Difference between revisions of "Prince Peerless"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) m (observation + very minor) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) m (nav template) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | {{Japanese plate}} | + | {{Japanese plate folding bed}} |
The '''Prince Peerless''' is a 6.5×9 folding plate camera, released in 1934 and sold by the distributor [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]] until 1936.<REF> Release date and attribution to Fukada: Lewis, p.48, which mistakenly calls the camera "Price Peerless". The advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.340, are dated 1935 and 1936. </REF> It was attributed to [[Prince|Prince Camera Works]] in the advertisements whereas some modern sources say that it was made by [[Fujimoto]].<REF> An advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.90, shows the ''P.C.W'' logo of Prince Camera Works. Attribution to [[Fujimoto]]: {{Sugiyama}}, item 1227, {{McKeown}}, p.331. </REF> | The '''Prince Peerless''' is a 6.5×9 folding plate camera, released in 1934 and sold by the distributor [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]] until 1936.<REF> Release date and attribution to Fukada: Lewis, p.48, which mistakenly calls the camera "Price Peerless". The advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.340, are dated 1935 and 1936. </REF> It was attributed to [[Prince|Prince Camera Works]] in the advertisements whereas some modern sources say that it was made by [[Fujimoto]].<REF> An advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.90, shows the ''P.C.W'' logo of Prince Camera Works. Attribution to [[Fujimoto]]: {{Sugiyama}}, item 1227, {{McKeown}}, p.331. </REF> | ||
Revision as of 22:57, 17 April 2008
The Prince Peerless is a 6.5×9 folding plate camera, released in 1934 and sold by the distributor Fukada Shōkai until 1936.[1] It was attributed to Prince Camera Works in the advertisements whereas some modern sources say that it was made by Fujimoto.[2]
Description of the body
The Prince Peerless is a copy of the Plan Primar, a German camera made by Bentzin. The metal body is very thin when folded, with a bulging folding bed. A nameplate is riveted inside, marked PRINCE PEERLESS and MADE IN JAPAN.
There is a swivelling brilliant finder attached to the front standard. This brilliant finder must be folded flat to fit in the very thin body, as appears in this page by Minosan. There is also a folding frame finder made of two parts: a wireframe attached to the lens standard and a simple pin articulated to the body. There is a handle on top of the body and the folding bed release is placed on the same side as the frame finder. There is a tripod screw on the opposite side and another one under the body.
Focusing is done by a small wheel on the right of the folding bed, with a focusing scale on the left. It seems that some limited vertical movement is available, and a spirit level is attached to the brilliant finder support.
Lens and shutter equipment
The lens and shutter combinations include:
- Radionar 10.5cm f/4.5 lens by Schneider, Perfect shutter (1–200, B, T) by Neumann & Heilemann;[3]
- Radionar 10.5cm f/4.5 lens by Schneider, Compur shutter (T, B, 1–250) speeds;[4]
- Tessar f/4.5 lens by Carl Zeiss, Compur shutter.[5]
The advertisement in the July 1935 issue of Asahi Camera says that the Prince Peerless was available from ¥78 in several versions, but it does not give a list.[6]
Notes
- ↑ Release date and attribution to Fukada: Lewis, p.48, which mistakenly calls the camera "Price Peerless". The advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.340, are dated 1935 and 1936.
- ↑ An advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.90, shows the P.C.W logo of Prince Camera Works. Attribution to Fujimoto: Sugiyama, item 1227, McKeown, p.331.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1227, and reported in Lewis, p. 48, and in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.340.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page by Minosan, example pictured in this page of the Nagoya Club website, example pictured in Lewis, p.48, and example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Combination reported in Lewis, p.48. one example with a Tessar 12cm f/4.5 and a Compur has been observed in an online auction, but the Compur has a Zeiss–Ikon plate screwed at the top and is perhaps not original.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.90.
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 224.
- 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.48.
- 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.331.
- 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. Item 1227.
Links
In Japanese:
