Semi Prince

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753849154_6a45347ca8_m_d.jpg
Picture courtesy of Adrian Gotts. (Image rights)
Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
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The Semi Prince (セミプリンス) is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 folders, released in 1934 or 1935 and sold until 1939 by the distributor Fukada Shōkai.[1] It was certainly made by Fujimoto.[2] However all the advertisements observed show the name Prince Camera Works or the distributor's name.[3]

The Semi Prince was the first Japanese 4.5×6 camera, predating the Semi Minolta and Semi Proud.[4]

General description

All the Semi Prince models are copies of the Ikonta, with the typical folding struts. They have a folding optical finder, whose opening is coupled to the release of the folding bed. There is a key for film advance at the bottom right, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. The back is hinged to the left and has two red windows. The name Semi Prince is embossed in the leather at the front and on the back, and the folding struts are engraved Semi Prince too.

Original model

The original model (1934/5–7) has uncovered red windows and no body release. It was advertised in July 1935[5] in five versions, priced at ¥89, ¥65, ¥60 and ¥55 with an f/4.5 lens and at ¥52 with an f/6.3 lens, the latter being mentioned as "newly available" (新発売). An advertisement dated January 1936,[6] gives details about these five versions:

The Radionar lenses were made by Neumann & Heilemann, presumably under license from Schneider.

In an advertisement dated April 1937,[10] the Pronto shutter option was replaced by two new versions:

In all the cameras 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[13] with Jsco Anastigmat 1:4.5 F=7.5cm. None has a serial number.

Pictures

753849166_f29b76a889_t_d.jpg 753849158_b8a593544a_t_d.jpg 753849172_93bb9dbac1_t_d.jpg 753849186_0edc1e03b1_t_d.jpg 753849182_76645da33e_t_d.jpg
Original Semi Prince, Radionar f:4.5 lens and Perfect shutter, both by Neumann & Heilemann.
Pictures courtesy of Adrian Gotts. (Image rights)

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.[14] This new version is advertised for example in the July 14, 1937 issue of Asahi Graph[15] and in the August 1937 issue of Asahi Camera[16], in three variants:

Semi Prince II

The Semi Prince II (1937–8[18]) is identical to the Semi Prince (improved) with an added body release. It is advertised in the September 1937 issue of Asahi Camera[19] with the same three lens and shutter combinations as listed for the previous model, but no price is indicated.[20]

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.[21] 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[22]) 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[23]:

Notes

  1. ↑ 1934 release date: Company history at the Fujimoto official website; Supuringu kamera de ikou, pp. 78–9. — The first advertisements mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340, are dated 1935. Tanimura, pp. 1–2 of Camera Collectors' News no. 116, says that the Semi Prince was featured in an article of the January 1935 issue of Asahi Camera. — 1939: Last advertisements mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
  2. ↑ Company history of the Fujimoto official website; Lewis, p. 53; Supuringu kamera de ikou, pp. 78–80; McKeown, pp. 331–2.
  3. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp. 90–1, and advertisement reproduced in the Gochamaze website.
  4. ↑ Tanimura, pp. 1–2 of Camera Collectors' News no. 116, says that the Semi Minolta and Semi Proud were mentioned as "soon to follow" at the end of an article about the Semi Prince in the January 1935 issue of Asahi Camera. Supuringu kamera de ikou, p. 78–9, says that the Semi Prince was sold half a year before the Semi Minolta.
  5. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
  6. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
  7. ↑ This version has been observed in online auctions, with lenses made by Neumann & Heilemann. One example is pictured in this page.
  8. ↑ This version is pictured in Supuringu kamera de ikou, pp. 78–9, and has been observed in an online auction. The example with Vario shutter pictured in Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten, p. 15, is reported to have an Isco lens, but a serial number is visible and it probably has a Regulyt instead.
  9. ↑ This version has been observed in an online auction. Lens with no serial number engraved Jsco Anastigmat.
  10. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
  11. ↑ This version has been observed in an online auction. Lens with no serial number engraved Schneider–Jsco.
  12. ↑ This version has been observed in online auctions. Lens with no serial number engraved Schneider–Jsco.
  13. ↑ Example with Isco and Pronto shutter observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
  14. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
  15. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in a page of prewar and wartime advertisements for Japanese cameras at the Gochamaze website.
  16. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
  17. ↑ Example pictured in the Tomo ni shita kamera webpage, with an accessory shoe added besides the viewfinder.
  18. ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
  19. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
  20. ↑ The variant with Isco f:4.5 lens and Compur shutter has been observed in Yahoo Japan auctions. The variant with Isco f:4.5 lens and Prontor II shutter is presented in this page at ksmt.com.
  21. ↑ Example pictured in Supuringu kamera de ikou, p. 78–9.
  22. ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
  23. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 91.
  24. ↑ Observed in Yahoo Japan auctions, lens name not visible.
  25. ↑ Observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. Lens with no serial number.
  26. ↑ 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.) P. 15.
  • Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Semi Minolta I-gata to II-gata." (セミミノルタⅠ型とⅡ型, "Semi Minolta I and II") In Camera Collectors' News no. 116 (February 1987). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.

Links

In English:

In Japanese:

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