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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: |
| − | === Prewar and wartime Prince cameras ===
| + | ** [[Prince plate folders|Prince]] 6.5×9 plate folder |
| − | The name '''Prince Camera Works''' was 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. | + | ** [[Prince Peerless]] 6.5×9 plate folder |
| − | | + | ** [[Semi Prince]] 4.5×6 folder |
| − | It seems that "Prince Camera Works" was just a dummy name, used by the distributor Fukada Shōkai for advertising purpose or to hide the real maker's name. This practice was not uncommon among Japanese distributors at the time (see the discussion at [[Camera Works]]).
| + | ** [[Prince Flex]] 6×6 TLR |
| − | | + | ** [[Pocket Prince]] 4×6.5 folder |
| − | It is well established that the [[Semi Prince]], a camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, was actually manufactured by [[Fujimoto]].<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> 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. It is not known if this attribution is correct or not.
| + | ** [[Japanese 3×4 and 4×4 pseudo TLR|Prince Baby Ref]] 3×4 pseudo TLR |
| − | | + | ** Prince auxiliary rangefinder |
| − | The [[Prince Flex]], another camera associated with Prince Camera Works in original advertisements, is prominently inscribed ''Neumann & Heilemann.'' It was certainly developed by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], or in cooperation with this company. A dubious rumor says that Neumann & Heilemann merged with the Prince factory (perhaps meaning Fujimoto) 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>
| + | * [[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 |
| − | | + | * Prince [[Hit]]-type subminiature |
| − | === Other attributions ===
| + | * [[Toyoca Ace|Prince Ruby]], name variant of the [[Toyoca Ace]] |
| − | Some sources attribute the [[Doris (3×4)]] and [[Baby Doris]] cameras to Prince Camera Works.<REF> McKeown, p. 803; Sugiyama, items 1038–9. </REF> They were 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 the actual maker of these cameras is not known for sure see the discussion in the corresponding pages.
| + | * [[Prince 16-A]], subminiature camera taking 17.5mm film |
| − | | + | * L. M. Prince & Bro., a US camera maker of the late XIXth century |
| − | === Postwar developments ===
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| − | 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.
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| − | | |
| − | == Prince 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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| − | | |
| − | === Postwar ===
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| − | * [[Princeflex]] | |
| − | * [[Princeflex|Princeflex 2]] | |
| − | * [[Princeflex|Prince Junior]] | |
| − | | |
| − | == Notes ==
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| − | <references />
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| − | | |
| − | == Bibliography ==
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| − | * {{Showa10}} | |
| − | * {{Lewis}}
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| − | * {{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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