Difference between revisions of "Pearl (I), II and III"
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The back is hinged to the left and has two red windows near the top, protected by a common sliding cover, to control film advance. The front leather is embossed ''SEMI PEARL'' in a rectangular frame and the folding struts are engraved with Konishiroku's logo: a five-petal cherry blossom containing the Japanese character 六 (read ''roku'' and found in the Rokuoh-sha and Konishiroku names). The metal parts of the body are generally painted black, but some examples exist with chrome finish. A number of advertisements dated 1938 and 1939<ref> In the June 1938 and January 1939 issues of ''Asahi Camera'' and in the August and December 1938 issues of ''Kogata Camera''. All these advertisements are reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 82. </ref> show the chrome finish, and it possibly corresponds to the earliest cameras. | The back is hinged to the left and has two red windows near the top, protected by a common sliding cover, to control film advance. The front leather is embossed ''SEMI PEARL'' in a rectangular frame and the folding struts are engraved with Konishiroku's logo: a five-petal cherry blossom containing the Japanese character 六 (read ''roku'' and found in the Rokuoh-sha and Konishiroku names). The metal parts of the body are generally painted black, but some examples exist with chrome finish. A number of advertisements dated 1938 and 1939<ref> In the June 1938 and January 1939 issues of ''Asahi Camera'' and in the August and December 1938 issues of ''Kogata Camera''. All these advertisements are reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 82. </ref> show the chrome finish, and it possibly corresponds to the earliest cameras. | ||
| − | One version has an Optor 75mm f/4.5 lens (designed by Konishiroku but manufactured by [[Pentax|Asahi Kōgaku]]) and an Apus shutter with 10–100, B, T speeds ({{yen|78|1938}}), another a Hexar 75mm f/4.5 lens and a Durax shutter with 1–100, B, T speeds ({{yen|105|1938}}).<ref>Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 60. Prices are from advertisements dated 1938 and 1939, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 82.</ref> Both lens and shutter are marked ''Rokuoh-sha''. The company name was changed to Konishiroku in 1943, and the markings were changed accordingly.<ref> Miyazaki, p. 12–3, explains this for the [[Baby Pearl]]. It is similarly mentioned in ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'', p. 18. </ref> Given the circumstances of the time, the marking change was probably not instantaneous, and cameras engraved ''Rokuoh-sha'' were perhaps still sold after the war. At least one example has been observed with | + | One version has an Optor 75mm f/4.5 lens (designed by Konishiroku but manufactured by [[Pentax|Asahi Kōgaku]]) and an Apus shutter with 10–100, B, T speeds ({{yen|78|1938}}), another a Hexar 75mm f/4.5 lens and a Durax shutter with 1–100, B, T speeds ({{yen|105|1938}}).<ref>Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 60. Prices are from advertisements dated 1938 and 1939, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 82.</ref> Both lens and shutter are marked ''Rokuoh-sha''. The company name was changed to Konishiroku in 1943, and the markings were changed accordingly.<ref> Miyazaki, p. 12–3, explains this for the [[Baby Pearl]]. It is similarly mentioned in ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'', p. 18. </ref> Given the circumstances of the time, the marking change was probably not instantaneous, and cameras engraved ''Rokuoh-sha'' were perhaps still sold after the war. At least one example has been observed with mismatched lens and shutter markings. |
| − | '''Postwar''' examples of the '''Semi Pearl''' are less numerous. Small-scale production was resumed between 1946 and 1948, largely from stocks of older parts. Perhaps because of | + | '''Postwar''' examples of the '''Semi Pearl''' are less numerous. Small-scale production was resumed between 1946 and 1948, largely from stocks of older parts. Perhaps because of a shortage of parts or raw materials, some of the postwar examples only have front-cell focusing. Earlier examples have Optor lenses, later ones Hexar lenses. Slight differences appearing in presumably postwar examples (marked ''Konishiroku'') include the change of the ''SEMI PEARL'' embossing from a rectangular frame to a hexagonal one, the direct engraving of the ''Durax'' name and aperture scale replacing the small metal plates screwed on the shutter plate, and the switch from the ''Hexar Ser.1'' lens name to the simpler ''Hexar''. |
