Difference between revisions of "Semi Prince"
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* [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm Old Japanese ads, including the Semi Prince] | * [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm Old Japanese ads, including the Semi Prince] | ||
| − | + | [[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]] | |
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[[Category: P|Prince, Semi]] | [[Category: P|Prince, Semi]] | ||
Revision as of 16:08, 14 June 2006
The Semi Prince (セミプリンス) was a Japanese 4.5×6 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. 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)
- Schneider Isco F4.5 & Compur (¥89)
- Schneider Isco F4.5 & Prontor (¥75)
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)
- Isco Anastigmat (not marked Schneider) 7.5cm/4.5 & Pronto T-B-100-50-25 w/selftimer (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)
Isco was written Jsco, using an old form of the capital I.
A variant with a Laack Regulyt 75/4.5 lens and a Vario B, T, 25-50-100 shutter has been offered in an eBay auction, no picture observed.
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
