Difference between revisions of "Semi Proud"
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== The original Baldax copy == | == The original Baldax copy == | ||
| − | The '''original model''' appears in 1935<REF> Earliest advertisement mentioned by {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> and is perhaps the first Japanese copy of the [[Baldax]]. It is based on the large Baldax model for #0 size shutters. It has a folding optical finder and the advance knob on the opposite side. Film advance is controlled by two red windows in the back, protected by individual pivoting covers. The back itself is hinged to the left. The front leather is embossed ''SEMI PROUD''. | + | The '''original model''' appears in 1935<REF> Earliest advertisement mentioned by {{Kokusan}}, p. 340. </REF> and is perhaps the first Japanese copy of the [[Baldax]]. It is based on the large Baldax model for #0 size shutters. It has a folding optical finder and the advance knob on the opposite side. Film advance is controlled by two red windows in the back, protected on some cameras by individual pivoting covers and on others by a common sliding cover. The back itself is hinged to the left. The front leather is embossed ''SEMI PROUD''. |
This body was sold to [[Olympus|Takachiho]] (the precursor of [[Olympus]]) company for its first camera the [[Semi Olympus]].<REF> Source: [http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/corc/history/camera/index.cfm?ote=1 The medium format folders at the Olympus corporate site]. Somewhat confirmed by a discussion with John Foster in [[Talk:Olympus folders]]. </REF> (It is possible that the [[Adler|Adler CII]] and [[Adler|Adler III]] models by [[Riken]] are based on this body too.) | This body was sold to [[Olympus|Takachiho]] (the precursor of [[Olympus]]) company for its first camera the [[Semi Olympus]].<REF> Source: [http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/corc/history/camera/index.cfm?ote=1 The medium format folders at the Olympus corporate site]. Somewhat confirmed by a discussion with John Foster in [[Talk:Olympus folders]]. </REF> (It is possible that the [[Adler|Adler CII]] and [[Adler|Adler III]] models by [[Riken]] are based on this body too.) | ||
Revision as of 20:09, 7 September 2006
The Semi Proud (セミ・プラウド) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera made by the company Proud. It first appeared as a Baldax copy, and the Semi Proud II and III are variations. The Super Semi Proud is a rangefinder version, inspired by the Roll-Op II by Plaubel. The name Semi Proud II was used again for a short-lived Ikonta copy, and different post-war cameras were called Semi Proud too.
All the prewar models were distributed by Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten.
Contents
The original Baldax copy
The original model appears in 1935[1] and is perhaps the first Japanese copy of the Baldax. It is based on the large Baldax model for #0 size shutters. It has a folding optical finder and the advance knob on the opposite side. Film advance is controlled by two red windows in the back, protected on some cameras by individual pivoting covers and on others by a common sliding cover. The back itself is hinged to the left. The front leather is embossed SEMI PROUD.
This body was sold to Takachiho (the precursor of Olympus) company for its first camera the Semi Olympus.[2] (It is possible that the Adler CII and Adler III models by Riken are based on this body too.)
The Semi Proud exists with a number of lens and shutter combinations. In July 1935, the following options are advertised[3], all of them with a Corygon lens by Friedrich, engraved C. Friedrich München Corygon Anastigmat:
- f:4.5 lens, Vario shutter, T, B, 25–100[4] (¥54);
- f:4.5 lens, Pronto shutter, T, B, 25–100[5] (¥63);
- f:4.5 lens, Compur shutter, T, B, 1–250[6] (¥89);
- f:3.5 lens, Compur shutter, T, B, 1–250 (¥105)[7];
- f:2.9 lens, Compur shutter, T, B, 1–250 (¥120).
A popular edition (大衆版) is introduced later with a Japanese-made Proud Anastigmat lens and a Japanese shutter. In March 1936[8], the rest of the range is unchanged (even the price), while the popular edition is offered in the two following variants:
- f:6.3 lens, Rulex D shutter, T, B, 25–150[9] (¥40);
- f:4.5 lens, Rulex D shutter, T, B, 25–150 (¥45)[10].
A September 1936 advertisement[11] adds two new variants:
- popular edition, f:3.5 lens, Rulex B shutter, T, B, 5–150[12] (¥58, announced as "newly available");
- Corygon f:2.9 lens, Compur-Rapid shutter, maybe T, B, 1–400[13] (¥135).
