Semi Prince
The Semi Prince (セミプリンス) is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 folders, released in 1934 or 1935[1] and sold until 1939 by the distributor Fukada Shōkai.[2] It is said that it was made by Fujimoto.[3] However all the advertisements observed show the company name Prince Camera Works or the distributor's name.[4]
The Semi Prince disputes to the Semi Minolta the title of first Japanese 4.5×6 camera.[5]
All the Semi Prince models are copies of the Ikonta, with a folding optical finder, a key for film advance and two red windows in the back. They are embossed Semi Prince in the front and back leather, and the folding struts are engraved Semi Prince too.
Contents
Original model
The original model (1934/5–7) has no body release and uncovered red windows. It is advertised in July 1935 and January 1936[6], in a choice of six variants:
- Radionar f:6.3 lens, Perfect[7] shutter by Neumann & Heilemann, giving 5–250 speeds (¥52);
- Radionar f:4.5 lens, Perfect shutter (¥60);[8]
- Laack Regulyt f:4.5 lens, New Vario shutter, 25, 50, 100, B, T (¥55);[9]
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Pronto shutter, T, B, 100, 50, 25, with selftimer (¥65);[10]
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Compur shutter, T, B, 1–300 (¥89).[11]
In an advertisement dated April 1937[12], 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);[13]
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Prontor II shutter, T, B, 1–175 (¥75).[14]
At least some of the Radionar lenses were made by Neumann & Heilemann, presumably under license from Schneider.
In all the variants equipped with an Isco lens, the actual engraving is Jsco, with an old form of the capital I. Most are engraved Schneider–Jsco 1:4.5 F=7.5cm, but at least one example has been observed[15] with Jsco Anastigmat 1:4.5 F=7.5cm. None has a serial number.
Pictures
Original Semi Prince, Radionar f:4.5 lens and Perfect shutter, both by Neumann & Heilemann.
All images courtesy of Adrian Gotts.
Improved version
The original model was replaced in 1937 for a couple of months by the Semi Prince (improved) (セミ・プリンス・改良型), adding a common sliding cover for the two red windows.[16] This new version is advertised for example in the July 14, 1937 issue of Asahi Graph[17] and in the August 1937 issue of Asahi Camera[18], in three variants:
- Schneider Isco f:4.5 lens, Prontor II shutter (¥75);
- Schneider Isco f:4.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥89);
- Schneider Xenar f:4.5 lens, Compur-Rapid shutter (¥113).[19]
Semi Prince II
The Semi Prince II (1937–8[20]) is identical to the Semi Prince (improved) with an added body release. It is advertised in the September 1937 issue of Asahi Camera[21] with the same three lens and shutter combinations as listed for the previous model, but no price is indicated.[22]
An example of the Semi Prince II has been observed with a Lucky Anastigmat f:4.5 lens mounted on a Compur shutter giving T, B, 1–300 speeds.[23] However this example belongs to the Fujimoto company, thus there is a higher probability that the lens and shutter equipment is non original, for example because it was mounted for testing purpose.
Semi Prince III
The Semi Prince III (1938–9[24]) is an evolution of the Semi Prince II. The back latch is modified, the handle has disappeared and there is a chrome trim line around the top and bottom plates. The following lens and shutter combinations are available in January 1939[25]:
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Prontor I shutter, 125, 100, 50, 25, B, T speeds (¥85);[26]
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Prontor II shutter (¥105);[27]
- Schneider Isco Anastigmat f:4.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥120);[28]
- Schneider Xenar f:4.5 lens, Compur-Rapid shutter (¥155).
Notes
- ↑ 1934: Company history at the Fujimoto official website; Supuringu kamera de ikou, pp. 78–9. — 1935: First advertisements mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340. — 1939: Last advertisements mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ In Supuringu kamera de ikou, p. 78–9, it is said that the Semi Prince was sold half a year before the Semi Minolta.
- ↑ Advertisements published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
- ↑ About the name: a PERFECT marking has been observed on a Semi Prince, but a PERFEKT engraving has also been observed on an example of the Semi Lucky.
- ↑ Observed in an eBay auction and in a Yahoo Japan auction, with lenses made by Neumann & Heilemann.
- ↑ Example pictured in Supuringu kamera de ikou, p. 78–9. Also observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
- ↑ Observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ It seems to be the example presented in this page at ksmt.com. Another example has been observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. In both cases, a confusion is possible with the later Semi Prince improved.
- ↑ Example with Isco and Pronto shutter observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in a page of prewar and wartime advertisements for Japanese cameras at the Gochamaze website.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
- ↑ Example pictured in the Tomo ni shita kamera webpage, with some part added besides the viewfinder.
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
- ↑ The variant with Isco f:4.5 lens and Compur shutter has been observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Example pictured in Supuringu kamera de ikou, p. 78–9.
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
- ↑ Two examples observed in a Yahoo Japan auction, lens name not visible.
- ↑ One example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. The lens has no serial number.
- ↑ One example observed in an eBay auction, lens name not visible.
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 225–8. (See also the advertisements for items 155 and 230–1 and the picture p. 428.)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.)
Links
In English:
- Semi Prince, a detailed picture of an original model among Dave's photos
- 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
