View source for Semi Rocket and Doris

{{Japanese Semi postwar
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/8608162015/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm6.staticflickr.com/8386/8608162015_8cc7258f7e.jpg]<br/>Doris IA<br/><small>Picture by {{image author|Dirk HR Spennemann}}.</small> {{with permission}}}}
The '''Semi Rocket''' (セミロケット) and '''Doris''' (ドリス) are [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders|Japanese 4.5×6 folding cameras]] made between 1952 and 1955 by [[Condor Camera|Tōkyō Seiki]], later Doris Camera.<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p.356. </REF> This company was the successor of the prewar Motodori and Nissan Kōgaku, presumably founded by a Mr Motodori (本鳥). It is said that this is the source of the camera's name: "Dori's camera", thus "Doris".<REF> Niimi, p.92. </REF>

== General description ==
The Semi Rocket and Doris are vertical folders. The viewfinder is contained in a top housing. The film advance knob and body release are on the left — as seen by a photographer holding the camera horizontally. The accessory shoe and folding bed release are on the right, above the viewfinder.

The back is hinged to the left and locked by a sliding bar on the right. There is a single red window at the top of the back, protected by a horizontally sliding cover.

== The Semi Rocket ==
The '''Semi Rocket''' (セミロケット) has an uncoupled rangefinder, controlled by a wheel falling under the user's right thumb. It has plain folding struts, different from those of the Doris. The viewfinder window is surrounded by a metal frame screwed to the top housing, and there is a round second-image window. The name ''Semi Rocket'' is embossed in the front leather, and the word ''Rocket'' is engraved above the viewfinder, together with a serial number.<ref>
Serial numbers:<br>
s/n 1423 Perfa Anastigmat s/n 1466 in no-name shutter B, 10-200 formerly shown by ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/19109613@N08/ Flickr member jacobs_a])<br>
s/n 1617 Perfa Anastigmat s/n 1645 in [[NKS]] shutter B, 10-200 (eBay Mach 2013)
</ref>

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| Announcement of the Semi Rocket in {{ACA}} February 1951, and erratum in {{ACA}} March 1951.<br/><small>Scan by {{image author|rebollo_fr}}</small> {{public domain Japan new}}
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| Column on the Semi Rocket in the December 1951 supplement to {{FAR}}.<br/><small>Scan by {{image author|rebollo_fr}}</small> {{public domain Japan new}}
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The camera was announced in the February 1951 issue of {{ACA}}, reproduced above.<REF> Column in {{ACA}} February 1951, p.104. </REF> The documents gives wrong lens and shutter data,<REF> Zuiko f/3.5 lens and a "Compur" shutter by Nihon Shōkai. </REF> which were fixed in an erratum placed the following month, mentioning a Perfa f/3.5 lens and a Convex-Rapid shutter, both by Tōkyō Seiki.<REF> Erratum in {{ACA}} March 1951, p.104. </REF> The camera was also featured in a December 1951 supplement to {{FAR}}, reproduced on the right, with similar specifications.<REF> Column in the December 1951 supplement to {{FAR}}, p.44. </REF> The pictured camera has a round window for the rangefinder setting, apparently with no depth-of-field indications. The price is given as about ¥10,000.

The examples of the Semi Rocket known so far have a Perfa-Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens in a no-name shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer), synchronized via a dual pin at the bottom; or in an [[NKS]] shutter (also B, 10-200). The window for the rangefinder setting is crescent-shaped, with depth-of-field indications.

== The Doris ==
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|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/30634008@N08/7619123770/in/pool-camerawiki/
|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7619123770_e4b0e432e6_n.jpg
|image_align= 
|image_text= Doris P, with f/3.5 Perfa Anastigmat and Convex<br/>shutter with speeds 1/10 - 1/200, plus 'B'
|image_by= bokuwanihongasuki
|image_rights= with permission
}}
</div>
The Doris has three-part folding struts, inspired by the [[Ikonta]]. The front leather and the folding struts are marked ''DORIS'' in curved letters.

=== Original model ===
The '''original model''' has a depth-of-field dial on the right end of the top plate. The front of the top housing has two black lines mimicking the ones that appear on the [[Pearl (I), II and III|Pearl]], except that they are on the other side of the finder. The viewfinder window is surrounded by a metal frame, as on the Semi Rocket. The name ''DORIS'' is engraved above the viewfinder in the same curved font as on the front leather and folding struts. The serial number is also engraved above the top housing.

