Semi Proud

For the postwar Semi Proud horizontal folder made by Sumida, see Proud postwar folders.

The Semi Proud (セミ・プラウド, semi puraudo) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera made by Proud-sha. 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 Plaubel Roll-Op II. The name Semi Proud II was used again for a short-lived Ikonta copy, and different post-war cameras were called Semi Proud too (see Proud postwar folders).

All the prewar and wartime models were distributed by Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten.

The viewfinder-only Baldax copy

General description

The first Semi Proud cameras are copies of the large Baldax model for #0 size shutters. There is a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate and an advance knob at the bottom right, as seen by a photographer holding the camera horizontally. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch is covered by a leather handle. There are two red windows to control the film advance, protected on some cameras by individual pivoting covers and on others by a common sliding cover. The front leather is embossed SEMI-PROUD.

This body was sold to Takachiho (the predecessor of Olympus) for its first camera, the Semi Olympus. Other cameras were perhaps based on this body too: the Adler CII and Adler III by Riken, and the Loyal sold by an unknown company. The Semi Kelly might be a rebadged version too.

The original model

The original model, with no body release, was launched in late 1934 or early 1935. It is mentioned in the January 1935 issue of Asahi Camera, at the end of an article about the Semi Prince, and the earliest reported advertisement is in the June 1935 issue of the same magazine. The Semi Proud is thus the first Japanese copy of the Baldax.

The original Semi Proud exists with a number of lens and shutter combinations. An advertisement published in June 1935 in Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin lists the following options:

• Corygon f/4.5 lens, New Vario shutter, ¥54;
• Corygon f/4.5 lens, Auto Pronto shutter (T, B, 25–100), ¥65;
• Corygon f/4.5 lens, Auto Compur shutter (T, B, 1–250), ¥89;
• Corygon f/3.5 lens, Auto Compur shutter (T, B, 1–250), ¥105;
• Corygon f/2.9 lens, Auto Compur shutter, ¥120;
• Lausar f/4.5 lens, Rulex B shutter, ¥62.

Semi Proud, Compur shutter, Corygon Anastigmat f/3.5 lens no.189876. Picture by Keith Rock. (Image rights)

Semi Proud Popular Edition, Rulex D shutter, Proud Anastigmat f/4.5 lens no.2877. Pictures by Epicyclic Transmissions. (Image rights)

The Lausar and Rulex combination is all-Japanese: the lens was made by Tomioka and the shutter by Neumann & Heilemann. The Corygon lenses were made by the German company Friedrich and are engraved C. Friedrich München Corygon Anastigmat. Some examples with Compur shutter have a release arm mounted on the shutter plate and connected with the shutter's own release lever. The release lever of the Compur, designed to be used with a body release linkage, is placed at the bottom and is impractical to operate. The purpose of the release arm is probably to overcome this problem. The exact same device is found on some examples of the Semi Olympus.

The July 1935 advertisement in Asahi Camera lists the same options except for the Lausar and Rulex, at unchanged prices except for the Corygon f/4.5 and Pronto option, lowered to ¥63.

A popular edition (大衆版) was introduced later with a Japanese-made Proud Anastigmat lens and a Japanese shutter. The Proud Anastigmat lens is known with various engravings: Proud Anastigmat, PROUD Anastigmat or U.L.L. Proud Anastigmat. It was certainly made by Miyoshi Kōgaku. In the March 1936 advertisement in Asahi Camera, the rest of the range is unchanged (as were the prices), and the popular edition is offered in two versions:

• f/6.3 lens, Rulex D shutter (T, B, 25–150), ¥40;
• f/4.5 lens, Rulex D shutter (T, B, 25–150), ¥45.

Advertisement in the supplement to Camera Club October 1936, mentioning versions from ¥40 to ¥120. (Image rights)

The September 1936 advertisement in Ars Camera shows two new versions:

• popular edition, f/3.5 lens, Rulex B (T, B, 5–150), ¥58, announced as "newly available";
• Corygon f/2.9 lens, Compur-Rapid shutter (maybe T, B, 1–400), ¥135.

The top speed of the Rulex B was upgraded to 1/200 at some time.

In the April 1937 advertisement in Asahi Camera, other options are added:

• popular edition, f/4.5 lens, Rulex B shutter, ¥50;
• Corygon f/4.5 lens, Prontor II shutter (T, B, 1–150), ¥70;
• Corygon f/3.5 lens, Prontor II shutter (T, B, 1–150), ¥85.

The rest of the range remains the same, with prices unchanged since 1935.

One isolated camera has been observed with a U.L.L. Anastigmat f/4.5 lens in a Neuheil shutter (5–150, B, T).

The Semi Proud II and III

The Semi Proud II and Semi Proud III appeared in 1938. They introduced 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 straightforward copy.

