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 [[rangefinder (device)|uncoupled rangefinder]], taking both | + | 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 a company called Orion Seiki,<REF> The name ''ORION SEIKI CO.'' appears on the original box of the Orion 66 Super S, pictured in Furukawa, p.6 of {{CCN}} no.263, and observed in an online auction. </REF> certainly in the mid-1950s. It is not known for sure if that company was the same as [[Miranda]]'s predecessor [[Miranda|Orion Seiki]], which was active under that name until it was renamed Orion Camera in 1955. |
== 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 | + | 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 to the right of the viewfinder. |
| − | 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 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. There is an ''ORION'' logo embossed in the leatherette of the front door, at least on the uncoupled rangefinder model. This logo is repeated at the front of the ever-ready case. |
== The uncoupled rangefinder model == | == 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 | + | The regular model has an uncoupled rangefinder, controlled by a wheel falling under the right thumb. The name ''Orion Six'' is engraved above the top cover, together with the serial number and model name (normally ''MODEL RIII'') situated above the viewfinder eyepiece. |
| − | The shutter | + | The shutter gives B, 1–200 speeds, has a self-timer and is synchronized for flash. The lens is a front-cell focusing Rhythner 75mm f/3.2, engraved ''RHYTHNER LENS 1:3.2 f=75mm No.xxxxx''. |
| − | + | Some examples have an ASA synch post and a chrome lens bezel with black engravings. None of these is confirmed as a Model RIII, and one has been reported as an "Orion Six Model RII".<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/supple/heavenly/omoide.htm this page by Koujiya] (reported as "Model RII"), and example observed in an online auction (illegible markings). </REF> | |
| + | |||
| + | Other cameras have a PC socket and a black lens bezel with white engravings.<REF> Example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1380, and example observed in an online auction (body no.7361, lens no.62254). </REF> Their shutter is a [[TSK]], perhaps supplied by [[Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku]]. These examples are reported or confirmed as '''Orion Six Model RIII''', with the ''MODEL RIII'' markings. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The known body numbers are 7361 and 7482 (both on Model RIII), probably indicating that at least a few hundred units were made.<REF> Body no.7361, lens no.62254: example observed in an online auction. Body no.7482: example pictured in Furukawa, p.5 of {{CCN}} no.263 (the details of the shutter are unknown). </REF> | ||
== The Orion 66 Super S, with coupled rangefinder == | == 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 | + | 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 top cover, together with the serial number and model name ''SUPER S'' situated above the viewfinder eyepiece. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | The | + | Two presumably different surviving examples have been observed so far. One has a Mihama shutter (400–1, B, self-timer) synchronized via a PC socket, with a black front face inscribed ''MIHAMA'' at the bottom, and a Techol Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens (no.16096).<REF> Example observed in an online auction, with original case and box. </REF> The other has body no.59002, and might have the same lens and shutter equipment.<REF> Example pictured in Furukawa, pp.5–6 of {{CCN}} no.263, with original box. It seems that the lens and shutter unit is similar to the other camera, from what is visible in the small front picture. </REF> Both cameras have a yellow and black original box inscribed ''ORION SIX'' and ''ORION SEIKI CO.'' |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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== Bibliography == | == 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 | + | * 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 came out of it'). In {{CCN}} no.263 (May 1999). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.5–7. |
* {{Zukan}} Item 1380. | * {{Zukan}} Item 1380. | ||
| − | The Orion Six is not listed in {{Kokusan}}. | + | The Orion Six is not listed in {{Kokusan}}, and was certainly not announced or advertised in Japanese photography magazines of the time. |
== Links == | == Links == | ||
Revision as of 12:13, 15 April 2009
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 a company called Orion Seiki,[1] certainly in the mid-1950s. It is not known for sure if that company was the same as Miranda's predecessor Orion Seiki, which was active under that name until it was renamed Orion Camera in 1955.
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 to the right of the viewfinder.
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. There is an ORION logo embossed in the leatherette of the front door, at least on the uncoupled rangefinder model. This logo is repeated at the front of the ever-ready case.
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 top cover, together with the serial number and model name (normally MODEL RIII) situated above the viewfinder eyepiece.
The shutter gives B, 1–200 speeds, has a self-timer and is synchronized for flash. The lens is a front-cell focusing Rhythner 75mm f/3.2, engraved RHYTHNER LENS 1:3.2 f=75mm No.xxxxx.
Some examples have an ASA synch post and a chrome lens bezel with black engravings. None of these is confirmed as a Model RIII, and one has been reported as an "Orion Six Model RII".[2]
Other cameras have a PC socket and a black lens bezel with white engravings.[3] Their shutter is a TSK, perhaps supplied by Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku. These examples are reported or confirmed as Orion Six Model RIII, with the MODEL RIII markings.
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 top cover, together with the serial number and model name SUPER S situated above the viewfinder eyepiece.
Two presumably different surviving examples have been observed so far. One has a Mihama shutter (400–1, B, self-timer) synchronized via a PC socket, with a black front face inscribed MIHAMA at the bottom, and a Techol Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens (no.16096).[5] The other has body no.59002, and might have the same lens and shutter equipment.[6] Both cameras have a yellow and black original box inscribed ORION SIX and ORION SEIKI CO.
Notes
- ↑ The name ORION SEIKI CO. appears on the original box of the Orion 66 Super S, pictured in Furukawa, p.6 of Camera Collectors' News no.263, and observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page by Koujiya (reported as "Model RII"), and example observed in an online auction (illegible markings).
- ↑ 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 (the details of the shutter are unknown).
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction, with original case and box.
- ↑ Example pictured in Furukawa, pp.5–6 of Camera Collectors' News no.263, with original box. It seems that the lens and shutter unit is similar to the other camera, from what is visible in the small front picture.
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 came 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, and was certainly not announced or advertised in Japanese photography magazines of the time.
Links
In Japanese:
- Orion Six in a page of sold-out cameras at Koujiya
