Semi-Tex
The Semi-Tex is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, made by Kyokutō Kōki Seisakusho (also called Kyokko Mfg. Co.) and distributed by Nisshin Shōkō in 1937–8.[1] It is an Ikonta copy, with a body release and a folding optical finder. 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 camera is embossed Semi-Tex in the front leather.
The Semi-Tex is advertised in the September 1937 issue of Asahi Camera.[2] There are two lens options, with f:4.5 and f:3.5 maximal aperture, and two shutter options, giving 1/250 or 1/300 top speeds. The lens is reported to be called Simpu and the shutter Hikari.[3] The word "Simpu" is indeed visible in the advertisement's title, together with the logo "Kyokko Mfg. Co." and the model name "Semi-Tex".
A 4.5×6 folder has been observed[4] with the front leather embossed S.M.-TEX and a shutter plate marking ending in KUTO-KOKI, probably "KYOKUTO-KOKI". 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. 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 only one red window at the bottom centre.
Notes
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 80.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 338.
- ↑ 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.
