Difference between revisions of "Owla Stereo"
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The '''Owla Stereo''' (アウラステレオ) is a Japanese stereo camera taking pairs of 23×24mm exposures on [[35mm film]]. It was first announced in 1956 by [[Owla|Sankei Kōki]] under the name '''Stereo Sankei''' (ステレオサンケイ), and was later made by [[Owla|Owla Kōki]] until the early 1960s. | The '''Owla Stereo''' (アウラステレオ) is a Japanese stereo camera taking pairs of 23×24mm exposures on [[35mm film]]. It was first announced in 1956 by [[Owla|Sankei Kōki]] under the name '''Stereo Sankei''' (ステレオサンケイ), and was later made by [[Owla|Owla Kōki]] until the early 1960s. | ||
| − | == | + | == Original Owla Stereo == |
| − | === Description of the | + | === Announced as the Stereo Sankei === |
| − | The camera has an all-metal body. The viewfinder window is contained in the middle of the top housing. The film is advanced by a knob at the right end of the top plate, as seen by the photographer, and the rewind knob is at the opposite end; arrows are engraved to indicate the turning direction. There is a small sliding button next to the advance knob, with the letter ''A'' engraved on its side | + | The camera was announced as the '''Stereo Sankei''' (ステレオサンケイ) by [[Owla|Sankei Kōki]] in 1956. It was advertised in the February 1956 issue of ''[[Sankei Camera]]'' and featured in the March 1956 issue of the same magazine.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.388. </REF> It is not known if there is a further relationship between the magazine ''Sankei Camera'' and the company Sankei Kōki. |
| + | |||
| + | In the February advertisement, the lenses are announced as three-element 35/3.5, the speeds are given as B, 10–200 and the price is {{yen|12,000|1956}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.252. </REF> The pictured camera is very similar to the first version of the Owla Stereo, with the focus knob between the two lenses and the pivoting shutter cocking lever between the focus knob and the right-hand lens (see below). The marking at the front of the top housing only reads ''STEREO'' in small capital letters. The details of the top plate are not visible. It is said that the Stereo Sankei has auto-stop advance but no double exposure prevention;<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.388. </REF> the first Owla Stereo certainly has the same features. | ||
| + | |||
| + | No surviving example of the Stereo Sankei has been observed so far, and it is not known if the camera was actually sold as such. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Released as the Owla Stereo === | ||
| + | The camera was announced as the '''Owla Stereo''' (アウラステレオ) from June 1956.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.376. </REF> The September 1956 issue of ''[[Camera Mainichi]]'' reportedly attributes the Owla Stereo to Sankei Kōki again.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.388. </REF> Most sources attribute the camera to [[Owla|Owla Kōki]], perhaps the new name of Sankei Kōki.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.376 (Owla Kōki K.K.), {{McKeown}}, p.770 ("Owla Koki"), {{Sugiyama}}, item 6037 ("Owla Optical Co."). </REF> One source attributes the camera to "A.O. Kōkensha" (エーオー光研社), for an unknown reason.<REF> Takasaki, p.22 of {{KKS}} no.49. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Description of the original Owla Stereo === | ||
| + | The camera has an all-metal body. The viewfinder window is contained in the middle of the top housing. The film is advanced by a knob at the right end of the top plate, as seen by the photographer, and the rewind knob is at the opposite end; arrows are engraved to indicate the turning direction. There is a small sliding button next to the advance knob, with the letter ''A'' engraved on its side, certainly used to unlock the film advance after each exposure; variations are known in the position and shape of this button (see below). The shutter release is at its usual location on the right, and is surrounded by a small cup. There is an accessory shoe on the right, and a round hole above the top housing, to the left of the viewfinder, used for the exposure counter reset control on the early examples and for the exposure counter disc or the later ones (see below). The back is hinged to the right for film loading. | ||
| − | There is a chrome-finished rectangular plate screwed to the front of the body, and a long black casing with round edges, grafted to this plate and containing the shutter and lenses. There is a PC synch socket buried in the chrome plate under the left-hand lens, and an F/X selector under the other lens. | + | There is a chrome-finished rectangular plate screwed to the front of the body, and a long black casing with round edges, grafted to this plate and containing the shutter and lenses. There is a PC synch socket buried in the chrome plate under the left-hand lens, and an F/X selector under the other lens. The shutter cocking lever, of which two versions are known, is on the black casing itself (see below). |
