Difference between revisions of "Sintax"

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{{Japanese Semi prewar}}
 
{{Japanese Semi prewar}}
The '''Sintax''' cameras (シンタックスカメラ) are Japanese 4.5×6 folders. There are at least two models.
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The '''Sintax''' (シンタックス) cameras are Japanese 4.5×6 folders. There are at least two models, one is a rebadged [[Collex]] and the other is a [[Baldax]] copy, perhaps a rebadged [[Condor folders|New Semi Condor]].
  
The '''first model''' is a rebadged version of the [[Collex]]. It is said to have been distributed by Kotani Shōji (小谷商事) in 1940.<REF> ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'', p.&nbsp;19. </REF> It is embossed ''SINTAX'' in the front leather and has been observed<REF> Example pictured in ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'', p.&nbsp;19. </REF> with a Collie Anastigmat 75mm f:3.5 lens and a [[Koho]] shutter made by [[Olympus|Takachiho]] and giving 1&ndash;200, B, T speeds. The shutter plate is marked ''OLYMPUS-TOKYO-N'' at the top and the speed rim is marked ''KOHO''.
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== Rebadged Collex ==
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The '''first model''' is a rebadged version of the [[Collex]] (see the corresponding page for a full description). The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in a catalogue of the JCII museum, where it is dated 1940 and attributed to "Kotani Shōji" (小谷商事).<REF> ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'', p.&nbsp;19. </REF> The name ''SINTAX'' is embossed in the front leather, the lens is a Collie Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 and the shutter is a [[Koho]] made by [[Olympus|Takachiho]] and giving 1&ndash;200, B, T speeds. The shutter plate is marked ''OLYMPUS-TOKYO-N'' at the top, the aperture scale is at the bottom and the speed rim is engraved ''KOHO''.
  
The '''second model''' is a copy of the [[Baldax]], distributed by [[Tōkyō Shashin|Tōkyō Shashin Shōkai]]. It has a folding optical finder and a body release. The front leather is embossed ''SINTAX'' and the same name appears at the bottom of the shutter plate. This model appears in advertisements by Tōkyō Shashin Shōkai dated March and April 1942<REF> Advertisements published in ''Hōdō Shashin'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;58 and 74. These advertisements also list the [[Ami (4.5×6 folder)|Ami]] folder and briefly mention [[Olympus]] cameras and binoculars. </REF>, offering the Sintax for {{yen|140|1941}}, together with the [[Ami (4.5×6 folder)|Ami]] (an [[Ikonta]] copy) as a less expensive alternative. The lens and shutter are the same as the previous model: Collie 75mm f:3.5 and [[Koho]] giving 1&ndash;200, B, T speeds. At least one example has been reported with a Tessar 75/4.5 and a [[Compur]] shutter giving T, B, 1&ndash;250 speeds.<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;546. According to {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337, the ''Kamera Zukan'' book by Sugiyama and Naoi shows an example with a lens and shutter differing from the Collie / Koho combination: it is probably McKeown's source. </REF> The Sintax was advertised until 1943.<REF> The last advertisement mentioned in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337, is dated June 1943. </REF>
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The official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 has a "Sintax", for &yen;160, with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}, type 3, section 7B. </REF> A similar price list dated November 1941 again has a Sintax, attributed to [[Kotani|Kotani Shōten]], which was certainly the distributor.<REF> {{Kakaku1141_short}}, type 3, section 7B. </REF> It is not known if these documents refer to the rebadged Collex or to the Baldax copy.
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== Baldax copy ==
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The '''second model''' is a copy of the [[Baldax]]. It seems identical to the [[Condor folders|New Semi Condor]] (see the corresponding page for a full description). The front leather is embossed ''SINTAX'' and the same name appears at the bottom of the shutter plate.
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The Sintax was advertisement in Japanese magazines in 1942 and 1943.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337, mentions advertisements dated March 1942 to June 1943. </REF> The Baldax copy is pictured in advertisements by [[Tōkyō Shashin|Tōkyō Shashin Shōkai]] dated March and April 1942,<REF> Advertisements published in ''Hōdō Shashin'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;58 and 74. These advertisements briefly mention [[Olympus]] cameras and binoculars. </REF> offering the Sintax for {{yen|140|1941}}, together with the [[Ami (4.5×6 folder)|Ami]] (an [[Ikonta]] copy) as a less expensive alternative. The Collie lens and [[Koho]] shutter are the same as on the previous model.
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The only surviving example of the Baldax copy observed so far is pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, where it is attributed to "Kotani Trading".<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 1247. The information in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;546, is based on that source. </REF> It has a Tessar 7.5cm f/4.5 lens and a [[Compur]] shutter giving T, B, 1&ndash;250 speeds. It seems that German lenses and shutters were no more imported in Japan in the early 1940s, and this equipment is perhaps not original.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;546.
 