In the February 1938 advertisement in Asahi Camera, the Semi Proud II is announced with the auto-stop advance only, whereas the Semi Proud III provided both auto-stop advance and a body release. The pictured camera corresponds to a Semi Proud II with the Compur shutter and a release arm in front of the shutter plate. The June 1938 advertisement in the same magazine shows the same picture and also shows a model with body release only. The two options were probably offered independently for a few months, until all the bodies were equipped with a body release.

In the September 1938 advertisement in Asahi Camera, the Semi Proud II is offered with the body release only, costing between ¥63 and ¥125, and the Semi Proud III had both auto-stop advance and body release, costing between ¥68 and ¥130.

In Asahi Camera November 1938, the Semi Proud II is advertised with a body release and red window advance, and the model name Semi Proud III was abandoned. The auto-stop device is mentioned as an option costing ¥4.50, with extra ¥0.50 for fitting. The camera was offered with a U.L.L. lens by Miyoshi Kōgaku, in the following combinations:

shutter	Rulex B	Rulex A	Parkur (T, B, 1–250, self-timer)	Compur (T, B, 1–250)
lens
f/4.5	¥63	¥68	¥89	¥100
f/3.5	¥72	¥77	¥98	¥110
f/2.9	_	_	¥115	¥125

An example with body release has been observed with a Corygon-Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens and a Compur shutter (T, B, 1–250). A Prontor II shutter option is also reported with the f/4.5 and f/3.5 lenses.

In advertisements dated May and June 1939 and February 1940, the same model, simply called "Semi Proud", is offered with a U.L.L. lens, a body release and red window advance, along with the Semi Prux. Only the four versions with Rulex shutter are listed, respectively priced at ¥70, ¥75, ¥80 and ¥85. The June 1939 and February 1940 advertisements show two company names: Proud-sha and Miyoshi Kōgaku. It seems that these two companies merged after some time.

The Semi Proud is also featured in the new products column of the April 1940 issue of Asahi Camera, with a Koho shutter by Takachiho (the later Olympus).

The Semi Proud is finally mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, in three versions called "Semi Proud I" (¥74), "Semi Proud II" (¥85) and "Semi Proud III" (¥121), with no further detail. It is not known for sure if these models correspond to the Baldax copy or to the Ikonta copy described below.

The Super Semi Proud rangefinder model

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 front leather is still embossed SEMI-PROUD only.

First model

The overall aspect of the first model is similar to the Roll Op II by Plaubel (itself derived from the Baldax). The rangefinder housing covers about two thirds of the top plate, on the left as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. It has a rectangular window and a round second-image window. The name SUPER SEMI–PROUD is engraved between the two. There is a separate tubular viewfinder at the right end of the top plate, and a long rod between the viewfinder and the rangefinder, certainly the folding bed release. The main release is placed at the base of the folding bed, near the hinge, and is tripped by the left hand.

The earliest known advertisement, in Asahi Camera May 1937, shows a pre-production version, described as "available soon". No viewfinder is visible and the rangefinder housing extends to the left end of the top plate, in a rounded shape; either the camera has a combined range- and view-finder that was not put into production, or it is an incomplete prototype. The folding bed release is a simple button instead of a rod, because of the absence of a viewfinder. The camera is pictured with a Compur shutter. The release button and linkage are not visible either, and the shutter is perhaps tripped directly by a lever on the side of the lens.

The regular production version was advertised in the June 1938 issue of Asahi Camera with the following options:

shutter	Rulex B	Rulex A	Compur
lens
Proud f/3.5	¥120	¥130	¥155
Corygon f/4.5	_	_	¥155
Corygon f/3.5	_	_	¥167
Corygon f/2.9	_	_	¥190

In this advertisement, an auto-stop advance device is mentioned for the Semi Proud, but it is not clear if it applies to the rangefinder model as well. An example of the Super Semi Proud is known with Corygon f/3.5 lens, Compur shutter and auto-stop advance.

Later the same year, in November 1938, the Super Semi Proud was advertised together with the Semi Proud II. The auto-stop device is available as an option, costing ¥4.50 and ¥0.50 for fitting, probably concerning the rangefinder model as well as the viewfinder-only Semi Proud. The camera was offered with a U.L.L. lens by Miyoshi Kōgaku (engraved U.L.L. Proud Anastigmat), in the following combinations:

shutter	Parkur (T, B, 1–250, self-timer)	Compur (T, B, 1–250, self-timer)
lens
f/4.5	¥135	¥145
f/3.5	¥145	¥155
f/2.9	¥165	¥175

Second model

The second model, released at the end of 1938, has a restyled top housing, reminiscent of the Super Sport Dolly by Certo, integrating both the viewfinder on the right and the rangefinder on the left. There are two identical rectangular windows at one end and a round second-image window at the other. The folding bed release button protrudes slightly from this top housing, on the right of the viewfinder. The top housing is all chrome and the name SUPER SEMI–PROUD is engraved between the two rangefinder windows. It seems that the body release is placed the same as on the first model, on the folding bed near the hinge.

