Semi Kinka
The Semi Kinka is a Japanese 4.5×6 folder, sold from 1937 by Yamamoto Shashinki Kōsakusho.
Contents
Description
The Semi Kinka is an Ikonta copy with a folding optical finder. The folding struts are engraved KINKA Y.C.W. (certainly for Yamamoto Camera Works). The advance key is at the bottom right (as seen by a photographer holding the camera horizontally). The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather strap. The name SEMI-KINKA is embossed in the front leather.
Evolution
Original model
The original model has no body release. It was advertised in November 1937 in three versions:[1]
- Ceronar Anastigmat 75/4.5 lens, Super Rapid shutter, 1–300 speeds with selftimer, chrome trim (¥70);
- Ceronar Anastigmat 75/4.5 lens, Felix shutter, 25–150 speeds, black trim (¥45);
- f/6.3 lens (¥35, available soon).
The red windows are protected by horizontally sliding individual covers. This layout is emphasized in the advertisement but it does seem to differ from the usual configurations.
The original model was also featured in the new products column of the January 1938 issue of Asahi Camera.[2]
Only one surviving example of the original model has been observed so far, pictured in Sugiyama. It has the Ceronar and Felix combination, the shutter plate is marked marked FELIX at the top and Y.C. WORKS at the bottom.
Body release
The Semi Kinka II has an added body release to the left of the finder. It was advertised in the March 1939 issue of Asahi Camera with the Ceronar 75/4.5 and Super Rapid combination.[3]
The Semi Kinka was listed in the official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, in a number of versions: "Semi Kinka I" (¥53), "Semi Kinka II" (¥62), "Semi Kinka III" (¥74), "Semi Kinka IV" (¥85), "Semi Kinka V" (¥88) and "Semi Kinka VI" (¥98), with no further details.[4] It is not known if these model names were actually used by Yamamoto.
The "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943, still mentioned the Semi Kinka, with a Kadera 75/3.5 three-element lens made by Gojō (the former Kajiro Kōgaku) and an Orient A shutter (T, B, 1–200, self-timer) made by Tōyō Kōki.[5] Despite the Y.C.W. markings, Yamamoto was only cited as the distributor, and the maker of the camera was registered as Konishisha (小西写).[6] This is certainly an abbreviated form for Konishi Shashin, a company which is otherwise unknown.
The Semi Kinka has been observed with a body release and the Kadera and Orient A combination.[7] The lens is engraved Kadera Anastigmat 1:3.5 F=75mm N°xxxx, the shutter plate is marked Orient A in fancy letters at the bottom and the 200–1, B, T speed settings are written on the shutte plate in that order. The aperture scale in above the shutter housing.
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 67.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi p. 335.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 335.
- ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 3, sections 2, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A and 7A.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 62, lens item Lb10, shutter item 18-P-23.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 62.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page at Dora's blog.
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. Items 68–9.
- "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Item 62.
- Template:Kakaku1940 Type 3, sections 2, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A.
- 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). P. 1020.
- 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 1075.
Links
In Japanese:
- Semi Kinka (body release, Kadera lens, Orient A shutter) at Dora's blog