Difference between revisions of "Semi Sport"
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{{Japanese Semi}} | {{Japanese Semi}} | ||
| − | The '''Semi Sport''' (セミスポーツ)<REF> It is called "Semi Sport I" in {{McKeown}}, p. 332, but the advertisements observed only show "Semi Sport". </REF> is a [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders|Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera]], made by [[Fujimoto]] | + | The '''Semi Sport''' (セミスポーツ)<REF> It is called "Semi Sport I" in {{McKeown}}, p. 332, but the advertisements observed only show "Semi Sport". </REF> is a [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders|Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera]], made by [[Fujimoto]] in the first half of the 1940s and sold again in 1949. |
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | The Semi Sport is a copy of the [[Ikonta]], with a folding optical finder and a | + | The Semi Sport is a copy of the [[Ikonta]], with the typical folding struts. It has a folding optical finder, whose opening is coupled to the release of the folding bed. The body release is placed to the left of the viewfinder, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. There is an advance key at the bottom right. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch consists of a long sliding bar. There is a single red window, at the bottom left of the back, protected by a vertically sliding cover. |
| − | The Semi Sport | + | The name ''Semi Sport'' is embossed in the front leather. A ''SEMI SPORT'' logo is embossed in the leather on the back and engraved on the folding struts. |
| + | |||
| + | The Semi Sport has the same body as its predecessor the [[Semi Prince|Semi Prince III]], made by the same manufacturer. The main difference is the new Rapidex shutter. At the same time, the company was also making the [[Semi Lucky|Semi Lucky III]] with a slightly smaller body. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Rapidex shutter was made by Fujimoto itself, in its Mukogawa plant.<REF> Made by Fujimoto: [http://www.fujimoto-photo.co.jp/web/corp/history/index.html Fujimoto official company history]. Mukogawa plant: Tanimura, p. 51 of {{KKS}} no. 11. </REF> It gives T, B, 1–300 speeds and has a self-timer. The shutter plate has the name ''RAPIDEX'' inscribed at the bottom, three silver strips on each side and the ''FT'' logo of Fujimoto on the right — FT are the initials of Fujimoto Tōjirō (藤本藤次郎), the founder of the company.<REF> FT initials of Fujimoto Tōjirō: Tanimura, p. 51 of {{KKS}} no. 11. </REF> The aperture scale is placed above the shutter housing. | ||
== Prewar and wartime == | == Prewar and wartime == | ||
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* {{McKeown12}} Page 332. | * {{McKeown12}} Page 332. | ||
* {{Zukan}} Items 1249–50. | * {{Zukan}} Items 1249–50. | ||
| + | * Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Semi Purinsu kara Rakku made — Takahashi Kenzō shi ni kiku." (セミプリンスからラックまで・高橋健三氏にきく, "From the Semi Prince to the Luck — Asking Takahashi Kenzō") {{KKS011}} Pp. 50–1. Based on an interview of Takahashi Kenzō, former CEO of [[Fujimoto]], who entered the company in 1934. | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
Revision as of 16:01, 9 July 2007
The Semi Sport (セミスポーツ)[1] is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, made by Fujimoto in the first half of the 1940s and sold again in 1949.
Description
The Semi Sport is a copy of the Ikonta, with the typical folding struts. It has a folding optical finder, whose opening is coupled to the release of the folding bed. The body release is placed to the left of the viewfinder, as seen by the photographer holding the camera horizontally. There is an advance key at the bottom right. The back is hinged to the left and the back latch consists of a long sliding bar. There is a single red window, at the bottom left of the back, protected by a vertically sliding cover.
The name Semi Sport is embossed in the front leather. A SEMI SPORT logo is embossed in the leather on the back and engraved on the folding struts.
The Semi Sport has the same body as its predecessor the Semi Prince III, made by the same manufacturer. The main difference is the new Rapidex shutter. At the same time, the company was also making the Semi Lucky III with a slightly smaller body.
The Rapidex shutter was made by Fujimoto itself, in its Mukogawa plant.[2] It gives T, B, 1–300 speeds and has a self-timer. The shutter plate has the name RAPIDEX inscribed at the bottom, three silver strips on each side and the FT logo of Fujimoto on the right — FT are the initials of Fujimoto Tōjirō (藤本藤次郎), the founder of the company.[3] The aperture scale is placed above the shutter housing.
