Semi Proud

The Semi Proud was a 4.5x6 folding camera made by the Japanese company Proud. It was essentially a copy of the Balda Baldax. The body of the Semi Proud was also sold to the Olympus company for their first camera Semi Olympus I. The Riken Adler CII and Adler III were also probably based on the same body.

In a 1938 issue of Asahi Camera a Semi Proud II was advertised with body release, a Semi Proud III with stop advance. There was also the Super Semi Proud model, with a coupled rangefinder copied on the Plaubel Roll Op II (itself derived from the Baldax).

Known lens/shutter combinations:

• Proud 75/4.5 & Neumann & Heilemann Rulex T-B-25-50-100-150 shutter, body release
• C. Friedrich Corygon Anastigmat & Prontor II T-B 1s to 1/150 or 1/175 (see here, picture barely readable), lens release

Links

• Semi Proud II at Japan Family Camera, with an accessory shoe, maybe not original
• Semi Proud at Puppy's Island
• Super Semi Proud at the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
• The medium format folders at Olympus corporate site