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| − | | colspan="2" |''Olympus Chrome Six II, Zuiko C. 75mm f/2.8 lens, Copal shutter to 1/200''<br>''Pictures courtesy of eBayer planet4sale. {{with permission}}''
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| − | In 1948 the '''Olympus Chrome Six I''' introduced a diecast body, a chrome top plate, an accessory shoe and a rigid optical finder. It had a [[Zuiko]] 7.5cm f:3.5 lens and a [[Copal]] 1–200, B, T shutter. It still had the ability to take pictures in 4.5×6 format with a mask. Inside the finder a blue filter distinguished the 4.5×6 picture frame. There was also a vertical parallax index. The body was only marked ''Olympus Six'' on the top plate, with ''Olympus-Six'' embossed in the back. All the following models shared these markings, which today often cause confusion.
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| − | The '''Chrome Six II''', also released in 1948, was the same camera with a Zuiko 7.5cm f:2.8 lens.<ref>The chronology at the Olympus corporate site says it was equipped with the film surface stabilizer, which is certainly a confusion with the next Chrome Six III model.</ref>
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| − | The Chrome Six I and II progressively evolved during their production run. The very first examples had a low accessory shoe made of sheet metal, soon changed for a higher diecast part (usually said to be the distinguishing feature of the Chrome Six III, but see below). At about the same time, the shutter's distant release connector disappeared and the lens became coated. A little after, the aperture command was changed from a small index to a longer one.
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| − | The shutter was later changed from the unsynchronized Copal 1–200, B, T to the synchronized Copal B, 1–200, marked ''S.COPAL'' on top, called Synchro-Copal in the manuals. The sync connector was of the ASA bayonet type. Three examples have been observed of a synchronized Copal 1–200, B, T shutter, not marked ''S.COPAL''. The three of them were different. One had a PC type connector on the left, another had an ASA bayonet connector on the top left and the third one had an ASA connector on the top right like the later Synchro-Copal. It is not known if these were original fittings.
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| − | At some time the advance knob slightly evolved too, from a model with flat top and an arrow engraved (in two successive shapes) to a model with no arrow and a somewhat recessed top.
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| − | During this period, the lens markings evolved too, from ''Takatiho Tokyo Zuiko'' on the early lenses to ''Olympus Zuiko F.C.'' on the late lenses. The transition from Takatiho to Olympus probably occurred in 1949 with the company's name change. It apparently occurred together with the adoption of lens coating. Here are the observed lens markings for the f:3.5 lens, ordered by ascending lens number:
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| − | * ''Takatiho Tokyo Zuiko 1:3.5 f=7.5cm''
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| − | * ''Olympus Zuiko Coated 1:3.5 f=7.5cm''
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| − | * ''Olympus Zuiko C. 1:3.5 f=7.5cm'' with red ''C.''<ref>See [http://homepage.mac.com/cameradecollection/folding/Pages/51.html here].</ref>
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| − | * ''Olympus Zuiko C. 1:3.5 f=7.5cm'' with black ''C.''<ref>See [http://www.triplethouse.com/PREV/OlympusSix%20PREV/Olympus.html here].</ref>
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| − | * ''Olympus Zuiko F.C. 1:3.5 f=7.5cm''
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| − | Similar markings have been observed for the f:2.8 lens, all written in white on a black lens bezel.
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| − | It is usually said that the changes distinguishing the next '''Chrome Six III''' model from the previous Chrome Six I and II were the bigger diecast accessory shoe, the synchronized shutter with B, 1–200 speeds and the film reminder. However an English user manual for the Olympus Chrome Six<ref>Observed at a Yahoo Japan auction, with "Nov 13, 1951" handwritten on it.</ref> presents a model with big accessory shoe, Synchro-Copal shutter and coated lens but no film reminder, and calls it "Model I coated Zuiko 1:3.5 f=7.5cm" and "Model II coated Zuiko 1:2.8 f=7.5cm". In contrast the user manual of the Chrome Six III<ref>Available [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/olympus_chrome_six/olympus_chrome_six.htm here] at butkus.org.</ref> presents a camera with a film reminder and a device called "film plane corrector"<!-- I think I can explain it, at least a little. Please wait a day or so. -->, located underneath the film reminder according to one of the pictures. The purpose of this device was apparently to tension the film to enhance the film flatness. The manual of the Chrome Six III emphasizes the film plane corrector as the main innovation of the new model. It is probable but not certain that the cameras without film reminder did not have the film plane corrector either, and were sold as Chrome Six I or II. The external distinguishing features of the Chrome Six III would be the film reminder and a slightly higher release button.
