Difference between revisions of "Semi Renky"

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{{Japanese Semi prewar
 
{{Japanese Semi prewar
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1517521519/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/1517521519_e7c1e9544d_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}''
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|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/33965801428/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33965801428_e7a46fb376_m_d.jpg]<br>''New Semi Renky.<br>Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}''
 
}}
 
}}
The '''Semi Renky''' and '''New Semi Renky''' are Japanese 4.5&times;6 cameras made by [[Rengō|Rengō Kōki]] and distributed by [[Fuku Bōeki]] between 1939 and about 1943.
+
The '''Semi Renky''' and '''New Semi Renky''' are Japanese 4.5×6 cameras made by [[Rengō|Rengō Kōki]] and distributed by [[Fuku Bōeki]] from 1939 to about 1943.
  
 
== The Semi Renky ==
 
== The Semi Renky ==
 
=== Description ===
 
=== Description ===
The '''Semi Renky''' (セミレンキー) has a body made of some sort of plastic, called ''mikaton'' (ミカトン).<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;343, item 321. </REF> There is a metal telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly, and the overall aspect is similar to the [[Semi Olympic]] model. A tubular optical finder is mounted in the middle of the top plate, with an accessory shoe on the right and the advance knob on the left. There are two uncovered red windows at the bottom of the back to control the film advance. The back opens to the right, together with the back halves of the top and bottom plates.
+
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47793960462/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47793960462_875ee19b18_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47056498004/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47056498004_1cd4bfd3ac_m.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47793984162/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47793984162_3e63975a06_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/40879399863/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40879399863_e57d497b01_m.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''Semi Renky, Renko Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens no.4859.<br>Pictures by Imre dePozsgay. {{with permission}}''
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The '''Semi Renky''' (セミレンキー) is a blatant copy of the [[Semi Olympic]]. The body is made of some sort of plastic, called ''mikaton'' (ミカトン).<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.343, item 321. </REF> There is a metal telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly. The base of the tube is surrounded by a massive ring engraved ''RengoKoki'' at the top and ''Tokyo'' at the bottom. On the body's front left, there is a metal plate marked ''SEMI RENKY'' in capital letters (looking the same as the plate marked ''The Olympic Camera Works'' on the [[Olympic]] cameras).
  
At the base of the telescopic tube there is a massive metal ring engraved ''RengoKoki'' at the top and ''Tokyo'' at the bottom. On the body's front left, there is a metal plate marked ''SEMI RENKY'' in capital letters (it looks similar to the plate marked ''The Olympic Camera Works'' on the [[Olympic]] models).
+
A tubular optical finder is mounted in the middle of the top plate, with an accessory shoe on the right and an advance knob on the left — as seen by the photographers. There are two uncovered red windows at the bottom of the back to control the film advance. The back opens to the right, together with the back halves of the top and bottom plates. It is retained by a sliding bar on the right, with an arrow pointing towards the top.
  
The shutter is everset and has T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds. The lens is a 75/4.5 and the aperture scale is at the bottom of the shutter plate.
+
The shutter is [[everset]] and has T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds. The lens is a 75mm f/4.5 and the aperture scale is at the bottom of the shutter plate.
 +
 
 +
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/33968789658/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33968789658_bc79ab7ef5_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47794030212/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47794030212_391a3cce16_m.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''Semi Renky, Renko Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens no.4859.<br>Pictures by Imre dePozsgay. {{with permission}}''
 +
|}
  
 
=== Advertisements and other documents ===
 
=== Advertisements and other documents ===
The Semi Renky was advertised in the November 1939 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]],''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;104. </REF> costing {{yen|45|1939}} with a Renko 75/4.5 lens. The list of set prices compiled in late 1940 and published in January 1941 mentions the Semi Renky for &yen;43.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 3, section 1. </REF>
+
The Semi Renky was advertised in the November 1939 issue of {{ACA}},<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. </REF> costing {{yen|45|1939}} with a Renko 75/4.5 lens. Another advertisement dated December 1939 shows the same features and a similar picture.<REF> Advertisement on p.18 of {{NSKT}}, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.52 of ''Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku''. </REF> The list of set prices compiled in late 1940 and published in January 1941 mentions the Semi Renky for ¥43.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 3, section 1. </REF>
  
