Semi Leotax
The Semi Leotax is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 folders made by Shōwa Kōgaku[1], the company that also made the Leotax Leica copies. The cameras were distributed by Misuzu Shōkai in the prewar and wartime period.
Contents
Folding finder model
Original version
The original Semi Leotax, released in 1940, is a copy of the 4.5×6 Nettar, with plain diagonal struts, a body release and a folding optical finder. There is a metal corner protruding from the lens standard to attach a removable brilliant finder. The back is hinged to the left and is opened by a sliding bar. Film advance is controlled by two red windows near the top of the back, protected by a horizontally sliding common cover. It is unknown if the film is advanced by a key or a knob. The front leather is embossed SEMI LEOTAX and the back leather is embossed SHOWA KOGAKU.[2]
An advertisement dated November 1940[3] offers the camera as a new model with a T, B, 1–200 shutter apparently called New Torio[4] and a front-cell focusing Riese-Anastigmat 7.5cm lens in a choice of f/3.5 or f/4.5 maximal aperture. No recent picture of the original version with manual film advance has been observed yet, and it seems to be quite rare.
Auto-stop advance
A new version was released in 1941 with auto-stop film advance. The mechanism is contained in a small housing on the bottom plate, under the advance knob. Behind the housing is a small sliding button certainly used to unlock the mechanism. The housing is engraved with the name Leotax and the serial number, and it contains a small window, perhaps displaying an exposure counter.
An advertisement dated September 1941[5] offers the camera with a New Torio shutter (T, B, 1–200) and a front-cell focusing Riese-Anastigmat 7.5cm lens in two variants:
An advertisement dated October 1943[6] offers the camera in two different variants:
In both cases, the advertising picture shows a black auto-stop housing but in actual examples, it has been observed in black and in chrome finish. The lens rim reads RIESE-ANASTIGMAT in the advertising pictures, but it seems that actual examples have RIESE-ANASTIGMAT for the f/4.5 lens and RIEZE-ANASTIGMAT for the f/3.5. The lenses have no serial number.
The shutter is usually engraved NEW TORIO in the speed rim but one example has been observed with a shutter marked NEW TORIO II giving 300–1, B, T speeds arranged in the reverse direction.[7] Kokusan kamera no rekishi suggests that the self-timer equipped model has an Orient A shutter, but none has been observed yet.[8]
The Semi Leotax with auto-stop advance was advertised until 1944.[9]
Postwar version
The production of the camera was resumed at the end of 1949.[10] The postwar version has no auto-stop feature and a key for film advance. Other differences are the 1/4" tripod screw thread and metal-plated finder's front part.
Tubular finder model
Rangefinder model
Notes
- ↑ The company was called Shōwa Kōgaku Seiki after the war. For the prewar and wartime period, Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 343, gives the name "Shōwa Kōgaku Kōgyō-sha" about the original Leotax.
- ↑ No back picture has yet been seen of this version, and the details mentioned are those of the auto-stop advance version, supposed to be identical.
- ↑ Published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 103.
- ↑ New Torio is the name appearing on the auto-stop version, and the advertising picture seems to read the same.
- ↑ Published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 103.
- ↑ Published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 103.
- ↑ Example sold in an eBay auction, body N°14701.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 343.
- ↑ An advertisement dated September 1944 is mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 343.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 343.
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 316–7 and 1036–40.
- 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). Pp. 56, 73, 75 (brief mentions only).
- 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). Pp. 892–3.
Links
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