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| − | The Chrome Six III exists in two variants, the '''Chrome Six III A''' with the Olympus Zuiko F.C. f:3.5 lens and the '''Chrome Six III B''' with the Olympus Zuiko F.C. f:2.8 lens. Both lenses are called "Zuiko Full Coated" in the manual. The Chrome Six III appeared in 1951 or 1952.<ref>A guarantee card dated Aug 20th, 1952 has been observed with a Chrome Six IIIA at an eBay auction.</ref>
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| − | At some point during the production of the Chrome Six III, the f:3.5 lens became an Olympus D.Zuiko F.C. It was a recomputed lens design, with new lens glass.<ref>As indicated in a brochure for the Chrome Six RII available at the Olympus corporate site.</ref> The new name indicated that the lens had four elements, D being the fourth letter in the alphabet. This lens was apparently numbered in its own sequence, with numbers starting from 100000. All the later Chrome Six models with f:3.5 lens had the same D.Zuiko F.C.
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| − | == Olympus Chrome Six IV or RI ==
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| − | The '''Chrome Six IV A''' and '''Chrome Six IV B''' from 1954 had an uncoupled rangefinder added under a top housing, and combined with the viewfinder. You had to find the distance with a knob at the back left, then adjust the front lens ring accordingly. The film reminder was the same as for the Chrome Six III, but the release button was shorter. The IV A variant had the D.Zuiko F.C. f:3.5 lens and the IV B had the Zuiko F.C. f:2.8 lens. It is said that the IV A model was sometimes called '''Chrome Six RI A'''. Probably the IV B was also called '''Chrome Six RI B'''. "RI" presumably means "Rangefinder model I". The chronology at the Olympus corporate site presents the IV A and the RI A as separate models, both from 1954, but it is not very reliable.
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| − | == Olympus Chrome Six V ==
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| − | The '''Chrome Six V A''' and '''Chrome Six V B''' from 1955 had a new body integrating a sleekly designed top housing. It is said that they were the first Olympus cameras designed by a specialized design staff. The top housing contained the optical finder, a recessed accessory shoe and a pyramidal release button. The opening button was now on the top of the front door. The advance knob was replaced by an advance lever at the back left. It needed six strokes to advance one exposure. On the back there was also a lever to switch a reducing mask built in the finder for the 4.5×6 format. The back door was no more embossed ''OLYMPUS-SIX'', there was an Olympus logo instead.
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| − | The V A had the D.Zuiko F.C. f:3.5 lens and the V B had the Zuiko F.C. f:2.8 lens. The shutter housing differed somewhat from the earlier versions: the depth of field scale and the aperture scale were chromed instead of black, the sync post was now of the standard PC type and there was a distant release connection. A V B has been observed with 1/300 top speed.
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| − | | |
| − | == Olympus Chrome Six RII ==
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| − | | |
| − | {| class="plainlinks" style="text-align: center;"
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| − | | rowspan="2" |[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/245332574/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/92/245332574_84d4ff4ce5_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/245332575/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/93/245332575_3c0c7b18a1_m_d.jpg]
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| − | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/245332576/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/85/245332576_b61acb870a_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/245332577/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/88/245332577_f55645a3ed_t_d.jpg]
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| − | |-
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| − | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/245333202/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/80/245333202_57d00d1395_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/245332579/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/98/245332579_46a9dcc750_t_d.jpg]
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| − | |-
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| − | | colspan="2" |''Olympus Chrome Six RII A, D-Zuiko F.C. 75mm f:3.5 lens, Copal shutter to 1/200''<br>''(hybrid variant with the old body and old release button but the new folding bed and new shutter housing).''<br>''Pictures courtesy of eBayer Johnnyapg. {{with permission}}''
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| − | |}
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| − | | |
| − | The '''Chrome Six RII''' had an uncoupled rangefinder and was also released in 1955. "RII" presumably means "Rangefinder model II". It was sold as '''Chrome Six RII A''' with the D.Zuiko F.C. f:3.5 lens and '''Chrome Six RII B''' with the Zuiko F.C. f:2.8 lens.
