Difference between revisions of "Semi Frank"

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(second version is perhaps a prototype, removed an unconfirmed report, marking details)
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=== Advertisements and actual examples ===
 
=== Advertisements and actual examples ===
The Semi Frank was released in late 1951.<REF> The camera was featured in the October 1951 issue of ''[[Camera Fan]]'', according to {{Kokusan}}, p.362. </REF> An advertisement dated May 1952<REF> Advertisement in ''[[Camera Fan]]'' May 1952, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.174. </REF> offered the camera with a Seriter 75/3.5 coated lens and a [[TKS]] synchronized shutter (B, 1–200 and self-timer), for {{yen|9,800|1952}}. The advertisement does not mention the maker, only the distributor [[Million Shōkai]], and it contains typos: the Semi Frank is called "Semi Flank" and the [[Frank Six]] is called "Flank Six". It seems that the Semi Frank was also sold by [[Endō|Endō Kamera-ten]].<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.362. </REF>
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The Semi Frank was released in late 1951.<REF> The camera was featured in the October 1951 issue of {{CFA}}, according to {{Kokusan}}, p.362. </REF> An advertisement dated May 1952<REF> Advertisement in {{CFA}} May 1952, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.174. </REF> offered the camera with a Seriter 75/3.5 coated lens and a [[TKS]] synchronized shutter (B, 1–200 and self-timer), for {{yen|9,800|1952}}. The advertisement does not mention the maker, only the distributor [[Million Shōkai]], and it contains typos: the Semi Frank is called "Semi Flank" and the [[Frank Six]] is called "Flank Six". It seems that the Semi Frank was also sold by [[Endō|Endō Kamera-ten]].<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.362. </REF>
  
 
The following lens and shutter combinations have been observed:
 
The following lens and shutter combinations have been observed:
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== Second model ==
 
== Second model ==
The '''second model''' is known from a single example, perhaps a prototype.<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.moritz.co.jp/kokusan.html this page] by Classic Camera Moritz. </REF> It has a smoother top housing, whose shape was copied on the [[Pearl (I), II and III|Pearl]]. The viewfinder is slightly offset to the right and there are two decorative lines next to the front window. The advance key is replaced by a knob, with a round leather patch at the top and an arrow to indicate the winding direction. The shutter release has a more classical shape and the accessory shoe is at the extreme right. The lens standard is black with a white ''T.K'' logo.
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The '''second model''' is known from a single example, which was perhaps a prototype.<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.moritz.co.jp/kokusan.html this page] by Classic Camera Moritz. </REF> It has a smoother top housing, whose shape was copied on the [[Pearl (I), II and III|Pearl]]. The viewfinder is slightly offset to the right and there are two decorative lines next to the front window. The advance key is replaced by a knob, with a round leather patch at the top and an arrow to indicate the winding direction. The shutter release has a more classical shape and the accessory shoe is at the extreme right. The lens standard is black with a white ''T.K'' logo.
  
 
The only actual example observed has a Tosei Anastigmat 80mm f/3.5 lens and a [[TKS]] shutter. The shutter plate has a black stripe and a black diamond at the top, it is perhaps inscribed ''TOSEI'' at the bottom (see the [[Frank Six]]).
 
The only actual example observed has a Tosei Anastigmat 80mm f/3.5 lens and a [[TKS]] shutter. The shutter plate has a black stripe and a black diamond at the top, it is perhaps inscribed ''TOSEI'' at the bottom (see the [[Frank Six]]).

Revision as of 11:06, 24 September 2010

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 Frank (セミ・フランク) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, made in 1951 and 1952 by Tōsei Kōki.[1]

Common features

The Semi Frank is a vertical folder, with no rangefinder and controlling film advance via a red window on the back. The folding struts are copied on the Ikonta, and the body casting and folding struts look very similar to the Semi Mihama. The viewfinder and controls are to the right when the camera is held vertically by the photographer, the reverse of the majority of the 4.5×6 folders.

First model

Description

The first model has a stepped top housing, containing the viewfinder in the middle. The advance key is at the left end and its base is separate from the top housing. The release button is to the right of the viewfinder and has a smooth shape, perhaps designed to minimize the vibrations. There is an accessory shoe placed just behind, and a folding bed release on the left of the viewfinder. The back is hinged to the right and contains a red window at the top left, protected by a vertically sliding cover. The lens standard is chrome and has protruding corners, one of them having a round lever actuating the self-timer.[2]

The name Frank is engraved above the viewfinder in cursive style, surrounded by the drawing of a concave lens element. It is also embossed in the leather covering at the front. The name SEMI FRANK is stamped in capital letters on the pressure plate, inside the back. The T.K logo of Tōsei Kōki is engraved on the folding struts and on one corner of the lens standard. Finally, the bottom plate is engraved TOSE.O.W., certainly for Tosei Optical Works. The leather case is embossed Frank at the front, sometimes with the word SEMI added above.

Advertisements and actual examples

The Semi Frank was released in late 1951.[3] An advertisement dated May 1952[4] offered the camera with a Seriter 75/3.5 coated lens and a TKS synchronized shutter (B, 1–200 and self-timer), for ¥9,800. The advertisement does not mention the maker, only the distributor Million Shōkai, and it contains typos: the Semi Frank is called "Semi Flank" and the Frank Six is called "Flank Six". It seems that the Semi Frank was also sold by Endō Kamera-ten.[5]

The following lens and shutter combinations have been observed:

  • Seriter Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens, NKS shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer), synch pin at the bottom right;[6]
  • E. Chibanone Anastigmat 80mm f/3.5 lens, TKS shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer), synch pin at the bottom right, pattern of black and white triangles on the shutter plate.[7]

The name "Chibanone" is an early spelling for "Chibanon", a brand name used by Sankyō Kōki on camera lenses before settling on the Komura brand, and used on enlarging lenses for a longer period. The E. Chibanone lens observed on the Semi Frank seems original, but the "E" prefix is more suitable for an enlarging lens.

Second model

The second model is known from a single example, which was perhaps a prototype.[8] It has a smoother top housing, whose shape was copied on the Pearl. The viewfinder is slightly offset to the right and there are two decorative lines next to the front window. The advance key is replaced by a knob, with a round leather patch at the top and an arrow to indicate the winding direction. The shutter release has a more classical shape and the accessory shoe is at the extreme right. The lens standard is black with a white T.K logo.

The only actual example observed has a Tosei Anastigmat 80mm f/3.5 lens and a TKS shutter. The shutter plate has a black stripe and a black diamond at the top, it is perhaps inscribed TOSEI at the bottom (see the Frank Six).

Notes

  1. Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.362.
  2. Role of this lever: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.352 (item 526, about the Sanon Six II).
  3. The camera was featured in the October 1951 issue of Camera Fan, according to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.362.
  4. Advertisement in Camera Fan May 1952, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.174.
  5. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.362.
  6. Examples observed in online auctions.
  7. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1302. This source says (in Japanese only) that the pattern of black and white triangles is a feature of early production cameras, and this is repeated in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.362 (items 779 and 783). However this is an oversimplification, see analysis in the page on the Frank Six.
  8. Example pictured in this page by Classic Camera Moritz.

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 783.
  • 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.75 (brief mention only).
  • 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. Item 1302.

Links

In Japanese: