Difference between revisions of "Orion Six"
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{{Japanese Six postwar}} | {{Japanese Six postwar}} | ||
| − | The '''Orion Six''' is a Japanese folding camera with an uncoupled rangefinder, taking both 6×6cm and 4.5×6cm exposures. It was made by [[Miranda|Orion Seiki]] (predecessor of [[Miranda]]), certainly in the mid-1950s.<REF> Attribution to Orion Seiki confirmed by an original box pictured in Furukawa, p.6 of {{CCN}} no.263. </REF> | + | The '''Orion Six''' is a Japanese [[folding]] camera with an [[rangefinder (device)|uncoupled rangefinder]], taking both 6×6cm and 4.5×6cm exposures. It was made by [[Miranda|Orion Seiki]] (predecessor of [[Miranda]]), certainly in the mid-1950s.<REF> Attribution to Orion Seiki confirmed by an original box pictured in Furukawa, p.6 of {{CCN}} no.263. </REF> |
== General description == | == General description == | ||
The Orion Six has a horizontal folding body with smoothly tapered edges. The folding struts are inspired by those of the 6×6 [[Ikonta]]. The viewfinder and rangefinder are contained in the top housing. The common eyepiece is offset to the left, as seen by the photographer, and the rectangular second-image window is on the right. There are translucid strips on both sides of the viewfinder, indicating the field of view for 4.5×6cm exposures. There is an accessory shoe on the right of the viewfinder. The name ''Orion Six'' is engraved above the view and rangefinder, and the body serial number and model name are engraved above the viewfinder eyepiece. | The Orion Six has a horizontal folding body with smoothly tapered edges. The folding struts are inspired by those of the 6×6 [[Ikonta]]. The viewfinder and rangefinder are contained in the top housing. The common eyepiece is offset to the left, as seen by the photographer, and the rectangular second-image window is on the right. There are translucid strips on both sides of the viewfinder, indicating the field of view for 4.5×6cm exposures. There is an accessory shoe on the right of the viewfinder. The name ''Orion Six'' is engraved above the view and rangefinder, and the body serial number and model name are engraved above the viewfinder eyepiece. | ||
| − | The film is advanced by a knob at the left end of the top plate, and the advance is controlled by red | + | The film is advanced by a knob at the left end of the top plate, and the advance is controlled by [[red window]]s. There is a film flange on the right end of the top plate, and the shutter release is placed next to it. The back is hinged to the right. The folding bed is opened by a sliding button at the top of the front door itself. |
== The uncoupled rangefinder model == | == The uncoupled rangefinder model == | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
== The Orion 66 Super S, with coupled rangefinder == | == The Orion 66 Super S, with coupled rangefinder == | ||
| − | The '''Orion 66 Super S''' has a focusing | + | The '''Orion 66 Super S''' has a focusing helix placed behind the lens and shutter unit, driven by a focusing tab and coupled to the rangefinder. The second image window is slightly larger than on the model RIII, and the distance setting wheel on the rear is of course absent. The name ''Orion 66'' is engraved above the view and rangefinder, and the body serial number and model name ''SUPER S'' are engraved above the viewfinder eyepiece. |
The shutter plate is black and certainly has the speed settings directly engraved on it; the lens and shutter types are unknown. | The shutter plate is black and certainly has the speed settings directly engraved on it; the lens and shutter types are unknown. | ||
Revision as of 02:49, 10 April 2008
The Orion Six is a Japanese folding camera with an uncoupled rangefinder, taking both 6×6cm and 4.5×6cm exposures. It was made by Orion Seiki (predecessor of Miranda), certainly in the mid-1950s.[1]
Contents
General description
The Orion Six has a horizontal folding body with smoothly tapered edges. The folding struts are inspired by those of the 6×6 Ikonta. The viewfinder and rangefinder are contained in the top housing. The common eyepiece is offset to the left, as seen by the photographer, and the rectangular second-image window is on the right. There are translucid strips on both sides of the viewfinder, indicating the field of view for 4.5×6cm exposures. There is an accessory shoe on the right of the viewfinder. The name Orion Six is engraved above the view and rangefinder, and the body serial number and model name are engraved above the viewfinder eyepiece.
The film is advanced by a knob at the left end of the top plate, and the advance is controlled by red windows. There is a film flange on the right end of the top plate, and the shutter release is placed next to it. The back is hinged to the right. The folding bed is opened by a sliding button at the top of the front door itself.
The uncoupled rangefinder model
The regular model has an uncoupled rangefinder, controlled by a wheel falling under the right thumb. The name Orion Six is engraved above the view and rangefinder, and the body serial number and model name (normally MODEL RIII) are engraved above the viewfinder eyepiece.
The shutter is a synchronized TSK (B, 1–200, self-timer). The lens is a front-cell focusing Rhythner 75mm f/3.2, engraved RHYTHNER LENS.
Various surviving examples are known. Some have an ASA synch bayonet and others have a PC socket. None of the examples with ASA bayonet is confirmed as a Model RIII, and one of them has been reported as an "Orion Six Model RII".[2] The examples with PC socket are reported or confirmed with the MODEL RIII markings.[3] The known body numbers are 7361 and 7482 (both on Model RIII), probably indicating that at least a few hundred units were made.[4]
The Orion 66 Super S, with coupled rangefinder
The Orion 66 Super S has a focusing helix placed behind the lens and shutter unit, driven by a focusing tab and coupled to the rangefinder. The second image window is slightly larger than on the model RIII, and the distance setting wheel on the rear is of course absent. The name Orion 66 is engraved above the view and rangefinder, and the body serial number and model name SUPER S are engraved above the viewfinder eyepiece.
The shutter plate is black and certainly has the speed settings directly engraved on it; the lens and shutter types are unknown.
The only known surviving example has body no.59002, and is perhaps a prototype.[5] It was found together with an original box inscribed ORION SIX and ORION SEIKI CO.[6]
Notes
- ↑ Attribution to Orion Seiki confirmed by an original box pictured in Furukawa, p.6 of Camera Collectors' News no.263.
- ↑ ASA bayonet: example pictured in this page by Koujiya (reported as "Model RII"), and example observed in an online auction (illegible markings).
- ↑ PC socket: example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1380, and example observed in an online auction (body no.7361, lens no.62254).
- ↑ Body no.7361, lens no.62254: example observed in an online auction. Body no.7482: example pictured in Furukawa, p.5 of Camera Collectors' News no.263.
- ↑ Example pictured in Furukawa, pp.5–6 of Camera Collectors' News no.263.
- ↑ Box pictured in Furukawa, p.6 of Camera Collectors' News no.263.
Bibliography
- Furukawa Haruo (古川保男). "Orion 66 Super S: 'Naka kara patto hakuen ha denakatta'" (Orion 66 Super S・'中からパッと白煙は出なかった', Orion 66 Super S: 'no white smoke is coming out of it'). In Camera Collectors' News no.263 (May 1999). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.5–7.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 1380.
The Orion Six is not listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.
Links
In Japanese:
- Orion Six in a page of sold-out cameras at Koujiya
