Difference between revisions of "Semi Minolta III"
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* {{FAR}} May 1950. "Kokusan kamera" (国産カメラ, Japanese cameras). Pp.42–7. (Merely contains a picture of the Semi Minolta III.) | * {{FAR}} May 1950. "Kokusan kamera" (国産カメラ, Japanese cameras). Pp.42–7. (Merely contains a picture of the Semi Minolta III.) | ||
* {{FAR}} no.20, January 1951. "Kokusan kamera no kentō" (国産カメラの検討, Inquiry on Japanese cameras). Pp.36–40. | * {{FAR}} no.20, January 1951. "Kokusan kamera no kentō" (国産カメラの検討, Inquiry on Japanese cameras). Pp.36–40. | ||
| − | * Uchimura Kōichi (内村皓一). "Semi Minoruta no tsukaikata" (セミ・ミノルタの使い方). In {{ACA}} November 1950, pp.23–4. | + | * Uchimura Kōichi (内村皓一). "Semi Minoruta no tsukaikata" (セミ・ミノルタの使い方). In {{ACA}} November 1950, supplemental pp.23–4. |
=== Recent sources === | === Recent sources === | ||
Revision as of 13:29, 20 December 2010
The Semi Minolta III is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, made by Chiyoda Kōgaku (the predecessor of Minolta) and released in 1946. It was the first camera sold by Chiyoda Kōgaku after the war, and was an evolution of the Semi Minolta II. Its body is similar to the late Semi Minolta II but it has a more modern finish with auto-stop film advance and an exposure counter.
Contents
General description
The die cast body, diagonal struts and folding bed are identical to the late Semi Minolta II. The back is identical too; it is hinged to the left and locked by a sliding bar on the right, as seen by the photographer. There is a red window at the bottom, protected by a vertically sliding cover, and only needed to set the first exposure. The bottom side is different, with no advance key, a small knob at each end and a centred tripod socket.
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| Semi Minolta III (A) viewed from the top. Picture by Frank Slade. (Image rights) |
The main changes with respect to the Semi Minolta II are concentrated on the top side. There is a chrome finished top plate, with a small step in the middle. The advance knob is at the right end, and is engraved to indicate the winding direction. The folding bed opening button is on the same side. The right half of the top plate is slightly thicker because of the automatic film advance mechanism underneath. It has a small hole showing the exposure counter disc, and a small button at the rear, used to reset the exposure counter. The left half of the top plate has the folding optical finder, the shutter release above the front door hinge, and an accessory shoe at the left end.
The shutter of the Semi Minolta III is a Konan-Rapid or S-Konan-Rapid, with B, 1–500 speeds, made by Chiyoda Kōgaku itself. It is set by a lever at the top left — as seen from the front. The markings on the front plate and speed ring evolved throughout the production.
The lens is a Rokkor 75mm f/3.5 on most cameras, replaced by a Promar.SII 75mm f/3.5 on the late IIIC. The aperture scale is at the top of the shutter casing, and the diaphragm is controlled by a small index.
The Semi Minolta III (A)
The original version, made from 1946 to 1950, is retrospectively called "Semi Minolta IIIA" because of the IIIB and IIIC, but at the time it was only called Semi Minolta III (セミ・ミノルタⅢ型).
Distinguishing features
The original version is distinguished from the IIIB by the absence of flash synchronization (unless the feature was added by an independent repairer). It also has double exposure prevention, via an internal linkage between the body release and the film advance mechanism, and therefore lacks the advance unlock button visible at the front of the top plate on the later IIIC.
Commercial life
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| Announcement of the Semi Minolta III in Ars Camera January 1947. (Image rights) |
The Semi Minolta III was first advertised in the September 1946 issue of Ars Camera,[1] and was featured in the January 1947 issue of the magazine, reproduced above.[2] Early advertisements in the same magazine are reproduced below.[3] As late as December 1947, they were still showing a drawing of the camera instead of a picture. The February 1948 advertisement finally contains an actual picture, showing an early camera with no cable release thread.[4]
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| Advertisements for the Semi Minolta III in Ars Camera. (Image rights) |
Variations on actual examples
Early variant
The early examples have no cable release thread in the shutter button, and have two plain arrows engraved above the advance knob.
