Difference between revisions of "Proud postwar folders"
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The examples of the Semi Proud observed so far are engraved ''Proud'' and ''Model. 50'' above the viewfinder, but examples are reported with "Model 51" instead<REF> Model 51: McKeown, p. 907. </REF>, obviously for the years 1950 and 1951. The camera is often called "Proud Model 50" for that reason. The back leather is embossed ''Semi Proud'' and the leather of the folding bed is embossed with a ''KSK'' logo, perhaps for <U>K</U>abushiki Kaisha <U>S</U>umida <U>K</U>ōki. | The examples of the Semi Proud observed so far are engraved ''Proud'' and ''Model. 50'' above the viewfinder, but examples are reported with "Model 51" instead<REF> Model 51: McKeown, p. 907. </REF>, obviously for the years 1950 and 1951. The camera is often called "Proud Model 50" for that reason. The back leather is embossed ''Semi Proud'' and the leather of the folding bed is embossed with a ''KSK'' logo, perhaps for <U>K</U>abushiki Kaisha <U>S</U>umida <U>K</U>ōki. | ||
− | The Semi Proud is advertised in the April 1950 issue of ''Ars Camera''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 172. </REF> with the brilliant finder, a Pioter 75/3.5 coated lens and a shutter giving B, 1ndash;200 speeds. Here are the lens and shutter combinations observed so far: | + | The Semi Proud is advertised in the April 1950 issue of ''Ars Camera''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 172. </REF> with the brilliant finder, a Pioter 75/3.5 coated lens and a shutter giving B, 1ndash;200 speeds. The advertisement indicates that the camera was "suitable for export" (輸出適格品). Here are the lens and shutter combinations observed so far: |
* Pioter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens, B, 1–200 shutter reported to be an [[NKS]] (with brilliant finder);<REF> Example observed in an eBay auction. </REF> | * Pioter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens, B, 1–200 shutter reported to be an [[NKS]] (with brilliant finder);<REF> Example observed in an eBay auction. </REF> | ||
* Wester Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens, B, 1–200 shutter with speed rim engraved ''PROUD'' (with brilliant finder and short plate in the back);<REF> Example observed in an eBay auction. </REF> | * Wester Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens, B, 1–200 shutter with speed rim engraved ''PROUD'' (with brilliant finder and short plate in the back);<REF> Example observed in an eBay auction. </REF> | ||
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All these cameras are synchronized via a pin protruding from the bottom right of the shutter housing. | All these cameras are synchronized via a pin protruding from the bottom right of the shutter housing. | ||
− | The Semi Proud is advertised in Japanese magazines until 1951.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 362. </REF> | + | The Semi Proud is advertised in Japanese magazines until 1951.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 362. See the May 1951 advertisement in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 172. </REF> |
A camera called '''Proud 120''' was announced in the May 1950 issue of ''Ars Camera'' with a Wester 75/3.5 lens and an [[NKS]] shutter<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 362. </REF>, but it is probably the Semi Proud called by another same. | A camera called '''Proud 120''' was announced in the May 1950 issue of ''Ars Camera'' with a Wester 75/3.5 lens and an [[NKS]] shutter<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 362. </REF>, but it is probably the Semi Proud called by another same. | ||
=== The Million Proud === | === The Million Proud === | ||
+ | The '''Million Proud''' is a simplified version of the Semi Proud, with a grey plastic top housing and no brilliant finder. It is advertised in the November 1950 issue of ''Ars Camera''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 172. </REF>, offered for {{yen|4,300|1950}} with a Pioter 75/3.5 lens and a Million shutter, synchronized and giving B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds. In the advertising picture, the top plate has two symmetrically placed knobs, the right one must be the advance knob and the left one a fake. | ||
+ | The '''Million Proud II''' is the same camera with an accessory shoe replacing the knob at the left end of the top plate. It is advertised in the May 1951 issue of ''Asahi Camera''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 172. </REF> with a ミリオナー<REF> That could be spelt Millionar, Millioner, Milioner or a variation of these. </REF> 75/3.5 coated lens and a choice of two shutters: | ||
+ | * Proud 2, giving B, 5–200 speeds, with self-timer and synchronization; | ||
+ | * Proud 1, giving B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds, with synchronization. | ||
+ | An example of the Million Proud II has been observed with a Proud Special 75/3.5 lens and a KSK shutter giving B, 25, 50, 100, 200 speeds and synchronized via a pin at the bottom right of the shutter plate. The speed rim is engraved ''KSK'' and the shutter plate is marked ''PROUD'' at the top and maybe ''SUMIDA OPTICAL WORKS'' at the bottom. The top plate is only engraved ''MILLION''. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Million Proud later evolved with a different top housing. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == |
Revision as of 22:57, 8 October 2006
The Proud postwar folders are Japanese 4.5×6 and 6×6 cameras made by Sumida, certainly a successor of the prewar Proud company. All are horizontal folders with straight diagonal struts, and all seem to share the same basic body, maybe made a little longer for the 6×6 models.
