Difference between revisions of "Semi Crystar"

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(name variant of the Semi Mihama?)
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* [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 II]], a different camera)
 
* [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 II]], a different camera)
  
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
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[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding|Crystar, Semi]]
 
[[Category: S]]
 
[[Category: S]]
 
[[Category: C|Crystar, Semi]]
 
[[Category: C|Crystar, Semi]]

Revision as of 08:37, 14 November 2006

Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Semi Ace | Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Semi Ako | Ami | Bakyna | Semi Chrome | Semi Clover | Collex | Semi Condor | Semi Dymos | Semi Elega | Semi First | Auto Semi First | Baby Semi First | Gaica | Semi Gelto | Semi Germa | Hansa Semi Rollette | Heil | Hokoku | Hope | Kadera | Kankyu | Kelly | Kiko Semi | Semi Kinka | Semi Konter | Semi Kreis | Semi Kulax | Semi Lead | Semi Leotax | Semi Lester | Loyal | Semi Lucky | Semi Lyra | Semi Makinet | Semi Metax | Semi Minolta (I) and II | Auto Semi Minolta | Semi Miss | Mizuho | Semi Mulber | Semi National | New Gold | Okaco | Oko Semi | Semi Olympus | Semi Olympus II | Semi Osamo | Semi Pearl | Primo | Semi Prince | Semi Proud | Semi Prux | Roavic | Semi Rody | Rondex | Semi Rosen | Semi Rotte | Seica | Seves | Semi Shiks | Sintax | Semi Sixteenth | Semi Solon | Semi Sport | Star Semi | Semi-Tex | Tsubasa Kiko Three | Tsubasa Nettar | Tsubasa Super Semi | Ugein | Vester-Lette | Victor | Waltax | Wester | Zeitax
collapsible
Semi Kinsi | Lord | Lyrax | Nippon | New Olympic | Semi Olympic | Semi Renky | Auto Victor | Well Super
stereo
Sun Stereo
unknown
Semi Elka | Semi Keef | Napoleon
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
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo models ->
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

Semi Crystar

The Semi Crystar[1] (セミクリスター) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera announced by Crystar Kōki in 1953. It was featured in a column of the April 1953 issue of Ars Camera.[2] It is said to have has a Magni 75/3.5 lens and either an NKS or an MGN shutter giving B, 1–200 speeds.[3] No picture has been observed of this model yet.

Semi Crystar Model U and name variants

It is said that the Semi Crystar Model U, Union Model U and Korin are three name variants of a single camera model.[4] It is unknown if this camera is identical to the Semi Crystar mentioned above.

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.[5]

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.

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".[6]

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, 10–200 speeds and synchronized via an ASA bayonet post.[7]

Notes

  1. It is mistakenly called "Semi Cristar" in Lewis, p. 83.
  2. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 351.
  3. McKeown, p. 231, says C-Magni Anastigmat and MGN while Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 351, says Magni and NKS.
  4. McKeown, pp. 545–6.
  5. Picture of the Semi Korin displayed in McKeown, p. 545.
  6. See this post at experts.about.com.
  7. McKeown, pp. 545–6.

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. (The book shows no reproduction of any original advertisement.)
  • 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.)
  • 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.

Links