Difference between revisions of "Shōwa Kōgaku"
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| − | { | + | {{Flickr_image |
| − | | | + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/rwrede/17402324193/in/pool-camerawiki |
| − | | | + | |image= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8882/17402324193_d91ef43283_m.jpg |
| − | | | + | |image_align= right |
| − | + | |image_text= Leotax K, lacks slow shutter speeds | |
| + | |image_by= railcrew2 | ||
| + | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| + | }} | ||
'''Shōwa Kōgaku''', later renamed '''Leotax Camera''', was a Japanese camera maker. | '''Shōwa Kōgaku''', later renamed '''Leotax Camera''', was a Japanese camera maker. | ||
| − | + | == History == | |
| + | The company was founded in January 1938 by Nakagawa Kenzō (中川幹三) as '''Kyōei-sha''' (共栄社), based in Nippori (日暮里), Tokyo.<REF name="Sugi 47"> {{SUG}}, p.47. </REF> Nakagawa, a former engineer of [[Konica|Konishiroku]], obtained financial support from [[Minagawa|Minagawa Shōten]].<REF name="Sugi 47" /> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The company was renamed '''G.K. Shōwa Kōgaku''' ({{goshi}}昭和光学) at the end of 1938.<REF name="Sugi 47" /> The company's most emblematic product was the Leotax, a [[Leica]]-style 35mm camera, initially made with an uncoupled rangefinder. However during the early years, the company's main activity was the production of the more pedestrian [[Semi Leotax]] 4.5×6cm folding camera. | ||
| − | + | The company became '''Shōwa Kōgaku Seiki K.K.''' (昭和光学精機{{kabu}}) at some point, certainly after World War II.<REF> The name appears in advertisements dated August 1949 to March 1956, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.210–2 and 324. </REF> In 1942 with the introduction of the Leotax Special A and Special B the company adopted a coupled short base rangefinder with a scissor strut arrangement for the sensor arm, presumably to circumvent Leica patents. This sensor arm arrangement necessitated moving the viewfinder of the original Leotax from just above the lens to a position at the extreme left of the top cover as viewed from the rear. Early Leotax Leica type cameras were nicely finished externally but very crudely finished inside, but internal quality started to improve with the DII and DIII although early rangefinders in these cameras were still crude. By the model DIV of 1950 the Leotax was a sound camera, and at its the intoduction in 1954 the Leotax F with diecast chassis was the sturdiest Japanese Leica copy as well as the largest! Together with the [[Nicca]] and the [[Canon II/III/IV]], the camera was one of the main Japanese [[Leica]] copies, gradually improved until the late 1950s. The company was also making improved [[Semi Leotax DL and R|Semi Leotax]] models, as well as the [[Gemflex]] subminiature TLR. | |
| + | |||
| + | The company was renamed '''Leotax Camera K.K.''' (レオタックスカメラ{{kabu}}) in 1956 or 1957.<REF> The name appears in advertisements dated October 1957 to February 1960, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.324 and 326. </REF> It made rangefinder cameras until 1961, the last model being the [[Leotax G]], an advanced camera inspired by the [[Leica M3]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <br style="clear:left"/> | ||
| − | |||
== 35mm rangefinder == | == 35mm rangefinder == | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | {{Flickr_image | |
| + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47244404171/in/pool-camerawiki/ | ||
| + | |image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7830/47244404171_91e2f7143a_m.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= right | ||
| + | |image_text= Leotax F | ||
| + | |image_by= eBayer Yalluflex | ||
| + | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| + | }} | ||
| − | * Leotax ( the only prewar model, 50 pieces made ) | + | * Leotax (the only prewar model, 50 pieces made) |
| − | * Leotax | + | * Leotax Special |
| − | * Leotax | + | * Leotax Special A |
| − | * Leotax | + | * Leotax Special B |
| − | * Leotax | + | * [[Leotax Special DIII]] |
| − | * Leotax D IV | + | * [[Leotax D IV]] |
| − | * Leotax F | + | * [[Leotax F]] |
* Leotax S | * Leotax S | ||
* Leotax SV | * Leotax SV | ||
* Leotax K | * Leotax K | ||
| − | * Leotax TV 2 | + | * [[Leotax K3]] |
| + | * [[Leotax TV 2]] (Merit) | ||
| + | * [[Leotax T2L]] (Elite) | ||
* [[Leotax G]] | * [[Leotax G]] | ||
| − | {| class= | + | {|class=floatleft |
| − | | | + | | |
| − | | | + | {{Flickr_image |
| − | | | + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/46329831215/in/pool-camerawiki/ |
| − | | | + | |image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7820/46329831215_2dfed5ef07_m.jpg |
| − | || | + | |image_align= right |
| − | |}{{br}} | + | |image_text= Leotax K3 |
| + | |image_by= eBayer Yalluflex | ||
| + | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | | <!-- | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image | ||
| + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkingpastel/248225811/in/pool-camerawiki/ | ||
| + | |image= http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/248225811_b5b43f95f7_m.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= right | ||
| + | |image_text= Leotax D IV | ||
| + | |image_by= Atsuo Watanabe | ||
| + | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| + | }}--> | ||
| + | | | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image | ||
| + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5501348038/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
| + | |image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5501348038_cdc2d68db7_m.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= right | ||
| + | |image_text= Leotax TV2 Merit | ||
| + | |image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann | ||
| + | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | {{br}} | ||
| − | == 4.5×6 | + | == Folding cameras == |
| − | {| class="plainlinks | + | === 4.5×6 === |
| − | | width=100px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/17280367@N03/2985900480/in/pool- | + | {| class="plainlinks" style="float: right; text-align: center;" |
