Difference between revisions of "Semi Prince"
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{{Japanese Semi and Six}} | {{Japanese Semi and Six}} | ||
The '''Semi Prince''' (セミプリンス) was a Japanese 4.5x6 folding camera. | The '''Semi Prince''' (セミプリンス) was a Japanese 4.5x6 folding camera. | ||
| − | It was probably made by [[Fujimoto]] from 1934, as stated at Fujimoto's company page. But some sources attribute the Semi Prince to a company named Prince Camera Works (プリンスカメラワークス). Indeed a 1937 ad (see [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm here], ad in 14/7/1937 issue of Asahi Graph) shows a ''P.C.W.'' logo and the name of the distributor Fukada | + | It was probably made by [[Fujimoto]] from 1934, as stated at Fujimoto's company page. But some sources attribute the Semi Prince to a company named Prince Camera Works (プリンスカメラワークス). Indeed a 1937 ad (see [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm here], ad in 14/7/1937 issue of Asahi Graph) shows a ''P.C.W.'' logo and the name of the distributor Fukada Shōkai (深田商会, Fukada Company or Fukada Trading Co). To confuse things even more, a Semi Prince case has been observed with ''K.S.U.'' embossed in the back. ''See also the discussion at the [[Prince]] page.'' |
The Semi Prince was essentially a copy of the [[Zeiss-Ikon]] [[Ikonta]] 520. It was embossed ''Semi Prince'' in the leather cover, on the front and on the back. The name ''Semi Prince'' was also engraved on the folding struts. There was a folding optical finder, and a key underside for winding and two red windows to control the advance. | The Semi Prince was essentially a copy of the [[Zeiss-Ikon]] [[Ikonta]] 520. It was embossed ''Semi Prince'' in the leather cover, on the front and on the back. The name ''Semi Prince'' was also engraved on the folding struts. There was a folding optical finder, and a key underside for winding and two red windows to control the advance. | ||
Revision as of 10:48, 17 May 2006
The Semi Prince (セミプリンス) was a Japanese 4.5x6 folding camera. It was probably made by Fujimoto from 1934, as stated at Fujimoto's company page. But some sources attribute the Semi Prince to a company named Prince Camera Works (プリンスカメラワークス). Indeed a 1937 ad (see here, ad in 14/7/1937 issue of Asahi Graph) shows a P.C.W. logo and the name of the distributor Fukada Shōkai (深田商会, Fukada Company or Fukada Trading Co). To confuse things even more, a Semi Prince case has been observed with K.S.U. embossed in the back. See also the discussion at the Prince page.
The Semi Prince was essentially a copy of the Zeiss-Ikon Ikonta 520. It was embossed Semi Prince in the leather cover, on the front and on the back. The name Semi Prince was also engraved on the folding struts. There was a folding optical finder, and a key underside for winding and two red windows to control the advance.
The 1937 ad mentioned earlier presented a Semi Prince "enhanced model" (改良型, offered with three lens/shutter combinations:
- Schneider Xenar F4.5 & Compur-Rapid (113 yen)
- Schneider Isco F4.5 & Compur (89 yen)
- Schneider Isco F4.5 & Prontor (75 yen)
The Compur-Rapid version was pictured in the ad, with no body release.
Two variations have been observed:
- no body release, no red window cover
- Neumann & Heilemann Radionar 7.5cm/4.5 & Neumann & Heilemann Perfekt 5-250-B-T
- unknown lens & Vario 25-50-100-B-T (seen at a Yahoo Japan auction)
- Schneider-Isco 7.5cm/4.5 & Prontor 125-100-50-25-B-T (seen at a Yahoo Japan auction)
- Schneider-Isco 7.5cm/4.5 & Prontor II 175-100-50-25-10-5-2-1-B-T (see here, also at a Yahoo Japan auction)
- body release, sliding red window cover (maybe it corresponds to the Semi Prince II mentioned on some Japanese websites)
- unknown 7.5cm/4.5 lens & Prontor 125-100-50-25-B-T (seen at a Yahoo Japan auction)
- Schneider-Isco 7.5cm/4.5 & Compur T-B-1-300 (seen at a Yahoo Japan auction)
- unknown lens & Compur-Rapid, probably to 1/500 (see here, some strange part at the location of the body release)
All the Schneider-Isco are written Schneider-Jsco, an old form of the capital I.
Links
- Page in Japanese with a picture of a Semi Prince, it is the camera that looks like an Ikonta!
- Page at ksmt.com with a link to a Semi Prince picture
- A table from the All Japan Classic Camera Club listing the 1934 Semi Prince and 1937 Semi Prince II
- A table from the same All Japan Classic Camera Club listing a 1936 Semi Prince by Prince Camera Works
- Fujimoto history page at the company's site
- Old Japanese ads, including the Semi Prince
