Difference between revisions of "Semi Renky"

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{{Japanese Semi}}
 
{{Japanese Semi}}
The '''Semi Renky''' is a Japanese 4.5×6 camera that was made by [[Rengo Koki]] between 1939 and 1941. It looks like the [[Olympic]]. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a telescopic tube.
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The '''Semi Renky''' is a Japanese 4.5&times;6 camera that was made by [[Rengo Koki]] between 1939 and 1941<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;343. </REF>. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a telescopic tube, and the overall aspect is similar to some [[Olympic]] models.
  
 
== The Semi Renky ==
 
== The Semi Renky ==
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The '''original model''' of the Semi Renky has a body made of some sort of plastic. A tubular optical finder is mounted on the center of the top plate, with an accessory shoe on the right and the advance knob on the left. There are two red windows at the bottom of the back to control film advance. The back opens to the right, together with the back halves of the top and bottom plates.
 
The '''original model''' of the Semi Renky has a body made of some sort of plastic. A tubular optical finder is mounted on the center of the top plate, with an accessory shoe on the right and the advance knob on the left. There are two red windows at the bottom of the back to control film advance. The back opens to the right, together with the back halves of the top and bottom plates.
  
At the base of the telescopic tube there is a massive metal ring engraved ''RengoKoki'' on the top and ''Tokyo'' at the bottom. On the body's front left, there is a metal plate marked ''SEMI RENKY'' in capital letters (this plate looks similar to the one marked ''The Olympic Camera Works'' on the Olympic cameras).
+
At the base of the telescopic tube there is a massive metal ring engraved ''RengoKoki'' on the top and ''Tokyo'' at the bottom. On the body's front left, there is a metal plate marked ''SEMI RENKY'' in capital letters (this plate looks similar to the one marked ''The Olympic Camera Works'' on the [[Olympic]] cameras).
  
The shutter is everset, made by RKS (maybe for <u>R</u>engō <u>K</u>ōki <u>S</u>eisakusho) and has T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds. The lens is a 75/4.5, maybe called Renko<REF> Inferred from the ''katakana'' レンコー. </REF> in the advertisements, but called Tenobder Anastigmat on one observed example. The aperture scale is at the bottom of the shutter plate. Two different shutter plate markings have been observed:
+
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 Semi Renky is advertised in the November 1939 issue of ''Asahi Camera''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;104. </REF>, costing {{yen|45|1939}}. The lens is called Renko<REF> Inferred from the ''katakana'' レンコー. </REF>, but the lens name that has been observed on an actual example is Tenobder. The Semi Renky is also advertised in the March 1941 issue of ''Shashin Bunka'', together with the New Semi Renky. The price has been lowered to {{yen|43|1941}}, the lens is still called Renko and the advertisement mentions that the shutter is made by RKS (maybe for <u>R</u>engō <u>K</u>ōki <u>S</u>eisakusho).
 +
 
 +
Two different shutter plate markings have been observed:
 
* ''Semi Renky'' engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed at the top, decorative lines and nothing else;<REF> On an example presented in [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm this page at Japan Family Camera]. </REF>
 
* ''Semi Renky'' engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed at the top, decorative lines and nothing else;<REF> On an example presented in [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm this page at Japan Family Camera]. </REF>
 
* ''Semi Renky'' directly engraved at the top, decorative lines, ''R.K.S.'' at the bottom, round logo probably reading ''RKS'' at the right.<REF> In the advertisements and on an example observed in an eBay auction. </REF>
 
* ''Semi Renky'' directly engraved at the top, decorative lines, ''R.K.S.'' at the bottom, round logo probably reading ''RKS'' at the right.<REF> In the advertisements and on an example observed in an eBay auction. </REF>
 
This model is offered from 1939<REF> {{Showa10ad|Semi Renky|321|November 1939|Asahi Camera}} </REF> (for {{yen|45|1939}}) to 1941<REF> {{Showa10ad|Semi Renky and New Semi Renky|322|March 1941|Shashin Bunka}} </REF> (for {{yen|43|1941}}).
 
  
 
== The New Semi Renky ==
 
== The New Semi Renky ==
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The '''New Semi Renky''' has a new metal body, very similar in shape to the previous model. The top and bottom plates are chromed and the rest is leather covered. The top plate has the same features as the previous model, with a ''New Semi Renky'' engraving behind the accessory shoe and maybe a ''RENGO'' logo with the serial number at the left of the viewfinder. There is also a red arrow engraved near the advance knob to indicate the film advance direction.
 
The '''New Semi Renky''' has a new metal body, very similar in shape to the previous model. The top and bottom plates are chromed and the rest is leather covered. The top plate has the same features as the previous model, with a ''New Semi Renky'' engraving behind the accessory shoe and maybe a ''RENGO'' logo with the serial number at the left of the viewfinder. There is also a red arrow engraved near the advance knob to indicate the film advance direction.
  
