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 (from 63 to 125 yen), and a Semi Proud III with stop advance (from 68 to 130 yen).
Known lens/shutter combinations:
- lens release:
- Proud Anastigmat 75/4.5 & Neumann & Heilemann Rulex T-B-25-50-100-150 shutter (see here, accessory shoe maybe not original, said to be a Semi Proud II but seems dubious)
- C. Friedrich Corygon Anastigmat & Prontor II T-B 1s to 1/150 or 1/175 (see here, picture barely readable)
- body release:
- U.L.L. Anastigmat 7.5cm/4.5 & Compur T-B-1-250 (seen at a Yahoo Japan auction)
There was also the Super Semi Proud model, with a coupled rangefinder copied on the Plaubel Roll Op II (itself derived from the Baldax). It was also advertised in the 1938 ad mentioned above.
Known lens/shutter combinations:
- U.L.L. Proud Anastigmat 7.5cm/4.5 & Compur T-B-1-250 (see here, picture barely readable)
Links
- Semi Proud II at Japan Family Camera, with an accessory shoe, maybe not original
- Semi Proud at Puppy's Island
- The Super Semi Proud in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- The medium format folders at Olympus corporate site