| + | |||
| + | Miyazaki shows two postwar examples; the earlier one has front-cell focusing and a Hexar lens and Apus shutter both marked Rokuoh-sha; the later one unit focusing and a Hexar lens and Durax shutter both marked Konishiroku.<ref>Miyazaki, ''Konika kamera no 50nen,'' p. 128; Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 60.</ref> | ||
Some examples of the Semi Pearl (with ''Konishiroku'' markings) have been observed with only one red window in the back, near the bottom, protected by a cover horizontally sliding under a metal plate. The back is exactly the same as the later Pearl I, and these examples are probably among the last Semi Pearl. | Some examples of the Semi Pearl (with ''Konishiroku'' markings) have been observed with only one red window in the back, near the bottom, protected by a cover horizontally sliding under a metal plate. The back is exactly the same as the later Pearl I, and these examples are probably among the last Semi Pearl. | ||
Revision as of 20:40, 2 October 2006
The name Pearl was given by Rokuoh-sha and Konishiroku (the later Konica) to many models of rollfilm folders. Other articles deal with the Pearl (6×9 and larger folders), and the Baby Pearl and Pearlette cameras (both using 127 film); this one deals with the Semi Pearl and Pearl for 4.5×6cm.
Contents
The viewfinder-only Semi Pearl
The Semi Pearl, released at the beginning of 1938,[1] is a 4.5×6 folder copied from the Ikonta A, with curved folding struts, unit focusing, a folding optical finder, a shutter release on the door (parallel and close to the hinge), a key to advance the film (to the bottom right, as seen by a photographer holding the camera horizontally), and a strap along the edge of the camera next to the take-up spool.
The back is hinged to the left and has two red windows near the top, protected by a common sliding cover, to control film advance. The front leather is embossed SEMI PEARL in a rectangular frame and the folding struts are engraved with Konishiroku's logo: a five-petal cherry blossom containing the Japanese character 六 (read roku and found in the Rokuoh-sha and Konishiroku names). The metal parts of the body are generally painted black, but some examples exist with chrome finish. A number of advertisements dated 1938 and 1939[2] show the chrome finish, and it possibly corresponds to the earliest cameras.
One version has an Optor 75mm f/4.5 lens (designed by Konishiroku but manufactured by Asahi Kōgaku) and an Apus shutter with 10–100, B, T speeds (¥78), another a Hexar 75mm f/4.5 lens and a Durax shutter with 1–100, B, T speeds (¥105).[3] Both lens and shutter are marked Rokuoh-sha. The company name was changed to Konishiroku in 1943, and the markings were changed accordingly.[4] Given the circumstances of the time, the marking change was probably not instantaneous, and cameras engraved Rokuoh-sha were perhaps still sold after the war. At least one example has been observed with mismatched lens and shutter markings.
Postwar examples of the Semi Pearl are less numerous. Small-scale production was resumed between 1946 and 1948, largely from stocks of older parts. Perhaps because of a shortage of parts or raw materials, some of the postwar examples only have front-cell focusing. Earlier examples have Optor lenses, later ones Hexar lenses. Slight differences appearing in presumably postwar examples (marked Konishiroku) include the change of the SEMI PEARL embossing from a rectangular frame to a hexagonal one, the direct engraving of the Durax name and aperture scale replacing the small metal plates screwed on the shutter plate, and the switch from the Hexar Ser.1 lens name to the simpler Hexar.
Miyazaki shows two postwar examples; the earlier one has front-cell focusing and a Hexar lens and Apus shutter both marked Rokuoh-sha; the later one unit focusing and a Hexar lens and Durax shutter both marked Konishiroku.[5]
Some examples of the Semi Pearl (with Konishiroku markings) have been observed with only one red window in the back, near the bottom, protected by a cover horizontally sliding under a metal plate. The back is exactly the same as the later Pearl I, and these examples are probably among the last Semi Pearl.