The Doris was advertised in Japanese magazines from July to October 1952.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.356. </REF> In the July advertisement in {{ACA}}, it is offered as a new product; the lens is a coated Perfa Anastigmat 75/3.5 and the shutter is a [[NKS]] giving B, 1–200 speeds, with a self-timer and an ASA bayonet synch post.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.153. </REF>

The original model with depth-of-field indicator was soon replaced by the Doris-P. A few examples have been observed, and serial numbers are known in the 13xx and 14xx range.<REF> Examples observed in online auctions. </REF>

=== Doris-P ===
The '''Doris-P'''<REF> This model is called "Semi Doris P" in {{SUG}}, item 1293, and "Doris Semi P" in {{MK}}, p.928, but the official name was Doris-P (actually "Doris-P型") or Doris Camera P (ドリスカメラP型). </REF> is a cheaper model. Its appearance is similar except that the depth-of-field dial is replaced by a smaller decorative flange.  

The Doris-P was advertised in Japan from November 1952 to January 1954.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.356. Lewis, p.86, mistakenly says that the "Semi Doris P" appeared in 1954. </REF> In the November advertisement in {{ACA}}, placed by [[Condor Camera|Tōkyō Seiki]], it is offered as a new product for {{yen|7,000|1952}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.153. </REF> The shutter is still an [[NKS]] but it gives B, 10–200 speeds. Other features are unchanged.

The Doris-P is listed along with the Doris II in the leaflet reproduced below, which also contains an instruction manual for the camera. (In the document, two pictures taken from the back still show an original Doris with depth-of-field dial.)


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| colspan="2" | Leaflet for the Doris by [[Condor Camera|Tōkyō Seiki]], c.1952–4.<br/><small>Scan by {{image author|rebollo_fr}}.</small> {{public domain Japan new}}
|}

The Doris-P is by far the most common variant of the 4.5×6 Doris cameras, with serial numbers known in the 12xx to 101xx range.<ref>
The serial numbers of the bodies and lenses are not in synch. Based on the lens serial numbers, is possible that they restarted the body serial numbers when they had reached 10,000 (sorted by LENS s/n):<br>
s/n 4828 Perfa Anastigmat s/n 7791 in Convex shutter B, 10-200 ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkinok/4179780527 Flickr])<br>
s/n xxxx Perfa Anastigmat s/n 9998 in NKS shutter B, 10–200,  ([http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~hanako-garakuta/image/2007_1013f4010012.jpg Ojiichan no kamera-kan])<br>
s/n 7334 Perfa Anastigmat s/n 10417 in Convex shutter B, 10-200 [http://minorhouse.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2007/09/post_e766.html Minorhouse])<br>
s/n 7953 Perfa Anastigmat s/n 10856 in Convex shutter B, 10-200 ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/30634008@N08/7619123770 Flickr])<br>
s/n 9737 Perfa Anastigmat s/n 12802 in Convex shutter B, 10-200 (eBay April 2013)<br>
s/n 1261 Perfa Anastigmat s/n 14126 in Convex shutter B, 10-200 ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/8609201916 Flickr])<br>
</ref>
It has been observed with various shutter types, all of them having a self-timer:<REF> One additional camera has been observed with an [[Nishida shutters|NKK Wester]] (B, 1–200) shutter and a C. Reginon Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 lens, but this equipment was certainly not original and was certainly taken from a [[Semi Leotax]]. </REF>
* [[NKS]], B, 10–200, ASA synch;<REF> Examples pictured in {{SUG}}, item 1293, and observed in online auctions. </REF>
* [[Convex]], B, 10–200, ASA or PC synch;<REF> Examples pictured in {{MK}}, p.928, in [http://minorhouse.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2007/09/post_e766.html this page at Minorhouse], and observed in online auctions. </REF>
* [[MSK]], B, 1–200, ASA synch;<REF> Examples pictured in a website which is now dead and observed in an online auction. </REF>
* FKS, B, 1–200, PC synch.<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>
Some of the [[Convex]] shutters have ''OKK'' markings and an ''OKK'' logo on the front plate, others have an ''OK'' logo on the aperture scale, and others have no logo at all. The MSK shutters have a similar ''OK'' or ''OKK'' logo on the aperture scale next to the synch post; they are perhaps different from other [[MSK]] shutters found on distinct Japanese cameras.


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{{Flickr_image_caption
 |image_text= Doris P with Perfa Anastigmat f/3.5 75mm in Convex Shutter
 |image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
 |image_rights= with permission
}} 
|}

=== Doris II ===
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| Doris II.<br/><small>Scan by {{image author|rebollo_fr}}.</small> {{public domain Japan new}}
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The '''Doris II''' (ドリスII型) is an evolution of the original Doris, with an additional release button on the back of the top cover, falling under the right hand thumb. This version is only known from the leaflet reproduced above, where it is listed with a Perfa f/3.5 lens and [[NKS]] shutter (B, 1–200).<REF> Lewis, p.86, also mentions a "Semi Doris II" dated 1954, but gives no further detail. </REF> No actual example has been observed yet, and it was perhaps not commercially sold. (The [[Doris Six|Doris III and IIIA]] are 6×6 cameras, evolutions of the [[Doris Six]].)

=== Doris IA ===
The '''Doris IA''' (ドリスIA型) is an evolution of the Doris-P. There is no metal frame surrounding the viewfinder window, the small decorative flange on the right is replaced by a larger one and the advance knob is replaced by a newer one, with a striated rim and a red arrow engraved on the top. The ''DORIS'' engraving above the top housing has a more squarish lettering while the other ''DORIS'' markings are unchanged. The lens is a front-cell focusing Doris C. 75mm f/3.5 and the shutter is a Helio giving B, 10–200 speeds, equipped with a self-timer and synchronized via a PC post.<ref>
Serial numbers:<br>
s/n 2197 Doris C s/n 1684) in Helio Shutter ([http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/8608162015 Flickr])
</ref>

The Doris IA was featured as a new product in the August 1955 issue of ''[[Sankei Camera]]''.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 356. </REF> It was also advertised together with the [[Dorisflex|Dorisflex A]] in the October 1955 issue of {{ACA}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.153. </REF> The advertisement was placed by [[Condor Camera|Doris Camera]]. It mentions a price of {{yen|6,000|1955}}, but it is not fully clear if this applied to the Doris IA, the Dorisflex A or both cameras. The picture shows a camera with two black lines on one side of the viewfinder only, whereas an actual example has been observed with pairs of black lines on both sides of the viewfinder window.<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF>

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{{Flickr_image_caption
 |image_text= Doris IA with with Doris C f/3.5 75mm  in Helio Shutter
 |image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
 |image_rights= with permission
}} 
|}

== Notes ==
<references />

== Bibliography ==
=== Original documents ===
* {{ACA}} February 1951. "Shinseihin memo" (新製品メモ, New products memo). P.104.
* {{ACA}} March 1951. "Shinseihin memo" (新製品メモ, New products memo). P.104.
* ''[[Photo Art]] 12-gatsu-gō furoku Saishin Kokusan Shashinki Sō-katarogu'' (フォトアート12月號附録最新国産写真機総カタログ, General catalogue of the latest Japanese cameras, supplement to the December issue). December 1951. P.44.
* [[Condor Camera|Tōkyō Seiki]]. ''Dorisu kamera'' (Doris camera). Leaflet and instruction manual published c.1952–4, reproduced in [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157626588045949/ this Flickr set] by Rebollo_fr.

=== Recent sources ===
* {{Showa10}} Items 634–6 and 1051.
* {{Lewis}} P.86 (brief mention only).
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.927–8.
* Niimi Kahee (新見嘉兵衛). ''Kamera-mei no gogen sanpo'' (カメラ名の語源散歩, Strolls in the etymology of camera names). 2nd ed. Tokyo: Shashin Kōgyō Shuppansha, 2002. <nowiki>ISBN</nowiki> 4-87956-060-X.
* {{Zukan}} Item 1293.

== Links ==
In Japanese:
* Doris-P (NKS) [http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~hanako-garakuta/image/takara0003.jpg here] and [http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~hanako-garakuta/image/2007_1013f4010012.jpg here] at [http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~hanako-garakuta/camera.htm Ojiichan no kamera-kan]
* [http://minorhouse.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2007/09/post_e766.html Doris-P] (Convex) at [http://minorhouse.cocolog-nifty.com/ Minorhouse]

[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
[[Category: D|Doris]]
[[Category:S]]