Difference between revisions of "Semi Lester"
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− | {{Japanese Semi prewar}} | + | {{NeedPhotos}}{{Japanese Semi prewar}} |
− | The '''Semi Lester''' (セミレスター) is a [[Japanese 4. | + | The '''Semi Lester''' (セミレスター) is a [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders|Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera]], made by the company [[Condor Camera|Motodori]] in 1937.<REF> Date: advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.343. It is called "Semi Lester-A" and attributed to Motojima Camera Works in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1161, and in {{McKeown}}, p.701, certainly because of a confusion of the translator between 本鳥 (Motodori) and 本島 (Motojima or Motoshima). </REF> It was succeeded at the end of the year by the nearly identical [[Victor folders|Victor]]. |
== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | The Semi Lester is a [[Baldax]] | + | The Semi Lester is a copy of the large [[Baldax]] model, with the typical folding struts. It has a folding optical finder, whose front part folds above the rear part. There is no body release, and the folding bed release is to the right of the viewfinder, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. The advance knob is at the bottom right. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather handle. Film advance is controlled by two red windows, protected by a common sliding cover. The name ''Lester'' is embossed in the front leather in cursive style. |
== Evolution == | == Evolution == | ||
− | The Semi Lester | + | The Semi Lester was advertised from January 1937.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.343. </REF> In the April 1937 issue of ''[[Camera Club]]'',<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. </REF> it was offered with a [[Rulex]] shutter by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], in four versions: |
− | * Lester Anastigmat f | + | * Lester Anastigmat f/4.5 lens, [[Rulex|Rulex B]] shutter ({{yen|55|1937}}); |
− | * Lester Anastigmat f | + | * Lester Anastigmat f/4.5 lens, [[Rulex|Rulex A]] shutter ({{yen|60|1937}});<REF> This version is pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1161, and has been observed in an online auction. </REF> |
− | * Lester Anastigmat f | + | * Lester Anastigmat f/3.5 lens, [[Rulex|Rulex B]] shutter ({{yen|70|1937}}); |
− | * Lester Anastigmat f | + | * Lester Anastigmat f/3.5 lens, [[Rulex|Rulex A]] shutter ({{yen|75|1937}}). |
− | In other advertisements dated April 1937<REF> | + | In other advertisements dated April and July 1937,<REF> April 1937: advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Graph]]'' (21 April 1937) formerly reproduced in the [https://web.archive.org/web/20100703164808/http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze (archived)] website. July 1937: advertisement published in ''[[Sunday Mainichi]]'' (25 July 1937) formerly reproduced in the same website. </REF> the following variant was added, called '''popular edition''' (大衆版) in the April document: |
− | * Lester Anastigmat f | + | * Lester Anastigmat f/4.5 lens, [[Rulex|Rulex D]] shutter ({{yen|48|1937}}). |
− | It is | + | It is reported that a version with a Radionar f/3.5 lens and a [[Rulex|Rulex A]] shutter appeared in the May 1937 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', and that a version with a Lester f/2.9 lens appeared in the June issue of the same magazine.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.343. </REF> |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* {{Showa10}} Item 318. (See also the advertisement for item 164.) | * {{Showa10}} Item 318. (See also the advertisement for item 164.) | ||
− | * {{McKeown12}} P. | + | * {{McKeown12}} P.701. |
* {{Zukan}} Item 1161. | * {{Zukan}} Item 1161. | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
− | |||
− | |||
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[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding|Lester, Semi]] | [[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding|Lester, Semi]] | ||
[[Category: S]] | [[Category: S]] | ||
[[Category: L|Lester, Semi]] | [[Category: L|Lester, Semi]] | ||
+ | [[Category: 1937]] |
Latest revision as of 05:55, 25 May 2021
The Semi Lester (セミレスター) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, made by the company Motodori in 1937.[1] It was succeeded at the end of the year by the nearly identical Victor.
Contents
Description
The Semi Lester is a copy of the large Baldax model, with the typical folding struts. It has a folding optical finder, whose front part folds above the rear part. There is no body release, and the folding bed release is to the right of the viewfinder, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. The advance knob is at the bottom right. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather handle. Film advance is controlled by two red windows, protected by a common sliding cover. The name Lester is embossed in the front leather in cursive style.
Evolution
The Semi Lester was advertised from January 1937.[2] In the April 1937 issue of Camera Club,[3] it was offered with a Rulex shutter by Neumann & Heilemann, in four versions:
- Lester Anastigmat f/4.5 lens, Rulex B shutter (¥55);
- Lester Anastigmat f/4.5 lens, Rulex A shutter (¥60);[4]
- Lester Anastigmat f/3.5 lens, Rulex B shutter (¥70);
- Lester Anastigmat f/3.5 lens, Rulex A shutter (¥75).
In other advertisements dated April and July 1937,[5] the following variant was added, called popular edition (大衆版) in the April document:
It is reported that a version with a Radionar f/3.5 lens and a Rulex A shutter appeared in the May 1937 issue of Asahi Camera, and that a version with a Lester f/2.9 lens appeared in the June issue of the same magazine.[6]
Notes
- ↑ Date: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.343. It is called "Semi Lester-A" and attributed to Motojima Camera Works in Sugiyama, item 1161, and in McKeown, p.701, certainly because of a confusion of the translator between 本鳥 (Motodori) and 本島 (Motojima or Motoshima).
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.343.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.104.
- ↑ This version is pictured in Sugiyama, item 1161, and has been observed in an online auction.
- ↑ April 1937: advertisement published in Asahi Graph (21 April 1937) formerly reproduced in the Gochamaze (archived) website. July 1937: advertisement published in Sunday Mainichi (25 July 1937) formerly reproduced in the same website.
- ↑ 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. Item 318. (See also the advertisement for item 164.)
- 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.701.
- 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 1161.