Difference between revisions of "Semi Renky"
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{{Japanese Semi prewar}} | {{Japanese Semi prewar}} | ||
− | The '''Semi Renky''' | + | The '''Semi Renky''' and '''New Semi Renky''' are Japanese 4.5×6 cameras made by [[Rengo Koki]] between 1939 and 1941<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p. 343. </REF>. |
== The Semi Renky == | == The Semi Renky == | ||
+ | The '''Semi Renky''' has a body made of some sort of plastic. 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. | ||
− | + | 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 (it looks similar to the plate marked ''The Olympic Camera Works'' on the [[Olympic]] models). | |
− | + | 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 | + | The Semi Renky was advertised in the November 1939 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]],''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 104. </REF> and cost {{yen|45|1939}} with a Renko 75/4.5 lens. 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. 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). |
− | + | In the advertising pictures and in two actual examples observed, the shutter plate has the name ''Semi Renky'' directly inscribed at the top, an ''R.K.S.'' marking at the bottom, a round logo probably reading ''RKS'' on the right on decorative strips on both sides. One of these examples has the Renko Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens and the other has a Tenobder Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5.<REF> Renko lens: example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 4064. Tenobder lens: example observed in an online auction. </REF> | |
− | + | A third example of the Semi Renky has been observed with a different shutter plate: the name ''Semi Renky'' is inscribed on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed at the top and there are decorative strips on both sides but no other marking.<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm this page at Japan Family Camera]. </REF> | |
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== 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. | ||
Line 41: | Line 39: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* {{Showa10}} Items 321–2. | * {{Showa10}} Items 321–2. | ||
+ | * {{Inquiry1943}} Items 73–4. | ||
+ | * {{Kakaku1940}} | ||
* {{McKeown12}} P. 819. | * {{McKeown12}} P. 819. | ||
+ | * {{Zukan}} Item 4064. | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
In Japanese: | In Japanese: | ||
− | * [http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~RD2H-ARI/OTH_SEMIRENKY.htm Semi Renky | + | * [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] | * [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] | ||
Revision as of 22:04, 5 May 2007
The Semi Renky and New Semi Renky are Japanese 4.5×6 cameras made by Rengo Koki between 1939 and 1941[1].
The Semi Renky
The Semi Renky has a body made of some sort of plastic. 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.
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 (it looks similar to the plate marked The Olympic Camera Works on the Olympic models).
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 was advertised in the November 1939 issue of Asahi Camera,[2] and cost ¥45 with a Renko 75/4.5 lens. The Semi Renky was advertised together with the New Semi Renky in the March 1941 issue of Shashin Bunka,[3] 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).
In the advertising pictures and in two actual examples observed, the shutter plate has the name Semi Renky directly inscribed at the top, an R.K.S. marking at the bottom, a round logo probably reading RKS on the right on decorative strips on both sides. One of these examples has the Renko Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens and the other has a Tenobder Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5.[4]
A third example of the Semi Renky has been observed with a different shutter plate: the name Semi Renky is inscribed on a small crescent-shaped plate screwed at the top and there are decorative strips on both sides but no other marking.[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
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 343.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 104.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 104.
- ↑ Renko lens: example pictured in Sugiyama, item 4064. Tenobder lens: example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page at Japan Family Camera.
- ↑ On the Semi Renky I pictured in McKeown, p. 819.
- ↑ On the New Semi Renky pictured in the August 1941 advertisement cited above.
- ↑ On the New Semi Renky II or III pictured in the March 1941 advertisement cited above.
- ↑ On a New Semi Renky I seen for sale at a dealer.
- ↑ On what is presumably a New Semi Renky U, seen in a Yahoo Japan 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.
- "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.
- Template:Kakaku1940
- 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.
- 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
In Japanese:
- Semi Renky at Japan Family Camera (pictures only)
- Advertisement for the New Semi Renky published in the August 1941 issue of Gakusei no Kagaku, reproduced in the 120 film camera page of the Gochamaze website