Difference between revisions of "Semi Kulax and Kiko Semi"
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The camera is advertised together with the [[Gotex]], and the distributor is [[Kigawa|Nichiei Shōkai]] (successor of Optochrom-sha and predecessor of Kikō Shōji). The pictured camera has the ''KULAX'' embossing and the ''KSK'' engraving. Its shutter casing is black, and the aperture scale is a separate part attached on top. No name is visible on the shutter rim. | The camera is advertised together with the [[Gotex]], and the distributor is [[Kigawa|Nichiei Shōkai]] (successor of Optochrom-sha and predecessor of Kikō Shōji). The pictured camera has the ''KULAX'' embossing and the ''KSK'' engraving. Its shutter casing is black, and the aperture scale is a separate part attached on top. No name is visible on the shutter rim. | ||
| − | + | After the introduction of the Kiko Semi, the Semi Kulax was still listed in the April 1943 government inquiry on camera production (see below). | |
=== Actual examples === | === Actual examples === | ||
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The dual finder Kiko Semi was an evolution of the Semi Kulax. It shares the same body and top housing containing dual finders. The main difference is that the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a helical ('''unit focusing'''), the same as on the 6×6 [[Gotex]] introduced by [[Kigawa]] in late 1941. The front leather is embossed ''KIKO'', and the back is embossed ''Kiko Semi''. | The dual finder Kiko Semi was an evolution of the Semi Kulax. It shares the same body and top housing containing dual finders. The main difference is that the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a helical ('''unit focusing'''), the same as on the 6×6 [[Gotex]] introduced by [[Kigawa]] in late 1941. The front leather is embossed ''KIKO'', and the back is embossed ''Kiko Semi''. | ||
| − | === Wartime advertisements === | + | === Wartime advertisements and documents === |
| − | Advertisements dated February and October 1942 in ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'' list the camera for {{yen|158|1942}} with an Erinar Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens and a Kikō Rapid shutter (T, B, 1–500).<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.66 and 71. See also the [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/bortax_l.jpg wartime advertisement] reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. In this advertisement, the prices of the Gotex (¥187) and Kiko Semi (¥158) are mismatched. </REF> | + | Advertisements dated February and October 1942 in ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'' list the camera for {{yen|158|1942}} with an Erinar Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens and a Kikō Rapid shutter (T, B, 1–500).<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.66 and 71. See also the [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/bortax_l.jpg wartime advertisement] reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. In this advertisement, the prices of the Gotex (¥187) and Kiko Semi (¥158) are mismatched. </REF> The picture is the same in the two advertisements. It shows the shutter name ''RAPID–KIKO'' at the bottom of the speed rim, and perhaps the ''KSK'' logo above the top housing. The camera has a plain lens standard, the same as on the Semi Kulax. |
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| + | The April 1943 government inquiry on camera production mentions both the Semi Kulax and the Kiko Semi.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, items 56 and 59. </REF> It says nothing of the focusing mechanism. The two cameras are registered with a Kiko 75/3.5 three-element lens made by [[Kigawa]].<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens item Lb8. </REF> The shutter of the Kiko Semi is the Kiko Rapid (T, B, 1–500), and the shutter of the Semi Kulax is curiously given as a [[Licht]] by [[Hattori|Seikōsha]] (T, B, 25–100, self-timer).<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter items 18-R-3 and 12-V-4. </REF> | ||
=== Actual examples === | === Actual examples === | ||
Revision as of 19:11, 3 March 2008
The Semi Kulax (セミクラックス) and Kiko Semi (キコーセミ) are Japanese 4.5×6 folders made by Kigawa from 1941 to about 1946.
Contents
General description
All the models are vertical folders, copies of the 4.5×6 Nettar with straight folding struts. There is a key to wind the film at the bottom right, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch consists of a long sliding bar. There is a single red window at the bottom, protected by a horizontally sliding cover.
The Semi Kulax
Description
The Semi Kulax has a short top housing containing both an eye level finder and a brilliant finder, with the shutter release and folding bed release symmetrically placed at both ends. The lens is front-cell focusing, and is normally surrounded by a depth-of-field scale. The name is normally embossed as KULAX in the front leather. The top housing has a large KSK logo, presumably for Kigawa Seimitsu Kōgaku.
Advertisements and original documents
The Semi Kulax was advertised in Japanese magazines from January 1941. It is already mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, in four versions: "Semi Kulax A" (¥100), "Semi Kulax I" (¥120), "Semi Kulax II" (¥121), "Semi Kulax III" (¥160).[1] By comparison with other cameras in the same price categories, we can presume that the models A and II have an f/4.5 lens and the models I and III have an f/3.5 lens. A similar price list dated November 1941 only has the Semi Kulax A, I and III.[2]
The January 1942 advertisement in Shashin Bunka mentions the depth-of-field scale, Erinar Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens and Kiko (キコー) shutter. Two versions are listed, differing by the shutter speeds:
The camera is advertised together with the Gotex, and the distributor is Nichiei Shōkai (successor of Optochrom-sha and predecessor of Kikō Shōji). The pictured camera has the KULAX embossing and the KSK engraving. Its shutter casing is black, and the aperture scale is a separate part attached on top. No name is visible on the shutter rim.
After the introduction of the Kiko Semi, the Semi Kulax was still listed in the April 1943 government inquiry on camera production (see below).
Actual examples
The example pictured in this page differs from the other known Semi Kulax by its all chrome shutter casing, with the speed and aperture scales directly engraved. The lens is engraved KIKO Anastigmat Erinar 1:3.5 f=75mm N°74629. The shutter is reported as a Rapid-Kiko, apparently giving T, B, 1–500 speeds (the top speed is unsure). The shutter name is inscribed at the bottom of the speed setting rim. The top housing has the words TOKYO JAPAN KIGAWA KŌGAKU 2601 engraved under the KSK logo. The year 2601 corresponds to 1941 in the Japanese mythological calendar sometimes used in military ruled Japan.
  
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| Semi Kulax, Kiko Anastigmat Erinar 75mm f/3.5 lens. Pictures courtesy of eBayer Duffherm. (Image rights) |
The example pictured in Sugiyama has KULEX embossed in the front leather.[3] This is probably not a name variant but rather a mistake in the marking, something not infrequent among Japanese cameras of the time. This example has T, B, 5–300 speeds and perhaps a missing depth-of-field scale. No shutter name is visible. The lens engraving is Kikō Anastigmat Erinar 1:3.5 f=75mm N°20279.
Dual finder Kiko Semi
Description
The dual finder Kiko Semi was an evolution of the Semi Kulax. It shares the same body and top housing containing dual finders. The main difference is that the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a helical (unit focusing), the same as on the 6×6 Gotex introduced by Kigawa in late 1941. The front leather is embossed KIKO, and the back is embossed Kiko Semi.
Wartime advertisements and documents
Advertisements dated February and October 1942 in Shashin Bunka list the camera for ¥158 with an Erinar Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens and a Kikō Rapid shutter (T, B, 1–500).[4] The picture is the same in the two advertisements. It shows the shutter name RAPID–KIKO at the bottom of the speed rim, and perhaps the KSK logo above the top housing. The camera has a plain lens standard, the same as on the Semi Kulax.
The April 1943 government inquiry on camera production mentions both the Semi Kulax and the Kiko Semi.[5] It says nothing of the focusing mechanism. The two cameras are registered with a Kiko 75/3.5 three-element lens made by Kigawa.[6] The shutter of the Kiko Semi is the Kiko Rapid (T, B, 1–500), and the shutter of the Semi Kulax is curiously given as a Licht by Seikōsha (T, B, 25–100, self-timer).[7]
Actual examples
In the advertising pictures observed (dated 1942), there is no square plate behind the shutter housing (like on the first Gotex variant). All the examples actually observed with dual finders and unit focusing have such a plate.
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| Kiko Semi, dual finders, unit focusing, square plate behind the shutter, KSK marking, Rapid-Kiko shutter to 1/500. Pictures courtesy of Jay Tepper. (Image rights) | |||
KSK marking. (Image rights)
One example is known with 1/500 top speed and the name RAPID–KIKO on the shutter rim. Its lens engraving is Kikō Anastigmat Erinar 1:3.5 f=7.5cm N°xxxxx. Its top housing is engraved KSK in big letters and TOKYO JAPAN KIGAWA KōGAKU 2601. The year 2601 corresponds to 1941 in the Japanese mythological calendar that was sometimes used in military ruled Japan. (A similar engraving is faintly visible in the advertising pictures, and it has also been observed on some examples of the Semi Kulax, Gotex and Tsubasa Kiko III.)
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| Kiko Semi, dual finders, unit focusing, square plate behind the shutter, no KSK marking, T, B, 5–200 speeds. (Image rights) | |
Others have a shutter giving T, B, 5–200 speeds, and no marking on the top housing.[8] The lens marking is KIKO Anastigmat Erinar 1:3.5 f=75mm N°xxxxx and the shutter rim is probably engraved RAPID–KIKO.
Another example with dual finders has been observed[9] with front-cell focusing and no square plate behind the shutter housing. The shutter speeds are faintly legible but seem to be T, B, 5–200. The lens marking is Erinar Anastigmat 1:3.5 f=75mm N°101923. (Both the marking and the serial number are similar to an example of the Gotex observed with front-cell focusing.) The serial number seems to indicate that this example is quite late. The camera is otherwise identical to the previous Semi Kulax except for the Kiko embossing in the front leather.
Folding finder Kiko Semi
Postwar advertisement
The Kiko Semi was again advertised in 1946 for a short time. An advertisement dated May 1946[10] shows a drawing of the camera with no top housing and a folding optical finder. The rear part of the finder folds above the front one. There is no plate behing the shutter housing, and it seems that the lens is unit focusing. The camera is offered with an Erinar 75/3.5 lens and a Kiko Compur[11] T, B, 1–300 shutter, but no price is indicated. It is probable that the cameras offered were old stock, or assembled from an old stock of parts.
Actual examples
An example of the Kiko Semi has been observed[12] with unit focusing and a folding optical finder. The finder is different from the drawing described above and the front part folds above the rear one. The shutter is a Rapid-Kiko, giving T, B, 1–500 speeds and engraved RAPID-KIKO in the speed rim. There is a square plate behind the shutter housing. The lens is marked KIKO Anastigmat Erinar 1:3.5 f=75mm N°72909. The camera is thus similar to the wartime version except for the folding finder.
Two other examples have been observed with a folding finder similar to the postwar advertisement's drawing. Both have front-cell focusing and no square plate behind the shutter housing. One of them has a shutter housing similar to the older Semi Kulax.[13] The other has a simpler shutter housing, a Kiko Anastigmat Erinar 75mm f/3.5 lens and is reported to have 1–200 speeds.[14]
Notes
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 3, sections 4B, 5B, 6B and 7B.
- ↑ "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 3, sections 4B, 5B and 7B.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1317. The camera is wrongly dated 1948. The name "Kulex" and the date are repeated in McKeown, p.464.
- ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.66 and 71. See also the wartime advertisement reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura. In this advertisement, the prices of the Gotex (¥187) and Kiko Semi (¥158) are mismatched.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), items 56 and 59.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens item Lb8.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter items 18-R-3 and 12-V-4.
- ↑ Examples observed in online auctions, lens no.75694 and 75914.
- ↑ Example pictured in McKeown, p.464.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.132.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana キコーコンパー.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page at Japan Family Camera.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Example observed for sale at a dealer.
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 57, 75 and 471. (See also the advertisement for item 101.)
- "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō" (カメラの公定価格官報発表, Official announcement of the set prices of the cameras), November 1941. Extract of a table listing Japanese camera production and setting the retail prices, reproduced in "Bebī Semi Fāsuto 'Kore ha bebī wo nanotta semi-ki da'" (ベビーセミファースト"これはベビーを名乗ったセミ機だ", Baby Semi First, 'this is a Semi camera called Baby'), an article by Furukawa Yasuo (古川保男) in Camera Collectors' News no. 277 (July 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P. 27. Type 3, sections 4B, 5B and 7B.
- "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. Items 56 and 59.
- "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 3, sections 4B, 5B, 6B and 7B.
- 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.464.
- 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 1317.
Links
In Japanese:
- Kiko Semi (dual finders, unit focusing, no KSK marking) in the Akahiro Camera Museum
- Kiko Semi (folding finder, front-cell focusing) at Japan Family Camera
- Advertisement for the Gotex and Kiko Semi, published between 1942 and 1945, reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura
In Chinese:
