Difference between revisions of "Semi Prux"
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| − | {{Japanese Semi}} | + | {{NeedPhotos}}{{Japanese Semi prewar}} |
| − | The '''Semi Prux''' (セミ・プラックス) is a [[Japanese 4. | + | The '''Semi Prux''' (セミ・プラックス) is a [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders|Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera]]. It was made from 1938 by [[Proud|Proud-sha]] and perhaps [[Miyoshi|Miyoshi Kōgaku]], two companies which were related and certainly merged after some time. Its successor was the [[Roavic]] by Miyoshi. |
| − | + | == Description == | |
| − | * | + | The Semi Prux is a horizontal [[folding|folder]]. Its general design and folding struts are copied from the [[Duo Six-20]] by [[Kodak AG]]. There is a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate, with the folding bed release immediately to the right. The advance key is at the top left; it has an angular shape and is attached to an octagonal knob. The back is hinged to the right and has two [[red window]]s near the bottom, protected by a horizontally sliding common cover. The back latch is covered by a leather handle. The name ''SEMI PRUX'' is embossed in the front leather. |
| − | * U.L.L. f | + | |
| + | == Original documents == | ||
| + | The Semi Prux was featured in the November 1938 and February 1939 issues of {{ACA}}, and was advertised in 1939 and 1940.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.340. </REF> In advertisements dated May and June 1939 and February 1940, the camera is offered in two versions:<REF> Advertisements in {{AR}} May and June 1939, reproduced in Fujishima, p.24 of {{CCN}} no.42; advertisement in {{ACA}} February 1940, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.90. </REF> | ||
| + | * U.L.L. f/4.5 lens, [[Licht]] shutter by [[Hattori|Seikōsha]] ({{yen|65|1940}}); | ||
| + | * U.L.L. f/3.5 lens, Prux shutter, T, B, 5–200 speeds ({{yen|80|1940}}). | ||
| + | The Semi Prux is presented along with the [[Semi Proud]], as "the two favourite Japan-made cameras" or "the two authorities on Japan-made cameras".<REF> Translation of "國産カメラの二大寵児" and "國産カメラの二大権威". </REF> The distributors are [[Yamashita|Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten]] of Tokyo and [[Fukada|Fukada Shōkai]] of Osaka. The June 1939 and February 1940 advertisements also show the two company names [[Proud|Proud-sha]] and [[Miyoshi|Miyoshi Kōgaku]]. The cheapest version also appears in an October 1939 advertisement by Fukada, together with [[Doris (3×4)|Doris]] and Prince models.<REF> Advertisement in {{ACA}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.91. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The camera is also mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, as the "Prux", for ¥62 with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 3, section 3A. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Actual examples == | ||
| + | The example of the Semi Prux pictured in {{SUG}} looks the same as on the advertising pictures.<REF> Example pictured in Ikeuchi, p.19 of {{CCN}} no.41 and in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1238. </REF> It has a [[Licht]] shutter (25, 50, 100, B, T) with a simple "needle self-timer". Its lens is engraved ''U.L.L. Anastigmat 1:4.5 f=7.5cm No.10254''. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Another camera, perhaps corresponding to a Semi Prux but not identified for sure, is known with some minor changes: the folding bed release is to the left, there is a body release to the right of the viewfinder, the top plate is leather covered and the back latch seems to have a different design, with no handle.<REF> Example observed for sale by a Chinese dealer. </REF> This camera has a Kikō C shutter (150, 100, 50, 25, B, T), inscribed ''KIKŌ C'' on top of the shutter plate, and a Lucomar Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens, both made by [[Kigawa]]. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 10: | Line 22: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
| − | * {{Showa10}} Item 222. | + | * {{Showa10}} Item 222. (See also the advertisement for items 230–1.) |
| − | * {{McKeown12}} P. | + | * 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 {{CCN}} no.42 (December 1980). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.23–4. |
| − | + | * Ikeuchi Hatsuo (池内初夫). "Semi Prux". In {{CCN}} no.41 (November 1980). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P.19. | |
| − | + | * {{Kakaku0141}} Type 3, section 3A. | |
| + | * {{McKeown12}} P.804. | ||
| + | * {{Zukan}} Item 1238. | ||
| + | * 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"). {{KKS008}} Pp.76–80. | ||
| − | [[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]] | + | [[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding|Prux, Semi]] |
[[Category: S]] | [[Category: S]] | ||
| − | [[Category: P|Prux]] | + | [[Category: P|Prux, Semi]] |
| + | [[Category: 1938]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:35, 4 September 2015
The Semi Prux (セミ・プラックス) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera. It was made from 1938 by Proud-sha and perhaps Miyoshi Kōgaku, two companies which were related and certainly merged after some time. Its successor was the Roavic by Miyoshi.
Description
The Semi Prux is a horizontal folder. Its general design and folding struts are copied from the Duo Six-20 by Kodak AG. There is a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate, with the folding bed release immediately to the right. The advance key is at the top left; it has an angular shape and is attached to an octagonal knob. The back is hinged to the right and has two red windows near the bottom, protected by a horizontally sliding common cover. The back latch is covered by a leather handle. The name SEMI PRUX is embossed in the front leather.
Original documents
The Semi Prux was featured in the November 1938 and February 1939 issues of Asahi Camera, and was advertised in 1939 and 1940.[1] In advertisements dated May and June 1939 and February 1940, the camera is offered in two versions:[2]
- U.L.L. f/4.5 lens, Licht shutter by Seikōsha (¥65);
- U.L.L. f/3.5 lens, Prux shutter, T, B, 5–200 speeds (¥80).
The Semi Prux is presented along with the Semi Proud, as "the two favourite Japan-made cameras" or "the two authorities on Japan-made cameras".[3] The distributors are Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten of Tokyo and Fukada Shōkai of Osaka. The June 1939 and February 1940 advertisements also show the two company names Proud-sha and Miyoshi Kōgaku. The cheapest version also appears in an October 1939 advertisement by Fukada, together with Doris and Prince models.[4]
The camera is also mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, as the "Prux", for ¥62 with no further detail.[5]
Actual examples
The example of the Semi Prux pictured in Sugiyama looks the same as on the advertising pictures.[6] It has a Licht shutter (25, 50, 100, B, T) with a simple "needle self-timer". Its lens is engraved U.L.L. Anastigmat 1:4.5 f=7.5cm No.10254.
Another camera, perhaps corresponding to a Semi Prux but not identified for sure, is known with some minor changes: the folding bed release is to the left, there is a body release to the right of the viewfinder, the top plate is leather covered and the back latch seems to have a different design, with no handle.[7] This camera has a Kikō C shutter (150, 100, 50, 25, B, T), inscribed KIKŌ C on top of the shutter plate, and a Lucomar Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens, both made by Kigawa.
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.340.
- ↑ Advertisements in Ars Camera May and June 1939, reproduced in Fujishima, p.24 of Camera Collectors' News no.42; advertisement in Asahi Camera February 1940, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.90.
- ↑ Translation of "國産カメラの二大寵児" and "國産カメラの二大権威".
- ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.91.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 3, section 3A.
- ↑ Example pictured in Ikeuchi, p.19 of Camera Collectors' News no.41 and in Sugiyama, item 1238.
- ↑ Example observed for sale by a Chinese dealer.
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. Item 222. (See also the advertisement for items 230–1.)
- 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). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.23–4.
- Ikeuchi Hatsuo (池内初夫). "Semi Prux". In Camera Collectors' News no.41 (November 1980). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P.19.
- "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, section 3A.
- 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.
- 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. Item 1238.
- 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.