The Semi Renky was advertised together with the New Semi Renky in the March 1941 issue of ''[[Shashin Bunka]],''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;104. </REF> at the lower price of {{yen|43|1941}}. The advertisement still gives Renko as the lens name and it says that the shutter was made by RKS (maybe for <u>R</u>engō <u>K</u>ōki <u>S</u>eisakusho). The Semi Renky was still in the official price list dated November 1941.<REF> {{Kakaku1141_short}}, type 3, section 1. </REF>
+
The Semi Renky was advertised together with the New Semi Renky in the March 1941 issue of {{SB}},<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. </REF> at the lower price of {{yen|43|1941}}. The advertisement still gives Renko as the lens name and it says that the shutter was made by RKS (maybe for <u>R</u>engō <u>K</u>ōki <u>S</u>eisakusho). The Semi Renky was still in the official price list dated November 1941.<REF> {{Kakaku1141_short}}, type 3, section 1. </REF>
  
 
=== Variations ===
 
=== Variations ===
 
The surviving examples have variations in the shutter plate markings and in the lens name. These are summarized in the following table:
 
The surviving examples have variations in the shutter plate markings and in the lens name. These are summarized in the following table:
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
+
{| class="plainlinks" border="1" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
 
|-
 
|-
 
| rowspan="2" | Camera
 
| rowspan="2" | Camera
 
| colspan="3" | Shutter plate
 
| colspan="3" | Shutter plate
 
| rowspan="2" | Lens name
 
| rowspan="2" | Lens name
 +
| rowspan="2" | Picture
 
|-
 
|-
 
|| top
 
|| top
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|| right
 
|| right
 
|-
 
|-
|| Semi Renky<REF> Example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 4064, and examples pictured in the advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;104. </REF>
+
|| Semi Renky<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm this page at Japan Family Camera], and examples observed in online auctions. </REF>
 +
|| ''Semi Renky''<br>(separate plate,<br>rounded letters)
 +
|| nothing
 +
|| nothing
 +
|| Renko Anastigmat
 +
||
 +
|-
 +
|| Semi Renky<REF> Example pictured in this page, example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 4064, and examples pictured in the advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. </REF>
 
|| ''Semi Renky''<br>(direct inscription,<br>gothic letters)
 
|| ''Semi Renky''<br>(direct inscription,<br>gothic letters)
|| unknown
+
|| ''R.K.S.''
 
|| ''RKS'' logo<br>(rounded letters)
 
|| ''RKS'' logo<br>(rounded letters)
 
|| Renko Anastigmat
 
|| Renko Anastigmat
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/40879442793/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40879442793_4b4c86b9ae_t.jpg]<br>''{{with permission}}''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|| Semi Renky<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>
 
|| Semi Renky<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>
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|| ''RKS'' logo<br>(straight letters)
 
|| ''RKS'' logo<br>(straight letters)
 
|| Tenobder Anastigmat
 
|| Tenobder Anastigmat
|-
+
||
|| Semi Renky<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm this page at Japan Family Camera]. </REF>
 
|| ''Semi Renky''<br>(separate plate,<br>rounded letters)
 
|| nothing
 
|| nothing
 
|| unknown
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center; clear: both;"
 
|-
 
|-
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1517521519/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/1517521519_e7c1e9544d_d.jpg]
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/33965801428/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33965801428_e7a46fb376_d.jpg]
 
|-
 
|-
|| ''New Semi Renky I.''<br>''Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}''
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|| ''New Semi Renky I.<br>Picture courtesy of [http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ Pacific Rim Camera]. {{with permission}}''
 
|}
 
|}
 
The '''New Semi Renky''' (ニューセミレンキー) has a new metal body,<REF> The {{Inquiry1943_short}} says that the camera has a [[bakelite]] body but the pictures observed show a metal body. </REF> very similar in shape to the previous model. The top and bottom plates are chrome plated and the rest is leather covered. The top plate has the same features as the previous model; the name ''New Semi Renky'' is engraved behind the accessory shoe and a ''RENGO KOKI'' logo is inscribed at the left of the viewfinder together with the serial number. A red arrow is engraved near the advance knob to indicate the film advance direction.
 
