Difference between revisions of "Orion Coupler"

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The company [[Miranda|Orion Seiki]] (predecessor of [[Miranda|Miranda Camera]]) made a number of adapters and accessories in the 1950s.
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The '''Coupler''' (カプラー) is an adapter to use [[Contax rangefinder lenses|Contax lenses]] or [[Nikon rangefinder lenses|Nikon lenses]] on [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]] cameras, with correct rangefinder coupling, made by Orion Seiki, then Orion Camera and later [[Miranda|Miranda Camera]], from the late 1940s or early 1950s.
  
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The best known adapter allows to use [[Contax rangefinder lenses|Contax lenses]] or [[Nikon rangefinder lenses|Nikon lenses]] on [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw mount]] cameras, with correct rangefinder coupling. It has both the internal and external bayonet mounts, and contains a focusing helical, like that attached to the [[Contax rangefinder|Contax]] or [[Nikon rangefinder|Nikon]] body. Two versions exist, reproducing the different setting and helicoid pitch of the two cameras.
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== Description ==
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The device was developed by Ōtsuka Shintarō (大塚新太郎), associate of the founder Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), and was the first product by the company.<REF name="Hagiya 9"> Hagiya, p.9 of {{KKS}} no.64. </REF><REF> [http://miranda.s32.xrea.com/ Main page of the Miranda Society Japan]. </REF> It has both the internal and external bayonet mounts, and contains a focusing helical, like that attached to the [[Contax rangefinder|Contax]] or [[Nikon rangefinder models|Nikon]] body. Two versions exist, reproducing the different focus settings of the two cameras. They can take all Contax or Nikon mount lenses with a few exceptions, such as the Biogon 3.5cm f/2.8 (prewar and postwar versions) and the Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8, because of their protruding rear elements.  
  
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It is said that the early adapters made for Contax lenses have no marking, whether later ones, made after the release of the Nikon version, are marked accordingly.<REF name="cameraquest"> [http://www.cameraquest.com/adapter.htm Orion adapters] at Cameraquest. </REF> Details of the minor variations are described in [http://www.cameraquest.com/adapter.htm this page at Cameraquest], which also shows newer reproductions of these adapters, made from 2001 to 2004. It seems that the easier way to recognize an original Orion adapter from a modern reproduction is the presence of the helical threads visible on the side of the original model when focused at close distance.<REF name="cameraquest" />
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The distance scale is engraved either in metres or in feet. It is said that the early adapters made for Contax lenses have no marking, whether later ones, made after the release of the Nikon version, are marked ''Contax Lens''; those for Nikon are always inscribed ''Nikon Lens''.<REF name="cameraquest"> [http://www.cameraquest.com/adapter.htm Orion adapters] at Cameraquest. </REF> Details of other minor variations are described in [http://www.cameraquest.com/adapter.htm this page at Cameraquest], which also shows newer reproductions of these adapters, made from 2001 to 2004. It seems that the easier way to recognize an original Orion adapter from a modern reproduction is that the helical threads are visible from the side, on the original models, when they are focused at close distance.<REF name="cameraquest" />
  
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== Documents ==
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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|| [http://flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/3312371370/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3312371370_3cb45f8909_d.jpg]
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| [http://flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/46753697175/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46753697175_1ef3da794d_d.jpg]
 
|-
 
|-
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|| ''Advertisement by [[Matsushima]] in the June 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}. {{public domain Japan new}}.''
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| ''Brochure for [[Miranda|Orion]] products, c.1953 (extract).<br>Scans by Jeffrey Felton. {{public domain Japan new}}''
 
|}
 
|}
  
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The above advertisement for the [[Mirax]], [[Focabell]] and [[Supreme lenses]], placed by the distributor [[Matsushima]] in the June 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}, lists the Contax or Nikon to Leica adapter, called "Coupler" (カプラー), for ¥6,600.<REF> Advertisement in the June 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}, p.22. </REF> This price is not cheap for this type of accessory, and corresponds to an inexpensive folding camera (see other [[Japanese prices#1955|Japanese prices in 1955]]).
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The above Japanese brochure, dated c.1953, shows the Coupler among other Orion products.<REF name="brochure 53"> Brochure ''Mirax & Focabell, Orion Camera's Product's''. </REF> It gives catalogue numbers 1200A and 1200B, respectively for the Contax and Nikon versions. The device also appears in the English brochure reproduced below, dated c.1954, where it is called Coupler type A (for Contax) and type B (for Nikon).
  
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The advertisement incidentally shows that Orion was making many other adapters and accessories at the time:
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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* [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw lenses]] on C-mount cine cameras, ¥750;
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| [http://flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47674480971/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47674480971_4fc41b56fa_d.jpg]
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* [[39mm screw lenses|Leica screw lenses]] on D-mount cine cameras, ¥1,000;
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|-
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* microscope adapter for [[Mirax]], ¥3,500;
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| ''Brochure for [[Miranda|Orion]] products, c.1954 (extract).<br>Scans by Jeffrey Felton. {{public domain Japan new}}''
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* microscope adapter for [[Exakta]], ¥5,000;
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|}
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* extension tube for [[Mirax]], ¥2,000;
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* extension tube for [[Exakta]] (set of five),<REF> Price list in the June 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}, p.119. </REF> ¥5,850.
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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| [http://flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47674607221/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47674607221_2af55f059d_d.jpg]
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|-
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| ''Advertisement by [[Matsushima]] in the June 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}. {{public domain Japan new}}.''
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|}
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The above advertisement for the [[Mirax]], [[Focabell]] and [[Supreme lenses]], placed by the distributor [[Matsushima]] in the June 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}, lists the Coupler for ¥6,600.<REF> Advertisement in the June 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}, p.22. </REF> This price is not cheap for this type of accessory, and corresponds to an inexpensive folding camera (see other [[Japanese prices#1955|Japanese prices in 1955]]). The device was still distributed for a few years, and is notably listed in advertisements by Matsushima dated April and July 1958, reproduced below.
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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| [http://flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/33798889508/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33798889508_61791e8252_m_d.jpg] [http://flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47676449431/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47676449431_84c520a316_m_d.jpg]
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|-
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| ''Advertisement in {{SK}} April 1958 and {{ACA}} July 1958. {{public domain Japan new}}.''
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|}
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 25: Line 39:
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
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=== Original documents ===
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* {{ACA}}. Advertisement by [[Matsushima|Matsushima Shashin-yōhin]] in July 1958, p.213.
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* [[Miranda|Orion Camera]]. ''Mirax & Focabell, Orion Camera's Product's.'' (ミラックスとフォーカベル, Orion Camera's product's.)
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* [[Miranda|Orion Camera]]. ''Reflex Box for Copy, Close-up, Micro and Tele-photography: Mirax & Focabell.'' Brochure in English language, c.1954.
 
* {{FAR80}} Advertisement by the photo department of [[Matsushima|Matsushima Megane-ten]] on p.22.
 
* {{FAR80}} Advertisement by the photo department of [[Matsushima|Matsushima Megane-ten]] on p.22.
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* {{SK}} no.72, April 1958. Advertisement by [[Matsushima|Matsushima Shashin-yōhin]] on p.317.
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=== Recent sources ===
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* Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Miranda Sutōrī" (ミランダ・ストーリー, Miranda story). In {{KKS064}} Pp.9–12.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In English:
 
In English:
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* [http://www.cameraquest.com/adapter.htm Orion adapters] at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]
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* [http://www.cameraquest.com/adapter.htm Orion adapters] at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]  
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* Orion adapter for Contax lenses among [http://www.mirandacamera.com/_collectibles/_rare/rare.htm rare items] at the [http://www.mirandacamera.com/ Miranda Camera website]
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* Orion Coupler for Contax lenses among [http://miranda.s32.xrea.com/miranda/MSJ_html/Gaget/miranda-mount-adapt.html mount adapters] at the [http://miranda.s32.xrea.com/miranda/top.html Miranda Camera website]
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* Orion adapter for Nikon lenses on Leica screw mount: [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2979889 lot no.19] at [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/11574 January 28, 2007 auction] by [http://www.tamarkin.com/catalog/auction/index.html Tamarkin]
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* [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Orion-Nikon-M39-Adapter/AI-17-11183 Orion Coupler] for Nikon lenses: lot no.396 of the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-17/ seventeenth Westlicht Photographica Auction] (May 29, 2010)
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* Past sales by [http://www.tamarkin.com/catalog/auction/index.html Tamarkin]:
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** [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/1941838 Orion Coupler] for Nikon lenses: lot no.15 of the May 6, 2006 auction
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** [http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2979889 Orion Coupler] for Nikon lenses: lot no.19 of the January 28, 2007 auction
  
