Difference between revisions of "Rorter Ref and Rorterflex"

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(not in the late 1940 price list)
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== Advertisements and other documents ==
 
== Advertisements and other documents ==
The Rorter Ref was described in an advertisement by [[Kōsoku|Tōkyō Kōsoku Seiki-sha]] dated February 1942.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Shashin Bunka]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;105. </REF> The shutter was mentioned as giving 5&ndash;250 speeds and the lens as a Universal<REF> Name inferred from the ''katakana'' ユニバーサー. </REF> Anastigmat f/4.5.
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The Roll-o-Frex was not mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, presumably because it was not yet in production.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}. </REF> The camera was described in an advertisement by [[Kōsoku|Tōkyō Kōsoku Seiki-sha]] dated February 1942.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Shashin Bunka]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;105. </REF> The shutter was mentioned as giving 5&ndash;250 speeds and the lens as a Universal<REF> Name inferred from the ''katakana'' ユニバーサー. </REF> Anastigmat f/4.5.
  
 
The camera was mentioned in the {{Inquiry1943_short}}, listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 115. </REF> The manufacturer's name is unfortunately missing from the document, as well as the details of the lens. The shutter was mentioned as a Prime (プライム) giving 5&ndash;200, T, B speeds.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 18-U-4. </REF>
 
The camera was mentioned in the {{Inquiry1943_short}}, listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 115. </REF> The manufacturer's name is unfortunately missing from the document, as well as the details of the lens. The shutter was mentioned as a Prime (プライム) giving 5&ndash;200, T, B speeds.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 18-U-4. </REF>
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* {{Showa10}} Item 331.
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 331.
 
* {{Inquiry1943}} Item 115.
 
* {{Inquiry1943}} Item 115.
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* {{Kakaku1940}} The Rorter Ref does ''not'' appear in this list.
 
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;860.
 
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;860.
 
The Rorter Ref is not listed in {{Sugiyama}}.
 
The Rorter Ref is not listed in {{Sugiyama}}.

Revision as of 17:12, 2 June 2007

Japanese 6×6 TLR
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
6×6cm Elmoflex | First Reflex | Kiko Flex | Lyra Flex | Minoltaflex | Minoltaflex Automat | Minoltaflex military prototype | Nōman Flex | Ostenflex | Prince Flex | Ricohflex (original) | Ricohflex B | Rollekonter | Roll-o-Frex | Rorter Ref | Rorterflex | Sakura-flex | Simpuflex | Starflex | Taroflex | Valflex | Yokusanflex
Postwar models and other TLR ->
Pseudo TLR and medium format SLR ->
Other Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->

The Rorter Ref (ローターレフ) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made by Tōkyō Kōsoku Seiki-sha from 1941 to 1944.[1] In the name, "Ref" is an abbreviation of "Reflex", often used in Japan at the time.

Description

The Rorter Ref is much inspired from the 1936 Rolleicord models. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth. The focusing and advance knobs are on the photographer's right. There is automatic stop film advance and a round exposure counter window at the top of the right-hand side plate. The focusing knob is surrounded by a depth-of-field plate. The shutter release button is placed underneath, and it is interlocked with the advance system for double exposure prevention.[2] There is a magnifying glass inside the viewing hood and a mirror for eye-level reflex viewing, certainly released by a small lever on the right-hand side of the viewing hood.[3] The nameplate is shaped like the nameplate of the early Rolleicord and is inscribed RORTER REF in capital letters.

Advertisements and other documents

The Roll-o-Frex was not mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, presumably because it was not yet in production.[4] The camera was described in an advertisement by Tōkyō Kōsoku Seiki-sha dated February 1942.[5] The shutter was mentioned as giving 5–250 speeds and the lens as a Universal[6] Anastigmat f/4.5.

The camera was mentioned in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.[7] The manufacturer's name is unfortunately missing from the document, as well as the details of the lens. The shutter was mentioned as a Prime (プライム) giving 5–200, T, B speeds.[8]

McKeown also reports a Grimmel Anastigmat f/4.5 lens in a Union shutter (T, B, 5–200).[9]

Notes

  1. Dates: advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 343.
  2. Double exposure prevention: advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 105.
  3. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 105.
  4. Template:Kakaku1940 short.
  5. Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 105.
  6. Name inferred from the katakana ユニバーサー.
  7. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 115.
  8. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-U-4.
  9. McKeown, p. 860.

Bibliography

The Rorter Ref is not listed in Sugiyama.