| − | | width=100px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ | + | | width=100px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/17280367@N03/2985900480/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2985900480_37b92d905e_t_d.jpg] |
| − | | width=100px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ | + | | width=100px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47194113412/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7869/47194113412_c0b84a84fb_t_d.jpg] |
| + | | width=100px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/46361400425/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7814/46361400425_a7115cc2a4_t_d.jpg] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|| ''[[Semi Leotax]] (auto-stop)'' | || ''[[Semi Leotax]] (auto-stop)'' | ||
| Line 59: | Line 94: | ||
* [[Semi Leotax DL and R|Semi Leotax DL II / R]] | * [[Semi Leotax DL and R|Semi Leotax DL II / R]] | ||
| − | == 3×4 | + | === 3×4 === |
* [[Baby Leotax]] | * [[Baby Leotax]] | ||
| − | |||
== 14×14mm TLR == | == 14×14mm TLR == | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image | ||
| + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/29685322@N06/2815079365/in/pool-camerawiki/ | ||
| + | |image= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2815079365_f9a5509aee_t.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= right | ||
| + | |image_text= Gemflex | ||
| + | |image_by= sivartk | ||
| + | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| + | }} | ||
* [[Gemflex]] | * [[Gemflex]] | ||
| + | {{br}} | ||
== Catalogue == | == Catalogue == | ||
| − | {| class="plainlinks | + | {| class="plainlinks" style="margin: 0 auto; text-align: center;" |
| − | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ | + | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47223744082/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7850/47223744082_e27e619981_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/40331699983/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7816/40331699983_995052e629_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/40311258443/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7806/40311258443_546a42fd6e_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47291344391/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7869/47291344391_2b22f59fcb_m_d.jpg] |
|- | |- | ||
|| ''Leaflet by Shōwa Kōgaku, showing the Leotax and [[Semi Leotax DL and R|Semi Leotax (DL)]], c.1953. {{public domain Japan new}}'' | || ''Leaflet by Shōwa Kōgaku, showing the Leotax and [[Semi Leotax DL and R|Semi Leotax (DL)]], c.1953. {{public domain Japan new}}'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ | + | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/46381569495/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7835/46381569495_0eaf91858d_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/33412488998/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7879/33412488998_0fd9a1918c_m_d.jpg] |
|- | |- | ||
| − | || ''Detachable insert found inside the above leaflet,<br>showing the Leotax S and [[Semi Leotax DL and R|Semi Leotax R]]. {{public domain Japan new}}'' | + | || ''Detachable insert found inside the above leaflet,<br />showing the Leotax S and [[Semi Leotax DL and R|Semi Leotax R]]. {{public domain Japan new}}'' |
|} | |} | ||
| Line 81: | Line 124: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
| − | * Shōwa Kōgaku Seiki. ''Leotax to Semi Leotax, anata no go-aiyō ni fusawashii kamera'' (LeotaxとSemi Leotax あなたの御愛用にふさわしいカメラ, Leotax and Semi Leotax, convenient cameras for you). Leaflet published c.1953, date not indicated. Presents the Leotax and Semi Leotax (DL), and has an additional insert on the Leotax S and Semi Leotax R. Document reproduced in [ | + | * Shōwa Kōgaku Seiki. ''Leotax to Semi Leotax, anata no go-aiyō ni fusawashii kamera'' (LeotaxとSemi Leotax あなたの御愛用にふさわしいカメラ, Leotax and Semi Leotax, convenient cameras for you). Leaflet published c.1953, date not indicated. Presents the Leotax and Semi Leotax (DL), and has an additional insert on the Leotax S and Semi Leotax R. Document reproduced in [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/albums/72157712100952531/ this Flickr set] by Rebollo_fr. |
* {{Zukan}} | * {{Zukan}} | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| + | In pictures: | ||
* [http://www.flickr.com/groups/928434@N22/pool/ Leotax RF Flickr Pool] | * [http://www.flickr.com/groups/928434@N22/pool/ Leotax RF Flickr Pool] | ||
| + | In English | ||
| + | * [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/leotax/leotax_model_f/leotax_model_f.htm Leotax Model F PDF manual] from [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ www.OrphanCameras.com] | ||
| + | In German: | ||
| + | * [http://www.lausch41.com/leotax1.htm Leotax history] at [http://www.lausch41.com/ Peter Lausch's website] | ||
| + | In French: | ||
| + | * [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/listeS_imagettes.php#Showa Various Leotax] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand | ||
In Japanese: | In Japanese: | ||
| − | * [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/leotax.htm Leotax page] at [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/ Nekosan's website] | + | * [http://archive.is/www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/leotax.htm Leotax page] at [http://archive.is/www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/ Nekosan's website] (archived) |
* [http://koujiyacamera.hamazo.tv/e741128.html Leonon-S 5cm f/2 lens] at [http://koujiyacamera.hamazo.tv/ Koujiya's blog] | * [http://koujiyacamera.hamazo.tv/e741128.html Leonon-S 5cm f/2 lens] at [http://koujiyacamera.hamazo.tv/ Koujiya's blog] | ||
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[[Category: Japanese camera makers]] | [[Category: Japanese camera makers]] | ||
[[Category: Japanese lens makers]] | [[Category: Japanese lens makers]] | ||
Latest revision as of 08:56, 18 August 2021
|
| Leotax K, lacks slow shutter speeds image by railcrew2 (Image rights) |
Shōwa Kōgaku, later renamed Leotax Camera, was a Japanese camera maker.