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| − | | |
| − | Both models existed in '''two variants'''. One of the variants had the same body and shutter housing as the Chrome Six V. The other variant inherited the body and shutter housing of the previous Chrome Six models I to IV, with a top housing styled like the Chrome Six V, including the lever advance mechanism. The opening button was on the top plate and the release button was of the old traditional style. John Foster suggests that Olympus made this variant to dispose of the remaining stock parts. Three hybrid examples have been observed combining the old body with the new folding bed (integrating the opening button) and the new shutter housing. Two of these hybrids have the usual 1/200 top speed<ref>See [http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~zeppan_tousan/col4/col4.cgi?mode=main&no=100 here] and the pictures displayed above.</ref> and the other has a 1/300 top speed.<ref>See [http://mpm.kitamura.co.jp/mssm/blogs/440/4973/2006/05/_36120.html here].</ref> Francesch says that the top speed upgrade to 1/300 took place in 1956.
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| − | | |
| − | A brochure for the Chrome Six RII is available at the Olympus corporate site (see the links below). The cameras pictured are of the old variant. The brochure describes a device meant to correct the focus setting according to the aperture. It says that the focus distance varies in the lenses with the Tessar formula, and that Olympus was the first camera maker to take it into account. Apparently this device was simply a line traced under each distance number, indicating the focus correction for f:8 and f:5.6 apertures.
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| − | | |
| − | The V and RII were the last Olympus folders. In 1957 Olympus had abandoned <!-- In '57 it abandoned? By '57 it had abandoned? (I don't have the book with me, sorry.) --> the 6×6 folders and the 6×6 TLRs and were making 35mm models only.
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| − | | |
| − | == Notes ==
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| − | <references />
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| − | | |
| − | == Bibliography ==
| |
| − | * {{Showa10}} Items 37–40 and 440–50.
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| − | * {{Francesch Olympus}}
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| − | * Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Kōkoku kara miru Orinpasu kamera no nagare" (広告から見るオリンパスカメラの流れ, "Olympus camera history seen through the advertisements"). {{KKS020}} Pp. 10–1.
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| − | * Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Orinpasu kamera no subete 1: supuringu kamera <senzen-hen>" (オリンパスカメラのすべて1・スプリングカメラ戦前編, "All of Olympus cameras 1: folding cameras [prewar]"). {{KKS020}} Pp. 13–5.
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| − | * Hibi Takashi (日比孝). "Nihon no supuringu kamera: Orinpasu" (日本のスプリングカメラ・オリンパス, "Japanese folding cameras: Olympus"). {{KKS008}} Pp. 62–5.
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| − | * Kawamata Masataku (川又正卓). ''Olympus Chrome Six II.'' In [[Sources: Japanese language#Supuringu kamera de ikou|''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: The use of and actual examples from 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp. 114–5. (The displayed camera is actually a Chrome Six IIIB.)
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| − | * {{Lewis}} Pp. 53, 60, 63, 73, 74.
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| − | * Maitani Yoshihisa (米谷美久). [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/vol01/index.html "Kamera-zukuri he no bōken"] (カメラ創りへの冒険, "Venturing into camera production"). Volume 1 of [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/index.html ''Haikei — Sekkeisha yori''] (拝啓・設計者より, "Dear Sir, from the designer"). Published in the [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/ Zuiko Club website], belonging to the Olympus Imaging Corp.
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| − | * Matsuzaki Sōichirō (松崎惣一郎). "Orinpasu kamera no subete 2: supuringu kamera <sengo-hen>" (オリンパスカメラのすべて2・スプリングカメラ戦後編, "All of Olympus cameras 2: folding cameras [postwar]"). {{KKS020}} Pp. 16–8.
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| − | * Matsuzaki Sōichirō (松崎惣一郎). "'Orinpasu kurōmu shikkusu' to sono koto domo" (「オリンパスクロームシックス」とその周辺のことども, "About the 'Olympus Chrome Six'"). {{KKS076}} Pp. 28–31.
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| − | * {{McKeown12}} Pp. 747–8.
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| − | * ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'' (思い出のスプリングカメラ展, Exhibition of beloved self-erecting cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P. 23.
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| − | * ''Orinpasu-ten — oputo-dejitaru-tekunolojī no kiseki'' (オリンパス展・オプトデジタルテクノロジーの軌跡, Olympus exhibition, the tracks of opto-digital technology). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2005. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.)
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| − | * Sakai Shūichi (酒井修一). "Orinpasu no rekishi" (オリンパスの歴史, "History of Olympus"). {{KKS020}} Pp. 6–9.
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| − | * {{Zukan}} Items 1213–7 and 1370–9.
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| − | * "Zadankai: Orinpasu no michi" (座談会・オリンパスの道, "Conversation: the way of Olympus"). Interview of Sakurai Eiichi (桜井栄一), Maitani Yoshihisa (米谷美久) and Kawazoe Mitsuo (河添光男), by Saeki Kakugorō (佐伯恪五郎). {{KKS020}} Pp. 64–71.
