Difference between revisions of "Olympus folders"

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== Olympus Six ==
 
== 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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Released in 1940, the '''Olympus Six''' (オリンパス・シックス) is a dual-format model and can take 6×6cm and 4.5×6cm pictures with a mask.
  
−
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.
+
=== Description ===
 +
The Olympus Six is a horizontal folder, and its folding struts are similar to that of the Semi Olympus II. There is a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate. Two hairlines are engraved in the front glass, indicating the field of view for 4.5×6cm exposures. The folding bed release is immediately to the left of the viewfinder, as seen by the photographer. There is a body release at the right of the top plate, next to the right-hand film flange. The advance knob is at the left end, it has the serial number and an arrow engraved, as on the Semi Olympus II. There are strap lugs at both ends of the top plate, replacing the leather handle of the previous model, and there is no accessory shoe.
  
−
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).
+
The back is hinged to the right and the back latch consists of a long sliding bar. There are two red windows in the back, one for each format, with a sliding cover accordingly marked ''6X6'' or ''4.5X6''. The bottom plate has two film flanges at the ends, and a 3/8″ tripod thread in the middle.
 +
 
 +
The ''OLYMPUS TOKYO'' logo is embossed in the leather of the folding bed, and the name ''OLYMPUS–SIX'' or ''SUPER–OLYMPUS'' is embossed in the back, under the red windows.
 +
 
 +
=== Evolution through original documents ===
 +
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, giving 1–200, B, T speeds. 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).
  
 
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.
 
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.

Revision as of 12:04, 19 June 2007

245332575_3c0c7b18a1_m_d.jpg
Picture courtesy of eBayer Johnnyapg. (Image rights)
Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Semi Ace | Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Semi Ako | Ami | Bakyna | Semi Chrome | Semi Clover | Collex | Semi Condor | Semi Dymos | Semi Elega | Semi First | Auto Semi First | Baby Semi First | Gaica | Semi Gelto | Semi Germa | Hansa Semi Rollette | Heil | Hokoku | Hope | Kadera | Kankyu | Kelly | Kiko Semi | Semi Kinka | Semi Konter | Semi Kreis | Semi Kulax | Semi Lead | Semi Leotax | Semi Lester | Loyal | Semi Lucky | Semi Lyra | Semi Makinet | Semi Metax | Semi Minolta (I) and II | Auto Semi Minolta | Semi Miss | Mizuho | Semi Mulber | Semi National | New Gold | Okaco | Oko Semi | Semi Olympus | Semi Olympus II | Semi Osamo | Semi Pearl | Primo | Semi Prince | Semi Proud | Semi Prux | Roavic | Semi Rody | Rondex | Semi Rosen | Semi Rotte | Seica | Seves | Semi Shiks | Sintax | Semi Sixteenth | Semi Solon | Semi Sport | Star Semi | Semi-Tex | Tsubasa Kiko Three | Tsubasa Nettar | Tsubasa Super Semi | Ugein | Vester-Lette | Victor | Waltax | Wester | Zeitax
collapsible
Semi Kinsi | Lord | Lyrax | Nippon | New Olympic | Semi Olympic | Semi Renky | Auto Victor | Well Super
stereo
Sun Stereo
unknown
Semi Elka | Semi Keef | Napoleon
Postwar models ->
Japanese Six (6×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Adler Six | Bonny Six | Clover-Six | Condor Six | First Six | Gelto Six | Gotex | Green | Lyra Six | Super Makinet Six | Mamiya Six | Miyako Six | Mulber Six | Mulix | National Six | Neure Six | Oko Six | Olympus Six | Pilot Six | Romax | Ugein | Vester-Six | Victor Six | Weha Six
collapsible
Ehira Chrome Six | Minolta Six | Shinko Super | Weha Chrome Six
unknown
Freude Six | Heart Camera | Konter Six | Tsubasa Six
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Aires Viceroy | Angel Six | Aram Six | Astoria Super Six | Atom Six | Balm Six | Baron | Beauty Six (1950) | Beauty Six (1953) | Calm Six | Carl Six | Centre Six | Crown | Crystar Six | Daido Six | Dorima Six | Doris Six | Ehira Six | Elbow Six | First Six | Flora Six | Fodor Six | Frank Six | Fujica Six | Super Fujica Six | Futami Six | Gotex | Grace Six | Kohken Chrome Six | Kyowa Six | Liner Six | Lyra Six | Mamiya Six | Middl Six | Mihama Six | Mine Six | Minon Six | Mizuho Six | Motoka Six | Mount Six | Muse Six | Super Naiku | Ofuna Six | Olympus Six | Olympus Chrome Six | Orion Six | Oscar Six | Pigeon Six | Planet | Please Six | Pluto Six | Poppy Six | Press Van | Press Van-120 | Proud Chrome Six | Proud Super Six | Renown Six | Ricoh Six | Ruvikon | Ruvinal | Sanon Six | Silver Six | Sisley 1 | Sisley 2 & 3 | Sister Six | Tenar Six | Toho Six | Tomic | Toyoca Six | Ugein Six | Wagen Six | Walcon 6 | Welmy Six | Wester | Windsor Six
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

