Difference between revisions of "Shōwa Kōgaku"

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(reworked the "History" section, incorporating information added the camera list)
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'''Shōwa Kōgaku''', later renamed '''Leotax Camera''', was a Japanese camera maker.
 
'''Shōwa Kōgaku''', later renamed '''Leotax Camera''', was a Japanese camera maker.
  
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It 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" /> It became '''Shōwa Kōgaku Seiki K.K.''' (昭和光学精機{{kabu}}) at some time, certainly after the war, and was known under that name until 1956 or 1957,<REF> The name appears in advertisements dated August 1949 to March 1956, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.210–2 and 324. </REF> when it was renamed '''Leotax Camera K.K.''' (レオタックスカメラ{{kabu}}).<REF> The name appears in advertisements dated October 1957 to February 1960, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.324 and 326. </REF>
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== 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" />
  
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It made the [[Leotax]] rangefinder cameras until 1961, and it also made the [[Semi Leotax]] and [[Baby Leotax]] folders as well as the [[Gemflex]] subminiature TLR.
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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> The Leotax camera switched to a coupled rangefinder in 1947 since German pre-war patents were declared invalid by the [[USA]]. 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"/>
 
<br style="clear:left"/>
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||''Leotax F with Topcor-S 5cm f/2.<br>Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. {{with permission}}''
 
||''Leotax F with Topcor-S 5cm f/2.<br>Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. {{with permission}}''
 
|}
 
|}
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* Leotax (the only prewar model, 50 pieces made)
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Leotax, not a [[Leica copy]] but an advanced Leica style camera - better than Leica: with uncoupled [[rangefinder (device)|rangefinder]].
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* Leotax Special
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* Leotax Special A
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* Leotax ( the only prewar model, 50 pieces made )
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* Leotax Special B
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* Leotax Spezial
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* Leotax Special DIII
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* Leotax Spezial A
 
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* Leotax Spezial B
 
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* Leotax Spezial DIII (switch to coupled rangefinder in 1947 since German pre-war patents were declared invalid by the [[USA]])
 
 
* Leotax D IV
 
* Leotax D IV
 
* Leotax F
 
* Leotax F
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* [[Leotax G]]
 
* [[Leotax G]]
  
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{| class="plainlinks floatleft" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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{| class="plainlinks" align="left" style="text-align: center;"
 
| width=250px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkingpastel/248225811/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/248225811_b5b43f95f7_m.jpg]
 
| width=250px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkingpastel/248225811/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/93/248225811_b5b43f95f7_m.jpg]
 
| width=250px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkyfingerz/3692732503/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/3692732503_1738f7ceb9_m.jpg]
 
| width=250px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkyfingerz/3692732503/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2511/3692732503_1738f7ceb9_m.jpg]
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
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* 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 [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157615760447258/ this Flickr album] by Rebollo_fr.
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* 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 [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157615760447258/ 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]
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In German:
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* [http://www.lausch41.com/leotax1.htm Leotax history] at [http://www.lausch41.com/ Peter Lausch's website]
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In French:
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* [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://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/leotax.htm Leotax page] at [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/ Nekosan's website]
 
* [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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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/listeS_imagettes.php#Showa Some Leotax] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand
 
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In German
 
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* [http://www.lausch41.com/leotax1.htm Leotax FV] at Peter Lausch's [http://www.lausch41.com/]
 
  
 
[[Category: Japanese camera makers]]
 
[[Category: Japanese camera makers]]
 
[[Category: Japanese lens makers]]
 
[[Category: Japanese lens makers]]

Revision as of 14:20, 24 October 2010

5101929704_4c1ab26641_m.jpg
Leotax K, image by Yann Roffiaen. (Image rights)

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.[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] The Leotax camera switched to a coupled rangefinder in 1947 since German pre-war patents were declared invalid by the USA. 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

5009462910_67627ca1e1.jpg
5009463878_5e6b68a940_m.jpg 5008859737_745d616515_m.jpg 5008859533_5d66202ebf_m.jpg
Leotax F with Topcor-S 5cm f/2.
Pictures 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 TV 2
  • Leotax G
248225811_b5b43f95f7_m.jpg 3692732503_1738f7ceb9_m.jpg
Leotax D IV, image by Walkingpastel. (Image rights) Leotax D IV, image by inkyfingerz. (Image rights)


4.5×6 folding

2985900480_37b92d905e_t_d.jpg 402331081_1f73c18e32_t_d.jpg 1349554463_e6c2df6337_t_d.jpg
Semi Leotax (auto-stop) Semi Leotax (postwar) Semi Leotax DL

3×4 folding

416320513_a77777fd5e_t_d.jpg

14×14mm TLR

Catalogue

3375203123_78119b4013_m_d.jpg 3376020494_fc76e3d99b_m_d.jpg 3376020090_0818d23ccc_m_d.jpg 3376019804_a01abb5e3a_m_d.jpg
Leaflet by Shōwa Kōgaku, showing the Leotax and Semi Leotax (DL), c.1953. (Image rights)
2465113418_16ba37d9b1_m_d.jpg 2465121110_c534d8f10b_m_d.jpg
Detachable insert found inside the above leaflet,
showing the Leotax S and Semi Leotax R. (Image rights)

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sugiyama, p.47.
  2. ↑ The name appears in advertisements dated August 1949 to March 1956, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.210–2 and 324.
  3. ↑ 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 German:

In French:

In Japanese:

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