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| − | | |
| − | == Links ==
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| − | === General links ===
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| − | In English:
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| − | * [http://www.biofos.com/coll/subcoll/folder.html The Olympus folders' page] at [http://www.biofos.com/ John Foster's site]
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| − | * [http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/corc/history/camera/index.cfm?ote=1 Medium-format cameras], [http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/corc/history/camera/chron_1936.cfm?ote=0 chronology] and [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/fun/wallpaper/camera/index.cfm wallpapers] in the [http://www.olympus-global.com/en/global/ Olympus official website]
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| − | <!--* [http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~enduin/cameracatalogus/htm/olympus_olympus_six.htm Olympus Six] at [http://home.kabelfoon.nl/~enduin/cameracatalogus/ Cameracatalogus] -->
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| − | * [http://homepage.mac.com/cameradecollection/folding/Pages/51.html Chrome Six I] at Michel Guillemette's [http://homepage.mac.com/cameradecollection/folding/ Caméra de Collection]
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| − | * [http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/olympus_six/index.html Chrome Six IV A in English] and [http://www.mediajoy.com/cla_came/olympus_six/index.html in Japanese] in [http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/ Mediajoy's guide to classic cameras], with its operation described in pictures (For either language option, keep following the "next" link at the foot of the page)
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| − | * [http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/olympus6_e.html Chrome Six RII A] (presented as a IV A) at [http://www.cosmonet.org/camera/ Cosmonet's classic camera site],
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| − | * [http://www.d6.dion.ne.jp/~mino-t/mf_olympus6/mfolympus_eng.htm Chrome Six RII B in English] and [http://www.d6.dion.ne.jp/~mino-t/mf_olympus6/mfolympus.htm in Japanese], at [http://www.d6.dion.ne.jp/~mino-t/ Takahara Minoru's site]
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| − | | |
| − | In German:
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| − | * Pages within [http://olypedia.de/Hauptseite Olypedia], a German-language wiki about Olympus: [http://olypedia.de/SEMI_1._Modell Semi Olympus], [http://olypedia.de/SEMI_2._Modell Semi Olympus II], [http://olypedia.de/SIX Olympus Six], [http://olypedia.de/CHROME_SIX_I Chrome Six I], [http://olypedia.de/CHROME_SIX_II Chrome Six II], [http://olypedia.de/Chrome_SIX_III Chrome Six III], [http://olypedia.de/CHROME_SIX_IVa Chrome Six IV A], [http://olypedia.de/CHROME_SIX_IVb Chrome Six IV B], [http://olypedia.de/CHROME_SIX_Va Chrome Six V A], [http://olypedia.de/CHROME_SIX_Vb Chrome Six V B]
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| − | | |
| − | In Japanese:
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| − | * [http://www.geocities.jp/o_photoclub/OLYHistory/category/semi/semi.htm The Semi models] and [http://www.geocities.jp/o_photoclub/OLYHistory/category/6x6sp/6x6sp.htm the Six and Chrome Six models] at the [http://www.geocities.jp/o_photoclub/OLYHistory/index.htm Olympus history pages] of the [http://www.geocities.jp/o_photoclub/ Olympus Photo Club website]. (The information there seems to be based on the article by Hibi in {{KKS}} no. 8. Many pictures are misidentified.)
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| − | * [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JA_OLUMPUS_PIC.htm Olympus Six] at [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ Japan Family Camera] (some photographs, no text)
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| − | * [http://foto.415tips.com/Camera/cam_six.html Chrome Six III A] at [http://foto.415tips.com/ 415 Foto], text in Japanese, some photographs
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| − | * [http://homepage3.nifty.com/madam/camera/OLYMPUS.html Chrome Six III B] and [http://madam3.hp.infoseek.co.jp/photo/051210.html Chrome Six V] at [http://homepage3.nifty.com/madam/ the Ichirizuka site by Madam-san]: photographs, explanatory text in Japanese, and sample taken by the Chrome Six V.