It is advertised in 1941<REF> March 1941 advertisement cited above. </REF> only, in four variants:
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In the March 1941 advertisement mentioned above for the Semi Renky, four variants of the New Semi Renky are listed:
* '''New Semi Renky I''' with f:4.5 lens and T, B, 25&ndash;150 shutter, for {{yen|58|1941}};
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* '''New Semi Renky I''': f:4.5 lens, T, B, 25&ndash;150 shutter ({{yen|58|1941}});
* '''New Semi Renky II''' with f:4.5 lens and T, B, 5&ndash;200 shutter, for {{yen|68|1941}};
+
* '''New Semi Renky II''': f:4.5 lens, T, B, 5&ndash;200 shutter ({{yen|68|1941}});
* '''New Semi Renky III''' with f:3.5 lens and T, B, 5&ndash;200 shutter, for {{yen|85|1941}};
+
* '''New Semi Renky III''': f:3.5 lens, T, B, 5&ndash;200 shutter ({{yen|85|1941}});
* '''New Semi Renky U''' with f:3.5 lens and T, B, 1&ndash;200 shutter, for {{yen|95|1941}}.
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* '''New Semi Renky U''': f:3.5 lens, T, B, 1&ndash;200 shutter ({{yen|95|1941}}).
 +
The lens name is probably Tenobder Anastigmat, a name observed on an f:4.5 example. The two cheaper shutters seem to be everset, but surely not the most expensive one. A round logo beginning with "R" (maybe RKS) has been observed on a T, B, 25&ndash;150 shutter.
  
An f:4.5 lens has been observed with the name Tenobder Anastigmat. The two cheaper shutters seem to be everset, but surely not the most expensive one. A round logo beginning with "R" (maybe RKS) has been observed on a T, B, 25&ndash;150 shutter.
+
An advertisement published in the August 1941 issue of ''Gakusei no Kagaku'' only lists the first variant, simply calling it New Semi Renky, and mentions the Tenobder Anastigmat lens.
  
Different marking styles have been observed on the base of the telescopic tube and the shutter plate:
+
Different marking styles have been observed on the base of the telescopic tube and on the shutter plate:
* ''RengoKoki'' on top of the metal ring (like the previous model), bottom not observed but maybe marked ''Tokyo''; ''New Renky'' engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed on the shutter plate;<REF> On the Semi Renky I pictured in {{McKeown}}. </REF>
+
* ''RengoKoki'' on top of the metal ring (like the previous model), bottom not observed but maybe marked ''Tokyo''; ''New Renky'' engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed on the shutter plate;<REF> On the Semi Renky I pictured in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;819. </REF>
* ''New Renky'' on top of the metal ring, bottom not observed; ''Semi Renky'' engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed on the shutter plate;<REF> On the Semi Renky II or III pictured in the March 1941 advertisement cited above. </REF>
+
* ''New Renky'' on top of the metal ring, bottom not observed; ''New Renky'' engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed on the shutter plate;<REF> On the New Semi Renky pictured in the August 1941 advertisement cited above. </REF>
* ''New Semi Renky'' on top of the metal ring, another marking beginnning with ''Rengo Koki'' on the bottom; ''Semi Renky'' directly engraved at the top of the shutter plate, a round logo on the right, presumably ''RKS'', bottom not observed but presumably engraved ''R.K.S.'';<REF> On a Semi Renky I seen for sale at a dealer. </REF>
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* ''New Renky'' on top of the metal ring, bottom not observed; ''Semi Renky'' engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed on the shutter plate;<REF> On the New Semi Renky II or III pictured in the March 1941 advertisement cited above. </REF>
* same as above but with no marking on the shutter plate, presumably on a Model U.<REF> On what is presumably a Semi Renky U, seen in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF>.
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* ''New Semi Renky'' on top of the metal ring, another marking beginnning with ''Rengo Koki'' on the bottom; ''Semi Renky'' directly engraved at the top of the shutter plate, a round logo on the right, presumably ''RKS'', bottom not observed but presumably engraved ''R.K.S.'';<REF> On a New Semi Renky I seen for sale at a dealer. </REF>
 +
* same as above but with no marking on the shutter plate, presumably on a Model U.<REF> On what is presumably a New Semi Renky U, seen in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF>.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
 
* [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm Semi Renky (original model)] at [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/ Japan Family Camera], with [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTHERS_LIST.htm another page] that gives the name of the maker in Japanese
 
* [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm Semi Renky (original model)] at [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/ Japan Family Camera], with [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTHERS_LIST.htm another page] that gives the name of the maker in Japanese
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* [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]
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder]]

Revision as of 21:40, 26 September 2006

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
Semi Kinsi | Lord | Lyrax | Nippon | New Olympic | Semi Olympic | Semi Renky | Auto Victor | Well Super
stereo
Sun Stereo
unknown
Semi Elka | Semi Keef | Napoleon
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Apollo | Semi Blond | Semi Crystar | Daido Semi | Doris | Semi Frank | Semi Gelto | Semi Golder | Karoron | Karoron RF | Kely | Kiko Semi | Korin | Kuri | BB Kuri | Lark | Semi Leotax | Semi Leotax DL / R | Lo Ruby | Semi Lord | Luck | Semi Lyra | Semi Masmy | Middl 120 | Semi Mihama | Mikado | Million Proud | Semi Minolta III | Semi Minolta P | Semi Oscon | Semi Pearl | Pearl I–III | Pearl IV | Petri | Petri RF | Petri Super | Pioneer | Semi Proud | Semi Rocket | Rocky Semi | Rosen | Ruby | Shinkoh Rabbit | Semi Sport | Tsubasa Semi | Union Semi | Union Model U | Walcon Semi | Waltax | Semi Wester | Zenobia
rigid or collapsible
Semi Dak | Semi Hobix | Super Semi Plum | Rocket Camera | Tomy
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo models ->
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Semi Renky is a Japanese 4.5×6 camera that was made by Rengo Koki between 1939 and 1941[1]. The lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a telescopic tube, and the overall aspect is similar to some Olympic models.

The Semi Renky

The original model of the Semi Renky has a body made of some sort of plastic. A tubular optical finder is mounted on the center of the top plate, with an accessory shoe on the right and the advance knob on the left. There are two red windows at the bottom of the back to control film advance. The back opens to the right, together with the back halves of the top and bottom plates.

At the base of the telescopic tube there is a massive metal ring engraved RengoKoki on the top and Tokyo at the bottom. On the body's front left, there is a metal plate marked SEMI RENKY in capital letters (this plate looks similar to the one marked The Olympic Camera Works on the Olympic cameras).

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 Semi Renky is advertised in the November 1939 issue of Asahi Camera[2], costing ¥45. The lens is called Renko[3], but the lens name that has been observed on an actual example is Tenobder. The Semi Renky is also advertised in the March 1941 issue of Shashin Bunka, together with the New Semi Renky. The price has been lowered to ¥43, the lens is still called Renko and the advertisement mentions that the shutter is made by RKS (maybe for Rengō Kōki Seisakusho).

Two different shutter plate markings have been observed:

  • Semi Renky engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed at the top, decorative lines and nothing else;[4]
  • Semi Renky directly engraved at the top, decorative lines, R.K.S. at the bottom, round logo probably reading RKS at the right.[5]

The New Semi Renky

The New Semi Renky has a new metal body, very similar in shape to the previous model. The top and bottom plates are chromed and the rest is leather covered. The top plate has the same features as the previous model, with a New Semi Renky engraving behind the accessory shoe and maybe a RENGO logo with the serial number at the left of the viewfinder. There is also a red arrow engraved near the advance knob to indicate the film advance direction.

In the March 1941 advertisement mentioned above for the Semi Renky, four variants of the New Semi Renky are listed:

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

The lens name is probably Tenobder Anastigmat, a name observed on an f:4.5 example. The two cheaper shutters seem to be everset, but surely not the most expensive one. A round logo beginning with "R" (maybe RKS) has been observed on a T, B, 25–150 shutter.

An advertisement published in the August 1941 issue of Gakusei no Kagaku only lists the first variant, simply calling it New Semi Renky, and mentions the Tenobder Anastigmat lens.

Different marking styles have been observed on the base of the telescopic tube and on the shutter plate:

  • RengoKoki on top of the metal ring (like the previous model), bottom not observed but maybe marked Tokyo; New Renky engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed on the shutter plate;[6]
  • New Renky on top of the metal ring, bottom not observed; New Renky engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed on the shutter plate;[7]
  • New Renky on top of the metal ring, bottom not observed; Semi Renky engraved on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed on the shutter plate;[8]
  • New Semi Renky on top of the metal ring, another marking beginnning with Rengo Koki on the bottom; Semi Renky directly engraved at the top of the shutter plate, a round logo on the right, presumably RKS, bottom not observed but presumably engraved R.K.S.;[9]
  • same as above but with no marking on the shutter plate, presumably on a Model U.[10].

Notes

  1. Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 343.
  2. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 104.
  3. Inferred from the katakana レンコー.
  4. On an example presented in this page at Japan Family Camera.
  5. In the advertisements and on an example observed in an eBay auction.
  6. On the Semi Renky I pictured in McKeown, p. 819.
  7. On the New Semi Renky pictured in the August 1941 advertisement cited above.
  8. On the New Semi Renky II or III pictured in the March 1941 advertisement cited above.
  9. On a New Semi Renky I seen for sale at a dealer.
  10. On what is presumably a New Semi Renky U, seen in a Yahoo Japan auction.

Printed bibliography

Links

In Japanese: