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| − | '''Prince Camera Works''' is a Japanese entity, associated with many cameras called Prince, and whose history is not entirely clear.
| + | {{disambig}} |
| − | | + | The name '''Prince''' designates one of the following: |
| − | == History ==
| + | * Prince products sold before 1945 by the Japanese distributor [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]], in association with the trademark "Prince Camera Works" (プリンスカメラウアークス, ''Purinsu Kamera Uākusu'') and a ''PCW'' logo: |
| − | === Before the war ===
| + | ** [[Prince plate folders|Prince]] 6.5×9 plate folder |
| − | | + | ** [[Prince Peerless]] 6.5×9 plate folder |
| − | The name '''Prince Camera Works''' is first associated with prewar Japanese cameras distributed by the company [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]]. It appears in original advertisements and on some products,<REF> For example an accessory rangefinder observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> either in its full form or through a ''P.C.W.'' logo. All these products were distributed by the company [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]], and it seems probable that it was the actual owner of the Prince trademark. | + | ** [[Semi Prince]] 4.5×6 folder |
| − | | + | ** [[Prince Flex]] 6×6 TLR |
| − | The exact status of Prince Camera Works is not very clear. It is usually understood that Prince Camera Works was a camera maker. However there are some doubts. It is said by many sources<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Company history] of the [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/ Fujimoto official website]; Lewis, p. 53; ''Supuringu kamera de ikou'', pp. 78–80; {{McKeown}}, pp. 331–2. </REF> that the [[Semi Prince]], a camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was actually manufactured by [[Fujimoto]]. On that basis, some sources<REF> Including {{McKeown}}, p. 331–2. </REF> attribute to Fujimoto all the other cameras named Prince and associated with Prince Camera Works. This leads to the theory that Prince Camera Works was just a dummy name, used by the distributor Fukada Shōkai for advertising purpose to hide the real maker names.
| + | ** [[Pocket Prince]] 4×6.5 folder |
| − | | + | ** [[Japanese 3×4 and 4×4 pseudo TLR|Prince Baby Ref]] 3×4 pseudo TLR |
| − | It also seems that the [[Prince Flex]], another camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was developed by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], or in cooperation with this company. A dubious rumor says that Neumann & Heilemann merged with the Prince factory and that the Prince Flex was the first resulting product.<REF> This is mentioned as a rumor in {{Kokusan}}, p. 340, whereas ''Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten,'' p. 28, says that Neumann & Heilemann merged with Fujimoto. </REF>
| + | ** Prince auxiliary rangefinder |
| − | | + | * [[Princeflex|Princeflex and Prince Junior]] 6×6 TLR, sold in the 1950s by the Japanese distributor [[Mima|Mima Shōkai]], again in association with the trademark "Prince Camera Works" (プリンスカメラワークス, ''Purinsu Kamera Wākusu'') and a ''PCW'' logo |
| − | === Postwar developments ===
| + | * Prince [[Hit]]-type subminiature |
| − | After the war, the company [[Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku]] made 6×6 TLR cameras called [[Princeflex]] and [[Princeflex|Prince Junior]], distributed by [[Misuzu Shōkai]]. These cameras were sometimes advertised with the mention of Prince Camera Works and the ''P.C.W.'' logo.
| + | * [[Toyoca Ace|Prince Ruby]], name variant of the [[Toyoca Ace]] |
| − | | + | * [[Prince 16-A]], subminiature camera taking 17.5mm film |
| − | === Other attributions ===
| + | * L. M. Prince & Bro., a US camera maker of the late XIXth century |
| − | {{McKeown}} attributes the [[Doris (3×4)]] and [[Baby Doris]] cameras to Prince Camera Works.<REF> McKeown, p. 803. </REF> They were indeed distributed by Fukada, and at least the Doris was advertised in a context associating it with the Prince cameras (it is called the "sister of the Semi Prince": セミプリンスの姉妹品).<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 80. </REF> However it seems more likely that these cameras are related to the company [[Condor Camera|Nissan Kōgaku]], see the discussion in the corresponding page.
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| − | | |
| − | == Cameras ==
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| − | === Prewar ===
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| − | * [[Prince plate folder|Prince]] 6.5×9 plate folder | |
| − | * [[Prince Peerless]] 6.5×9 plate folder (1934–6) | |
| − | * [[Semi Prince]] 4.5×6 folder (1934/5–9) | |
| − | * [[Prince Flex]] 6×6 TLR (1937–9) | |
| − | * [[Pocket Prince]] 4×6.5 folder (1939–40) | |
| − | * [[Japanese 3×4 and 4×4 pseudo TLR cameras|Prince Baby Ref]], 3×4 pseudo TLR (1939–40) | |
| − | | |
| − | Only the Prince Peerless, Semi Prince and Prince Flex are known for sure to be associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, either through the full name or through the ''P.C.W.'' logo. The other models are known to appear in advertisements by [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]], except for the Prince plate folder, for which no original document has been observed.
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| − | | |
| − | Here are two models whose attribution is unsure, and that are perhaps related with [[Condor Camera|Nissan Kōgaku]]:
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| − | * [[Doris (3×4)|Doris]] 3×4 strut-folder (1939–41) | |
| − | * [[Baby Doris]] 3×4 folder (1941–3) | |
| − | | |
| − | === Postwar ===
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| − | * [[Princeflex]]
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| − | * [[Princeflex|Princeflex 2]]
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| − | * [[Princeflex|Prince Junior]] | |
| − | | |
| − | == Notes ==
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| − | <references />
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| − | | |
| − | == Bibliography ==
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| − | * {{Showa10}}
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| − | * {{Lewis}} | |
| − | * {{McKeown12}}
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| − | * ''Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten'' (私の二眼レフカメラ展, Exhibition of twin lens reflex cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P. 28.
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| − | | |
| − | [[Category: Japanese camera makers]]
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