The '''New Semi Renky''' (ニューセミレンキー) has a new metal body,<REF> The {{Inquiry1943_short}} says that the camera has a [[bakelite]] body but the pictures observed show a metal body. </REF> very similar in shape to the previous model. The top and bottom plates are chrome plated and the rest is leather covered. The top plate has the same features as the previous model; the name ''New Semi Renky'' is engraved behind the accessory shoe and a ''RENGO KOKI'' logo is inscribed at the left of the viewfinder together with the serial number. A red arrow is engraved near the advance knob to indicate the film advance direction.
Line 60: Line 78:
 
The back is removed together with the bottom plate for film loading, and there is a tripod screw surrounded by a locking key in the middle of the bottom. There are two red windows near the bottom of the back, protected by an internal common cover actuated by a vertically sliding lever.
 
The back is removed together with the bottom plate for film loading, and there is a tripod screw surrounded by a locking key in the middle of the bottom. There are two red windows near the bottom of the back, protected by an internal common cover actuated by a vertically sliding lever.
  
The lens name is surely Tenobder Anastigmat on all the models. The Tenobder 75/4.5 lens has three elements and was made by [[Suzuki]]; it was certainly also the case of the f/3.5 lens.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens item Lc18. </REF> (They were probably identical to the Well lenses mounted on the [[Well]].)
+
The lens name is surely Tenobder Anastigmat on all the models. The Tenobder 75/4.5 lens has three elements and was made by [[Suzuki]]; it was certainly also the case of the f/3.5 lens.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens item Lc18. </REF> (They were probably identical to the Well lenses mounted on the [[Well Standard]] and [[Well Super]].)
  
 
=== Advertisements ===
 
=== Advertisements ===
The late 1940 official price list cited above mentions the "New Semi Renky I" (&yen;62), "New Semi Renky II" (&yen;74), "New Semi Renky III" (&yen;85) and "New Semi Renky U" (&yen;98), with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 3, section 3A, 4A, 5A, 7A. </REF> In the March 1941 advertisement mentioned above for the Semi Renky,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Shashin Bunka]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;104. </REF> the New Semi Renky was offered in the same four versions:
+
The late 1940 official price list cited above mentions the "New Semi Renky I" (¥62), "New Semi Renky II" (¥74), "New Semi Renky III" (¥85) and "New Semi Renky U" (¥98), with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 3, section 3A, 4A, 5A, 7A. </REF> In the March 1941 advertisement mentioned above for the Semi Renky,<REF> Advertisement published in {{SB}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. </REF> the New Semi Renky was offered in the same four versions:
* '''New Semi Renky I''': f/4.5 lens, T, B, 25&ndash;150 speeds ({{yen|58|1941}});
+
* '''New Semi Renky I''': f/4.5 lens, T, B, 25–150 speeds ({{yen|58|1941}});
* '''New Semi Renky II''': f/4.5 lens, T, B, 5&ndash;200 speeds ({{yen|68|1941}});
+
* '''New Semi Renky II''': f/4.5 lens, T, B, 5–200 speeds ({{yen|68|1941}});
* '''New Semi Renky III''': f/3.5 lens, T, B, 5&ndash;200 speeds ({{yen|85|1941}});
+
* '''New Semi Renky III''': f/3.5 lens, T, B, 5–200 speeds ({{yen|85|1941}});
* '''New Semi Renky U''': f/3.5 lens, T, B, 1&ndash;200 speeds ({{yen|95|1941}}).
+
* '''New Semi Renky U''': f/3.5 lens, T, B, 1–200 speeds ({{yen|95|1941}}).
The 25&ndash;150 shutter is certainly the same as mounted on the Semi Renky. The 5&ndash;200 shutter (shown in the advertising picture) seems to be everset, the 1&ndash;200 is surely not.
+
The 25–150 shutter is certainly the same as mounted on the Semi Renky. The 5–200 shutter (shown in the advertising picture) seems to be everset, the 1–200 is surely not.
  