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.

Semi Olympus

The first camera made by Takachiho (later Olympus) was the Semi Olympus (セミ・オリンパス).

Description

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 prewar Semi Proud.[1]

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.

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,[2] except on one composite example described below.

Origin

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 (宮田尚一) under the supervision of Mr Suzuki (鈴木).[3] Various camera manufacturers were approached but the lenses did not sell. Miyazaki Shizuma (宮崎静馬), founder of 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.[4] He offered to supply the camera bodies, same as on the Semi Proud, and insisted in adopting the Compur shutter, to make the camera easier to sell.[5] According to Sakurai Eiichi, only one lot was made before the shutter imports stopped;[6] he does not state the reason for this, although it might have been the outbreak of war with China.

Documents

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. Most sources say that the camera was first sold in 1936, some specify September.[7] No original document has been found yet to support this.[8]

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.[9]

The Semi Olympus was advertised in the June 1937 issue of Asahi Camera and in the July 1937 issue of Ars Camera.[10] The advertisement in Asahi Camera was placed by the distributor Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten.[11] It mentions two versions, one with a Rulex A shutter (1–200, T, B) made by Neumann & Heilemann, priced ¥78, the other with an Auto-Compur shutter (1–250, T, B) priced ¥98, 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.)[12]

Surviving examples

The version with Compur shutter is usually said to be the earliest one. Two surviving examples are known, with lens no. 1048 and 1142.[13] It is very plausible that the serial number sequence began at 1000: this was a very common practice at the time among Japanese optical companies.[14] The Compur shutter plate has the FD logo on the right (for Friedrich Deckel), 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.

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.

544747394_b9539dba1f_d.jpg 544747398_6abb7ac42a_d.jpg
Semi Olympus, Rulex shutter, Zuikô 7.5cm f/4.5 lens no. 1137.
Pictures courtesy of Henk. (Image rights)

It is usually said that there is a later version with Koho shutter. The Koho shutter was made by 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.

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.[15] 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 before at least late 1939.[16]

The other example has lens no. 6358 and is held at the Olympus gallery.[17] 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 so far on a Semi Olympus II is no. 2001, on a camera certainly made after May 1938 (see below) and lens no. 7242 is pictured in a brochure on an Olympus Six, dated about 1940.[18] The lens no. 6358 would not have been produced before about 1939.

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.

Semi Olympus II

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).[19]

Description

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 serial number is engraved in the advance knob, together with an arrow indicating the winding direction. 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, covered by a black 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. The OLYMPUS TOKYO logo is embossed at two places: in the back leather (above the red windows) and in the handle. The lens is the same Zuiko 75/4.5 as on the previous Semi Olympus.

Evolution through original documents

The Semi Olympus II was advertised in Asahi Camera from October 1937 to March 1940, and it was featured in the January 1938 issue of the same magazine.[20]

The first version of the camera is pictured in the October 1937 advertisement and in a brochure dated 1937.[21] The viewfinder is offset to the left (as seen by the photographer) and the folding bed release in in the middle of the top plate. In both documents, the shutter is called Laurel (ローレル, rōreru) and is said to give 1–150, B, T speeds with a self-timer. The name LAUREL is engraved at the base of the speed rim. The shutter plate is inscribed OLYMPUS-TOKYO N at the top and the aperture scale is at the bottom.