Among these, the earliest cameras have natural leather covering, with the name Minolta embossed at the front in straight lowercase characters. Their shutter plate has separate crescent-shaped plates screwed at the front: the top one reads KōNAN–CHIYOKO and the bottom one has an extra aperture scale, for a second diaphragm index. The shutter rim is engraved KŌNAN–RAPID, and the lens bezel has CHIYOKŌ OSAKA ROKKOR 1:3.5 f=75mm No.xxx in white characters on a black background. The lowest serial numbers observed so far are no.64 and 65; oth cameras have Rokkor lenses with three-digit serial numbers in the 10x range.[5]
The natural leather covering was soon substituted by artificial leatherette, with a slanted Minolta embossing inside a hexagonal frame. The shutter plate was modified at about the same time, now consisting of a single part inscribed KONAN–RAPID at the top and CHIYOKO at the bottom, with no extra aperture scale. The inscription on the shutter rim remained the same.
After some time, the inscription on the lens bezel was modified, becoming Chiyokō Osaka ROKKOR 1:3.5 f=75mm Nr xxxx around lens no.3000.
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| Semi Minolta III (A) no.2169, Rokkor 75mm f/3.5 lens no.3251. The advance knob and shutter release are of the early type. Pictures by Frank Slade. (Image rights) | |
Middle variant
The middle examples have a single stylized arrow on the advance knob, introduced around body no.3000. The words MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN are sometimes engraved around the tripod socket — certainly on the cameras made for export.
The lens marking was modified again between lens no.7000 and 8000, the Nr prefix becoming No. The markings on the shutter plate were altered too, with macrons appearing on the top and bottom KōNAN–RAPID and CHIYOKō inscriptions.
Late variant
The late examples have a thread for a cable release inside the release button, introduced around body no.10xxx. Some examples from that period have a engraving in katakana script on the advance knob: シーピーオー inside a diamond,[6] meaning that the cameras were bought by the Central Purchasing Office (CPO) and sold to U.S. personnel stationed in Japan.
The last cameras have a plain black shutter plate, lacking the silver stripes on both sides of the lens. It is inscribed KONAN RAPID at the top, with a white arrow between both words, and CHIYOKO at the bottom, with no macron. At about the same time, the macron on the speed ring was abandoned too, and the marking simply became KONAN–RAPID.
Lens equipment
The Semi Minolta IIIB
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| Semi Minolta IIIB no.18157, Rokkor 75mm f:3.5 lens. The shutter plate is black and the specific synch pin is visible in the lens close-up. Pictures courtesy of eBayer virtualmerch. (Image rights) | |
The Semi Minolta IIIB adds synchronization for magnesic flash units. It appears in Japanese advertisements dated 1950.[7] Chiyoda Kōgaku sold a Minolta Flash Model U (ミノルタ同調発光器Ｕ型) to go with this model and with the Minolta 35 (it appears in a May 1950 advertisement[8]).
The IIIB is only reported with the Rokkor 75/3.5.[9] An early example, pictured in this page, is known with the same shutter markings as on the IIIA and a specific synch pin on the left of the shutter housing.
A later one has been observed with an ASA bayonet synch connector (on the top right of the shutter housing) and a white shutter plate, like the later IIIC, marked KONAN-RAPID and CHIYOKO with no macrons. The speed rim is engraved S-KONAN-RAPID at the bottom, the "S" presumably meaning Synchronized.[10]
The Semi Minolta IIIC
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| Semi Minolta IIIC no.29994, Promar SII 75mm f/3.5 lens no.53201. Pictures courtesy of John Berard. (Image rights) | |
The Semi Minolta IIIC appears in Japanese advertisements dated 1951.[11] Some sources say that the IIIC is distinguished from the IIIB by the switch from a black shutter plate to a white one[12], but this seems to be a mistake, the identification feature being the absence of double exposure prevention[13] and some examples of the IIIB already having a white shutter plate. The IIIC has a small lever protruding from the front of the top plate, under the bed opening button, used to unlock film advance between two exposures. This lever has become necessary because of the removal of the double exposure prevention linkage between the shutter release and the advance mechanism.[14] The purpose of this retrogression was probably to cut costs. Of course this kind of change is not mentioned in the advertisements.[15]
The IIIC is said to have the Rokkor 75/3.5[16], but it has been observed[17] with the Chiyoko Promar SII 75/3.5 supplied with the later Semi Minolta P. One example of the IIIC has been observed[18] with an aperture scale in white instead of black.
The shutter rim and white shutter plate have the same markings as described for the late IIIB but on all the examples observed the synch connector is of the same specific type as the early IIIB pictured in this page. It is said that the accessory flash unit offered with the IIIC was called Model Ub.[19]
A rumour reported by Tanimura says that some late Semi Minolta III were equipped with Prontor shutters. None seems to have surfaced since and no picture is known.[20]
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.368. The September 1946 advertisement is perhaps that reproduced in Scheibel, p.33.
- ↑ Column in Ars Camera January 1947, p.26.