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| − | * [http://www.triplethouse.com/PREV/OlympusSix%20PREV/Olympus.html Chrome Six III A] at Yokky's [http://www.triplethouse.com/ Triplet House]: photograph, text in Japanese, samples taken by the Chrome Six
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| − | * [http://www.geocities.jp/yastsuji/olympus-six.html Chrome Six III A] at [http://www.geocities.jp/yastsuji/ Otowa no nigan-refu]
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| − | * [http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~shoko/120/newpage120.htm Chrome Six III B] at Shoko's [http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~shoko/index.html Hana no shashin homepage]: small photograph, text in Japanese, samples taken by the Chrome Six
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| − | * [http://www.geocities.co.jp/Hollywood-Screen/5072/pc2.html Chrome Six III B] at [http://www.geocities.co.jp/Hollywood-Screen/5072/index.html Tetra]
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| − | * [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371116&APage=12 Chrome Six III B] in the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/set_brws_01.php?id=1033 Camera database] of the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/ Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology]: poor photograph and minimal text (in Japanese), notable for demonstrating that this camera is in the collection of JCII
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| − | * [http://clacamera.exblog.jp/4405340/ Chrome Six III A] at [http://clacamera.exblog.jp/ doraDD's clacamera blog]
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| − | * [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.31.htm#Olympus6 Chrome Six IV B] at a page of the [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/ All Japan Classic Camera Club]: one photograph and minimal text in Japanese, within a page about many folders
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| − | * [http://www.ksmt.com/eos10d/eos_nikki_body6.htm#060118 Chrome Six V B] and [http://www.ksmt.com/eos10d/classic2.htm#34 lens specs] at [http://www.ksmt.com/ ksmt.com]: photographs and minimal text in Japanese
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| − | * There is a Chrome Six RII A in the [http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~zeppan_tousan/ Zeppan Tōsan photo site]. The page cannot be accessed by a direct link: follow the link marked "武器庫" in the page menu, then the link marked "オリンパス クロームシックスRIIA" in the next menu.
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| − | <!-- dead link commented out: * [http://mpm.kitamura.co.jp/mssm/blogs/440/4973/2006/05/_36120.html A link to a Japanese blog], with a picture of a Chrome Six RII A with 1/300 top speed -->
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| − | | |
| − | In Chinese:
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| − | * [http://www.gold-camera.com/photo/pic.asp?iCat=59&iPic=1355 Olympus Six] with an unknown shutter (T, B, 1–250) and [http://www.gold-camera.com/photo/pic.asp?iCat=59&iPic=1356 Chrome Six RII A], you can enlarge the picture by clicking on it.
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| − | | |
| − | === Literature and advertisements ===
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| − | In English:
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| − | * [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/olympus_chrome_six/olympus_chrome_six.htm Instruction manual for the Chrome Six III] at [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ butkus.org]
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| − | In Japanese:
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| − | * [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki5.jpg Advertisements for the Semi Olympus II] published in the September 1938 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' and in the 8 February 1939 issue of ''[[Asahi Graph]]'', reproduced in the [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm Japanese camera page] of the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]
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| − | * [http://www.warbirds.jp/heiki/neta/camera/olimpus.jpg Advertisement for the Semi Olympus II] published in the October 1939 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in a page of [http://www.warbirds.jp/heiki/31000.htm camera advertisements] at the [http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~heikiseikatsu/ Heiki Seikatsu website]
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| − | * [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/rollcko_l.jpg Advertisement for the Olympus Six] dated between 1942 and 1945, reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page of old Japanese advertisements by Toshio Inamura
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| − | * Brochures reproduced (in pdf format) in the [http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/corc/history/camera/index.cfm?ote=1 medium format page] of the Olympus corporate site and in [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/vol01/index.html this page] of the Zuiko Club:
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| − | ** [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/pdf/semi_olympus.pdf brochure of the Semi Olympus II] dated 1937
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| − | ** [http://www.olympus-zuiko.com/dev_spirits/maitani/pdf/olympus_six.pdf brochure of the Olympus Six]
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| − | ** brochure of the Chrome Six RII: [http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/corc/history/camera/pdf/chrome_six.pdf part 1] and [http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/corc/history/camera/pdf/chrome_six2.pdf part 2]
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| − | | |
| − | === Repairs and technical info ===
| |
| − | In Japanese:
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| − | * Repair notes of a [http://kans1948.zero-yen.com/html/p87.html Chrome Six V A] and a [http://kans1948.zero-yen.com/html/p165.html Chrome Six V B] at [http://www.geocities.jp/kanscamera/ Kan's Room]
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| − | * [http://jhmcc.hp.infoseek.co.jp/exmpl.htm An odd home-made camera] based on a Chrome Six V body with a Copal #1 shutter and a Nikkor lens, at the [http://jhmcc.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ Japan Handmade Camera Club]
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| − | | |
| − | | |
| − | {{Olympus classic}}
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| − | | |
| − | [[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
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| − | [[Category: Japanese 6x6 viewfinder folding]]
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| − | [[Category: Japanese 6x6 rangefinder folding]]
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| − | [[Category: Olympus]]
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| − | [[Category: O]]
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