No price is given in the October advertisement, where the camera is presented together with the Olympus Standard, and where Misuzu Shōkai and Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten are given as authorized dealers. The brochure has a sticker indicating a price of ¥105. No surviving example has been observed with the offset finder and the Laurel shutter, and it is not clear whether this version was actually sold.

The May 1938 advertisement in Asahi Camera[22] shows the regular version of the Semi Olympus II, with the tubular finder in the middle of the top plate and the folding bed release on the right. One of the pictures shows a number of cameras from a distance (at least twenty), indicating that the serial production of the camera bodies had begun. In another picture showing a camera from a closer distance, the shutter rim reads DAURED. It is not clear whether this engraving actually existed or if this is a retouched picture of a camera with Laurel shutter. It is said that the Laurel name was dropped because it was already registered by another company,[23] and the Daured name appearing in this advertisement was certainly the result of a hasty move.

The advertisement in the June 1938 issue of Asahi Camera[24] shows the new shutter name Koho (コーホー), both in the text and on the pictured camera. The advertisement shows a mountain and a country road, with the catch-phrase "[Let's go] gallantly to the green mountains and fields" (緑の山野に颯爽と!), an allusion to the season and perhaps to the camera name Olympus and shutter name Kōhō (meaning "high peak" or "high mountain"). The company Honjō Shōkai was added to the list of authorized dealers and the price was given as ¥95 for the first time. It is likely that the camera was not actually sold before that date.

In advertisements dated July and September 1938, February and October 1939,[25] the price was raised to ¥105 and the company Hinode Kōgyō K.K. (日之出興業㈱) gradually replaced the three authorized dealers and became the sole distributor. The February 1939 advertisement says that the price of ¥105 comprised a lens hood and a cable release. The top speed is given as 1/150 in all these advertisements. Incidentally, in all the advertisements 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).

Surviving examples

All the examples observed of the Semi Olympus II have the viewfinder centred above the top plate and a Koho shutter. The early examples have 1–150, B, T speeds. The earliest lens number observed so far is no. 2001.[26] This camera was necessarily made after the May 1938 "Daured" episode (see above): if the camera was available before, the company would not have used a picture (original or retouched) showing the name Daured in the May 1938 advertisement, and would have used a photograph of a camera with Koho shutter instead. This is a hint that very few Olympus cameras were made before that date.

An example is known with a folding optical finder centred above the top plate, instead of the tubular finder.[27] It has lens no. 2048 and a Koho shutter, and the folding finder is probably not original.

On all the examples observed of the Semi Olympus II, the lens engraving differs from the early engraving found on the previous Semi Olympus. It is Zuikô 1:4,5 f=7.5cm Takatiho Tokyo No.xxxx (circunflex accent) up to lens no. 3797 and Zuiko 1:4,5 f=7.5cm Takatiho Tokyo No.xxxx (no accent) from lens no. 5253.[28]

Later examples have 1–200, B, T speeds, with no other change. Lens no. 5253 is associated with 1/150 top speed and lens no. 5389 with 1/200 top speed, and the transition probably occurred around that time.[29] However the different parts constituting the camera (body, shutter and lens) were not used in strict sequence: for example, lens no. 5253 goes with body no. 5368 and lens no. 5389 goes with the earlier body no. 5362.

One isolated example is known with 1–200, B speeds and no T setting.[30] It has body no. 6641 and lens no. 6168, the latest numbers observed so far on a Semi Olympus II.

Olympus Six

Released in 1940, the Olympus Six (オリンパス・シックス) is a dual-format model and can take 6×6cm and 4.5×6cm pictures with a mask.

