Pearl (I), II and III
The name Pearl was given by Konishi and Konishiroku (the later Konica) to many models of rollfilm folders. See also the Pearl (6×9 folders) and the Baby Pearl and Pearlette cameras using 127 film.
The Semi Pearl, of 1938, is a 4.5×6 folder copied from the Ikonta A, with curved folding struts, front cell focusing, a folding optical finder and a key to advance the film.[1]
The Pearl I (1949), with the same basic body, has a top housing containing a viewfinder and an uncoupled rangefinder. Film advance is now by knob.[2]
The Pearl II (1950) is the same with a coupled rangefinder.
The Pearl III (1955) adds auto-stop film advance, getting rid of the red window.
The Pearl IV (1958) has a completely different diecast body and a very advanced projected frame finder with automatic parallax correction.
Notes
Sources
- Konika-Minoruta-ten (コニカミノルタ展, Konica-Minolta Exhibition). Exhibition catalogue. Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2005.