Difference between revisions of "Rocky Semi"
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Unfortunately no complete example of the Rocky Semi is known to have survived. The only pictures observed so far are those displayed in the [http://umemoto.ecnet.jp/corp2/corp2.htm#s29-2 Umemoto history page] that show an unfinished naked body and two lens and shutter assemblies. The body has a pressed steel construction and appears to be a vertical folder. The back is hinged to the left and has a single red window, protected by a horizontally sliding cover. | Unfortunately no complete example of the Rocky Semi is known to have survived. The only pictures observed so far are those displayed in the [http://umemoto.ecnet.jp/corp2/corp2.htm#s29-2 Umemoto history page] that show an unfinished naked body and two lens and shutter assemblies. The body has a pressed steel construction and appears to be a vertical folder. The back is hinged to the left and has a single red window, protected by a horizontally sliding cover. | ||
| − | It seems that the pressed steel construction was adopted for cost reasons. Around 1951, Umemoto Kinzaburō visited the company Tanaka Daikasuto (田中ダイカスト, meaning Tanaka Diecast) which made the body castings of the prewar [[Super Makinet Six and Neure Six|Super Makinet Six]] and [[Super Flex Baby]], but the price of making a new diecast body was too elevated.<REF> Private communication to [[User:Rebollo_fr]] by Umemoto Akio, son of Umemoto Hideo and grandson of Umemoto Kinzaburō. </REF> It is supposed that it was chosen instead to reuse the press dies dating from the Semi Makinet. | + | It seems that the pressed steel construction was adopted for cost reasons. Around 1951, Umemoto Kinzaburō visited the company Tanaka Daikasuto (田中ダイカスト, meaning Tanaka Diecast) which made the body castings of the prewar [[Super Makinet Six and Neure Six|Super Makinet Six]] and [[Super Flex Baby]], but the price of making a new diecast body was too elevated.<REF> Private communication to [[User:Rebollo_fr]] by Umemoto Akio, son of Umemoto Hideo and grandson of Umemoto Kinzaburō. </REF> It is supposed that it was chosen instead to reuse the press dies dating from the [[Semi Makinet]]. |
== Lens and shutter equipment == | == Lens and shutter equipment == | ||
Revision as of 18:22, 20 June 2007
The Rocky Semi (ロッキーセミ) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera made by Umemoto and distributed by Endō from 1953.[1]
Contents
Possible wartime predecessor
There are some hints that Umemoto made a 4.5×6 folder called Semi Makinet from 1941. Umemoto Hideo, son of Umemoto Kinzaburō, founder of the company, testified that rather large dies salvaged from the destruction of the Kameido-machi plant during the bombing of Tokyo in 1945 were stocked and perhaps re-used for the Rocky Semi.[2] They were perhaps the press dies for the Semi Makinet body.
Description of the body
Unfortunately no complete example of the Rocky Semi is known to have survived. The only pictures observed so far are those displayed in the Umemoto history page that show an unfinished naked body and two lens and shutter assemblies. The body has a pressed steel construction and appears to be a vertical folder. The back is hinged to the left and has a single red window, protected by a horizontally sliding cover.
It seems that the pressed steel construction was adopted for cost reasons. Around 1951, Umemoto Kinzaburō visited the company Tanaka Daikasuto (田中ダイカスト, meaning Tanaka Diecast) which made the body castings of the prewar Super Makinet Six and Super Flex Baby, but the price of making a new diecast body was too elevated.[3] It is supposed that it was chosen instead to reuse the press dies dating from the Semi Makinet.
Lens and shutter equipment
The Rocky Semi was completed and sold in 1953 for ¥8,300.[4] According to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, it was featured in the May 1954 special issue of Photo Art about folders, and it had a Rocky 75/3.5 lens and an MSK shutter giving B, 1–200 speeds, synchronized and equipped with a self-timer.[5]
The two lens and shutter assemblies pictured in the Umemoto history page were found by Umemoto Akio (grandson of Umemoto Kinzaburō) and it is supposed that they were intended for the Rocky Semi. Both lenses are engraved NITSUKO Anastigmat 1:3.5 F=7.5cm No.xxxx and they have very close serial numbers (1347 and 1349). No Nitsuko lens is known on any other camera.
One of the shutters in marked MSK at the bottom of the speed rim and corresponds to the description given by Kokusan kamera no rekishi, with an ASA synch post, a self-timer and B, 1–200 speeds. The MSK shutter was also mounted on some Mihama cameras and was made by a company called Shibayama.[6] The other shutter is marked TKS at the bottom of the speed rim and TOSEI at the bottom of the shutter plate. It gives B, 1–200 speeds, has a self-timer and a single synch pin. The TKS shutter was made by Tōsei Kōki and it was usually mounted on the Frank Six.
Notes
- ↑ Distributed by Endō: Umemoto history page.
- ↑ Umemoto company history.
- ↑ Private communication to User:Rebollo_fr by Umemoto Akio, son of Umemoto Hideo and grandson of Umemoto Kinzaburō.
- ↑ Umemoto company history, quoting the testimony of Umemoto Hideo, son of Umemoto Kinzaburō.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 375.
- ↑ Private communication to User:Rebollo_fr by Umemoto Akio, grandson of Umemoto Kinzaburō, the founder of the Umemoto company.
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 1054. (Unlike most other entries in this book, no advertisement is reproduced and no picture is given.)
The Rocky Semi is not listed in Sugiyama.
Links
In Japanese:
| Umemoto cameras | ||
|---|---|---|
| 6×6 strut folders | 4×4 SLR | 4.5×6 folder |
| Super Makinet Six | Neure Six | Super Flex Baby | Semi Makinet | Rocky Semi |
