Semi Rosen
Work in progress.
The Semi Rosen (セミ・ローゼン) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, whose maker is unclear. It was distributed by Ōsawa Shōkai, that was probably the owner of the Rosen name. Its maker is unclear, perhaps it was the company Proud like the Baby Rosen and Rosen Four.[1]
The original model is an Ikonta copy, with a folding optical finder, advertised in 1937[2]. It does not seem to have a body release, and it is embossed ROSEN in the front leather. There is a key for film advance, and a patented device for advance control, apparently consisting of a red window offset to the extreme left of the back. The camera is offered with a Rosen Anastigmat f:4.5 lens and a Rosen shutter giving T, B, 5–250 speeds, for ¥58 — case extra ¥5. An auxiliary rangefinder called Cosmos (コスモス) is offered too, apparently in two versions, graduated in meter or in feet, both for ¥15.
A Rosen Semi Proud (unclear which is the model name) has been auctioned at eBay, with a Rapit (sic) Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens and a shutter marked KKS, back marked K.S. Nippon. It looked like the Rosen Semi shown in McKeown, with a body quite similar to the Fujimoto Semi Sport.
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi attributes it to Ōsawa Shōkai, but it was probably a distributor only. McKeown, p. 804, attributes it to Proud, p. 804, and to K.S. Fabrik, p. 572, probably confusing with the shutter's maker.
- ↑ Advertisement published in the April 1937 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 104.
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. Item 328–30.
- 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). Pp. 572 and 804.
