Difference between revisions of "Semi Crystar"

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{{Japanese Semi postwar}}
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{{NeedPhotos}}{{Japanese Semi postwar}}
== Semi Crystar ==
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The '''Semi Crystar''' (セミクリスター) is a [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders|Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera]] announced by [[Crystar|Crystar Kōki]] in 1953. The '''Korin''' and '''Union Model U''' are name variants of the same camera.
The '''Semi Crystar'''<REF> It is mistakenly called "Semi Cristar" in Lewis, p.&nbsp;83.</REF> (セミクリスター) is a [[Japanese 4.5&times;6 folders|Japanese 4.5&times;6 folding camera]] announced by [[Crystar|Crystar Kōki]] in 1953. It was featured in a column of the April 1953 issue of ''Ars Camera''.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;351. </REF> It is said to have has a Magni 75/3.5 lens and either an [[NKS]] or an MGN shutter giving B, 1&ndash;200 speeds.<REF> McKeown, p.&nbsp;231, says C-Magni Anastigmat and MGN while {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;351, says Magni and NKS. </REF> No picture has been observed of this model yet.
 
  
== Semi Crystar Model U and name variants ==
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== General description ==
It is said that the '''Semi Crystar Model U''', '''Union Model U''' and '''Korin''' are three name variants of a single camera model.<REF> McKeown, pp.&nbsp;545&ndash;6. </REF> It is unknown if this camera is identical to the Semi Crystar mentioned above.
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The camera is a vertical folder with folding struts copied from the [[Ikonta]]. The tubular finder is to the right when the camera is held vertically by the photographer, the reverse of the usual arrangement. There is a body release on the right of the viewfinder, and the advance knob, folding bed release and accessory shoe are on the left. The back is hinged to the right and contains a single red window at the top left, protected by a vertically sliding cover. All the cameras have a front-cell focusing 75mm f/3.5 lens; the lens name differs on the various models but it is perhaps merely a matter of branding. On all the cameras observed so far, the shutter has B, 1–200 speeds, a self-timer and an ASA synch post.
  
The camera is a vertical folder with folding struts copied from the [[Ikonta]]. The tubular finder is to the right when the camera is held vertically by the photographer, the reverse of the usual arrangement. There is a body release on the right of the viewfinder, and an accessory shoe and advance knob on the left. The back is hinged to the right.<REF> Picture of the Semi Korin displayed in McKeown, p.&nbsp;545. </REF>
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The camera is extremely similar to the first version of the [[Semi Mihama]] except that the top plate is leather covered and that there are no cut-offs in the folding struts. These models are perhaps name variants of the Semi Mihama.
  
The camera is extremely similar to the first version of the [[Semi Mihama]] except that the top plate is leather covered and that the folding struts are not cut off to save weight. It is suspected that these models are name variants of the Semi Mihama.
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== The Semi Crystar ==
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The '''Semi Crystar''' is sometimes called "Semi Crystar Model U" or "Crystar Model U", and no confirmation has been found of its official name.<REF> The name "Semi Crystar Model U" is found in {{SUG}}, item 1290, and in {{MK}}, p.546 (about the Korin). An example has been offered by a Japanese dealer as a "Crystar Model U". </REF> The brand name ''Crystar'' is embossed in the front and back leather, and the lens name is C.&nbsp;Magni Anastigmat.
  
The Union Model U was probably sold by the company [[Union Kōgaku]] that also sold the [[Union Semi]], a name variant of the [[Zenobia]]. Someone has reported to have found a camera marked "Union Model-U" above the viewfinder and embossed "Union" in the back leather, together with a case marked "Semi Crystar".<REF> See [http://experts.about.com/q/Cameras-3213/Old-Unknown-Camera.htm this post] at [http://experts.about.com/ experts.about.com]. </REF>
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The camera was featured in the April 1953 issue of {{AR}}, with the Magni lens and an [[NKS]] shutter.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.351. </REF> The actual examples observed so far have the shutter name ''MGN'' inscribed at the bottom of the speed rim.<REF> Example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1290, and example observed for sale in Japan, lens no.6030. </REF>
  
The Korin has ''KORIN'' embossed in the front leather and is reported to have a C. Korin Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens and a K.O.C. shutter giving B, 10&ndash;200 speeds and synchronized via an ASA bayonet post.<REF> McKeown, pp.&nbsp;545&ndash;6. </REF>
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== The Korin ==
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The '''Korin''' is a name variant of the Semi Crystar, whose distributor is unknown. The lens is called C.&nbsp;Korin Anastigmat, and the name ''KORIN'' is embossed in capital letters, in the front leather and in the case. One example has been observed with an [[NKS]] shutter, another is reported with a K.O.C. shutter.<REF> NKS: example observed in an online auction. K.O.C.: {{MK}}, pp.545–6. </REF>
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== The Union Model U ==
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The '''Union Model U''' is another name variant, probably sold by the company [[Union Kōgaku]] which also sold the [[Union Semi]], a name variant of the [[Zenobia]]. The brand name ''Union'' is embossed in the leather covering at the front and perhaps at the back too, and the name "Union Model-U" is perhaps inscribed above the viewfinder.<REF> "Union" at the back, "Union Model-U" above the viewfinder: see the report in [http://experts.about.com/q/Cameras-3213/Old-Unknown-Camera.htm this post at experts.about.com], for a camera coming with a case marked "Semi Crystar". </REF> The lens is called C.&nbsp;Union Anastigmat. One example is pictured in {{SUG}} with an [[MSK]] shutter, engraved ''M.S.K.'' at the bottom of the speed rim.<REF> Example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1424. </REF>
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 18: Line 22:
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
* {{Showa10}} Item 498. (The book shows no reproduction of any original advertisement.)
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* {{Showa10}} Item 498. (Unlike most other entries in this book, no advertisement is reproduced and no picture is given.)
* {{Lewis}} P.&nbsp;83 (brief mention only.)
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* {{Lewis}} P.83 (brief mention only, mistakenly calling the camera "Semi Cristar").
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.&nbsp;231 and 545&ndash;6.
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* {{McKeown12}} Pp.231 and 545–6.
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* {{Zukan}} Items 1290 and 1424.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
* [http://experts.about.com/q/Cameras-3213/Old-Unknown-Camera.htm Post] at [http://experts.about.com/ experts.about.com] asking for identification of a camera marked "Union Model-U" (the answer speaks about the [[Union Semi|Union C&nbsp;II]], a different camera)
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In English:
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* [http://archive.is/experts.about.com/q/Cameras-3213/Old-Unknown-Camera.htm Post] at [http://archive.is/experts.about.com/ experts.about.com] (archived) asking for identification of a camera marked "Union Model-U" (the answer speaks of the [[Union Semi|Union C&nbsp;II]], a different camera)
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding|Crystar, Semi]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding|Crystar, Semi]]
 
