Difference between revisions of "Stereo Leader"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (more) |
Hanskerensky (talk | contribs) m (→Commercial life: Redirected Link URL to archived version) |
||
| (35 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | The '''Stereo Leader''' (ステレオリーダー) is a Japanese camera taking pairs of 23×24mm exposures on [[35mm film]], made by [[Tougodo]] then by [[ | + | {{Japanese stereo |
| + | |image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48176987977/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48176987977_69668e04b3_m_d.jpg] | ||
| + | <br>Picture courtesy of eBayer {{image author |jken}} {{with permission}} | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | The '''Stereo Leader''' (ステレオリーダー) is a Japanese stereo camera taking pairs of 23×24mm exposures on [[35mm film]], made by [[Tougodo]] then by [[Heart Sangyō]] in 1955–6. The '''Windsor Stereo''' is a rebadged version, certainly made for export. | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | The Stereo Leader | + | The Stereo Leader and Windsor Stereo have a body made of black [[bakelite]],<REF> Bakelite: {{McKeown}}, p.929, where the camera is called "Leader". </REF> somewhat similar to that of the [[Stereo Hit]]. The viewfinder protrudes in the middle of the top plate. The film is advanced by a knob on the right end, as seen by the photographer, and the rewind knob is at the left end. The camera obviously has auto-stop advance, and there is a button to the right of the viewfinder, perhaps used to unlock the advance mechanism. The rewind unlock lever is placed next to the advance knob, and has ''A'' and ''R'' indications. The exposure counter is to the left of the viewfinder, and perhaps has two scales, for stereo pairs and for single pictures. The camera can take 29 stereo pairs on a 36-exposure film roll and 16 pairs on a 20-exposure roll.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.205. </REF> The back is hinged to the right for film loading. |
| − | There is a black rectangular casing attached to the front of the camera, with the shutter release at the top right. Three circular bulges protrude from this casing; the central one certainly contains the | + | {| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center; clear: both;" |
| + | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48176925621/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48176925621_97862b98a0_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48178553477/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48178553477_ef5c6a89c1_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48178495116/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48178495116_fd12ff4c4e_m_d.jpg] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | || [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48178509596/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48178509596_ca3ff1a6d5_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48181586821/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48181586821_89175f06a1_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48181675247/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48181675247_6504bb588c_m_d.jpg] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | || Stereo Leader. Pictures courtesy of eBayer {{image author |jken}} {{with permission}} | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Flickr_image | ||
| + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48181695422/in/pool-camerawiki/ | ||
| + | |image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48181695422_a1290a2ba1_m_d.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= right | ||
| + | |image_text= Front casing. | ||
| + | |image_by= <!-- ebayer --> jken | ||
| + | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | There is a black rectangular casing attached to the front of the camera, with the shutter release at the top right. Three circular bulges protrude from this casing; the central one certainly contains the coupling mechanism for the focus, speed and aperture, whereas the other two contain the lenses. The name ''<small>STEREO</small> Leader'' or ''W<small>INDSOR</small> S<small>TEREO</small>'' is inscribed on the central part and the lens name is inscribed around each lens: ''LEADER ANASTIGMAT 1:4.5 45MM'' or ''TRI-WINDSOR ANASTIGMAT 1:4.5 F=45MM''.<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.999, reports 35/4.5 lenses for the Windsor Stereo, but this is certainly a mistake. The features listed in [http://archive.is/corsopolaris.net/supercameras/stereocameras1352.html this page at Innovative Cameras] (archived) are mistaken too. </REF> The shutter cocking lever protrudes from the right lens casing. The shutter is called TMK;<REF> TMK: advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.205. </REF> it is synchronized for flash and the synch post consists of a two-pin female socket protruding from the left lens casing. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | {{Flickr_image | ||
| + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48181718202/in/pool-camerawiki/ | ||
| + | |image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48181718202_8d2be50cf4_d.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= center | ||
| + | |image_text= Aperture, distance and speed settings. | ||
| + | |image_by= <!-- ebayer --> jken | ||
| + | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | The three main controls are placed above the three main bulges: from left to right we find the aperture scale from 4.5 to 16, the distance scale from infinity to 3.5ft, and the speed scale with four positions. The speed settings are indicated as ''Bulb'', ''Slow'', ''Medium'' and ''Fast'' on some examples of the Stereo Leader, and in the more usual way (B, 25, 50, 100) on the other Stereo Leader and on all the examples of the Windsor Stereo observed so far.<REF> Words for speed settings: Stereo Leader pictured in [https://web.archive.org/web/20081204100534/http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/stereocameras135.html this page at Innovative Cameras] (archived), and Stereo Leader observed in an online auction. B, 25, 50, 100: Stereo Leader pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 6036, Windsor Stereo pictured in [http://archive.is/corsopolaris.net/supercameras/stereocameras1352.html this page at Innovative Cameras] (archived) and Windsor Stereo pictured in [http://auktion.lpfoto.se/auk/w.MegaPic?inC=LP&inA=02-05-12&inO=320&inSO=1 this page by LP Foto]. {{MK}}, p.999, reports 1/25 and 1/50 speeds only for the Windsor Stereo, but this is certainly a mistake. </REF> There is a lever with ''STEREO'' and ''SINGLE'' indications at the bottom of the central bulge, switching the shutter operation from stereo pairs to single pictures. There is perhaps some other control accordingly switching the film advance mechanism. | ||
== Commercial life == | == Commercial life == | ||
| − | The Stereo Leader was featured in Japanese magazines dated September and October 1955.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.372. </REF> The September 1955 advertisement in | + | The Stereo Leader was featured in Japanese magazines dated September and October 1955.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.372. </REF> The September 1955 advertisement in {{ACA}} for the [[Stereo Hit]] also mentions an unnamed "Stereo Camera" (ステレオカメラ) using [[35mm film]], with f/4.5 lenses and B, 25, 50, 100 speeds, offered for {{yen|8,000|1955}} and certainly corresponding to the Stereo Leader.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.165. </REF> The October 1955 advertisement in the same magazine gives the full name (ステレオリーダー) and shows a picture of the camera; the maker is mentioned as Tōgōdō Sangyō (better known as [[Tougodo]]). |
| − | The April 1956 advertisement in ''[[Sankei Camera]]''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.205. </REF> says that the manufacturer is [[ | + | The April 1956 advertisement in ''[[Sankei Camera]]''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.205. </REF> says that the manufacturer is [[Heart Sangyō]] and the distributor is [[Shikōdō]]; it is not known if the production of the Stereo Leader was transferred to Heart Sangyō, or if this was a sub-contractor of Tougodo from the start. The advertisement also names the authorized dealers [[Chiyoda Shōkai]], [[Yamato|Yamato Shōkai]] and [[Yamashita|Chūō Shashin-yōhin]]. The price is now {{yen|8,800|1956}}, including the following accessories: |
* Stereo Leader flash unit; | * Stereo Leader flash unit; | ||
* plastic viewer; | * plastic viewer; | ||
* 16 inserts for film pairs; | * 16 inserts for film pairs; | ||
* leather case. | * leather case. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Windsor Stereo was reportedly advertised in the November 1954 issues of ''Popular Photography'' and of ''Modern Photography'';<REF> See [https://web.archive.org/web/20001213202200/http://www.pauck.de/archive/mailinglist/sell-3d/mhonarc/msg00806.html this post by Tom Martin] (archived), listing old advertisements for stereo cameras. </REF> this date seems strange, and November 1955 would make more sense. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 20: | Line 55: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* {{Showa10}} Item 993. (See also the advertisement for item 723.) | * {{Showa10}} Item 993. (See also the advertisement for item 723.) | ||
| − | * {{McKeown12}} | + | * {{McKeown12}} Pp.929 and 999. |
* Shima Kazuya (島和也). "Sutereo kamera onparēdo" (ステレオカメラオンパレード, Stereo cameras on parade). {{KKS027}} Pp.21–5. | * Shima Kazuya (島和也). "Sutereo kamera onparēdo" (ステレオカメラオンパレード, Stereo cameras on parade). {{KKS027}} Pp.21–5. | ||
* {{Zukan}} Item 6036. | * {{Zukan}} Item 6036. | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| − | In English | + | In English: |
| − | * [http://corsopolaris.net/supercameras/stereocameras135.html | + | * 35mm stereo cameras: [http://archive.is/corsopolaris.net/supercameras/Stereo135/stereocameras135.html part 1], including the Stereo Leader, and [http://archive.is/corsopolaris.net/supercameras/Stereo135/stereocameras1352.html part 2], including the Windsor Stereo, at Massimo Bertacchi's [http://archive.is/corsopolaris.net/supercameras/ Innovative cameras] (archived)(also in Italian) |
| + | In Swedish: | ||
| + | * [http://auktion.lpfoto.se/auk/w.MegaPic?inC=LP&inA=02-05-12&inO=320&inSO=1 Windsor Stereo], lot no.320 of [http://www.lpfoto.se/eng/index.asp LP Foto] auction no.15 (12–3 May 2002). | ||
[[Category: Japanese 35mm stereo]] | [[Category: Japanese 35mm stereo]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Bakelite]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Tougodo]] | ||
[[Category: S]] | [[Category: S]] | ||
[[Category: L|Leader, Stereo]] | [[Category: L|Leader, Stereo]] | ||
Revision as of 06:49, 9 April 2021
The Stereo Leader (ステレオリーダー) is a Japanese stereo camera taking pairs of 23×24mm exposures on 35mm film, made by Tougodo then by Heart Sangyō in 1955–6. The Windsor Stereo is a rebadged version, certainly made for export.
