Semi Rocket and Doris

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Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
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stereo
Sun Stereo
unknown
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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]

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, 10–200 speeds and is sometimes an NKS and sometimes a similar looking one engraved CONVEX in the speed rim.[3] Other features are unchanged. In an advertisement dated November 1952.[4], the Doris-P was offered as a new product for ¥7,000.

The Doris IA

Notes

  1. Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 356.
  2. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 153.
  3. 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.
  4. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 153.

Bibliography