In an advertisement in Asahi Camera February 1939, the list of available variants was as follows:

shutter	Parkur S (T, B, 1–250, self-timer)	Compur (T, B, 1–250, self-timer)
lens
U.L.L. Proud f/4.5	¥135	¥145
U.L.L. Proud f/3.5	¥145	¥155
U.L.L. Proud f/2.9	¥165	¥175
Corygon f/4.5	_	¥155
Corygon f/3.5	_	¥167
Corygon f/2.9	_	¥190

The U.L.L. Proud lens is engraved U.L.L. Proud Anastigmat 1:xxx f=7.5cm N°xxxx, and the shutter plate of the Parkur is inscribed PARKUR–TOKIO at the top.

The Super Semi Proud is mentioned in the official price list published in January 1941 (cited above), with the name "Super Semi Proud F" and a price of ¥248. It appears again with the same name in a similar price list dated November 1941, where it is attributed to Miyoshi Kōgaku.

The Ikonta copy

The Semi Proud was replaced by a new model, copy of the Ikonta, advertised as Semi Proud II (セミ・プラウドⅡ型) in 1941–2. 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.

The new model is a typical Ikonta copy with a folding optical finder. The body release is on the left of the viewfinder and the folding bed release is on the right (as seen by the photographer). The back is hinged to the left.

The Semi Proud II is mentioned in the official price list dated November 1941, where it is attributed to Miyoshi Kōgaku. In advertisements dated October 1941 and January 1942, the following versions are listed:

• U.L.L. f/4.5 lens, Shinko shutter, T, B, 5–200 (¥74 in 1941, ¥87 in 1942);
• U.L.L. f/3.5 lens, Selon shutter, T, B, 5–300 (¥83 in 1941, ¥96 in 1942).

The Shinko shutter was certainly made by Shinkō Seiki, the same as on the Shinko Baby. The Selon shutter was made by Miyoshi. The advertising company is the distributor Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, which also distributed the Shinko cameras, and there is no mention of Miyoshi Kōgaku or Proud-sha.

Rangefinder conversions were offered in 1943 by Hakkōdō for the Semi Proud II and various other copies of the Ikonta or Nettar (see this page).

Bibliography

Original documents

• Camera Club. Saishin shashinki zenshū (最新写真機全集, All on the latest cameras). Supplement to the October 1936 issue. Advertisement on p.30.
• "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō" (カメラの公定価格官報発表, Official announcement of the set prices of the cameras), November 1941. Extract of a table listing Japanese camera production and setting the retail prices, reproduced in "Bebī Semi Fāsuto 'Kore ha bebī wo nanotta semi-ki da'" (ベビーセミファースト"これはベビーを名乗ったセミ機だ", Baby Semi First, 'this is a Semi camera called Baby'), an article by Furukawa Yasuo (古川保男) in Camera Collectors' News no. 277 (July 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P. 27. Type 3, sections 5A and 9.
• "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 3, sections 4A, 5A, 6B and 9.

Recent sources

• 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 advertisements for items 102–3, 222, 326 and 341.)
• Fujishima Kōichi (藤島広一). "Semi Purakkusu no o-kotae" (セミプラックスのお答え, "Answer about the Semi Prux"). In Camera Collectors' News no.42 (December 1980, the cover has "no.41" by mistake). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.23–4. (Contains a reproduction of two advertisements for the Semi Proud.)
• Inoue, Mitsuo (井上光朗). "Shashin renzu no yoake. Renzu-ya Funsenki" (写真レンズの夜明け・レンズ屋奮戦記, "Dawn of the photographic lens – Fierce war tales between lens shops"). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.14, October 1989. No ISBN number. Rikō kamera no subete (リコーカメラのすべて, special issue on Ricoh). Pp.128–132.
• 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 and 55.
• 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). P.804.
• Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin (日本写真興業通信). Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku (百号ごと十回の記録, Ten records, every hundred issues). Tokyo: Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin Sha (日本写真興業通信社), 1967. No ISBN number. Advertisement on p.22, corresponding to p.4 of the June 1st, 1935 issue.
• Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 1234–7.
• Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Sonota no nihon no supuringu-kamera" (その他の日本のスプリングカメラ, "Other Japanese folding cameras"). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.8, September 1986. No ISBN number. Supuringu kamera (スプリングカメラ, special issue on spring cameras). Pp.76–80.
• 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.
• "Zadankai: Orinpasu no michi" (座談会・オリンパスの道, "Conversation: the way of Olympus"). Interview of Sakurai Eiichi (桜井栄一), Maitani Yoshihisa (米谷美久) and Kawazoe Mitsuo (河添光男), by Saeki Kakugorō (佐伯恪五郎). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no. 20, 25 March 1992. No ISBN number. Orinpasu no subete (オリンパスのすべて, special issue on Olympus). Pp.64–71.

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