Postwar Semi Pearl, unit focusing Hexar lens, Durax shutter, Konishiroku markings
Pictures courtesy of Geoff Cliffe, Melbourne
Pearl and Pearl RS, with uncoupled rangefinder
The Pearl (in retrospect Pearl I, first half of 1949[6]) has the same basic body as the Semi Pearl, with a top housing (simply inscribed "Pearl") for a viewfinder and an uncoupled rangefinder. The rangefinder is set by a knob above the top housing, and the distance read must be transfered by the user to the distance scale of the lens. Film advance is still by key. The back has only one red window and is similar to the last examples of the Semi Pearl. The camera retains the Hexar–Durax combination of the Semi Pearl, but now the Hexar lens is coated. There is still no flash synchronization.[7] Presumably "Semi" was dropped from the name in view of the unlikeliness of a revival of any 6×9 folder (the prewar 6×9 Pearl had been rather unusual among Japanese cameras even when new, and even a modernized successor would probably have struck most photographers in 1949 as a bulky extravagance); the disappearance of the Baby Pearl may have been another factor.
The Pearl RS (in retrospect Pearl I RS, but also simply inscribed "Pearl"; late 1950[8]) has a Konirapid-S shutter (B, 1–500) with Kodak-type flash synchronization. An accessory shoe is added at the top right of the camera (as seen by a photographer holding it horizontally), the back latch is modified and the strap has disappeared.[9] The price in 1951 was ¥14,850.[10]
Pearl II and III, with coupled rangefinder
Pearl III L (Picture by Mech_for_i)
The Pearl II is released together with the Pearl RS and maybe sold a little after[11]; it is the same camera with a coupled rangefinder and inscribed Pearl II in the top housing. The focusing tab is modified and the focusing scale has disappeared from the front assembly. It is replaced by a combined distance and depth-of-field dial, placed under a window in the top housing, where the uncoupled model has a focusing knob for the rangefinder. In late 1952[12] an f/3.5 Hexar option (¥30,150) was added to the standard f/4.5 Hexar (¥26,650). With the f/4.5 lens, the camera's dimensions open are 120×100×92mm (43mm closed); it weighs 580g.[13]
In response to increasing competition from 35mm cameras, the Pearl IIB (still engraved Pearl II) was released in Summer 1955[14] as a cheaper (¥23,500) alternative to the II (¥30,150). It retains the f/3.5 Hexar lens but the shutter is a Durax-S (top speed 400) and the focusing scale is back to the front assembly. There is still a depth-of-field scale above the top housing, but it must be turned manually. The Pearl IIB has one innovation: a PC rather than Kodak flash terminal.[15] (At least one example of the Pearl II has been observed with this feature.)
The Pearl III (December 1955) adds "semi-automatic" (auto-stop) film advance: once the "start" line on the backup paper is lined up with a dot on the film rail, the camera calculates how far the photographer may wind the film before each exposure. The red window accordingly disappears from the film back. The III also substitutes a film-reminder dial (color, panchromatic, etc., as well as speed) for the depth-of-field dial of the II. It retains the Hexar f/3.5 lens and Konirapid S shutter of the II (although a small number are said to be fitted with Konitar lenses), but has the PC flash terminal of the IIB. A concave knob is added to the focusing dial.[16]
There are two later variants, which are also simply inscribed "Pearl III" and must be distinguished by looking at the lens. The Pearl IIIMX (1956) replaces the Konirapid S with a Seikosha-MX shutter. This adds X synchronization for electronic flash, becoming popular at around this time. In a time of increased competition in the industry, companies such as Konishiroku that had previously been producing shutters for their own cameras found it more economical to buy them in from either Seikosha or Copal.[17] The Pearl IIIL (1957) has two further innovations: a Seikosha-MXL shutter, using the light-value system (whereby changing among the various aperture–speed combinations that result in the same exposure does not need separate adjustments of aperture and speed but instead can be effected by a single twist of both rings together), and a new amber coating for the lens.[18] When closed, the IIIL has the same dimensions as II, and weighs 600g.[19]
Pearl IV, with brightframe finder
The Pearl IV (December 1958) is a radical redesign, with a completely different diecast aluminium body and an advanced design of projected frame finder.