The 4.5×6 models
The Semi Proud
The Semi Proud is a 4.5×6 model. It has a simple viewfinder enclosed in a top housing quite similar to the Apollo and Mikado cameras by the same company. On the top plate, we find the advance knob on the right end, near the body release and a small hole that is perhaps a double exposure prevention indicator. On the left end there is a decorative knob, while the accessory shoe and folding bed release button are to the left of the viewfinder. The viewfinder window itself is surrounded by a metal plate attached by two screws. The back is hinged to the left and has a single red window near the bottom, protected by a cover horizontally sliding under a metal plate. Some examples have a long metal plate engraved SUMIDA OPTICAL WORKS, exactly similar to the same part on the last Apollo and Mikado cameras, while other ones have a shorter plate with no engraving.
Some examples of the Semi Proud have a brilliant finder above the shutter housing, while others don't.
The examples of the Semi Proud observed so far are engraved Proud and Model. 50 above the viewfinder, but examples are reported with "Model 51" instead[1], obviously for the years 1950 and 1951. The camera is often called "Proud Model 50" for that reason. The back leather is embossed Semi Proud and the leather of the folding bed is embossed with a KSK logo, perhaps for Kabushiki Kaisha Sumida Kōki.
The Semi Proud is advertised in the April 1950 issue of Ars Camera[2] with the brilliant finder, a Pioter 75/3.5 coated lens and a shutter giving B, 1ndash;200 speeds. The advertisement indicates that the camera was "suitable for export" (輸出適格品). Here are the lens and shutter combinations observed so far:
- Pioter Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens, B, 1–200 shutter reported to be an NKS (with brilliant finder);[3]
- Wester Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens, B, 1–200 shutter with speed rim engraved PROUD (with brilliant finder and short plate in the back);[4]
- Wester Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens, B, 1–200 shutter with speed rim engraved KSK, top of the shutter plate marked PROUD (no brilliant finder).[5]
All these cameras are synchronized via a pin protruding from the bottom right of the shutter housing.
The Semi Proud is advertised in Japanese magazines until 1951.[6]
A camera called Proud 120 was announced in the May 1950 issue of Ars Camera with a Wester 75/3.5 lens and an NKS shutter[7], but it is probably the Semi Proud called by another same.
The Million Proud
The Million Proud is a simplified version of the Semi Proud, with a grey plastic top housing and no brilliant finder. It is advertised in the November 1950 issue of Ars Camera[8], offered for ¥4,300 with a Pioter 75/3.5 lens and a Million shutter, synchronized and giving B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds. In the advertising picture, the top plate has two symmetrically placed knobs, the right one must be the advance knob and the left one a fake.
The Million Proud II is the same camera with an accessory shoe replacing the knob at the left end of the top plate. It is advertised in the May 1951 issue of Asahi Camera[9] with a ミリオナー[10] 75/3.5 coated lens and a choice of two shutters:
- Proud 2, giving B, 5–200 speeds, with self-timer and synchronization;
- Proud 1, giving B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds, with synchronization.
An example of the Million Proud II has been observed with a Proud Special 75/3.5 lens and a KSK shutter giving B, 25, 50, 100, 200 speeds and synchronized via a pin at the bottom right of the shutter plate. The speed rim is engraved KSK and the shutter plate is marked PROUD at the top and maybe SUMIDA OPTICAL WORKS at the bottom. The top plate is only engraved MILLION.
The Million Proud later evolved with a different top housing.
Notes
- ↑ Model 51: McKeown, p. 907.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 172.
- ↑ Example observed in an eBay auction.
- ↑ Example observed in an eBay auction.
- ↑ Example pictured in McKeown, p. 907.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 362. See the May 1951 advertisement in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 172.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 362.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 172.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 172.
- ↑ That could be spelt Millionar, Millioner, Milioner or a variation of these.
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. Items 766–75.