Difference between revisions of "Septon Pen"
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{{Japanese roll film subminiature}} | {{Japanese roll film subminiature}} | ||
The '''Septon Pen''' is a Japanese subminiature camera combined with a sharp pencil, sold around 1959. | The '''Septon Pen''' is a Japanese subminiature camera combined with a sharp pencil, sold around 1959. | ||
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The device has the shape of an oversized pen. The tip contains a functional propelling pencil. The other end contains an eye-level viewfinder, and has a pen clip on one side, engraved ''SEPTON''. | The device has the shape of an oversized pen. The tip contains a functional propelling pencil. The other end contains an eye-level viewfinder, and has a pen clip on one side, engraved ''SEPTON''. | ||
| − | The camera part is in the middle of the device. The film is sometimes described as paper-backed 16mm film, perhaps because it was advertised or announced as such.<REF> Paper-backed 16mm film: Pritchard, p.151, {{Kokusan}}, p.389. [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/harukawa/index.htm This page at Submin.com] says that this appears on the original instruction manual. </REF> It seems that it is actually the same as the 17.5mm film used in [[Hit]]-type cameras.<REF> [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/harukawa/index.htm This page at Submin.com], and {{SUG}}, items 5134–5. </REF> | + | The camera part is in the middle of the device. The exposure size is 14×14mm, and the film is sometimes described as paper-backed 16mm film, perhaps because it was advertised or announced as such.<REF> Exposure size: {{SUG}}, items 5134–5, {{Kokusan}}, p.389. Paper-backed 16mm film: Pritchard, p.151, {{Kokusan}}, p.389. [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/harukawa/index.htm This page at Submin.com] says that this appears on the original instruction manual. </REF> It seems that it is actually the same as the 17.5mm film used in [[Hit]]-type cameras.<REF> [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/harukawa/index.htm This page at Submin.com], and {{SUG}}, items 5134–5. </REF> |
| − | The back door is removable, | + | The back door is removable, contains a window to control the position of the film, and is inscribed ''PEN CAMERA'' and perhaps ''MADE IN JAPAN'' below. The advance knob itself is placed opposite the pen clip. |
| − | The front part of the camera is metal finished, with a fixed-focus lens in the middle | + | The front part of the camera is metal finished, with a fixed-focus lens in the middle. The exact details depend on the camera version. |
The dimensions are 141×35×38mm, and the weight is 120g.<REF> [http://members.ytv.home.ne.jp/minoxfan/Camera/C-Stylophot.html This page] by Masaharu Saito. </REF> | The dimensions are 141×35×38mm, and the weight is 120g.<REF> [http://members.ytv.home.ne.jp/minoxfan/Camera/C-Stylophot.html This page] by Masaharu Saito. </REF> | ||
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One example is pictured in {{SUG}} as a '''prototype'''.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 5134. </REF> The lens has no name, a fixed aperture and an all black rim. There is no speed setting, and a simple release lever on the side. The front face is inscribed ''PENCAMERA'' above and ''Septon'' below the lens. | One example is pictured in {{SUG}} as a '''prototype'''.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 5134. </REF> The lens has no name, a fixed aperture and an all black rim. There is no speed setting, and a simple release lever on the side. The front face is inscribed ''PENCAMERA'' above and ''Septon'' below the lens. | ||
| − | The | + | The '''regular model''' has a Septon 20mm f/2.8 lens, with a chrome rim.<REF> This model is sometimes called "deluxe model", and is the most common. Examples are pictured in Pritchard, p.150, in {{MK}}, p.379, in {{SUG}}, item 5135, in Lewis, p.103, in [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/harukawa/pen_deluxe.htm this page at Submin.com], in [http://www.chuckrubin.com/cgi-bin/album.pl?photo=CameraCollection%2F05.jpg this page by Chuck Rubin] and in [http://members.ytv.home.ne.jp/minoxfan/Camera/C-Stylophot.html this page by Masaharu Saito]. </REF> The aperture is adjustable from 2.8 to 11, via a small knob placed above the lens. The shutter is of the guillotine type,<REF> {{MK}}, p.379. </REF> and has <u>B</u>ulb and <u>I</u>nstant settings, selected by a small knob at the bottom right (as seen from the front). It is cocked by a sliding lever on the side, and tripped by a button placed opposite the speed knob.<REF> [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/harukawa/pen_deluxe.htm This page at Submin.com] says that the shutter is tripped by a lever, but this is probably a mistake. </REF> The name ''SEPTON'' is engraved on the front face, below the lens. The back is locked by a sliding latch.<REF> {{MK}}, p.379, says that the sliding latch is specific to this model. </REF> |
