Semi Kreis
The Semi Kreis (セミクライス) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, distributed by Muraue Shōkai in 1941 and 1942[1].
It is a vertical folder, with a folding optical finder, an advance knob and a body release. All three are to the right when the camera is held vertically by the photographer, it is the reverse of the usual arrangement. Thus the body release is actioned by the right hand's finger. The body is embossed SEMI KREIS in the front leather.
The original model, released in 1941, is advertised in the March 1941 issue of Shashin Bunka[2], with a Ueber-Rapid shutter giving T, B, 1–500 speeds and a choice of two lenses:
The Semi Kreis II and III are advertised together in the January 1942 issue of Shashin Bunka[4]. The main visible difference is that the shutter is an Orient A giving T, B, 1–200 speeds with a self-timer. The two lens options are:
Notes
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp. 335–6.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 68.
- ↑ It could be spelt Hassel, Harsel, Hursel or a variation on these.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 68.
Printed 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 72–4.