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[[Category: Accessories]]
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[[Category: Japanese accessories]]
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[[Category: Japan]]
 
 
[[Category: Miranda]]
 
[[Category: Miranda]]

Latest revision as of 14:01, 4 February 2024

The Coupler (カプラー) is an adapter to use Contax lenses or Nikon lenses on Leica screw mount cameras, with correct rangefinder coupling, made by Orion Seiki, then Orion Camera and later Miranda Camera, from the late 1940s or early 1950s.

Description

The device was developed by Ōtsuka Shintarō (大塚新太郎), associate of the founder Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), and was the first product by the company.[1][2] It has both the internal and external bayonet mounts, and contains a focusing helical, like that attached to the Contax or Nikon body. Two versions exist, reproducing the different focus settings of the two cameras. They can take all Contax or Nikon mount lenses with a few exceptions, such as the Biogon 3.5cm f/2.8 (prewar and postwar versions) and the Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8, because of their protruding rear elements.

The distance scale is engraved either in metres or in feet. It is said that the early adapters made for Contax lenses have no marking, whether later ones, made after the release of the Nikon version, are marked Contax Lens; those for Nikon are always inscribed Nikon Lens.[3] Details of other minor variations are described in this page at Cameraquest, which also shows newer reproductions of these adapters, made from 2001 to 2004. It seems that the easier way to recognize an original Orion adapter from a modern reproduction is that the helical threads are visible from the side, on the original models, when they are focused at close distance.[3]

Documents

46753697175_1ef3da794d_d.jpg
Brochure for Orion products, c.1953 (extract).
Scans by Jeffrey Felton. (Image rights)

The above Japanese brochure, dated c.1953, shows the Coupler among other Orion products.[4] It gives catalogue numbers 1200A and 1200B, respectively for the Contax and Nikon versions. The device also appears in the English brochure reproduced below, dated c.1954, where it is called Coupler type A (for Contax) and type B (for Nikon).

47674480971_4fc41b56fa_d.jpg
Brochure for Orion products, c.1954 (extract).
Scans by Jeffrey Felton. (Image rights)
47674607221_2af55f059d_d.jpg
Advertisement by Matsushima in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights).

The above advertisement for the Mirax, Focabell and Supreme lenses, placed by the distributor Matsushima in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art, lists the Coupler for ¥6,600.[5] This price is not cheap for this type of accessory, and corresponds to an inexpensive folding camera (see other Japanese prices in 1955). The device was still distributed for a few years, and is notably listed in advertisements by Matsushima dated April and July 1958, reproduced below.

33798889508_61791e8252_m_d.jpg 47676449431_84c520a316_m_d.jpg
Advertisement in Shashin Kōgyō April 1958 and Asahi Camera July 1958. (Image rights).

Notes

  1. ↑ Hagiya, p.9 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.64.
  2. ↑ Main page of the Miranda Society Japan.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Orion adapters at Cameraquest.
  4. ↑ Brochure Mirax & Focabell, Orion Camera's Product's.
  5. ↑ Advertisement in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art, p.22.

Bibliography

Original documents

  • Asahi Camera. Advertisement by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin in July 1958, p.213.
  • Orion Camera. Mirax & Focabell, Orion Camera's Product's. (ミラックスとフォーカベル, Orion Camera's product's.)
  • Orion Camera. Reflex Box for Copy, Close-up, Micro and Tele-photography: Mirax & Focabell. Brochure in English language, c.1954.
  • Photo Art rinji zōkan: Kamera akusesarī zensho (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラアクセサリー全書, Photo Art special issue: All the camera accessories). June 1955, no.80 of the magazine. Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima Megane-ten on p.22.
  • Shashin Kōgyō no.72, April 1958. Advertisement by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin on p.317.

Recent sources

Links

In English:

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