| − | The ''' | + | The '''simple model''' has intermediate features, half way between the prototype and the regular model.<REF> Example pictured in {{MK}}, p.379. </REF> The lens has no-name, a fixed aperture and an all black rim, different from that of the prototype. The shutter is of the sector type, tripped by a small button on the side.<REF> {{MK}}, p.379. </REF> The B and I settings are selected by a small knob at the bottom left, and there is a small lever at the bottom right, perhaps used to cock the shutter. It is said that the back is locked by two thumb-screws.<REF> {{MK}}, p.379. </REF> This simple model has no marking and has a round part above the lens. |
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| + | The '''Septon Penletto''' is almost identical to the simple model, but for the name ''SEPTON PENLETTO'' inscribed in a round logo above the lens.<REF> Examples are pictured in Pritchard, p.151, in {{MK}}, p.379, in [http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=4241928 this page] and [http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=4485175 this page] by Christies, and in [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/harukawa/penletto.htm this page at Submin.com]. </REF> It sometimes has a different lens rim with a conical shape.<REF> Example pictured in {{MK}}, p.379. </REF> | ||
== Origin == | == Origin == | ||
| − | + | Some sources say that the Septon Pen was made by [[Okamoto|Okamoto Kōki]] and distributed by [[Harukawa|Harukawa Shōji]].<REF> Lewis, p.103, attributes the camera to Okamoto Kōki. The [http://members.ytv.home.ne.jp/minoxfan/Camera/C-Stylophot.html page on the Stylophot] by Masaharu Saito says that the Septon Pen was made by Okamoto Kōki and distributed by Harukawa Shōji. </REF> Most of the recent sources mention Harukawa only, sometimes as "Harukawa Trading Co.", perhaps because the name appears this way on some instruction manual or original box, or somewhere on the camera itself.<REF> "Harukawa Trading Co.": Pritchard, p.151; {{SUG}}, items 5134–5. {{MK}}, p.379, simply has "Harukawa". </REF> The only original document seen so far is an advertisement in ''[[Sankei Camera]]'' August 1959, placed by [[Hideyoshi|Hideyoshi Sangyō]], mentioned as the "main distributor" (総発売元). It shows a picture of a regular Septon Pen, and gives the price of {{yen|2,950|1959}}. It does not give any technical specification. | |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 19:26, 30 November 2008
The Septon Pen is a Japanese subminiature camera combined with a sharp pencil, sold around 1959.
Description
The device has the shape of an oversized pen. The tip contains a functional propelling pencil. The other end contains an eye-level viewfinder, and has a pen clip on one side, engraved SEPTON.
The camera part is in the middle of the device. The exposure size is 14×14mm, and the film is sometimes described as paper-backed 16mm film, perhaps because it was advertised or announced as such.[1] It seems that it is actually the same as the 17.5mm film used in Hit-type cameras.[2]
The back door is removable, contains a window to control the position of the film, and is inscribed PEN CAMERA and perhaps MADE IN JAPAN below. The advance knob itself is placed opposite the pen clip.
The front part of the camera is metal finished, with a fixed-focus lens in the middle. The exact details depend on the camera version.
The dimensions are 141×35×38mm, and the weight is 120g.[3]
Variations
One example is pictured in Sugiyama as a prototype.[4] The lens has no name, a fixed aperture and an all black rim. There is no speed setting, and a simple release lever on the side. The front face is inscribed PENCAMERA above and Septon below the lens.