| − | The speed and aperture are controlled by turning the lens rims: the left-hand lens rim has the aperture scale and the right-hand lens rim has B, 10–200 speed settings. The top of the front casing has the words ''DIAPHRAGM'', ''FOCUS'' and ''SPEED'', reminding the position of the main controls. The lenses are Owla Anastigmat | + | The speed and aperture are controlled by turning the lens rims: the left-hand lens rim has the aperture scale and the right-hand lens rim has B, 10–200 speed settings. The top of the front casing has the words ''DIAPHRAGM'', ''FOCUS'' and ''SPEED'', reminding the position of the main controls. The lenses are Owla Anastigmat 35mm f/3.5. |
The focus knob is placed between the two lenses, and its rim has the same diameter and shape as the two lens rims. It is engraved in feet and has depth-of-field indications and three coloured marks above, with ''FAR'', ''MEDIUM'' and ''NEAR'' captions. | The focus knob is placed between the two lenses, and its rim has the same diameter and shape as the two lens rims. It is engraved in feet and has depth-of-field indications and three coloured marks above, with ''FAR'', ''MEDIUM'' and ''NEAR'' captions. | ||
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The name ''Owla <small>STEREO</small>'' is engraved at the front of the top housing, under the exposure counter. The body serial number is engraved on the accessory shoe, and ''PAT. N°34372'' is inscribed on the top plate, above the viewfinder eyepiece. The original lens caps are black, with ''Owla'' in white. | The name ''Owla <small>STEREO</small>'' is engraved at the front of the top housing, under the exposure counter. The body serial number is engraved on the accessory shoe, and ''PAT. N°34372'' is inscribed on the top plate, above the viewfinder eyepiece. The original lens caps are black, with ''Owla'' in white. | ||
| − | == | + | === Evolution === |
| − | + | Two versions of the original Owla Stereo are known. The '''early version'''<REF> Example pictured in Takasaki, p.22 of {{KKS}} no.49, and example observed in an online auction (left lens no.56270). </REF> has a pivoting lever to cock the shutter, placed between the focus knob and the right-hand lens, the same as on the Stereo Sankei. There is a small square window on the rear of the top housing, on the left of the viewfinder eyepiece, perhaps the exposure counter. There is a round thumbwheel above the top housing, with an arrow engraved next to it to indicate the turning direction; this thumbwheel is probably used to reset the exposure counter. The advance unlock button is almost rectangular and is placed immediately to the right of the accessory shoe. | |
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| − | |||
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| − | + | The '''late version'''<REF> Example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 6037, example pictured [http://www.stereoskopie.com/Stereokameras/Stereokameras_nach_1945/OWLA-Stereo/body_owla-stereo.html here at Stereoskopie.com] (body no.55716, right lens no.57221), and example observed in an online auction. </REF> has a sliding button to cock the shutter, placed above the black casing. The black exposure counter disc is directly contained inside the round hole above the top housing, with an index engraved next to it. It is said to work in the decreasing order, from 29 to 0.<REF> Decreasing order: [http://www.plants3d.org/camera/owla.html specs in Dekoyama's Stereo website]. </REF> The small square window at the rear of the top housing has consequently disappeared. The advance unlock button is circular and is placed immediately to the left of the advance knob. | |
| − | The | ||
== Second model == | == Second model == | ||
Revision as of 14:10, 1 January 2008
The Owla Stereo (アウラステレオ) is a Japanese stereo camera taking pairs of 23×24mm exposures on 35mm film. It was first announced in 1956 by Sankei Kōki under the name Stereo Sankei (ステレオサンケイ), and was later made by Owla Kōki until the early 1960s.
Contents
Original Owla Stereo
Announced as the Stereo Sankei
The camera was announced as the Stereo Sankei (ステレオサンケイ) by Sankei Kōki in 1956. It was advertised in the February 1956 issue of Sankei Camera and featured in the March 1956 issue of the same magazine.[1] It is not known if there is a further relationship between the magazine Sankei Camera and the company Sankei Kōki.
In the February advertisement, the lenses are announced as three-element 35/3.5, the speeds are given as B, 10–200 and the price is ¥12,000.[2] The pictured camera is very similar to the first version of the Owla Stereo, with the focus knob between the two lenses and the pivoting shutter cocking lever between the focus knob and the right-hand lens (see below). The marking at the front of the top housing only reads STEREO in small capital letters. The details of the top plate are not visible. It is said that the Stereo Sankei has auto-stop advance but no double exposure prevention;[3] the first Owla Stereo certainly has the same features.
