Difference between revisions of "Semi Masmy"
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{{Japanese Semi}} | {{Japanese Semi}} | ||
| − | The '''Semi Masmy'''<REF> | + | The '''Semi Masmy''' (セミマスミー)<REF> Lewis's "Semi Masumy" is a mistake. The name is pronounced rather like English "mass me", with an ''s'' sound, not a ''z.'' </REF> is a [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders|Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera]], made by [[Takagawa]] between 1951 and 1953. It is a vertical folder, with a body copied from the Nettar. |
== Early models == | == Early models == | ||
| − | The '''original model''' has a folding optical finder and a body release, and looks quite outdated for a model offered in 1951 and 1952. Film advance is by a key at the bottom right, and is controlled by two red windows near the top of the back. The camera is embossed ''MASMY'' | + | The '''original model''' has a folding optical finder and a body release, and looks quite outdated for a model offered in 1951 and 1952. Film advance is by a key at the bottom right, and is controlled by two red windows near the top of the back. The front leather of the camera is embossed ''MASMY.'' |
| − | An advertisement in the October 1951 issue of the magazine ''Camera Fan''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 183. </REF> pictures the camera with a front-cell focusing C. Wester Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens (made by [[Nishida]]) and an [[NKS]] shutter.<REF> The "C. Westar Anastigmat" lens and "NKK" shutter reported in {{McKeown}}, p. 912, are | + | An advertisement in the October 1951 issue of the magazine ''Camera Fan''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 183. </REF> pictures the camera with a front-cell focusing C. Wester Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens (made by [[Nishida]]) and an [[NKS]] shutter.<REF> The "C. Westar Anastigmat" lens and "NKK" shutter reported in {{McKeown}}, p. 912, are probably typos. </REF> The latter has B, 1–200 speeds, a self-timer and a synch connector apparently consisting of two metal pins protruding from the shutter housing. The price is {{yen|10,000|1951}}. The advertisement does not mention the maker's name, only the distributor (Hinomaru-ya). |
| − | The '''Semi Masmy II''', dated 1952, is the same camera with a front-cell focusing C. Masmy Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens and an NKS shutter giving B, 10–200 speeds.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 365, and observation of an example in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> The synch connector does not look exactly the same as | + | The '''Semi Masmy II''', dated 1952, is the same camera with a front-cell focusing C. Masmy Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens and an NKS shutter giving B, 10–200 speeds.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 365, and observation of an example in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> The synch connector does not look exactly the same as that mentioned above, it seems that there is no self-timer and the aperture index seems modified. |
| − | A box for the Masmy has been observed<REF> In the Yahoo Japan auction for the Semi Masmy II mentioned above. </REF>, all red with the name ''Masmy'' and a triangular logo with letters that could be T, S, V in a circle. | + | A box for the Semi Masmy has been observed<REF> In the Yahoo Japan auction for the Semi Masmy II mentioned above. </REF>, all red with the name ''Masmy'' and a triangular logo with letters that could be T, S, V in a circle. |
== Late models == | == Late models == | ||
| − | The '''Semi Masmy III''', announced in 1952, appears to have a different | + | The '''Semi Masmy III''', announced in 1952, appears to have a different, more rounded body. The viewfinder is contained in a top housing. It is to the right when the camera is held vertically by the photographer, the reverse of the previous arrangement. The finder is centered in the top housing, with the accessory shoe immediately above. There is a knob at each extremity; one of them must be the advance knob and the other may be a dummy. |
| − | An advertisement in the May 1953 issue of ''Asahi Camera''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 183. </REF>, offers two versions, both having a coated 75/3.5 lens whose name is unclear<REF> It is written in ''katakana'': トリバー. </REF>, and differing by the shutter: | + | An advertisement in the May 1953 issue of ''Asahi Camera''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 183. </REF>, offers two versions, both having a coated 75/3.5 lens whose name is unclear<REF> It is written in ''katakana'': トリバー. In roman letters this might be "Tribber", "Tri-Bar", "Tolliver", etc. </REF>, and differing by the shutter: |
* '''Semi Masmy IIIA''' with B, 2–200 speeds and a self-timer ({{yen|9,800|1953}}); | * '''Semi Masmy IIIA''' with B, 2–200 speeds and a self-timer ({{yen|9,800|1953}}); | ||
* '''Semi Masmy IIIB''' with B, 10–200 speeds ({{yen|8,000|1953}}). | * '''Semi Masmy IIIB''' with B, 10–200 speeds ({{yen|8,000|1953}}). | ||
Revision as of 23:40, 5 October 2006
The Semi Masmy (セミマスミー)[1] is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, made by Takagawa between 1951 and 1953. It is a vertical folder, with a body copied from the Nettar.
Early models
The original model has a folding optical finder and a body release, and looks quite outdated for a model offered in 1951 and 1952. Film advance is by a key at the bottom right, and is controlled by two red windows near the top of the back. The front leather of the camera is embossed MASMY.
An advertisement in the October 1951 issue of the magazine Camera Fan[2] pictures the camera with a front-cell focusing C. Wester Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens (made by Nishida) and an NKS shutter.[3] The latter has B, 1–200 speeds, a self-timer and a synch connector apparently consisting of two metal pins protruding from the shutter housing. The price is ¥10,000. The advertisement does not mention the maker's name, only the distributor (Hinomaru-ya).
The Semi Masmy II, dated 1952, is the same camera with a front-cell focusing C. Masmy Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens and an NKS shutter giving B, 10–200 speeds.[4] The synch connector does not look exactly the same as that mentioned above, it seems that there is no self-timer and the aperture index seems modified.
A box for the Semi Masmy has been observed[5], all red with the name Masmy and a triangular logo with letters that could be T, S, V in a circle.
Late models
The Semi Masmy III, announced in 1952, appears to have a different, more rounded body. The viewfinder is contained in a top housing. It is to the right when the camera is held vertically by the photographer, the reverse of the previous arrangement. The finder is centered in the top housing, with the accessory shoe immediately above. There is a knob at each extremity; one of them must be the advance knob and the other may be a dummy.
An advertisement in the May 1953 issue of Asahi Camera[6], offers two versions, both having a coated 75/3.5 lens whose name is unclear[7], and differing by the shutter:
- Semi Masmy IIIA with B, 2–200 speeds and a self-timer (¥9,800);
- Semi Masmy IIIB with B, 10–200 speeds (¥8,000).
Both shutters are synchronized and are called Conquer[8]. The camera illustrated has an ASA bayonet synchro connector. The distributor is still Hinomaru-ya, and the maker is confirmed to be Takagawa.
Notes
- ↑ Lewis's "Semi Masumy" is a mistake. The name is pronounced rather like English "mass me", with an s sound, not a z.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 183.
- ↑ The "C. Westar Anastigmat" lens and "NKK" shutter reported in McKeown, p. 912, are probably typos.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 365, and observation of an example in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ In the Yahoo Japan auction for the Semi Masmy II mentioned above.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 183.
- ↑ It is written in katakana: トリバー. In roman letters this might be "Tribber", "Tri-Bar", "Tolliver", etc.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana コンカー and the Conquer shutter reported on a Masmy Flex II in McKeown, p. 912.
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 849–51.
- 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). P. 79 (brief mention 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). P. 912.
