Difference between revisions of "Semi Rocket and Doris"

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(about the Doris IA)
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The '''original model''' has a depth-of-field dial on the right end of the top plate, and the viewfinder window is surrounded by a metal frame screwed to the top housing. The front of the top housing has two black lines mimicking the ones that appear on the [[Pearl (4.5×6 folders)|Pearl II]], except that they are on the other side of the finder. The name ''DORIS'' is engraved above the viewfinder in the same curved font as the front leather and folding struts. The serial number is also engraved above the top housing.
 
The '''original model''' has a depth-of-field dial on the right end of the top plate, and the viewfinder window is surrounded by a metal frame screwed to the top housing. The front of the top housing has two black lines mimicking the ones that appear on the [[Pearl (4.5×6 folders)|Pearl II]], except that they are on the other side of the finder. The name ''DORIS'' is engraved above the viewfinder in the same curved font as the front leather and folding struts. The serial number is also engraved above the top housing.
  
The Doris is equipped with a Perfa Anastigmat 75/3.5 coated lens and a [[NKS]] shutter, giving B, 1&ndash;200 speeds, equipped with a self-timer and synchronized via an ASA bayonet post. It was offered as a new product in an advertisement dated July 1952.<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;153. </REF>
+
The Doris is equipped with a Perfa Anastigmat 75/3.5 coated lens and a [[NKS]] shutter, giving B, 1&ndash;200 speeds, equipped with a self-timer and synchronized via an ASA bayonet post. It was offered as a new product in an advertisement dated July 1952,<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;153. </REF> and was replaced by the Doris-P at the end of 1952.
  
 
== The Doris-P ==
 
== The Doris-P ==
The '''Doris-P''' is a cheaper model. Its appearance is similar except that the depth-of-field dial is replaced by a smaller decorative knob. The shutter has B, 10&ndash;200 speeds and is sometimes an [[NKS]] and sometimes a similar looking one engraved ''CONVEX'' in the speed rim.<REF> NKS shutter: advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;153, and example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. Convex shutter: example pictured in McKeown, p.&nbsp;928. </REF> Other features are unchanged. In an advertisement dated November 1952.<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;153. </REF>, the Doris-P was offered as a new product for {{yen|7,000|1952}}.
+
The '''Doris-P'''<REF> This model is called "Doris Semi P" in McKeown, p.&nbsp;928, but the official name was "Doris-P型". </REF> is a cheaper model. Its appearance is similar except that the depth-of-field dial is replaced by a smaller decorative knob. The shutter has B, 10&ndash;200 speeds and is sometimes an [[NKS]] and sometimes a similar looking one engraved ''CONVEX'' in the speed rim.<REF> NKS shutter: advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;153, and example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. Convex shutter: example pictured in McKeown, p.&nbsp;928. </REF> Other features are unchanged. The Doris-P was offered as a new product for {{yen|7,000|1952}} in an advertisement dated November 1952,<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;153. </REF> and it was made at least until 1954.
  
 
== The Doris IA ==
 
== The Doris IA ==
 +
The '''Doris IA''' is an evolution of the Doris-P. There is no metal frame surrounding the viewfinder window, the small decorative knob 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 squarer lettering while the other ''DORIS'' markings are unchanged. It seems that some examples have two black lines on both sides of the viewfinder window while other ones only have them on one side like the previous models.<REF> One example has been observed in a Yahoo Japan auction with black lines on both sides while the advertising picture reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;153, shows them on one side only. </REF>
 +
 +
The lens is a front-cell focusing Doris C. 75mm f/3.5 and the shutter is a Helio giving B, 10&ndash;200 speeds, equipped with a self-timer and synchronized via a PC post. The Doris IA was offered together with the [[Dorisflex|Dorisflex A]] as a new product in an advertisement dated October 1955.<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;153. </REF> The price of {{yen|6,000|1955}} was indicated, but it is not fully clear if this applied to the Doris IA, the Dorisflex A or both cameras.
 +
 +
McKeown also mentions a "Doris IIIA" dual format 6&times;6 and 4.5&times;6 folder, that is certainly related with the [[Doris Six]].
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==

Revision as of 18:00, 20 October 2006

Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
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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 ->
This is a work in progress.

The Doris (ドリス) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera made between 1952 and 1955 by a company called first Tōkyō Seiki and later Doris Camera.[1]

General description

The Doris is a vertical folder, with folding struts inspired from the Ikonta. The viewfinder is contained in a top housing, that supports the advance knob and the body release on the left side, and the accessory shoe and folding bed release to the right above the viewfinder. The back is hinged to the left and has a single red window near the top, protected by a horizontally sliding cover. The front leather and the folding struts are marked DORIS in curved letters.

The Doris

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

The Doris is equipped with a Perfa Anastigmat 75/3.5 coated lens and a NKS shutter, giving B, 1–200 speeds, equipped with a self-timer and synchronized via an ASA bayonet post. It was offered as a new product in an advertisement dated July 1952,[2] and was replaced by the Doris-P at the end of 1952.

The Doris-P

The Doris-P[3] is a cheaper model. Its appearance is similar except that the depth-of-field dial is replaced by a smaller decorative knob. The shutter has B, 10–200 speeds and is sometimes an NKS and sometimes a similar looking one engraved CONVEX in the speed rim.[4] Other features are unchanged. The Doris-P was offered as a new product for ¥7,000 in an advertisement dated November 1952,[5] and it was made at least until 1954.

The Doris IA

The Doris IA is an evolution of the Doris-P. There is no metal frame surrounding the viewfinder window, the small decorative knob 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 squarer lettering while the other DORIS markings are unchanged. It seems that some examples have two black lines on both sides of the viewfinder window while other ones only have them on one side like the previous models.[6]

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. The Doris IA was offered together with the Dorisflex A as a new product in an advertisement dated October 1955.[7] The price of ¥6,000 was indicated, but it is not fully clear if this applied to the Doris IA, the Dorisflex A or both cameras.

McKeown also mentions a "Doris IIIA" dual format 6×6 and 4.5×6 folder, that is certainly related with the Doris Six.

Notes

  1. Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 356.
  2. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 153.
  3. This model is called "Doris Semi P" in McKeown, p. 928, but the official name was "Doris-P型".
  4. NKS shutter: advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 153, and example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. Convex shutter: example pictured in McKeown, p. 928.
  5. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 153.
  6. One example has been observed in a Yahoo Japan auction with black lines on both sides while the advertising picture reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 153, shows them on one side only.
  7. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 153.

Bibliography