The regular model has a Septon 20mm f/2.8 lens, with a chrome rim.[5] The aperture is adjustable from 2.8 to 11, via a small knob placed above the lens. The shutter is of the guillotine type,[6] and has Bulb and Instant settings, selected by a small knob at the bottom right (as seen from the front). It is cocked by a sliding lever on the side, and tripped by a button placed opposite the speed knob.[7] The name SEPTON is engraved on the front face, below the lens. The back is locked by a sliding latch.[8]
The simple model has intermediate features, half way between the prototype and the regular model.[9] The lens has no-name, a fixed aperture and an all black rim, different from that of the prototype. The shutter is of the sector type, tripped by a small button on the side.[10] The B and I settings are selected by a small knob at the bottom left, and there is a small lever at the bottom right, perhaps used to cock the shutter. It is said that the back is locked by two thumb-screws.[11] This simple model has no marking and has a round part above the lens.
The Septon Penletto is almost identical to the simple model, but for the name SEPTON PENLETTO inscribed in a round logo above the lens.[12] It sometimes has a different lens rim with a conical shape.[13]
Origin
Some sources say that the Septon Pen was made by Okamoto Kōki and distributed by Harukawa Shōji.[14] Most of the recent sources mention Harukawa only, sometimes as "Harukawa Trading Co.", perhaps because the name appears this way on some instruction manual or original box, or somewhere on the camera itself.[15] The only original document seen so far is an advertisement in Sankei Camera August 1959, placed by Hideyoshi Sangyō, mentioned as the "main distributor" (総発売元). It shows a picture of a regular Septon Pen, and gives the price of ¥2,950. It does not give any technical specification.
Notes
- ↑ Exposure size: Sugiyama, items 5134–5, Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.389. Paper-backed 16mm film: Pritchard, p.151, Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.389. This page at Submin.com says that this appears on the original instruction manual.
- ↑ This page at Submin.com, and Sugiyama, items 5134–5.
- ↑ This page by Masaharu Saito.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 5134.
- ↑ This model is sometimes called "deluxe model", and is the most common. Examples are pictured in Pritchard, p.150, in McKeown, p.379, in Sugiyama, item 5135, in Lewis, p.103, in this page at Submin.com, in this page by Chuck Rubin and in this page by Masaharu Saito.
- ↑ McKeown, p.379.
- ↑ This page at Submin.com says that the shutter is tripped by a lever, but this is probably a mistake.
- ↑ McKeown, p.379, says that the sliding latch is specific to this model.
- ↑ Example pictured in McKeown, p.379.
- ↑ McKeown, p.379.
- ↑ McKeown, p.379.
- ↑ Examples are pictured in Pritchard, p.151, in McKeown, p.379, in this page and this page by Christies, and in this page at Submin.com.
- ↑ Example pictured in McKeown, p.379.
- ↑ Lewis, p.103, attributes the camera to Okamoto Kōki. The page on the Stylophot by Masaharu Saito says that the Septon Pen was made by Okamoto Kōki and distributed by Harukawa Shōji.
- ↑ "Harukawa Trading Co.": Pritchard, p.151; Sugiyama, items 5134–5. McKeown, p.379, simply has "Harukawa".
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 1331 (see also the pictures on pp.18 and 437).
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.103.
- 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). P.379.
- Pritchard, Michael and St. Denny, Douglas. Spy Cameras — A century of detective and subminiature cameras. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1993. ISBN 1-874485-00-3. Pp.150–1.
- 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 5134–5.
Links
In English:
- Septon Pen at Submin.com
- Septon Pen (text only) at Subclub.org
- Past auctions by Christies:
- Septon Penletto, lot no.176 of sale no.5507 (March 23, 2004)
- Septon Penletto, lot no.209 of sale no.5690 (May 6, 2005)
- Septon Pen in Chuck Rubin's Camera Collection
In Japanese:
- Septon Pen in a page on the Stylophot by Masaharu Saito at Minomushi no heya