Prewar and wartime
The Semi Sport was advertised in December 1940[4] with a Radionar 75/4.5 lens, for ¥121. In September 1941[5] and January 1942[6], it was offered in a choice of variants:
- Schneider Xenar 75/4.5 lens (¥160 in 1941, not available in 1942);
- Lucky Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens (¥160 in 1941, ¥188 in 1942);[7]
- Laack Regulyt 75/4.5 lens (¥121 in 1941, ¥142 in 1942);[8]
- Lucky Anastigmat 75/4.5 lens (same price as the Regulyt variant).
The distributor in 1942 was perhaps[9] called Taihō Shōkai (大寶商会). Rangefinder conversions were offered in 1943 by Hakkōdō for the Semi Sport and various other copies of the Ikonta or Nettar (see this page).
Two examples of the Semi Sport have been observed with a Compur-Rapid shutter giving T, B, 1–500 speeds, one of them having a Xenar 7.5cm f/4.5 lens[10] and the other having a four-element Lausar 7.5cm f/3.5 lens made by Tomioka.[11] Another example has been observed[12] with a Rokuoh-Sha Hexar Ser. II 75mm f:3.5 lens mounted on a probably non-original shutter, the shutter rim presenting only the 100, 200 and 400 speed settings.
After the war
The Semi Sport was offered again after the war. It appeared in a September 1949 advertisement[13], equipped with a Texar 75/3.5 lens, together with a Lucky enlarger, also made by Fujimoto in the prewar and wartime period. The company name written in the advertisement is Nihon Kōki Kōgyō K.K. (日本光機工業株式会社). On the picture, there is no visible change from the prewar and wartime model, and it was probably made from remaining part stocks, maybe assembled by Nihon Kōki Kōgyō: Fujimoto had ceased activity in 1945 and would not be reactivated until 1950[14]. The company was certainly conscious that the camera was a little outdated, and the advertising sentence is: "Based on an experience of several years, now available again!" (多年の経験に基いてここに再登場).
Notes
- ↑ It is called "Semi Sport I" in McKeown, p. 332, but the advertisements observed only show "Semi Sport".
- ↑ Made by Fujimoto: Fujimoto official company history. Mukogawa plant: Tanimura, p. 51 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 11.
- ↑ FT initials of Fujimoto Tōjirō: Tanimura, p. 51 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no. 11.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 76.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 76.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 76. A similar advertisement, dated between 1942 and 1945, is reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura.
- ↑ Observed several times, notably in online auctions.
- ↑ Reported at an eBay auction.
- ↑ It is written in small characters and the reproductions of the advertisements are difficult to read.
- ↑ Example presented in Supuringu kamera de ikō, p. 78–80. This example belongs to the Fujimoto company, thus there is a higher probability that the lens and shutter equipment is non original, for example because it was mounted for testing purpose.
- ↑ Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction, lens number 35914.
- ↑ In a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Kohga Gekkan, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 143.
- ↑ According to the company history at the Fujimoto official website.
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 131 and 561.
- Kawamata Masataku (川又正卓). Semi Prince — Luck. 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: The use of and actual examples from 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp. 78–80.
- 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). Page 332.
- 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. Items 1249–50.
- Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Semi Purinsu kara Rakku made — Takahashi Kenzō shi ni kiku." (セミプリンスからラックまで・高橋健三氏にきく, "From the Semi Prince to the Luck — Asking Takahashi Kenzō") Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.11, March 1988. No ISBN number. Shirarezaru kamera (知られざるカメラ, special issue on unknown cameras). Pp. 50–1. Based on an interview of Takahashi Kenzō, former CEO of Fujimoto, who entered the company in 1934.
Links
- Semi Sport at Japan Family Camera, the Semi Sport embossing is absent from the front leather, maybe the leather covering is not original.
- Advertisement dated between 1942 and 1945, reproduced in Nostalgic Camera, a page of old Japanese advertisements by Toshio Inamura