In April 1937[14], other options are added:
- popular edition, f:4.5 lens, Rulex B shutter, T, B, 5–150 (¥50);
- Corygon f:4.5 lens, Prontor II shutter, T, B, 1–150[15] (¥70)[16];
- Corygon f:3.5 lens, Prontor II shutter, T, B, 1–150 (¥85).
The rest of the range is kept the same, with prices unchanged since 1935.
The Semi Proud II and III
The Semi Proud II and Semi Proud III appear in 1938. They introduce two innovations: a body release and an automatic stop advance device with an exposure counter. The latter seems inspired by the Plaubel device mounted on the Roll-Op II folder and on roll-film backs for the Makina, but it is not a plain copy.
There is some confusion in the early advertisements for the Semi Proud II and III: in an advertisement dated February 1938[17] the Semi Proud II is announced with the auto-stop advance only, while the Semi Proud III has both auto-stop advance and a body release. The camera pictured is a Semi Proud II: the Compur shutter has a sort of release arm mounted on the shutter plate and connected with the shutter's own release lever. The release lever of the Compur is meant to be used with a body release linkage and thus it is not very accessible. The purpose of the release arm is probably to overcome this problem.
In a later advertisement dated September 1938[18] the Semi Proud II has the body release only and costs between ¥63 and ¥125, while the Semi Proud III again has both features and costs between ¥68 and ¥130.
Later the same year, in November 1938, the Semi Proud II is advertised with body release and red window advance, and the Semi Proud III designation has disappeared. The auto-stop device is available as an option, costing ¥4.50 to which was added an extra ¥0.50 for fitting. The camera is offered with a U.L.L. lens by Miyoshi Kōgaku, engraved U.L.L. Anastigmat, in the following combinations:
- f:4.5 lens, Rulex B shutter (¥63);
- f:4.5 lens, Rulex A shutter (¥68)[19];
- f:3.5 lens, Rulex B shutter (¥72);
- f:3.5 lens, Rulex A shutter (¥77);
- f:4.5 lens, unknown shutter, maybe Parker[20], giving 1–250 speeds with self-timer (¥89);
- f:3.5 lens, same shutter (¥98);
- f:2.9 lens, same shutter (¥115);
- f:4.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥100);
- f:3.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥110);
- f:2.9 lens, Compur shutter (¥125).
One example with an U.L.L. Anastigmat 7.5cm f:4.5 lens and a Compur shutter giving T, B, 1–250 speeds has been observed[21]. Kokusan kamera no rekishi also mentions a Prontor II shutter option with the f:4.5 and f:3.5 lenses.[22]
In 1940[23] the same model is advertised again as Semi Proud in short. Only the combinations with a Rulex shutter are offered, at slightly here prices.
The Super Semi Proud
The Super Semi Proud (スーパー・セミ・プラウド) is a model with coupled rangefinder. The whole lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a helical for unit focusing. The models observed have no auto-stop advance. In the advertisements observed, the pictures do not clearly show the film advance part, and the text is ambiguous about the availability of the auto-stop advance for the rangefinder model.
The first advertisements, in 1937, show a pre-production version, mentioned to be "available soon".[24] There is no finder visible, and the rangefinder housing extends to the left end of the top plate, in a rounded shape. Maybe a combined view- and rangefinder was planned but never made, another possibility being that the camera was pictured in an unfinished state.
On the first production version, the overall layout is similar to the Roll Op II by Plaubel (itself derived from the Baldax). The viewfinder is a separate tubular one, offset at the right end of the top plate. The rangefinder unit has one rectangular and one round window, and it is engraved SUPER SEMI–PROUD between both. The body itself is still engraved SEMI PROUD in the front leather. There is a long rod between the viewfinder and the rangefinder, certainly the folding bed opening. A body release is mentioned in the advertisements, it seems that it is located on the folding bed, to be tripped by the left hand, but the pictures do not show this very precisely.
This version is advertised in the June 1938 issue of Asahi Camera[25] with the following options:
- Proud f:3.5 lens, Rulex B shutter (¥120);
- Proud f:3.5 lens, Rulex A shutter (¥130);
- Proud f:3.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥155);
- Corygon f:4.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥155);
- Corygon f:3.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥167);
- Corygon f:2.9 lens, Compur shutter (¥190).
It also appears in a 1938 price list of the dealer Shinbi-Dō (眞美堂), offered with an f:4.5 lens and a Compur shutter for ¥140. Kokusan kamera no rekishi also mentions U.L.L. f:4.5, f:3.5 and f:2.9 lenses mounted in Compur or Parker[26] shutters. It has been observed with such a combination: U.L.L. Proud Anastigmat 7.5cm f:4.5 lens and Compur shutter giving T, B, 1–250 speeds.[27]
The second production version is released at the end of 1938[28]. It has a restyled top housing, reminiscent of the Super Sport Dolly by Certo, integrating both the view- and the rangefinder. There are two identically sized rectangular windows at one end and one round window at the other. The folding bed release button protrudes slightly from this top housing. The body release seems is again mentioned in an advertisement[29], and it seems to be at the same place as before. Here is the list of available variants:
- U.L.L. Proud f:4.5 lens, Parker shutter (¥135 — case extra ¥6);
- U.L.L. Proud f:3.5 lens, Parker shutter (¥145);
- U.L.L. Proud f:2.9 lens, Parker shutter (¥165);
- U.L.L. Proud f:4.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥145);
- U.L.L. Proud f:3.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥155);
- U.L.L. Proud f:2.9 lens, Compur shutter (¥175);
- Corygon f:4.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥155);
- Corygon f:3.5 lens, Compur shutter (¥167);
- Corygon f:2.9 lens, Compur shutter (¥190).
It has been observed[30] with a U.L.L. Proud Anastigmat 7.5cm f:3.5 lens and a Compur shutter giving T, B, 1–250 speeds.
The Ikonta copy
The next model is a copy of the Ikonta, with a folding optical finder, briefly advertised as Semi Proud II (セミ・プラウドⅡ型) in 1941–2[31]. It is probable that the previous Semi Proud II was being called simply Semi Proud for a couple of years, and the model II designation was thus reused.
It is advertised in October 1941[32] and January 1942[33], with the following lens and shutter combinations:
- U.L.L. f:4.5 lens, Shinko[34] shutter, T, B, 5–200 (¥74 in 1941, ¥87 in 1942);
- U.L.L. f:3.5 lens, Selon[35] shutter, T, B, 5–300 (¥83 in 1941, ¥96 in 1942).
The distributor is Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, like the earlier models. The Shinko brand in one of the shutter options belongs to this distributor.
Notes
- ↑ Earliest advertisement mentioned by Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Source: The medium format folders at the Olympus corporate site. Somewhat confirmed by a discussion with John Foster in Talk:Olympus folders.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 88.
- ↑ Speeds: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Speeds: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Speeds: a Semi Proud has been directly observed at the 2006 Bièvres fair with a Compur shutter giving T, B, 1–250 speeds, and that seems to be standard at the time for Compur shutters in #0 size. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340, says T, B, 1–300, maybe by mistake.
- ↑ This variant has been observed at the 2006 Bièvres fair.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 71.
- ↑ Speeds: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ It is the example pictured in this page of Japan Family Camera, mistakenly called "Semi Proud II", with an accessory shoe that is probably not original. The same variant has also been observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 104.
- ↑ Speeds: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Speeds: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340, says T, B, 1–500 but it is mistaken on other shutter speeds and it seems that the standard at the time for Compur-Rapid shutters in #0 size is 1/400 top speed.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 89.
- ↑ Speeds: example pictured in this page of Puppy's Island. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340, says T, B, 1–175, but it is mistaken on other shutter speeds.
- ↑ It is the example pictured in this page of Puppy's Island.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 89.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 89.
- ↑ The prices of the two first versions is swapped in the advertisement, obviously by mistake.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana パーカー.
- ↑ In a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Advertisement published in the February 1940 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
- ↑ Advertisement published in the May 1937 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
- ↑ Again inferred from the katakana パーカー.
- ↑ Example displayed in this page of the JCII collection.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340, mentions an advertisement dated December 1938.
- ↑ Advertisement published in the February 1939 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 90.
- ↑ Pictured in a Chinese forum.
- ↑ Dates of the two advertisements mentioned by Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 340.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 106.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 89.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana シンコー.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana セロン.
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 218–21. (See also the advertisement for items 102–3, 222, 326 and 341.)
Links
In Japanese:
- Semi Proud at Japan Family Camera, with an accessory shoe that is probably not original
- Semi Proud at Puppy's Island
- Super Semi Proud in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