The door over the bellows is hinged on the right hand side (as experienced by a photographer taking a "vertical" photograph), as opposed to all the earlier models; the shutter release is still at the top of the door and near the hinge. The diecast body pushes the weight over 700g. The housing for the finders extends almost the whole way across the top, and the accessory shoe is no longer next to it but instead above its centre. The Hexar lens and Seikosha-MXL shutter are inherited from the IIIL, but the focusing aid is no longer convex but instead a simple knob. There is double exposure prevention as well as auto-stop.
At ¥22,000, the IV was slightly cheaper than the IIIL (¥24,800). However, interest in cameras for 120 film was waning fast, and production of this camera stopped after about six months and after only about five thousand had been made.[20]
The Pearl IV is now regarded as one of the finest cameras of this format. Konishiroku would never again attempt anything like it (or reuse the name "Pearl", dating from 1909). The closest thing to a successor is probably the Fujica GS645 of 1983.
The Pearl IV is often referred to as a rarity. This is an exaggeration: five thousand is not so few, and it is not the kind of device that even the ignorant will unhesitatingly throw into the trash. Examples are not particularly hard to find in the Japanese market; however, they are expensive by folder standards, now (2006) costing around three times as much as examples of the Pearl III in similar condition.
Notes
- ↑ Tanimura, "Pāru II", says April 1938. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338, says that the Semi Pearl is featured in the new products column of the February 1938 issue of Asahi Camera, and that it is advertised in the same magazine from January 1938 and in Kogata Camera from February.
- ↑ In the June 1938 and January 1939 issues of Asahi Camera and in the August and December 1938 issues of Kogata Camera. All these advertisements are reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 82.
- ↑ Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 60. Prices are from advertisements dated 1938 and 1939, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 82.
- ↑ Miyazaki, p. 12–3, explains this for the Baby Pearl. It is similarly mentioned in Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten, p. 18.
- ↑ Miyazaki, Konika kamera no 50nen, p. 128; Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 60.
- ↑ Tanimura, "Pāru II", says April 1949. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 358, says that the Pearl is tested in the August 1949 issues of Ars Camera and Kōka Gekkan. Miyazaki simply says 1949.
- ↑ Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 60. For this and subsequent models: Konika-Minoruta-ten, p. 8.
- ↑ Tanimura, "Pāru II", and Miyazaki, p. 128, both say October 1950. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 358, says that the Pearl RS and Pearl II are mentioned together in the November 1950 issue of Asahi Camera. The earliest advertisement is dated January 1951.
- ↑ Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", pp. 60–61; Uchida, "Hekisā 75mm no shikaku.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Pearl RS and Pearl II published in the January 1951 issue of Camera Fan, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 160.
- ↑ Miyazaki says that both are released in October 1950. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 358, says that the Pearl RS and Pearl II are mentioned together in the November 1950 issue of Asahi Camera. The earliest advertisement is dated January 1951. It is reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 160, and shows a price for the Pearl RS but not for the Pearl II. Uchida, "Konpakuto na Pāru RS", says that the Pearl II was released in 1951, the year after the Pearl RS.
- ↑ Miyazaki, p. 128. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 358, says that the f/3.5 lens is first advertised in the November 1952 issue of Asahi Camera.
- ↑ Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", pp. 60–61; Tanimura, "Pāru II."
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 358, says that the Pearl IIB was reviewed in the issues dated July or August 1955 of many Japanese magazines. The first advertisements are dated August 1955.
- ↑ Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", pp. 60–61.
- ↑ Miyazaki, Konika kamera no 50nen, p. 129 (the source for examples with Konitar lenses); Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 61.
- ↑ Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 61.
- ↑ Miyazaki, Konika kamera no 50nen, p. 129; Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 61.