Description

The Olympus Six is a horizontal folder, and its folding struts are similar to that of the Semi Olympus II. There is a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate. Two hairlines are engraved in the front glass, indicating the field of view for 4.5×6cm exposures. The folding bed release is immediately to the left of the viewfinder, as seen by the photographer. There is a body release at the right of the top plate, next to the right-hand film flange. The advance knob is at the left end, it has the serial number and an arrow engraved, as on the Semi Olympus II. There are strap lugs at both ends of the top plate, replacing the leather handle of the previous model, and there is no accessory shoe.

The back is hinged to the right and the back latch consists of a long sliding bar. There are two red windows in the back, one for each format, with a sliding cover accordingly marked 6X6 or 4.5X6. The bottom plate has two film flanges at the ends, and a 3/8″ tripod thread in the middle.

The OLYMPUS TOKYO logo is embossed in the leather of the folding bed, and the name OLYMPUS–SIX or SUPER–OLYMPUS is embossed in the back, under the red windows.

Evolution through original documents

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, giving 1–200, B, T speeds. 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).

There has been mention[31] 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.

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.

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[32] announces both versions f:4.5 and f:3.5 with four-element lenses. John Foster says[33] that the five-element lens is related to the Zuiko S lens marking.

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[34] with SUPER-OLYMPUS embossed in the back and no Zuiko S marking on the lens.

An Olympus Six with an unnamed T, B, 1–250 shutter has been observed,[35] 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.[36] 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.)

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.

Olympus Chrome Six I / II / III

344389078_2471b2d056_m_d.jpg 344389073_aa101534e4_m_d.jpg 344387496_dd9e3f38e9_t_d.jpg 344389097_ee15185782_t_d.jpg 344389086_4ab666ea1b_t_d.jpg
344387492_e45a8b6a88_t_d.jpg 344387505_bf6eac7c6f_t_d.jpg 344387509_d5f301f779_t_d.jpg
Olympus Chrome Six II, Zuiko C. 75mm f/2.8 lens, Copal shutter to 1/200
Pictures courtesy of eBayer planet4sale. (Image rights)

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.

The Chrome Six II, also released in 1948, was the same camera with a Zuiko 7.5cm f:2.8 lens.[37]

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.

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.

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.

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:

  • Takatiho Tokyo Zuiko 1:3.5 f=7.5cm
  • Olympus Zuiko Coated 1:3.5 f=7.5cm
  • Olympus Zuiko C. 1:3.5 f=7.5cm with red C.[38]
  • Olympus Zuiko C. 1:3.5 f=7.5cm with black C.[39]
  • Olympus Zuiko F.C. 1:3.5 f=7.5cm

Similar markings have been observed for the f:2.8 lens, all written in white on a black lens bezel.

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[40] 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[41] presents a camera with a film reminder and a device called "film plane corrector", 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.

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.[42]

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.[43] 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.

Olympus Chrome Six IV or RI

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.

Olympus Chrome Six V

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.

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.

Olympus Chrome Six RII

245332574_84d4ff4ce5_m_d.jpg 245332575_3c0c7b18a1_m_d.jpg 245332576_b61acb870a_t_d.jpg 245332577_f55645a3ed_t_d.jpg
245333202_57d00d1395_t_d.jpg 245332579_46a9dcc750_t_d.jpg
Olympus Chrome Six RII A, D-Zuiko F.C. 75mm f:3.5 lens, Copal shutter to 1/200
(hybrid variant with the old body and old release button but the new folding bed and new shutter housing).
Pictures courtesy of eBayer Johnnyapg. (Image rights)

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.

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[44] and the other has a 1/300 top speed.[45] Francesch says that the top speed upgrade to 1/300 took place in 1956.

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.

The V and RII were the last Olympus folders. In 1957 Olympus had abandoned the 6×6 folders and the 6×6 TLRs and were making 35mm models only.