In an advertisement published in the August 1941 issue of ''[[Gakusei no Kagaku]],''<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki11.jpg Advertisement] reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]. </REF> the first version was offered alone for the same price, with no mention of a model number, and the lens name was given as Tenobder Anastigmat.
+
In an advertisement published in the August 1941 issue of ''[[Gakusei no Kagaku]]'',<REF> [https://web.archive.org/web/20040609093252/http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki11.jpg Advertisement] reproduced at [https://web.archive.org/web/20100703164808/http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze (archived)]. </REF> the first version was offered alone for the same price, with no mention of a model number, and the lens name was given as Tenobder Anastigmat.
  
Versions called New Semi Renky UI and UII were mentioned in the official price list dated November 1941.<REF> {{Kakaku1141_short}}, type 3, sections 4B and 7B. </REF> The New Semi Renky was still listed in the government inquiry compiled in April 1943. Two versions are mentioned by the document, both with a Tenobder 75/4.5 lens. One has a "Semi Renky" shutter (25&ndash;150, T, B) and the other has a YSK shutter (5&ndash;200, T, B) made by [[Rengō]]. They correspond to the New Semi Renky I and II.
+
Versions called New Semi Renky UI and UII were mentioned in the official price list dated November 1941.<REF> {{Kakaku1141_short}}, type 3, sections 4B and 7B. </REF> The New Semi Renky was still listed in the government inquiry compiled in April 1943. Two versions are mentioned by the document, both with a Tenobder 75/4.5 lens. One has a "Semi Renky" shutter (25–150, T, B) and the other has a YSK shutter (5–200, T, B) made by [[Rengō]]. They correspond to the New Semi Renky I and II.
  
 
=== Variations ===
 
=== Variations ===
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|| right
 
|| right
 
|-
 
|-
|| New Semi Renky I<REF> Example pictured in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;819. </REF>
+
|| New Semi Renky I<REF> Example pictured in {{MK}}, p.819. </REF>
 
|| ''RengoKoki''
 
|| ''RengoKoki''
 
|| unknown
 
|| unknown
Line 97: Line 115:
 
||
 
||
 
|-
 
|-
|| New Semi Renky I<br>(August 1941 advert)<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki11.jpg Advertisement] published in ''[[Gakusei no Kagaku]],'' reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]. </REF>
+
|| New Semi Renky I<br>(August 1941 advert)<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Gakusei no Kagaku]]'', formerly reproduced at [https://web.archive.org/web/20100703164808/http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze (archived)]. </REF>
 
|| ''New Renky''
 
|| ''New Renky''
 
|| unknown
 
|| unknown
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|| ''R.K.S.''
 
|| ''R.K.S.''
 
|| ''RKS'' logo<br>(straight letters)
 
|| ''RKS'' logo<br>(straight letters)
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1518495212/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/1518495212_b1f2737242_t_d.jpg]<br>''{{with permission}}''
+
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47053652884/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47053652884_8b1ac53608_t.jpg]<br>''{{with permission}}''
 
|-
 
|-
|| New Semi Renky II or III<br>(March 1941 advert)<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Shashin Bunka]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;104. </REF>
+
|| New Semi Renky II or III<br>(March 1941 advert)<REF> Advertisement published in {{SB}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.104. </REF>
 
|| ''New Renky''
 
|| ''New Renky''
 
|| unknown
 
|| unknown
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
* {{Showa10}} Items 321&ndash;2.
+
* {{Showa10}} Items 321–2.
 
* {{Kakaku1141}} Type 3, sections 1, 4A, 7B.
 
* {{Kakaku1141}} Type 3, sections 1, 4A, 7B.
* {{Inquiry1943}} Items 73&ndash;4.
+
* {{Inquiry1943}} Items 73–4.
 
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 3, sections 1, 3A, 4A, 5A, 7A.
 
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 3, sections 1, 3A, 4A, 5A, 7A.
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;819.
+
* {{McKeown12}} P.819.
 +
* {{NSKT1000}} Advertisement on p.52, corresponding to p.18 of the December 15, 1939 issue.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 4064.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 4064.
  
Line 150: Line 169:
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
 
* [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm Semi Renky] at [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/ Japan Family Camera] (pictures only)
 
* [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm Semi Renky] at [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/ Japan Family Camera] (pictures only)
* [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki11.jpg Advertisement for the New Semi Renky] published in the August 1941 issue of ''[[Gakusei no Kagaku]],'' reproduced in the [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki-b.htm 120 film camera page] of the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]
 
  
 
In Chinese:
 
In Chinese:

Revision as of 06:30, 19 October 2020

Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Semi Ace | Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Semi Ako | Ami | Bakyna | Semi Chrome | Semi Clover | Collex | Semi Condor | Semi Dymos | Semi Elega | Semi First | Auto Semi First | Baby Semi First | Gaica | Semi Gelto | Semi Germa | Hansa Semi Rollette | Heil | Hokoku | Hope | Kadera | Kankyu | Kelly | Kiko Semi | Semi Kinka | Semi Konter | Semi Kreis | Semi Kulax | Semi Lead | Semi Leotax | Semi Lester | Loyal | Semi Lucky | Semi Lyra | Semi Makinet | Semi Metax | Semi Minolta (I) and II | Auto Semi Minolta | Semi Miss | Mizuho | Semi Mulber | Semi National | New Gold | Okaco | Oko Semi | Semi Olympus | Semi Olympus II | Semi Osamo | Semi Pearl | Primo | Semi Prince | Semi Proud | Semi Prux | Roavic | Semi Rody | Rondex | Semi Rosen | Semi Rotte | Seica | Seves | Semi Shiks | Sintax | Semi Sixteenth | Semi Solon | Semi Sport | Star Semi | Semi-Tex | Tsubasa Kiko Three | Tsubasa Nettar | Tsubasa Super Semi | Ugein | Vester-Lette | Victor | Waltax | Wester | Zeitax
collapsible
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stereo
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unknown
Semi Elka | Semi Keef | Napoleon
Postwar models ->
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo ->
Japanese 3×4, 4×4, 4×5, 4×6.5, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Semi Renky and New Semi Renky are Japanese 4.5×6 cameras made by Rengō Kōki and distributed by Fuku Bōeki from 1939 to about 1943.

The Semi Renky

Description

The Semi Renky (セミレンキー) is a blatant copy of the Semi Olympic. The body is made of some sort of plastic, called mikaton (ミカトン).[1] There is a metal telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly. The base of the tube is surrounded by a massive ring engraved RengoKoki at the top and Tokyo at the bottom. On the body's front left, there is a metal plate marked SEMI RENKY in capital letters (looking the same as the plate marked The Olympic Camera Works on the Olympic cameras).

A tubular optical finder is mounted in the middle of the top plate, with an accessory shoe on the right and an advance knob on the left — as seen by the photographers. There are two uncovered red windows at the bottom of the back to control the film advance. The back opens to the right, together with the back halves of the top and bottom plates. It is retained by a sliding bar on the right, with an arrow pointing towards the top.

The shutter is everset and has T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds. The lens is a 75mm f/4.5 and the aperture scale is at the bottom of the shutter plate.

Advertisements and other documents

The Semi Renky was advertised in the November 1939 issue of Asahi Camera,[2] costing ¥45 with a Renko 75/4.5 lens. Another advertisement dated December 1939 shows the same features and a similar picture.[3] The list of set prices compiled in late 1940 and published in January 1941 mentions the Semi Renky for ¥43.[4]

The Semi Renky was advertised together with the New Semi Renky in the March 1941 issue of Shashin Bunka,[5] at the lower price of ¥43. The advertisement still gives Renko as the lens name and it says that the shutter was made by RKS (maybe for Rengō Kōki Seisakusho). The Semi Renky was still in the official price list dated November 1941.[6]

Variations

The surviving examples have variations in the shutter plate markings and in the lens name. These are summarized in the following table:

The New Semi Renky

Description

The New Semi Renky (ニューセミレンキー) has a new metal body,[10] very similar in shape to the previous model. The top and bottom plates are chrome plated and the rest is leather covered. The top plate has the same features as the previous model; the name New Semi Renky is engraved behind the accessory shoe and a RENGO KOKI logo is inscribed at the left of the viewfinder together with the serial number. A red arrow is engraved near the advance knob to indicate the film advance direction.