No surviving example of the Stereo Sankei has been observed so far, and it is not known if the camera was actually sold as such.
Released as the Owla Stereo
The camera was announced as the Owla Stereo (アウラステレオ) from June 1956.[4] The September 1956 issue of Camera Mainichi reportedly attributes the Owla Stereo to Sankei Kōki again.[5] Most sources attribute the camera to Owla Kōki, perhaps the new name of Sankei Kōki.[6] One source attributes the camera to "A.O. Kōkensha" (エーオー光研社), for an unknown reason.[7]
Description of the original Owla Stereo
The camera has an all-metal body. The viewfinder window is contained in the middle of the top housing. The film is advanced by a knob at the right end of the top plate, as seen by the photographer, and the rewind knob is at the opposite end; arrows are engraved to indicate the turning direction. There is a small sliding button next to the advance knob, with the letter A engraved on its side, certainly used to unlock the film advance after each exposure; variations are known in the position and shape of this button (see below). The shutter release is at its usual location on the right, and is surrounded by a small cup. There is an accessory shoe on the right, and a round hole above the top housing, to the left of the viewfinder, used for the exposure counter reset control on the early examples and for the exposure counter disc or the later ones (see below). The back is hinged to the right for film loading.
There is a chrome-finished rectangular plate screwed to the front of the body, and a long black casing with round edges, grafted to this plate and containing the shutter and lenses. There is a PC synch socket buried in the chrome plate under the left-hand lens, and an F/X selector under the other lens. The shutter cocking lever, of which two versions are known, is on the black casing itself (see below).
The speed and aperture are controlled by turning the lens rims: the left-hand lens rim has the aperture scale and the right-hand lens rim has B, 10–200 speed settings. The top of the front casing has the words DIAPHRAGM, FOCUS and SPEED, reminding the position of the main controls. The lenses are Owla Anastigmat 35mm f/3.5.
The focus knob is placed between the two lenses, and its rim has the same diameter and shape as the two lens rims. It is engraved in feet and has depth-of-field indications and three coloured marks above, with FAR, MEDIUM and NEAR captions.
The name Owla STEREO is engraved at the front of the top housing, under the exposure counter. The body serial number is engraved on the accessory shoe, and PAT. N°34372 is inscribed on the top plate, above the viewfinder eyepiece. The original lens caps are black, with Owla in white.
Evolution
Two versions of the original Owla Stereo are known. The early version[8] has a pivoting lever to cock the shutter, placed between the focus knob and the right-hand lens, the same as on the Stereo Sankei. There is a small square window on the rear of the top housing, on the left of the viewfinder eyepiece, perhaps the exposure counter. There is a round thumbwheel above the top housing, with an arrow engraved next to it to indicate the turning direction; this thumbwheel is probably used to reset the exposure counter. The advance unlock button is almost rectangular and is placed immediately to the right of the accessory shoe.
The late version[9] has a sliding button to cock the shutter, placed above the black casing. The black exposure counter disc is directly contained inside the round hole above the top housing, with an index engraved next to it. It is said to work in the decreasing order, from 29 to 0.[10] The small square window at the rear of the top housing has consequently disappeared. The advance unlock button is circular and is placed immediately to the left of the advance knob.
Second model
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.388.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.252.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.388.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.376.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.388.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.376 (Owla Kōki K.K.), McKeown, p.770 ("Owla Koki"), Sugiyama, item 6037 ("Owla Optical Co.").
- ↑ Takasaki, p.22 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.49.
- ↑ Example pictured in Takasaki, p.22 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.49, and example observed in an online auction (left lens no.56270).
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 6037, example pictured here at Stereoskopie.com (body no.55716, right lens no.57221), and example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Decreasing order: specs in Dekoyama's Stereo website.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Items 1089 and 1317.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.770.
- Shima Kazuya (島和也). "Sutereo kamera onparēdo" (ステレオカメラオンパレード, Stereo cameras on parade). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.27, December 1993. No ISBN number. Stereo World (ステレオワールド). Pp.21–5.
- 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 6037.
Links
In English:
- Advertisement showing the second Owla Stereo, at Barry Toogood's tlr-cameras.com
In German:
In Japanese:
