Difference between revisions of "Semi Dymos"

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m (The Semi Dymos FV: minor rewording)
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|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/313240228/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/109/313240228_878e7df8c1_m_d.jpg]<br />''Extract of a Semi Dymos leaflet. {{public domain}}''
 
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/313240228/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/109/313240228_878e7df8c1_m_d.jpg]<br />''Extract of a Semi Dymos leaflet. {{public domain}}''
 
}}
 
}}
The '''Semi Dymos''' (セミダイモス) is a [[Japanese 4.5x6 folders|Japanese 4.5&times;6 folder]], sold by [[Seibidō]] between 1935 and 1937. The [[Hansa Semi Rollette]] is certainly a name variant of this camera (see the discussion in the corresponding page).
+
The '''Semi Dymos''' (セミダイモス) is a [[Japanese 4.5x6 folders|Japanese 4.5&times;6 folder]], sold by [[Seibidō]] between 1935 and 1937. The [[Hansa Semi Rollette]] is certainly a name variant of this camera (see the discussion in the corresponding page), and the [[Semi Rosen]] is a successor.
  
 
== General description ==
 
== General description ==
The Semi Dymos is an [[Ikonta]] copy with a folding optical finder and a key at the bottom right to advance the film. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather handle.
+
The Semi Dymos is an [[Ikonta]] copy, with the typical Ikonta struts. There is a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate. Its front part folds above the back one and it is certainly of the Newton type. The folding bed release is on the right of the viewfinder and the film advance key is at the bottom right &mdash; as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather handle. The brand name ''Dymos'' is embossed in the front leather in cursive style: the "D" is very large and contains the rest of the letters.
 
 
There is a ''Dymos'' logo embossed in the front leather in handwritten style, the "D" is very large and contains the rest of the letters.
 
  
 
== The Semi Dymos A to F ==
 
== The Semi Dymos A to F ==
The '''original Semi Dymos''', released in 1935<REF> Date: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF>, has no body release and has two red windows in the back, protected by a cover that is certainly retracted by turning a knob.
+
The '''original Semi Dymos''', released in 1935,<REF> Date: the earliest advertisement listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337, is dated June 1935. </REF> has no body release and has two red windows in the back, protected by a cover that is certainly retracted by turning a knob.
  
In an advertisement dated January 1936<REF> Published in ''[[Ars Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF>, the following variants are offered:
+
In an advertisement dated January 1936,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Ars Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF> the following versions were offered:
 
* '''Model A''' (A號): Radionar f/6.3 lens, [[Rulex]] shutter ({{yen|49|1936}});
 
* '''Model A''' (A號): Radionar f/6.3 lens, [[Rulex]] shutter ({{yen|49|1936}});
 
* '''Model B''' (B號): Radionar f/4.5 lens, [[Light (shutter)|Light]] shutter ({{yen|55|1936}});
 
* '''Model B''' (B號): Radionar f/4.5 lens, [[Light (shutter)|Light]] shutter ({{yen|55|1936}});
* '''Model C''' (C號): Lausar<REF> Inferred from the ''katakana'' ローザー. </REF> f/4.5 lens, [[Light (shutter)|Light]] shutter ({{yen|59|1936}}).
+
* '''Model C''' (C號): Lausar f/4.5 lens, [[Light (shutter)|Light]] shutter ({{yen|59|1936}}).
The Rulex shutter was certainly the less expensive Rulex D variant. The [[Light (shutter)|Light]] shutter was perhaps made by [[Ōhashi|Ōhashi Kōki Seisakusho]].
+
The Rulex shutter was certainly the least expensive Rulex D version. The [[Light (shutter)|Light]] shutter was perhaps made by [[Ōhashi|Ōhashi Kōki Seisakusho]].
  
 
It seems that in some advertisements the range was as follows<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF>:
 
It seems that in some advertisements the range was as follows<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF>:
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* '''Model D''': Lausar f/4.5, [[Light (shutter)|Light]].
 
* '''Model D''': Lausar f/4.5, [[Light (shutter)|Light]].
  
In mid-1936, the A, B, C, D variants were replaced by the Models E and F. Advertisements dated May<REF> [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/daimos.html Advertisement] published in ''[[Camera Art]],'' reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. </REF> and December<REF> Published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF> 1936 describe the following variants:
+
In mid-1936, the A, B, C, D models were replaced by the models E and F. In advertisements dated May and December 1936,<REF> May 1936: [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/daimos.html advertisement] published in ''[[Camera Art]],'' reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. December 1936: advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF> they are described as follows:
 
* '''Model E''' (E號): Radionar f/4.5 lens, 5&ndash;250 speeds ({{yen|60|1936}} &mdash; case &yen;5 extra);
 
* '''Model E''' (E號): Radionar f/4.5 lens, 5&ndash;250 speeds ({{yen|60|1936}} &mdash; case &yen;5 extra);
 
* '''Model F''' (F號): Lausar f/4.5 lens, 5&ndash;250 speeds ({{yen|63|1936}}).
 
* '''Model F''' (F號): Lausar f/4.5 lens, 5&ndash;250 speeds ({{yen|63|1936}}).
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== The Semi Dymos II ==
 
== The Semi Dymos II ==
The '''Semi Dymos II''' appeared at the beginning of 1937.<REF> Date: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF> It has a curious system to control film advance by the ear: the film numbers are made audible by a device, whose details are unknown, looking like a square plate on the camera's back. This device is called "talkie numbers" (トーキーナンバー) in the advertisements, and it is emphasized that it is convenient to take pictures in a dark place. There is still a red window at the extreme left of the back, probably to set the first exposure.
+
The '''Semi Dymos II''' appeared at the beginning of 1937.<REF> Date: the earliest advertisement listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337, is dated March 1937. </REF> It has a curious system to control film advance by the ear: the film numbers are made audible by a device, whose details are unknown, looking like a square plate on the camera's back. This device is called "talkie numbers" (トーキーナンバー) in the advertisements, and it is emphasized that it is convenient to take pictures in a dark place. There is still a red window at the extreme left of the back, probably to set the first exposure.
  
An advertisement dated May 1937<REF> Published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF> offers the camera in two variants:
+
An advertisement dated May 1937<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF> offered the camera in two versions:
 
* '''Model EII''' (EⅡ號型): Radionar f/4.5 lens, 5&ndash;250 speeds ({{yen|62|1937}} &mdash; case &yen;4.50 extra);
 
* '''Model EII''' (EⅡ號型): Radionar f/4.5 lens, 5&ndash;250 speeds ({{yen|62|1937}} &mdash; case &yen;4.50 extra);
 
* '''Model FII''' (FⅡ號型): Lausar f/4.5 lens, 5&ndash;250 speeds ({{yen|65|1937}}).
 
* '''Model FII''' (FⅡ號型): Lausar f/4.5 lens, 5&ndash;250 speeds ({{yen|65|1937}}).
 
+
The model 1 (1號型) was mentioned as still available.
The model 1 is mentioned as still available.
 
  
 
== The Semi Dymos FV ==
 
== The Semi Dymos FV ==
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<br />''Semi Dymos leaflet. {{public domain}}''
 
<br />''Semi Dymos leaflet. {{public domain}}''
 
</div>
 
</div>
The '''Semi Dymos FV''' appeared at the end of 1937.<REF> Date: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF> It is like the FII with a body release. An advertisement dated October 1937<REF> Published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF> offers this model for {{yen|70|1937}} (case &yen;5 extra). {{Kokusan}} mentions advertisements until the very beginning of 1938.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF>
+
The '''Semi Dymos FV''' appeared at the end of 1937.<REF> Date: the earliest advertisement published in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337, is dated October 1937. </REF> It is like the FII with a body release, placed on the left of the viewfinder. The lens is the Lausar f/4.5 and the shutter gives 5&ndash;250 speeds. The shutter is rotated to the left by more than 90 degrees, in order to connect the release lever with the body release rod. The shutter plate is black, the aperture scale and the ''Light'' marking should be to the bottom but they appear to the right. It seems that the shutter was not originally designed for a body release, it is certainly the same shutter which was already used on the models E and F.
 +
 
 +
An advertisement dated October 1937<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF> offered this model for {{yen|70|1937}} (case &yen;5 extra). The Semi Dymos FV was advertised until early 1938.<REF> The last advertisement listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337, is dated January 1938. </REF>
  
An undated leaflet<REF> Undated leaflet for the [[Victory]], Semi Dymos, [[Reex]], [[Japanese 3&times;4 and 4&times;4 pseudo TLR cameras|Baby Ref]], [[Union Ref and Hansa Rollette Ref|Union Ref]] and [[Baby Chrome]]. </REF> pictured in this page shows a model simply called "Semi Dymos". It looks exactly like the FV but the leaflet does not mention the talkie numbers and it is perhaps a later model.
+
An undated leaflet<REF> Undated leaflet for the [[Victory]], Semi Dymos, [[Reex]], [[Japanese 3&times;4 and 4&times;4 pseudo TLR cameras|Baby Ref]], [[Union Ref and Hansa Rollette Ref|Union Ref]] and [[Baby Chrome]], published by an unknown company. </REF> pictured in this page shows a model simply called "Semi Dymos". It looks exactly like the FV but the leaflet does not mention the talkie numbers: this is perhaps a later model. In the document, the lens is mentioned as a Rosen (ローゼン) Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 and the shutter as a [[Light (shutter)|Light B]] (T, B, 5&ndash;250). The shutter is rotated to the left as for the FV, and it seems identical.
  
