Rorter Ref and Rorterflex
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
- ↑ Dates: advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.343.
- ↑ Double exposure prevention: advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.105.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.105.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku".
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.105.
- ↑ Name inferred from the katakana ユニバーサー.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 115.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-U-4.
- ↑ McKeown, p.860.
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 331.
- "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Item 115.
- "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. The Rorter Ref does not appear in this list.
- 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.860.
The Rorter Ref is not listed in Sugiyama.
