Difference between revisions of "Semi-Tex"
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Revision as of 16:24, 18 August 2007
The Semi Tex is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera. It was distributed by Nisshin Shōkō from 1937.[1] Its manufacturer is not known for sure, it might be Kyokutō Kōki Seisakusho (perhaps abbreviated Kyokko Mfg. Co.) or Nomura Seisakusho.[2]
Description
The Semi Tex is an Ikonta copy. It has a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate, a body release to the left and the folding bed release button on the right. The front part of the finder folds above the rear part, the reverse of the usual arrangement. The back is hinged to the left and there is a strap above the back latch. The name Semi-Tex is embossed in the front leather.
Advertisements and other documents
The Semi Tex was advertised in the September 1937 issue of Asahi Camera.[3] The camera was offered two lens options, with f/4.5 and f/3.5 maximal aperture, and two shutter options, with 1/250 or 1/300 top speed. The lens is reportedly called Simpu and the shutter Hikari.[4] This is not stated in the advertisement observed, but the word "Simpu" appears in the advertisement's title, together with the logo "Kyokko Mfg. Co." and the model name "Semi-Tex". The advertisement boasts the camera as the first Japanese-made camera with a body release (国産最初のボディレリーズ完成装備).
The list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, mentions three versions of the Semi Tex, called "Semi Tex I" (¥62), "Semi Tex II" (¥74) and "Semi Tex III" (¥88), with no further detail.[5] A similar price list dated November 1941 has the same three models, and attributes them to Nomura Seisakusho.[6]
Actual example
A 4.5×6 folder has been observed with the front leather embossed S.M.–TEX and a shutter plate marking ending in ...KUTO–KOKI, probably "KYOKUTO–KOKI".[7] Apart from the name, it has some differences with the model described above. There is no body release but an accessory shoe to the left of the finder, but this is perhaps not original. The finder itself has a more usual folding sequence, with the rear part folding above the front one. The back latch is flatter and has no strap. There is an advance key at the bottom right of the body, and the back has a single red window at the bottom centre.
Notes
- ↑ Dates: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338, run from September 1937 to August 1938. The camera was still mentioned in official price lists dated January and November 1941.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338, says "Kyokutō Kōki Seisakusho". The advertisement dated September 1937 reproduced in the same source, p. 80, has "Kyokko Mfg. Co." The official price list dated November 1941 has "Nomura Seisakusho".
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
- ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 3, sections 3A, 4A and 6A.
- ↑ "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 3, sections 3A, 4A and 6A.
- ↑ Wrecked example sold in a Yahoo Japan auction.
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 153.
- "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō" (カメラの公定価格官報発表, Official announcement of the set prices of the cameras), November 1941. Extract of a table listing Japanese camera production and setting the retail prices, reproduced in "Bebī Semi Fāsuto 'Kore ha bebī wo nanotta semi-ki da'" (ベビーセミファースト"これはベビーを名乗ったセミ機だ", Baby Semi First, 'this is a Semi camera called Baby'), an article by Furukawa Yasuo (古川保男) in Camera Collectors' News no. 277 (July 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P. 27. Type 3, sections 3A, 4A and 6A.
- Template:Kakaku1940 Type 3, sections 3A, 4A and 6A.
The Semi Tex is not listed in Sugiyama.