Contents
History
The company was founded in January 1938 by Nakagawa Kenzō (中川幹三) as Kyōei-sha (共栄社), based in Nippori (日暮里), Tokyo.[1] Nakagawa, a former engineer of Konishiroku, obtained financial support from Minagawa Shōten.[1]
The company was renamed G.K. Shōwa Kōgaku (㈾昭和光学) at the end of 1938.[1] The company's most emblematic product was the Leotax, a Leica-style 35mm camera, initially made with an uncoupled rangefinder. However during the early years, the company's main activity was the production of the more pedestrian Semi Leotax 4.5×6cm folding camera.
The company became Shōwa Kōgaku Seiki K.K. (昭和光学精機㈱) at some point, certainly after World War II.[2] In 1942 with the introduction of the Leotax Special A and Special B the company adopted a coupled short base rangefinder with a scissor strut arrangement for the sensor arm, presumably to circumvent Leica patents. This sensor arm arrangement necessitated moving the viewfinder of the original Leotax from just above the lens to a position at the extreme left of the top cover as viewed from the rear. Early Leotax Leica type cameras were nicely finished externally but very crudely finished inside, but internal quality started to improve with the DII and DIII although early rangefinders in these cameras were still crude. By the model DIV of 1950 the Leotax was a sound camera, and at its the intoduction in 1954 the Leotax F with diecast chassis was the sturdiest Japanese Leica copy as well as the largest! Together with the Nicca and the Canon II/III/IV, the camera was one of the main Japanese Leica copies, gradually improved until the late 1950s. The company was also making improved Semi Leotax models, as well as the Gemflex subminiature TLR.
The company was renamed Leotax Camera K.K. (レオタックスカメラ㈱) in 1956 or 1957.[3] It made rangefinder cameras until 1961, the last model being the Leotax G, an advanced camera inspired by the Leica M3.
35mm rangefinder
|
| Leotax F image by eBayer Yalluflex (Image rights) |
- Leotax (the only prewar model, 50 pieces made)
- Leotax Special
- Leotax Special A
- Leotax Special B
- Leotax Special DIII
- Leotax D IV
- Leotax F
- Leotax S
- Leotax SV
- Leotax K
- Leotax K3
- Leotax TV 2 (Merit)
- Leotax T2L (Elite)
- Leotax G
|
|
Folding cameras
4.5×6
|
|
|
| Semi Leotax (auto-stop) | Semi Leotax (postwar) | Semi Leotax DL |
- Semi Leotax (original)
- Semi Leotax (auto-stop)
- Semi Leotax (postwar)
- Semi Leotax New / DL
- Semi Leotax DL II / R
3×4
14×14mm TLR
|
| Gemflex image by sivartk (Image rights) |
Catalogue
   
|
| Leaflet by Shōwa Kōgaku, showing the Leotax and Semi Leotax (DL), c.1953. (Image rights) |
 
|
| Detachable insert found inside the above leaflet, showing the Leotax S and Semi Leotax R. (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sugiyama, p.47.
- ↑ The name appears in advertisements dated August 1949 to March 1956, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.210–2 and 324.
- ↑ The name appears in advertisements dated October 1957 to February 1960, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.324 and 326.
Bibliography
- Shōwa Kōgaku Seiki. Leotax to Semi Leotax, anata no go-aiyō ni fusawashii kamera (LeotaxとSemi Leotax あなたの御愛用にふさわしいカメラ, Leotax and Semi Leotax, convenient cameras for you). Leaflet published c.1953, date not indicated. Presents the Leotax and Semi Leotax (DL), and has an additional insert on the Leotax S and Semi Leotax R. Document reproduced in this Flickr set by Rebollo_fr.
- 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.
Links
In pictures:
In English
In German:
In French:
- Various Leotax on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
In Japanese:
- Leotax page at Nekosan's website (archived)
- Leonon-S 5cm f/2 lens at Koujiya's blog