The back is removed together with the bottom plate for film loading, and there is a tripod screw surrounded by a locking key in the middle of the bottom. There are two red windows near the bottom of the back, protected by an internal common cover actuated by a vertically sliding lever.

The lens name is surely Tenobder Anastigmat on all the models. The Tenobder 75/4.5 lens has three elements and was made by Suzuki; it was certainly also the case of the f/3.5 lens.[11] (They were probably identical to the Well lenses mounted on the Well Standard and Well Super.)

Advertisements

The late 1940 official price list cited above mentions the "New Semi Renky I" (¥62), "New Semi Renky II" (¥74), "New Semi Renky III" (¥85) and "New Semi Renky U" (¥98), with no further detail.[12] In the March 1941 advertisement mentioned above for the Semi Renky,[13] the New Semi Renky was offered in the same four versions:

  • New Semi Renky I: f/4.5 lens, T, B, 25–150 speeds (¥58);
  • New Semi Renky II: f/4.5 lens, T, B, 5–200 speeds (¥68);
  • New Semi Renky III: f/3.5 lens, T, B, 5–200 speeds (¥85);
  • New Semi Renky U: f/3.5 lens, T, B, 1–200 speeds (¥95).

The 25–150 shutter is certainly the same as mounted on the Semi Renky. The 5–200 shutter (shown in the advertising picture) seems to be everset, the 1–200 is surely not.

In an advertisement published in the August 1941 issue of Gakusei no Kagaku,[14] the first version was offered alone for the same price, with no mention of a model number, and the lens name was given as Tenobder Anastigmat.

Versions called New Semi Renky UI and UII were mentioned in the official price list dated November 1941.[15] The New Semi Renky was still listed in the government inquiry compiled in April 1943. Two versions are mentioned by the document, both with a Tenobder 75/4.5 lens. One has a "Semi Renky" shutter (25–150, T, B) and the other has a YSK shutter (5–200, T, B) made by Rengō. They correspond to the New Semi Renky I and II.

Variations

Different marking styles have been observed on the base of the telescopic tube and on the shutter plate. No two identical examples have been observed so far. These variations are summarized in the following table:

Notes

  1. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.343, item 321.
  2. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.104.
  3. Advertisement on p.18 of Nihon Shashin Kōgyō Tsūshin, December 15, 1939, reproduced on p.52 of Hyaku-gō goto jūkai no kiroku.
  4. "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 3, section 1.
  5. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.104.
  6. "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 3, section 1.
  7. Example pictured in this page at Japan Family Camera, and examples observed in online auctions.
  8. Example pictured in this page, example pictured in Sugiyama, item 4064, and examples pictured in the advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.104.
  9. Example observed in an online auction.
  10. The "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras") says that the camera has a bakelite body but the pictures observed show a metal body.
  11. "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens item Lc18.
  12. "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 3, section 3A, 4A, 5A, 7A.
  13. Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.104.
  14. Advertisement reproduced at Gochamaze (archived).
  15. "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 3, sections 4B and 7B.
  16. Example pictured in McKeown, p.819.
  17. Advertisement published in Gakusei no Kagaku, formerly reproduced at Gochamaze (archived).
  18. Example pictured in a post of a Chinese forum.
  19. Example pictured in this page.
  20. Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.104.
  21. Example observed in an online auction.

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 321–2.
  • "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 1, 4A, 7B.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Items 73–4.
  • "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 1, 3A, 4A, 5A, 7A.
  • 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.819.
  • 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.52, corresponding to p.18 of the December 15, 1939 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. Item 4064.

Links

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