- ↑ Kawamata, p. 98.
- ↑ Miyazaki, Konika kamera no 50nen, pp. 129–30; Tanaka, "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku", p. 61.
Sources and further reading
In Japanese:
- 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 169, 675–9, 1440–43. (See also the advertisement for item 168 and the picture p. 20.)
- Kawamata Masataku (川又正卓). "Konishiroku Pāru III" (小西六パールIII, Konishiroku Pearl III). Supuringu kamera de ikō: Zen 69 kishu no tsukaikata to jissha sakurei (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の使い方と実写作例, Let's try spring cameras: The use of and actual examples from 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4879560723 Pp. 98–9. About the Pearl IIIL.
- Konika-Minoruta-ten (コニカミノルタ展, Konica Minolta exhibition). Exhibition catalogue. Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2005.
- Konishiroku Kamera no Rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, History of Konishiroku cameras), vol. 10 (Autumn 1985 issue) of Kamera Rebyū Bessatsu: Kurashikku Kamera Senka / All about Historical Cameras.
- Miyazaki Shigemoto (宮崎繁幹). Konika kamera no 50nen: Konika I-gata kara Hekisā RF e (コニカカメラの50年：コニカI型からヘキサーRFへ, Fifty years of Konica cameras: From the Konica I to the Hexar RF). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 2003. ISBN 4-257-12038-X.
- Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten (思い出のスプリングカメラ展, Exhibition of beloved self-erecting cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.)
- Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Nihon no supuringu-kamera: Konishiroku" (日本のスプリングカメラ Konishiroku, The spring cameras of Japan: Konishiroku). Kamera Rebyū Bessatsu: Kurashikku Kamera Senka / All about Historical Cameras, no. 8, Autumn 1986 (special issue on Supuringu Kamera [スプリングカメラ, spring cameras]), 58–61.
- Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Dentō aru kyorikei-rendō semi-han supuringu kamera Pāru II (伝統ある距離計連動セミ判スプリングカメラ：パールII, A coupled-rangefinder 4.5×6 spring camera with tradition: The Pearl II). Kamera Rebyū Bessatsu: Kurashikku Kamera Senka / All about Historical Cameras, no. 35, Winter 1995 (special issue on Nihon no kamera 50nen [日本のカメラ50年, Fifty years of Japanese cameras]), 63.
- Uchida Yasuo (内田康男). "Hekisā 75mm no shikaku ni osamatta sangaku-shashin: Konpakuto na Pāru RS" (ヘキサー75mmの視角に収まった山岳写真: コンパクトなパールRS, Mountain photography from the perspective of a 75mm Hexar: The compact Pearl RS). Kamera Rebyū Bessatsu: Kurashikku Kamera Senka / All about Historical Cameras, no. 76, Summer 2005 (special issue on Supuringu Kamera [スプリングカメラ, spring cameras]), 32–5.
Links
In English:
- Konishiroku (Konica) Pearl I & II by Anthony, aka antjam65, at his photo website: on the Pearl I RS and II
- Pearl IIB and IV at The Classic Camera
In Japanese:
- Semi Pearl within a Konica page at Sarusuberi
- Semi Pearl overhaul at Handmade and Classic Camera
- Semi Pearl with sample pictures at Doru's blog
- Pearl I at Kitamura camera museum
- Pearl I at Yukara's site
- Restoration of a Pearl I RS at Kan's Room
- Pearl II at this blog
- Pearl II, III and IV within a Konishiroku page at Yume o hakobu shashinki
- Pearl II (with sample photos) at Puppy's Island
- Pearl and Pearl II at Konica Minolta "old and new"
- Restoration of a Pearl II at Shiroto shashinki shūri kōbō
- Pearl family, with pictures of the Pearl IIB, III and IV, at The Classic Camera
- Pearl III at Gacha's Box
- Pearl III (photo and short comment only) at Kurakame to dejikame monokuro
- Restoration and sample photos from a Pearl III at Shiroto shashinki shūri kōbō
