Difference between revisions of "Petal"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) m (biblio +1) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (round Petal by St. Peter Optical Co.) |
||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
The Petal has a round or octagonal main body. It takes round pictures, 6mm in diameter,<REF> Film size is reported as 6mm in {{SUG}}, item 5110, and in [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/index.htm this page at Submin.com]; it is reported as 5mm in Lewis, p.64. </REF> on a round film disc, 25mm in diameter,<REF> Film size is reported as 25mm in {{SUG}}, item 5110, and in [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/index.htm this page at Submin.com]; it is reported as 24mm in Lewis, p.64. </REF> contained in a special circular cassette. | The Petal has a round or octagonal main body. It takes round pictures, 6mm in diameter,<REF> Film size is reported as 6mm in {{SUG}}, item 5110, and in [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/index.htm this page at Submin.com]; it is reported as 5mm in Lewis, p.64. </REF> on a round film disc, 25mm in diameter,<REF> Film size is reported as 25mm in {{SUG}}, item 5110, and in [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/index.htm this page at Submin.com]; it is reported as 24mm in Lewis, p.64. </REF> contained in a special circular cassette. | ||
| − | The light-tight film cassette is made of two parts: the rear part unscrews, revealing the film stock and factory-loaded paper shims, and the front part contains a spring-loaded dark slide, which opens only when the cassette is secured inside the camera. Preloaded cassettes were sold as "Petal film",<REF> | + | The light-tight film cassette is made of two parts: the rear part unscrews, revealing the film stock and factory-loaded paper shims, and the front part contains a spring-loaded dark slide, which opens only when the cassette is secured inside the camera. Preloaded cassettes were sold as "Petal film",<REF> Original boxes for "Petal film" are pictured in Pritchard, p.55, and in [http://members.tripod.com/Nigel_Richards/Submin/petal.htm this page by Nigel Richards]. </REF> and new film discs can be cut in the darkroom from standard [[35mm film]] — it is said that a special film cutter was sold to that purpose.<REF> Film cutter: [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/index.htm this page at Submin.com]. </REF> |
The Petal can take six exposures on one film disc. The rear part of the camera rotates to move the film from one exposure to the next; the available positions, numbered from 1 to 6, are secured by click-stops. | The Petal can take six exposures on one film disc. The rear part of the camera rotates to move the film from one exposure to the next; the available positions, numbered from 1 to 6, are secured by click-stops. | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
== Commercial life and evolution == | == Commercial life and evolution == | ||
| − | The Petal was introduced in 1947 or 1948.<REF> [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/index.htm | + | The Petal was introduced in 1947 or 1948.<REF> Pritchard, p.54, and [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/index.htm this page at Submin.com] say 1947. {{SUG}}, item 5110, Lewis, p.64, and [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/articles/jerry_friedman_the_petal.htm this page by Jerry Friedman at Submin.com], say 1948, perhaps corresponding to the release on the Japanese domestic market. </REF> It was reportedly available for $10 on the US market.<REF> [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/index.htm This page at Submin.com]. </REF> |
| + | |||
| + | It is likely that the first model was the '''round Petal'''. Various sources say that it was originally manufactured by a company called St. Peter Optical Company<REF> Pritchard, p.54, [http://www.submin.com/disc/collection/petal/articles/jerry_friedman_the_petal.htm this page by Jerry Friedman at Submin.com]. </REF> — the Japanese name was Sei-Petero Kōgaku (聖ペテロ光学)<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.363. </REF> — but the origin of these claims is unknown. | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
Revision as of 11:32, 11 February 2010
This is a work in progress.
The Petal (ペタル) is a Japanese subminiature camera taking circular images on round film stock.
General description
The Petal has a round or octagonal main body. It takes round pictures, 6mm in diameter,[1] on a round film disc, 25mm in diameter,[2] contained in a special circular cassette.
The light-tight film cassette is made of two parts: the rear part unscrews, revealing the film stock and factory-loaded paper shims, and the front part contains a spring-loaded dark slide, which opens only when the cassette is secured inside the camera. Preloaded cassettes were sold as "Petal film",[3] and new film discs can be cut in the darkroom from standard 35mm film — it is said that a special film cutter was sold to that purpose.[4]
The Petal can take six exposures on one film disc. The rear part of the camera rotates to move the film from one exposure to the next; the available positions, numbered from 1 to 6, are secured by click-stops.
There is a tubular viewfinder at the top of the camera, showing a round image. The 12mm f/5.6 lens[5] is recessed in a hole in the camera's front plate, and has no aperture control. The shutter is tripped by pressing a button on the top right, as seen by the photographer. It is everset and only has bulb and instant settings, selected by a wheel at the front of the camera.
Commercial life and evolution
The Petal was introduced in 1947 or 1948.[6] It was reportedly available for $10 on the US market.[7]
It is likely that the first model was the round Petal. Various sources say that it was originally manufactured by a company called St. Peter Optical Company[8] — the Japanese name was Sei-Petero Kōgaku (聖ペテロ光学)[9] — but the origin of these claims is unknown.
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. Item 803 (see also the picture on p.15).
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.64.
- 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.867.
- Pritchard, Michael and St. Denny, Douglas. Spy Cameras — A century of detective and subminiature cameras. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1993. ISBN 1-874485-00-3. Pp.54–5.
- 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. Items 5035 and 5110–2.
Links
In English:
- Petal and instruction manual at Submin.com
- Petal and variations among miscellaneous subminiature cameras at Subclub.org
- Past auctions by Westlicht Photographica Auction:
- Evarax A, lot no.666 of auction no.3 (May 24, 2003)
- Petal (round), lot no.605 of auction no.4 (November 22, 2003)
- Sakura Petal (octagonal), lot no.666 of auction no.9 (May 20, 2006)
- Sakura Petal (octagonal), lot no.741 of auction no.7 (May 21, 2005)
- Petal (round), lot no.667 of auction no.11 (May 26, 2007)
- Petal in Nigel Richards' website