The lens is a Rosen Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 and the shutter is a [[Light (shutter)|Light B]] giving T, B, 5&ndash;250 speeds. As for the FV, the shutter is rotated 90 degrees in order to connect the release lever with the body release rod. It seems that the Light B was not originally designed for a body release, this is why it is believed that it was the same shutter used on the models E and F. The shutter plate is black, the aperture scale and the ''Light'' marking should be to the bottom but they appear to the right.
+
This model was succeeded by the [[Semi Rosen]].
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==

Revision as of 20:45, 2 May 2007

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 ->
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo ->
Japanese 3×4, 4×4, 4×5, 4×6.5, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Semi Dymos (セミダイモス) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folder, sold by Seibidō between 1935 and 1937. The Hansa Semi Rollette is certainly a name variant of this camera (see the discussion in the corresponding page), and the Semi Rosen is a successor.

General description

The Semi Dymos is an Ikonta copy, with the typical Ikonta struts. There is a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate. Its front part folds above the back one and it is certainly of the Newton type. The folding bed release is on the right of the viewfinder and the film advance key is at the bottom right — as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather handle. The brand name Dymos is embossed in the front leather in cursive style: the "D" is very large and contains the rest of the letters.

The Semi Dymos A to F

The original Semi Dymos, released in 1935,[1] has no body release and has two red windows in the back, protected by a cover that is certainly retracted by turning a knob.

In an advertisement dated January 1936,[2] the following versions were offered:

  • Model A (A號): Radionar f/6.3 lens, Rulex shutter (¥49);
  • Model B (B號): Radionar f/4.5 lens, Light shutter (¥55);
  • Model C (C號): Lausar f/4.5 lens, Light shutter (¥59).

The Rulex shutter was certainly the least expensive Rulex D version. The Light shutter was perhaps made by Ōhashi Kōki Seisakusho.

It seems that in some advertisements the range was as follows[3]:

  • Model A: Radionar f/6.3, Rulex;
  • Model B: Dymos f/4.5, Light;
  • Model C: Radionar f/4.5, Light;
  • Model D: Lausar f/4.5, Light.

In mid-1936, the A, B, C, D models were replaced by the models E and F. In advertisements dated May and December 1936,[4] they are described as follows:

  • Model E (E號): Radionar f/4.5 lens, 5–250 speeds (¥60 — case ¥5 extra);
  • Model F (F號): Lausar f/4.5 lens, 5–250 speeds (¥63).

The shutter name is not mentioned, but it is probably the Light B mentioned in a later document (see below).

The Semi Dymos II

The Semi Dymos II appeared at the beginning of 1937.[5] It has a curious system to control film advance by the ear: the film numbers are made audible by a device, whose details are unknown, looking like a square plate on the camera's back. This device is called "talkie numbers" (トーキーナンバー) in the advertisements, and it is emphasized that it is convenient to take pictures in a dark place. There is still a red window at the extreme left of the back, probably to set the first exposure.

An advertisement dated May 1937[6] offered the camera in two versions:

  • Model EII (EⅡ號型): Radionar f/4.5 lens, 5–250 speeds (¥62 — case ¥4.50 extra);
  • Model FII (FⅡ號型): Lausar f/4.5 lens, 5–250 speeds (¥65).

The model 1 (1號型) was mentioned as still available.

The Semi Dymos FV

The Semi Dymos FV appeared at the end of 1937.[7] It is like the FII with a body release, placed on the left of the viewfinder. The lens is the Lausar f/4.5 and the shutter gives 5–250 speeds. The shutter is rotated to the left by more than 90 degrees, in order to connect the release lever with the body release rod. The shutter plate is black, the aperture scale and the Light marking should be to the bottom but they appear to the right. It seems that the shutter was not originally designed for a body release, it is certainly the same shutter which was already used on the models E and F.

An advertisement dated October 1937[8] offered this model for ¥70 (case ¥5 extra). The Semi Dymos FV was advertised until early 1938.[9]

An undated leaflet[10] pictured in this page shows a model simply called "Semi Dymos". It looks exactly like the FV but the leaflet does not mention the talkie numbers: this is perhaps a later model. In the document, the lens is mentioned as a Rosen (ローゼン) Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 and the shutter as a Light B (T, B, 5–250). The shutter is rotated to the left as for the FV, and it seems identical.

This model was succeeded by the Semi Rosen.

Notes

  1. Date: the earliest advertisement listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337, is dated June 1935.
  2. Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78.
  3. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337.
  4. May 1936: advertisement published in Camera Art, reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura. December 1936: advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78.
  5. Date: the earliest advertisement listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337, is dated March 1937.
  6. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78.
  7. Date: the earliest advertisement published in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337, is dated October 1937.
  8. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78.
  9. The last advertisement listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337, is dated January 1938.
  10. Undated leaflet for the Victory, Semi Dymos, Reex, Baby Ref, Union Ref and Baby Chrome, published by an unknown company.

Bibliography

The Semi Dymos is not listed in Sugiyama.

Links

In Japanese: