Primo
For the Primoflex and Primo Junior TLR cameras, see Topcon.
The Primo (プリモ) is a 4.5×6 folding camera that was made by Daiichi Kikō around 1942. It has a horizontal folding body, unusual for a 4.5×6 format camera. It is equipped with a folding optical finder, a body release and strap lugs. The advance knob is on the left and there is one red window at the top of the back, protected by a sliding cover, to control the film advance.
According to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, the Primo was advertised from 1941 to 1944. In 1942[1] and 1943[2] advertisements, two variants are offered: the Primo I (プリモⅠ型) with f:4.5 lens (¥136, then ¥157.5) and the Primo II (プリモⅡ型) with f:3.5 lens (¥160, then ¥184.94), both with chrome trimming. The camera is advertised as "the smallest of the 4.5×6, with an ideal horizontal construction". The distributor is K.K. Ōsawa Shōkai[3] (株式會社大澤商會 in old writing). After the war Ōsawa Shōkai (now written 大沢商会) distributed the Primoflex and Primo Junior TLRs made by Tōkyō Kōgaku. It was certainly the owner of the Primo name.
The Primo has been observed with chrome trimming, but McKeown also mentions a black variant (calling the black variant "Primo I" and the chrome variant "Primo II", but this is contradicted by the advertisements). The examples observed have an Oscar Anastigmat 75/3.5 or 75/4.5 lens and a shutter with T, B, 1–500 speeds, marked PRIMO at the top and RAPID-PRESTO at the bottom.
Notes
- ↑ Template:Gochamaze
- ↑ Advertisement for the Primo I and II, published in the May 43 issue of Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 223.
- ↑ Its address at the time was Tōkyō, Ginza, 42, 5 (東京・銀座・四二ノ五).
Printed 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 223.
Links
- Primo at Japan Family Camera, identified as a Primo II but having a f:4.5 lens
- Template:Gochamaze