Notes

  1. ↑ Sakurai Eiichi, pp. 64–5 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20, Hagiya, p. 14 of the same magazine, Hibi, p. 62 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka 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.
  2. ↑ "Takatiho" and "Takachiho" are alternative romanizations of the same name. The pronunciation has the "chi" of "chilly", not the "ti" of "tinfoil".
  3. ↑ 105/4.5 and 75/4.5: Hagiya, p. 13 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20. Pr. Miyata and Mr Suzuki: Sakurai Eiichi, p. 64 of the same magazine.
  4. ↑ Sakurai Eiichi, p. 64 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20.
  5. ↑ Sakurai Eiichi, pp. 64–5 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20.
  6. ↑ Sakurai Eiichi, p. 65 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20.
  7. ↑ September 1936: Sakai, p. 7 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20. This source seems extremely accurate on all points.
  8. ↑ The fact that no original document has been found does not mean that it is false, only that it is unsure. Even if the 1936 release date is officially supported by the Olympus company, this obviously does not constitute a proof in itself. For example the company Minolta officially endorsed big mistakes in the release dates of its prewar models (see the Semi Minolta article) and in the name of its earliest camera (see the Nifcarette article).
  9. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 335.
  10. ↑ Hibi, p. 63 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8.
  11. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 62, in Hibi, p. 62 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8 and in Hagiya, p. 10 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20.
  12. ↑ Price of ¥105: Sakurai Eiichi, p. 65 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka 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.
  13. ↑ 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 this page of his website.
  14. ↑ It would be extremely difficult to prove this assertion though, unless the lens registries are still held by the Olympus company.
  15. ↑ Example pictured in Hibi, pp. 62 and 63 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8, and in the catalogue of the Olympus exhibition of the JCII (cover, pp. 3 and 4).
  16. ↑ The 1/150 top speed is still mentioned in the advertisement for the Semi Olympus II published in Asahi Camera October 1939, reproduced in this page of the Heiki Seikatsu website.
  17. ↑ Example pictured in Francesch, p. 57, in McKeown, p. 747, in Sugiyama, item 1214, in this page of the Olympus corporate site and in many other sources.
  18. ↑ 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: brochure for the Olympus Six available from the Olympus corporate site.
  19. ↑ Sakurai Eiichi, p. 64 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20.
  20. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 335.
  21. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 62, and in Hibi, p. 62 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8. Brochure available in pdf format in this page of the Zuiko Club website.
  22. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Hibi, p. 62 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8.
  23. ↑ Francesch, p. 24. Hibi, p. 63 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8, says that it was registered by Tōkyō Kōgaku but this is perhaps a confusion with the postwar Laurelflex made by that company.
  24. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 62, and in Hibi, p. 62 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8.
  25. ↑ July 1938: advertisement published in Ars Camera reproduced in Hagiya, p. 10 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20. — September 1938: advertisement published in Asahi Camera reproduced in the Gochamaze website and in Hibi, p. 63 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8. — February 1939: advertisement published in Asahi Graph (8 February 1939), reproduced in the Gochamaze website. — October 1939: advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in this page of the Heiki Seikatsu website.
  26. ↑ Example pictured in Francesch (cover page) and in McKeown, p. 747.
  27. ↑ Example picture in Hibi, p. 63 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 8, and in Shunkan o torae-tsuzukeru shattā-ten, p. 21.
  28. ↑ Lens no. 3797: example pictured in Francesch, p. 58, in Sugiyama, item 1215, in Hagiya, p. 14 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20 and in this page of the Olympus Photo Club. Lens no. 5253 (body no. 5368): example pictured in Hagiya, p. 14 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 20.
  29. ↑ Lens no. 5389: example observed in online auctions: body no. 5362, lens no. 5389; lens no. 5454.
  30. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  31. ↑ Pages about the Olympus Six of the Olympus Photo Club website.
  32. ↑ Shown here.
  33. ↑ Here.
  34. ↑ Here.
  35. ↑ On this page.
  36. ↑ John Foster, in this page.
  37. ↑ 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.
  38. ↑ See here.
  39. ↑ See here.
  40. ↑ Observed at a Yahoo Japan auction, with "Nov 13, 1951" handwritten on it.
  41. ↑ Available here at butkus.org.
  42. ↑ A guarantee card dated Aug 20th, 1952 has been observed with a Chrome Six IIIA at an eBay auction.
  43. ↑ As indicated in a brochure for the Chrome Six RII available at the Olympus corporate site.
  44. ↑ See here and the pictures displayed above.
  45. ↑ See here.

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