Difference between revisions of "Semi Mihama"

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{{Japanese Semi postwar}}
 
{{Japanese Semi postwar}}
The '''Semi Mihama''' (セミ・ミハマ)<REF> It is called "Mihama Semi" in McKeown, p.&nbsp;908, but not in the advertisements observed. </REF> is a [[Japanese 4.5&times;6 folders|Japanese 4.5&times;6 folding camera]], produced by [[Mihama]] (or Suruga) between about 1952 and 1954.<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;370, mentions advertisements dated 1952 and 1954. </REF> There are at least two versions, differing by the shape of the top, of which one has shutter variants. The [[Semi Crystar|Korin, Semi Crystar U and Union Model U]] are extremely similar to the first version and are suspected to be name variants.
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The '''Semi Mihama''' (セミ・ミハマ)<REF> It is called "Mihama Semi" in {{Sugiyama}}, items 1343&ndash;4, and in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;908, but not in the advertisements observed. </REF> is a [[Japanese 4.5&times;6 folders|Japanese 4.5&times;6 folding camera]], produced by [[Mihama]] (or Suruga) between about 1952 and 1954.<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;370, mentions advertisements dated 1952 and 1954. </REF> There are at least two versions, differing by the shape of the top, of which one has shutter variants. The [[Semi Crystar|Korin, Semi Crystar U and Union Model U]] are extremely similar to the first version, of which they are probably name variants.
  
 
== General description ==
 
== General description ==
All the models are vertical folders, with no rangefinder, controlling film advance via a red window on the back, and having a Mihama Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 coated lens. (Mihama does not seem to have been a lens maker, and "Mihama" lenses can be presumed to have been a mere matter of branding.) The viewfinder and controls are to the right (as seen by a photographer holding the camera vertically), the reverse of the majority of the 4.5&times;6 folders.
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The Semi Mihama are vertical folders, with no rangefinder and controlling film advance via a red window on the back. The folding struts are copied on the [[Ikonta]]. The viewfinder and controls are to the right (as seen by a photographer holding the camera vertically), the reverse of the majority of the 4.5&times;6 folders. The body release is tripped by the right hand; the folding bed release, accessory shoe and advance knob are to the left of the viewfinder. The back is hinged to the right.
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All the models have a C.&nbsp;Mihama Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 coated lens. (Mihama does not seem to have been a lens maker, and "Mihama" lenses can be presumed to have been a mere matter of branding.)
  
 
== First version ==
 
== First version ==
An advertisement in the May 1952 issue of the Japanese magazine ''Camera Fan''<REF> Reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;199. </REF> by Mihama Seikō shows the Semi Mihama as a cheaper alternative to the [[Mihama Six]]. It has no top housing, only a top plate, which supports the advance knob on the left, engraved with a red arrow, the tubular finder slightly offset to the right, the accessory shoe between both, the shutter release, the folding bed release and a decorative round part at the right end. The front leather is embossed ''Mihama'' inside an oval.<REF> Details observed in the pictures of Yahoo Japan auctions. </REF> Three versions are advertised, differing by the shutter:  
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The '''first version''' has no top housing, only a top plate which supports the tubular finder and the other controls. The advance knob is engraved with a red arrow to indicate the winding direction. The name ''Mihama'' is embossed in the front leather, inside an oval.
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An advertisement in the May 1952 issue of the Japanese magazine ''[[Camera Fan]]''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;199. </REF> by Mihama Seikō shows the Semi Mihama as a cheaper alternative to the [[Mihama Six]]. Three versions are advertised, differing by the shutter:  
 
* '''Model I''', MHS shutter (B, 25&ndash;150);
 
* '''Model I''', MHS shutter (B, 25&ndash;150);
 
* '''Model II''', MHS shutter <!-- yes, the same name -->(B, 10&ndash;200);
 
* '''Model II''', MHS shutter <!-- yes, the same name -->(B, 10&ndash;200);
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Other shutter variants are known::
 
Other shutter variants are known::
* [[MSK]] shutter (B, 10&ndash;150)<REF> Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. This combination appears in the book ''Kamera Zukan'' by Sugiyama and Naoi, according to {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;370. It is also reported in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;908, probably after Sugiyama. </REF>;
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* [[MSK]] shutter (B, 10&ndash;150);<REF> Example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1343, and example observed in an online auction. </REF>
* [[MSK]] shutter (B, 1&ndash;200)<REF> This combination appears in the book ''Kamera Zukan'' by Sugiyama and Naoi, according to {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;370. </REF>.
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* [[MSK]] shutter (B, 1&ndash;200).<REF> Example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1344. </REF>
  
