Semi Mulber

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Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
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The Semi Mulber (セミマルバ) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, distributed from 1939 by Kuwata Shōkai.[1] Two very different models are known: the first is a copy of the Ikonta A made of pressed steel and having a folding optical finder, whereas the other has a different die-cast body with a reversed configuration and dual finders. It seems that at least the second model was made by Motodori.[2]

Ikonta copy, folding finder

Description

The first model[3] has a body and folding struts copied on the 4.5×6 Ikonta. It is probably made of pressed steel. The folding optical finder is placed to the left as seen by a photographer holding the camera vertically. The advance key is on the opposite side of the body. The body release is placed to the left of the finder. Something is engraved on the folding struts, perhaps KKS.

Advertisements and actual examples

The first model was advertised in June 1939 in two versions:[4]

  • Lausar 75/4.5 lens, Mulber SR shutter (T, B, 1–300, self-timer), ¥85;
  • Mulber 75/4.5 lens, Mulber shutter (T, B, 1–300), ¥75.

In a later advertisement dated September 1939,[5] a cheaper version was added:

The Semi Mulber was listed for ¥74 in the official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, but no detail was given.[6] In a similar list dated November 1941, two versions were mentioned, called "Semi Mulber" and "Semi Mulber II", both attributed to Kuwata.[7]

Only one actual example of this model has been observed so far, pictured in Sugiyama. The lens is reported as a Mulber Anastigmat 75/4.5 and the shutter as a KKS giving T, B, 5–200 speeds.[8] The name Mulber is embossed in the front leather whereas the advertising pictures show the embossing SEMI Mulber.

Reversed model, dual finders

Description

The second model[9] has a different die-cast body with different folding struts. The configuration is reversed, with a small housing placed to the right (as seen by a photographer holding the camera vertically) and containing a brilliant finder and a direct vision finder placed side by side. The exact same part has been observed on a Star Semi and on an Oko Semi.[10] The advance knob is on the left of the finder and the body release is on the right. The name Mulber is embossed in the front leather but the font differs from the previous embossing. There is an engraving in the folding struts, perhaps reading TK.

Documents and actual examples

No advertisement for this model has been observed so far. The "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943, mentioned a Semi Mulber and a Semi Mulber II, made by Motodori and distributed by Kuwata. These cameras were registered as made of alloy and they probably correspond to the second model with die-cast construction. Both versions were listed as having a Patent Mars shutter made by Mars and giving T, B, 1–250 speeds,[11] and a 75/3.5 three-element lens made by Motodori. The lens was called Rifax on the Semi Mulber and Mulber on the Semi Mulber II.[12]

Three surviving examples have been observed.[13] They all have a 7.5cm f/3.5 lens engraved KKS Anastigmat MULBER. One example has a Mulber-Rapid shutter giving B, 1–300 speeds. The shutter is as follows:

  • MULBER–RAPID engraving at the bottom, B, 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300 speeds (top speed barely legible);[14]
  • MULBER–RAPID engraving at the bottom, speeds down to 1s and B, unknown top speed;[15]
  • unknown engraving at the bottom, B, 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 speeds (top speed barely legible).[16]

Notes

  1. Date: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 341.
  2. The camera is attributed to "Mulber Camera Co." or "Mulber Camera Works" by Sugiyama, items 1207–8 and McKeown, p. 701, but it is probable that these names were only used in some advertisements and were not the name of any actual company.
  3. This model is called "Mulber Semi (1939)" in McKeown, p. 701.
  4. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 95.
  5. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 96.
  6. Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 3, section 4A.
  7. "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 3, sections 4A and 7B.
  8. Sugiyama, item 1208. The reported 1/500 top speed is contradicted by the picture. The same lens and shutter combination is reported in McKeown, p. 701, obviously after Sugiyama.
  9. This model is called "Mulber Semi (1940)" in McKeown, p. 701.
  10. Star Semi: example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1246. The same source says about the item 1207 that the Semi Mulber is a die-cast version of the Star Semi but the only common part visible is the dual-finder assembly. Oko Semi: example pictured in McKeown, p. 746.
  11. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-U-12.
  12. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens items Lb24 and Lb25. The Rifax name is inferred from the katakana リファックス.
  13. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1207, example offered for sale by a dealer and example sold in an online auction.
  14. Sugiyama, item 1207. McKeown, p. 341, repeats the same information, obviously after Sugiyama.
  15. Example offered for sale by a dealer.
  16. Example sold in an online auction.

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 261.
  • "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō" (カメラの公定価格官報発表, Official announcement of the set prices of the cameras), November 1941. Extract of a table listing Japanese camera production and setting the retail prices, reproduced in "Bebī Semi Fāsuto 'Kore ha bebī wo nanotta semi-ki da'" (ベビーセミファースト"これはベビーを名乗ったセミ機だ", Baby Semi First, 'this is a Semi camera called Baby'), an article by Furukawa Yasuo (古川保男) in Camera Collectors' News no. 277 (July 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P. 27. Type 3, sections 4A and 7B.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced 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: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Items 23–4.
  • Template:Kakaku1940 Type 3, section 4A.
  • 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. Items 1207–8.