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;546.
 
* ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'' (思い出のスプリングカメラ展, Exhibition of beloved self-erecting cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.&nbsp;19.
 
* ''Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten'' (思い出のスプリングカメラ展, Exhibition of beloved self-erecting cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.&nbsp;19.
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* {{Zukan}} Item 1247.
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder folding]]
 
[[Category: S]]
 
[[Category: S]]

Revision as of 13:54, 5 July 2007

Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
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unknown
Semi Elka | Semi Keef | Napoleon
Postwar models ->
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo ->
Japanese 3×4, 4×4, 4×5, 4×6.5, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Sintax (シンタックス) cameras are Japanese 4.5×6 folders. There are at least two models, one is a rebadged Collex and the other is a Baldax copy, perhaps a rebadged New Semi Condor.

Rebadged Collex

The first model is a rebadged version of the Collex (see the corresponding page for a full description). The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in a catalogue of the JCII museum, where it is dated 1940 and attributed to "Kotani Shōji" (小谷商事).[1] The name SINTAX is embossed in the front leather, the lens is a Collie Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 and the shutter is a Koho made by Takachiho and giving 1–200, B, T speeds. The shutter plate is marked OLYMPUS-TOKYO-N at the top, the aperture scale is at the bottom and the speed rim is engraved KOHO.

The official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 has a "Sintax", for ¥160, with no further detail.[2] A similar price list dated November 1941 again has a Sintax, attributed to Kotani Shōten, which was certainly the distributor.[3] It is not known if these documents refer to the rebadged Collex or to the Baldax copy.

Baldax copy

The second model is a copy of the Baldax. It seems identical to the New Semi Condor (see the corresponding page for a full description). The front leather is embossed SINTAX and the same name appears at the bottom of the shutter plate.

The Sintax was advertisement in Japanese magazines in 1942 and 1943.[4] The Baldax copy is pictured in advertisements by Tōkyō Shashin Shōkai dated March and April 1942,[5] offering the Sintax for ¥140, together with the Ami (an Ikonta copy) as a less expensive alternative. The Collie lens and Koho shutter are the same as on the previous model.

The only surviving example of the Baldax copy observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama, where it is attributed to "Kotani Trading".[6] It has a Tessar 7.5cm f/4.5 lens and a Compur shutter giving T, B, 1–250 speeds. It seems that German lenses and shutters were no more imported in Japan in the early 1940s, and this equipment is perhaps not original.

Notes

  1. Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten, p. 19.
  2. Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 3, section 7B.
  3. "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 3, section 7B.
  4. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337, mentions advertisements dated March 1942 to June 1943.
  5. Advertisements published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp. 58 and 74. These advertisements briefly mention Olympus cameras and binoculars.
  6. Sugiyama, item 1247. The information in McKeown, p. 546, is based on that source.

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 123. (See also the advertisement for item 9.)
  • 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. 546.
  • Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten (思い出のスプリングカメラ展, Exhibition of beloved self-erecting cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P. 19.
  • 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. Item 1247.