 
== Second version ==
 
== Second version ==
An advertisement in the January 1954 issue of the Japanese magazine ''Shashin Salon''<REF> Reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;199. </REF> by Mihama's successor Suruga Seiki shows a different-looking Semi Mihama, with a top housing containing the finder and supporting the accessory shoe and shutter release. This top housing stops just at the right of the advance knob. This model has an [[NKS]] shutter (B, 1&ndash;200, with self timer); it is not referred to as "III" or anything else beyond simply "Semi Mihama".
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The '''second versions''' has top housing containing the finder and supporting the accessory shoe and shutter release. This top housing stops just at the right of the advance knob.
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This model is known from an advertisement in the January 1954 issue of the Japanese magazine ''[[Shashin Salon]]''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;199. </REF> by Mihama's successor Suruga Seiki. The shutter is an [[NKS]] (B, 1&ndash;200, with self timer); the camera is not referred to as "III" or anything else beyond simply "Semi Mihama". No price is indicated No surviving example has been observed so far.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
==Source / further reading==
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== Sources / further reading ==
 
* {{Showa10}} Pp.&nbsp;198&ndash;9, 370.
 
* {{Showa10}} Pp.&nbsp;198&ndash;9, 370.
 
* {{McKeown12}} Page 908.
 
* {{McKeown12}} Page 908.
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* {{Zukan}} Items 1343&ndash;4.
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding|Mihama, Semi]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding|Mihama, Semi]]
 
[[Category: S]]
 
[[Category: S]]
 
[[Category: M|Mihama, Semi]]
 
[[Category: M|Mihama, Semi]]

Revision as of 18:10, 1 May 2007

Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Apollo | Semi Blond | Semi Crystar | Daido Semi | Doris | Semi Frank | Semi Gelto | Semi Golder | Karoron | Karoron RF | Kely | Kiko Semi | Korin | Kuri | BB Kuri | Lark | Semi Leotax | Semi Leotax DL / R | Lo Ruby | Semi Lord | Luck | Semi Lyra | Semi Masmy | Middl 120 | Semi Mihama | Mikado | Million Proud | Semi Minolta III | Semi Minolta P | Semi Oscon | Semi Pearl | Pearl I–III | Pearl IV | Petri | Petri RF | Petri Super | Pioneer | Semi Proud | Semi Rocket | Rocky Semi | Rosen | Ruby | Shinkoh Rabbit | Semi Sport | Tsubasa Semi | Union Semi | Union Model U | Walcon Semi | Waltax | Semi Wester | Zenobia
rigid or collapsible
Semi Dak | Semi Hobix | Super Semi Plum | Rocket Camera | Tomy
Prewar and wartime models ->
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo models ->
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 4.5×6 and older 6×9 ->

The Semi Mihama (セミ・ミハマ)[1] is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, produced by Mihama (or Suruga) between about 1952 and 1954.[2] There are at least two versions, differing by the shape of the top, of which one has shutter variants. The Korin, Semi Crystar U and Union Model U are extremely similar to the first version, of which they are probably name variants.

General description

The Semi Mihama are vertical folders, with no rangefinder and controlling film advance via a red window on the back. The folding struts are copied on the Ikonta. The viewfinder and controls are to the right (as seen by a photographer holding the camera vertically), the reverse of the majority of the 4.5×6 folders. The body release is tripped by the right hand; the folding bed release, accessory shoe and advance knob are to the left of the viewfinder. The back is hinged to the right.

All the models have a C. Mihama Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 coated lens. (Mihama does not seem to have been a lens maker, and "Mihama" lenses can be presumed to have been a mere matter of branding.)

First version

The first version has no top housing, only a top plate which supports the tubular finder and the other controls. The advance knob is engraved with a red arrow to indicate the winding direction. The name Mihama is embossed in the front leather, inside an oval.

An advertisement in the May 1952 issue of the Japanese magazine Camera Fan[3] by Mihama Seikō shows the Semi Mihama as a cheaper alternative to the Mihama Six. Three versions are advertised, differing by the shutter:

  • Model I, MHS shutter (B, 25–150);
  • Model II, MHS shutter (B, 10–200);
  • Model III, NKS shutter (B, 1–200, with self timer).

The distributor name is King Shōkai (キング商会) and no price is indicated.

Other shutter variants are known::

Second version

The second versions has top housing containing the finder and supporting the accessory shoe and shutter release. This top housing stops just at the right of the advance knob.

This model is known from an advertisement in the January 1954 issue of the Japanese magazine Shashin Salon[6] by Mihama's successor Suruga Seiki. The shutter is an NKS (B, 1–200, with self timer); the camera is not referred to as "III" or anything else beyond simply "Semi Mihama". No price is indicated No surviving example has been observed so far.

Notes

  1. It is called "Mihama Semi" in Sugiyama, items 1343–4, and in McKeown, p. 908, but not in the advertisements observed.
  2. Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 370, mentions advertisements dated 1952 and 1954.
  3. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 199.
  4. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1343, and example observed in an online auction.
  5. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1344.
  6. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 199.

Sources / further reading