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.
 
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 best known adapter is the '''Coupler''' (カプラー), which 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 is said it was developed by Ōtsuka Shintarō (大塚新太郎), associate of Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), founder of the company.<REF> [http://miranda-camera.xrea.jp/miranda/main.html 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 setting and helicoid pitch of the two cameras.
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The best known adapter is the '''Coupler''' (カプラー), which 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. The device was developed by Ōtsuka Shintarō (大塚新太郎), associate of Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), founder of the company.<REF name="Hagiya 9"> Hagiya, p.9 of {{KKS}} no.64. </REF><REF> [http://miranda-camera.xrea.jp/miranda/main.html 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 setting and helicoid pitch of the two cameras.
  
 
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" />
 
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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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
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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.
 
* {{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.
  

Revision as of 10:49, 2 May 2009

The company Orion Seiki (predecessor of Miranda Camera) made a number of adapters and accessories in the 1950s.

The best known adapter is the Coupler (カプラー), which allows to use Contax lenses or Nikon lenses on Leica screw mount cameras, with correct rangefinder coupling. The device was developed by Ōtsuka Shintarō (大塚新太郎), associate of Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), founder of 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 setting and helicoid pitch of the two cameras.

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.[3] Details of the 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 the presence of the helical threads visible on the side of the original model when focused at close distance.[3]

3312371370_3cb45f8909_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.[4] This price is not cheap for this type of accessory, and corresponds to an inexpensive folding camera (see other Japanese prices in 1955).

The advertisement incidentally shows that Orion was making many other adapters and accessories at the time:

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. ↑ Advertisement in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art, p.22.
  5. ↑ Price list in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art, p.119.

Bibliography

Links

In English:

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