Description
The Stereo Leader and Windsor Stereo have a body made of black bakelite,[1] somewhat similar to that of the Stereo Hit. The viewfinder protrudes in the middle of the top plate. The film is advanced by a knob on the right end, as seen by the photographer, and the rewind knob is at the left end. The camera obviously has auto-stop advance, and there is a button to the right of the viewfinder, perhaps used to unlock the advance mechanism. The rewind unlock lever is placed next to the advance knob, and has A and R indications. The exposure counter is to the left of the viewfinder, and perhaps has two scales, for stereo pairs and for single pictures. The camera can take 29 stereo pairs on a 36-exposure film roll and 16 pairs on a 20-exposure roll.[2] The back is hinged to the right for film loading.
  
|
  
|
| Stereo Leader. Pictures courtesy of eBayer jken (Image rights) |
|
| Front casing. image by jken (Image rights) |
There is a black rectangular casing attached to the front of the camera, with the shutter release at the top right. Three circular bulges protrude from this casing; the central one certainly contains the coupling mechanism for the focus, speed and aperture, whereas the other two contain the lenses. The name STEREO Leader or WINDSOR STEREO is inscribed on the central part and the lens name is inscribed around each lens: LEADER ANASTIGMAT 1:4.5 45MM or TRI-WINDSOR ANASTIGMAT 1:4.5 F=45MM.[3] The shutter cocking lever protrudes from the right lens casing. The shutter is called TMK;[4] it is synchronized for flash and the synch post consists of a two-pin female socket protruding from the left lens casing.
|
| Aperture, distance and speed settings. image by jken (Image rights) |
The three main controls are placed above the three main bulges: from left to right we find the aperture scale from 4.5 to 16, the distance scale from infinity to 3.5ft, and the speed scale with four positions. The speed settings are indicated as Bulb, Slow, Medium and Fast on some examples of the Stereo Leader, and in the more usual way (B, 25, 50, 100) on the other Stereo Leader and on all the examples of the Windsor Stereo observed so far.[5] There is a lever with STEREO and SINGLE indications at the bottom of the central bulge, switching the shutter operation from stereo pairs to single pictures. There is perhaps some other control accordingly switching the film advance mechanism.
Commercial life
The Stereo Leader was featured in Japanese magazines dated September and October 1955.[6] The September 1955 advertisement in Asahi Camera for the Stereo Hit also mentions an unnamed "Stereo Camera" (ステレオカメラ) using 35mm film, with f/4.5 lenses and B, 25, 50, 100 speeds, offered for ¥8,000 and certainly corresponding to the Stereo Leader.[7] The October 1955 advertisement in the same magazine gives the full name (ステレオリーダー) and shows a picture of the camera; the maker is mentioned as Tōgōdō Sangyō (better known as Tougodo).
The April 1956 advertisement in Sankei Camera[8] says that the manufacturer is Heart Sangyō and the distributor is Shikōdō; it is not known if the production of the Stereo Leader was transferred to Heart Sangyō, or if this was a sub-contractor of Tougodo from the start. The advertisement also names the authorized dealers Chiyoda Shōkai, Yamato Shōkai and Chūō Shashin-yōhin. The price is now ¥8,800, including the following accessories:
- Stereo Leader flash unit;
- plastic viewer;
- 16 inserts for film pairs;
- leather case.
The Windsor Stereo was reportedly advertised in the November 1954 issues of Popular Photography and of Modern Photography;[9] this date seems strange, and November 1955 would make more sense.
Notes
- ↑ Bakelite: McKeown, p.929, where the camera is called "Leader".
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.205.
- ↑ McKeown, p.999, reports 35/4.5 lenses for the Windsor Stereo, but this is certainly a mistake. The features listed in this page at Innovative Cameras (archived) are mistaken too.
- ↑ TMK: advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.205.
- ↑ Words for speed settings: Stereo Leader pictured in this page at Innovative Cameras (archived), and Stereo Leader observed in an online auction. B, 25, 50, 100: Stereo Leader pictured in Sugiyama, item 6036, Windsor Stereo pictured in this page at Innovative Cameras (archived) and Windsor Stereo pictured in this page by LP Foto. McKeown, p.999, reports 1/25 and 1/50 speeds only for the Windsor Stereo, but this is certainly a mistake.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.372.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.165.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.205.
- ↑ See this post by Tom Martin (archived), listing old advertisements for stereo cameras.
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 993. (See also the advertisement for item 723.)
- 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). Pp.929 and 999.
- Shima Kazuya (島和也). "Sutereo kamera onparēdo" (ステレオカメラオンパレード, Stereo cameras on parade). 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.27, December 1993. No ISBN number. Stereo World (ステレオワールド). Pp.21–5.
- 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 6036.
Links
In English:
- 35mm stereo cameras: part 1, including the Stereo Leader, and part 2, including the Windsor Stereo, at Massimo Bertacchi's Innovative cameras (archived)(also in Italian)
In Swedish:
- Windsor Stereo, lot no.320 of LP Foto auction no.15 (12–3 May 2002).