- ↑ Advertisements in Ars Camera December 1946, p.19; January 1947, p.27; February 1947, p.42; March 1947, p.35; April 1947, p.19; October 1947, p.11; December 1947, p.11.
- ↑ Advertisement in Ars Camera February 1948, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.193.
- ↑ Examples observed in online auctions.
- ↑ Examples pictured in McKeown, p.672, in this page at Minorhouse, and observed in online auctions.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.368. Francesch, p.83, and McKeown, p.672, both say 1947 but it is certainly a mistake.
- ↑ Published in Ars Camera and reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.194.
- ↑ Francesch, p.83.
- ↑ Observation of an example in an online auction.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.368. Francesch, p.83, and McKeown, p.672, both say 1948 but this is certainly a mistake.
- ↑ Francesch, p.83, and McKeown, p.672.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.368.
- ↑ Lewis, p.63, says that the IIIC is improved by the addition of an auto-stop advance lever, while it is the reverse: it is the loss of double exposure prevention that makes the lever necessary.
- ↑ For example the advertisement published in the January 1951 issue of Asahi Camera and reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.194.
- ↑ Francesch, p.83.
- ↑ In this page of the AJCC website and in an online auction.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page of the AJCC website.
- ↑ Francesch, p.83.
- ↑ Tanimura, p.2 of Camera Collectors' News no.131.
Bibliography
Original documents
- Ars Camera January 1947. "Mēkā ni kiku: Kokusan kamera no genjō. — Shingata 'Semi Minoruta': Saihassoku no Chiyoda Kōgaku." (メーカーに訊く・国産カメラの現状・新型「セミ・ミノルタ」・再発足の千代田光学, Asking the makers: Current state of Japanese cameras. The new "Semi Minolta", a fresh start for Chiyoda Kōgaku.) P.26.
- Ars Camera. Advertisements by Chiyoda Kōgaku Seikō:
- December 1946, p.19;
- January 1947, p.27;
- February 1947, p.42;
- March 1947, p.35;
- April 1947, p.19;
- October 1947, p.11;
- December 1947, p.11.
- Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Asanuma Shōkai:
- November 1949, p.149;
- January 1950, p.111;
- October 1950, p.2;
- December 1950, p.2.
- Photo Art December 1949. "Ōru kokusan kamera" (オール国産カメラ, All of Japanese cameras). Pp.34–41.
- Photo Art May 1950. "Kokusan kamera" (国産カメラ, Japanese cameras). Pp.42–7. (Merely contains a picture of the Semi Minolta III.)
- Photo Art no.20, January 1951. "Kokusan kamera no kentō" (国産カメラの検討, Inquiry on Japanese cameras). Pp.36–40.
- Uchimura Kōichi (内村皓一). "Semi Minoruta no tsukaikata" (セミ・ミノルタの使い方). In Asahi Camera November 1950, supplemental pp.23–4.
Recent sources
- 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 916–8.
- Francesch, Dominique and Jean-Paul. Histoire de l'appareil photographique Minolta de 1929 à 1985. Paris: Dessain et Tolra, 1985. ISBN 2-249-27685-4.
- The Japanese Historical Camera. 日本の歴史的カメラ (Nihon no rekishiteki kamera). 2nd ed. Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2004. P.21.
- Kawamata Masataku (川又正卓). "Semi Minolta." 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: The use of and actual examples from 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.76–7.
- 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.60 and 63.
- 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.672.
- Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten (思い出のスプリングカメラ展, Exhibition of beloved self-erecting cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.9.
- Scheibel, Anni Rita and Joseph. 70 Jahre Minolta Kameratechnik — Von der Nifcalette bis zur Dynax 9. Stuttgart: Lindemanns Verlag, 3rd edition, 1999. ISBN 3-89506-191-3. Pp.30 and 32–3.
- 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 1356.
- Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Supuringu kamera <Semi Minoruta>" (スプリングカメラ<セミミノルタ>, "'Semi Minolta' self-erecting camera"). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.12, October 1988. No ISBN number. Minoruta kamera no subete (ミノルタカメラのすべて, special issue on Minolta). Pp.19–24.
Links
In English:
- Semi Minolta III (A) in the 70th anniversary Minolta poster, reproduced at Photoclub Alpha
In German:
In Japanese:
- Semi Minolta III(A) at Minor House camera collection
- Semi Minolta III(A) in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- Semi Minolta III(A) in the Map Camera Museum
- Semi Minolta IIIC in a page of the AJCC website (the IIIC is misidentified as a IIIA)
- Yutaka-san's camera collection, with a Semi Minolta IIIC, in the Nekocame website
