Difference between revisions of "Semi Prince"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) m (transfered a sentence to KS Fabrik) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (first model) |
||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
'''Work in progress''' | '''Work in progress''' | ||
− | The '''Semi Prince''' (セミプリンス) is a series of [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders]]. It is said that it was made by [[Fujimoto]].<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Company history] of the [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/ Fujimoto official website]; Lewis, p. 53 | + | The '''Semi Prince''' (セミプリンス) is a series of [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders]], sold from 1935 to 1939.<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> It is said that it was made by [[Fujimoto]].<REF> [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Company history] of the [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/ Fujimoto official website]; Lewis, p. 53; ''Supuringu kamera de ikou'', pp. 78–80; {{McKeown}}, pp. 331–2. </REF> However all the advertisements observed show the company name [[Prince|Prince Camera Works]] or the distributor's name [[Fukada Shōkai]].<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp. 90–1, or in a [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm page of prewar and wartime advertisements for Japanese cameras] at the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]. </REF> |
+ | |||
+ | All the Semi Prince models are copies of the [[Ikonta]], with a folding optical finder and a key for film advance. They are embossed ''Semi Prince'' in the front and back leather, and the folding struts are engraved ''Semi Prince'' too. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Original model == | ||
+ | The '''original model''' (1935–7) has no body release. It is advertised in July 1935 and January 1936<REF> Advertisements published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 90. </REF>, in a choice of six variants: | ||
+ | * Radionar f:6.3 lens, Perfekt shutter by [[Neumann & Heilemann]], giving 5–250 speeds ({{yen|52|1935}}); | ||
+ | * Radionar f:4.5 lens, Perfekt shutter ({{yen|60|1935}}); | ||
+ | * [[Laack]] Regulyt f:4.5 lens, [[Vario|New Vario]] shutter, T, B, 25–100 ({{yen|55|1935}}); | ||
+ | * [[Schneider]] Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, [[Pronto]] shutter, T, B, 25–100 ({{yen|65|1935}}); | ||
+ | * Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, [[Compur]] shutter, T, B, 1–300 ({{yen|89|1935}}). | ||
+ | In an advertisement dated April 1937<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 90. </REF>, the Pronto shutter option is replaced by two new variants: | ||
+ | * Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, [[Prontor|Prontor I]] shutter, T, B, 25–125 ({{yen|65|1937}}); | ||
+ | * Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, [[Prontor|Prontor II]] shutter, T, B, 1–175 ({{yen|75|1937}}). | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Semi Prince II == | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Semi Prince III == | ||
The Semi Prince was essentially a copy of the [[Ikonta]] 520 by [[Zeiss Ikon]]. 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 [[Ikonta]] 520 by [[Zeiss Ikon]]. 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 13:12, 12 September 2006
Work in progress
The Semi Prince (セミプリンス) is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 folders, sold from 1935 to 1939.[1] It is said that it was made by Fujimoto.[2] However all the advertisements observed show the company name Prince Camera Works or the distributor's name Fukada Shōkai.[3]
All the Semi Prince models are copies of the Ikonta, with a folding optical finder and a key for film advance. They are embossed Semi Prince in the front and back leather, and the folding struts are engraved Semi Prince too.
Original model
The original model (1935–7) has no body release. It is advertised in July 1935 and January 1936[4], in a choice of six variants:
- Radionar f:6.3 lens, Perfekt shutter by Neumann & Heilemann, giving 5–250 speeds (¥52);
- Radionar f:4.5 lens, Perfekt shutter (¥60);
- Laack Regulyt f:4.5 lens, New Vario shutter, T, B, 25–100 (¥55);
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Pronto shutter, T, B, 25–100 (¥65);
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Compur shutter, T, B, 1–300 (¥89).
In an advertisement dated April 1937[5], the Pronto shutter option is replaced by two new variants:
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Prontor I shutter, T, B, 25–125 (¥65);
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Prontor II shutter, T, B, 1–175 (¥75).
Semi Prince II
Semi Prince III
The Semi Prince was essentially a copy of the Ikonta 520 by Zeiss Ikon. 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.
Notes
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Company history of the Fujimoto official website; Lewis, p. 53; Supuringu kamera de ikou, pp. 78–80; McKeown, pp. 331–2.
- ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp. 90–1, or in a page of prewar and wartime advertisements for Japanese cameras at the Gochamaze website.
- ↑ Advertisements published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
Bibliography
In Japanese:
- 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 225–8. (See also the advertisements for items 155 and 230–1.)
- Kawamata Masataku (川又正卓). Semi Prince — Luck. 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. 78–80.
In English:
- 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). Pp. 331–2.
- 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. 53, brief mention only.
Links
In Japanese and English:
- Schneider-Jsco lens of a Semi Prince at ksmt.com, with a link to a Semi Prince picture
In Japanese:
- Tomo ni shita kamera, a page with a picture of a Semi Prince (it is the camera that looks like an Ikonta!)
- A table and another table at the All Japan Classic Camera Club website, listing variants of the Semi Prince
- History page at the Fujimoto official website
- Template:Gochamaze