Prince plate folders
The Prince is a Japanese 6.5×9 folding camera taking film plates. Its name might indicate that it was made by Prince Camera Works, if the latter was indeed a camera maker.
General description
The Prince has a metal body. There is a swivelling brilliant finder attached to the lens standard and a folding frame finder, with a black rear frame hinged to the body and a metal front frame hinged to the lens standard. Focusing is done via a small wheel placed on the right of the folding bed and the distance scale is on the left. There does not seem to be any movement ability, and no nameplate is visible.
Versions
The Prince is pictured in McKeown with a Neumann & Heilemann Perfect shutter reported to give 5–150 speeds and a Kenngott Anastigmat Vidar 10.5cm f/4.5 lens.[1]
A similar camera announced as a Prince has been observed in a Yahoo Japan auction with different folding struts, a differently located tripod screw, a Schneider Radionar 10.5cm f/4.5 lens and a Pronto shutter giving T, B, 100, 50, 25 speeds with self-timer.[2]
Notes
Bibliography
- 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.
The Prince is not listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi (perhaps because it is older than 1935) nor in Sugiyama.