[[Category: S]]
 
[[Category: S]]
 
[[Category: C|Crystar, Semi]]
 
[[Category: C|Crystar, Semi]]
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[[Category: Crystar]]
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[[Category: 1953]]

Revision as of 10:44, 12 September 2017

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Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Apollo | Semi Blond | Semi Crystar | Daido Semi | Doris | Semi Frank | Semi Gelto | Semi Golder | Karoron | Karoron RF | Kely | Kiko Semi | Korin | Kuri | BB Kuri | Lark | Semi Leotax | Semi Leotax DL / R | Lo Ruby | Semi Lord | Luck | Semi Lyra | Semi Masmy | Middl 120 | Semi Mihama | Mikado | Million Proud | Semi Minolta III | Semi Minolta P | Semi Oscon | Semi Pearl | Pearl I–III | Pearl IV | Petri | Petri RF | Petri Super | Pioneer | Semi Proud | Semi Rocket | Rocky Semi | Rosen | Ruby | Shinkoh Rabbit | Semi Sport | Tsubasa Semi | Union Semi | Union Model U | Walcon Semi | Waltax | Semi Wester | Zenobia
rigid or collapsible
Semi Dak | Semi Hobix | Super Semi Plum | Rocket Camera | Tomy
Prewar and wartime models ->
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo models ->
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 4.5×6 and older 6×9 ->

The Semi Crystar (セミクリスター) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera announced by Crystar Kōki in 1953. The Korin and Union Model U are name variants of the same camera.

General description

The camera is a vertical folder with folding struts copied from the Ikonta. The tubular finder is to the right when the camera is held vertically by the photographer, the reverse of the usual arrangement. There is a body release on the right of the viewfinder, and the advance knob, folding bed release and accessory shoe are on the left. The back is hinged to the right and contains a single red window at the top left, protected by a vertically sliding cover. All the cameras have a front-cell focusing 75mm f/3.5 lens; the lens name differs on the various models but it is perhaps merely a matter of branding. On all the cameras observed so far, the shutter has B, 1–200 speeds, a self-timer and an ASA synch post.

The camera is extremely similar to the first version of the Semi Mihama except that the top plate is leather covered and that there are no cut-offs in the folding struts. These models are perhaps name variants of the Semi Mihama.

The Semi Crystar

The Semi Crystar is sometimes called "Semi Crystar Model U" or "Crystar Model U", and no confirmation has been found of its official name.[1] The brand name Crystar is embossed in the front and back leather, and the lens name is C. Magni Anastigmat.

The camera was featured in the April 1953 issue of Ars Camera, with the Magni lens and an NKS shutter.[2] The actual examples observed so far have the shutter name MGN inscribed at the bottom of the speed rim.[3]

The Korin

The Korin is a name variant of the Semi Crystar, whose distributor is unknown. The lens is called C. Korin Anastigmat, and the name KORIN is embossed in capital letters, in the front leather and in the case. One example has been observed with an NKS shutter, another is reported with a K.O.C. shutter.[4]

The Union Model U

The Union Model U is another name variant, probably sold by the company Union Kōgaku which also sold the Union Semi, a name variant of the Zenobia. The brand name Union is embossed in the leather covering at the front and perhaps at the back too, and the name "Union Model-U" is perhaps inscribed above the viewfinder.[5] The lens is called C. Union Anastigmat. One example is pictured in Sugiyama with an MSK shutter, engraved M.S.K. at the bottom of the speed rim.[6]

Notes

  1. The name "Semi Crystar Model U" is found in Sugiyama, item 1290, and in McKeown, p.546 (about the Korin). An example has been offered by a Japanese dealer as a "Crystar Model U".
  2. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.351.
  3. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1290, and example observed for sale in Japan, lens no.6030.
  4. NKS: example observed in an online auction. K.O.C.: McKeown, pp.545–6.
  5. "Union" at the back, "Union Model-U" above the viewfinder: see the report in this post at experts.about.com, for a camera coming with a case marked "Semi Crystar".
  6. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1424.

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 498. (Unlike most other entries in this book, no advertisement is reproduced and no picture is given.)
  • Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.83 (brief mention only, mistakenly calling the camera "Semi Cristar").
  • 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). Pp.231 and 545–6.
  • Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 1290 and 1424.

Links

In English: