Difference between revisions of "Tanack V3 and VP"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) m (WIP) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (description) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{WIP}} | {{WIP}} | ||
{{Japanese 35mm focal plane VF and RF}} | {{Japanese 35mm focal plane VF and RF}} | ||
| + | The '''Tanack V3''' (タナックV3) and '''Tanack VP''' (タナックVP) are Japanese 35mm rangefinder cameras, made from 1959 by [[Tanaka|Tanaka Kōgaku]]. They are often described as a Leica copy, though their design and features were actually inspired from [[Canon]] models such as the [[Canon L1|L1]]. These cameras succeeded to the [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack IV-S]], a successful Leica copy with hinged back. They came after the more ambitious [[Tanack SD]], released in 1957 and inspired from the [[Nikon S2]], that was a commercial failure. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == The Tanack V3 == | ||
| + | === Description === | ||
| + | The die-cast body of the Tanack V3 is apparently the same as on the [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack IV-S]], presumably to spare the cost of making new dies for the camera. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The top cover is all new, and its design was somewhat inspired by that of the [[Canon L1]]. It contains a viewfinder and rangefinder combined in a single round eyepiece, offset to the left as seen by the photographer. The viewfinder has 1.0× magnification and contains a bright frame for 50mm focal length only, with fixed parallax indications.<REF name="saito 249"> Saitō, p.249 of {{SK}} March 1959. </REF> The rangefinder has 50mm effective base,<REF name="saito 249" /> and its round second-image window gives a round patch at the centre of the viewing field. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The film is advanced by a lever, containing an exposure counter visible through a crescent-shaped window. It is rewound by a folding crank at the opposite end. The sprocket shaft is disengaged for rewind by turning a collar around the release button, with ''A'' and ''R'' indications. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The focal plane shutter is operated by two separate dials, and is certainly the same as that of the [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack IV-S]]. The top dial is black and normally has B, 25–1 (in red), 50, 75, 100, 200, 500 positions, though very late examples have a different range of speeds (see below). An additional ''X'' indication is provided in green, pointing to the same position as ''25–1''. The front dial is black and chrome, and normally has the positions T, 1, 2, 4, 8, 25 (in red). | ||
| + | |||
| + | The camera has a PC flash socket at the left end of the top cover. There is a sliding button switching from ''F'' to ''X'', placed next to the socket at the rear left of the camera. The accessory shoe is at its usual location between the viewfinder and speed dial. There are strap lugs on both sides of the body. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The lens mount is a three-lug bayonet, inspired by the [[Leica M3]] but specific to the Tanack V3. The lens release button is on the side of the mount, as on the Leica M. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The back is hinged to the right; it is similar to that of the [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack IV-S]] but has a round film reminder in the middle, combined with an exposure calculator for flash bulbs. The locking latch of the IV-S was replaced by a round folding key under the camera, with ''O'' and ''C'' indications. This new configuration maybe allows to take refillable film cassettes. The word ''Japan'' is inscribed in small characters under the camera, next to the locking key, and the tripod thread is on the opposite side. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The name ''Tanack'' and model name ''TYPE–V<small>3</small>'' are engraved above the viewfinder, together with a red film plane indicator. The serial number is engraved in front of the accessory shoe: ''N°xxxxxx''. The company name ''Tanaka Optical Co., Ltd.'' is engraved at the rear of the top cover. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 20:26, 25 April 2009
The Tanack V3 (タナックV3) and Tanack VP (タナックVP) are Japanese 35mm rangefinder cameras, made from 1959 by Tanaka Kōgaku. They are often described as a Leica copy, though their design and features were actually inspired from Canon models such as the L1. These cameras succeeded to the Tanack IV-S, a successful Leica copy with hinged back. They came after the more ambitious Tanack SD, released in 1957 and inspired from the Nikon S2, that was a commercial failure.
The Tanack V3
Description
The die-cast body of the Tanack V3 is apparently the same as on the Tanack IV-S, presumably to spare the cost of making new dies for the camera.
The top cover is all new, and its design was somewhat inspired by that of the Canon L1. It contains a viewfinder and rangefinder combined in a single round eyepiece, offset to the left as seen by the photographer. The viewfinder has 1.0× magnification and contains a bright frame for 50mm focal length only, with fixed parallax indications.[1] The rangefinder has 50mm effective base,[1] and its round second-image window gives a round patch at the centre of the viewing field.
The film is advanced by a lever, containing an exposure counter visible through a crescent-shaped window. It is rewound by a folding crank at the opposite end. The sprocket shaft is disengaged for rewind by turning a collar around the release button, with A and R indications.
The focal plane shutter is operated by two separate dials, and is certainly the same as that of the Tanack IV-S. The top dial is black and normally has B, 25–1 (in red), 50, 75, 100, 200, 500 positions, though very late examples have a different range of speeds (see below). An additional X indication is provided in green, pointing to the same position as 25–1. The front dial is black and chrome, and normally has the positions T, 1, 2, 4, 8, 25 (in red).
The camera has a PC flash socket at the left end of the top cover. There is a sliding button switching from F to X, placed next to the socket at the rear left of the camera. The accessory shoe is at its usual location between the viewfinder and speed dial. There are strap lugs on both sides of the body.
The lens mount is a three-lug bayonet, inspired by the Leica M3 but specific to the Tanack V3. The lens release button is on the side of the mount, as on the Leica M.
The back is hinged to the right; it is similar to that of the Tanack IV-S but has a round film reminder in the middle, combined with an exposure calculator for flash bulbs. The locking latch of the IV-S was replaced by a round folding key under the camera, with O and C indications. This new configuration maybe allows to take refillable film cassettes. The word Japan is inscribed in small characters under the camera, next to the locking key, and the tripod thread is on the opposite side.
The name Tanack and model name TYPE–V3 are engraved above the viewfinder, together with a red film plane indicator. The serial number is engraved in front of the accessory shoe: N°xxxxxx. The company name Tanaka Optical Co., Ltd. is engraved at the rear of the top cover.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Saitō, p.249 of Shashin Kōgyō March 1959.
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. Items 1338–9.
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Kokusan Barunakku-gata kamera: Tanakku" (国産バルナック型カメラ・タナック, Japanese Leica-type cameras: Tanack). In 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.37, March 1996. No ISBN number. Leica Book '96 (ライカブック'96). Pp.52–5.
- Christies auction catalogue: Leica, Nikon and Canon Cameras and Leica copies, June 9, 1994, lot no.28.
- HPR. Leica Copies. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1994. ISBN 1-874485-05-4. Pp.301–3.
- 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.914.
- Pont, P.-H., and Princelle, J.-L. 300 Leica Copies. Neuilly: Fotosaga, 1990. ISBN 2-906840-03-3. P.248.
- Saitō Tomosaburō (齋藤友三郎), of the Tanaka Kōgaku company. "Tanakku V3 no kikō to tokuchō" (タナックV3の機構と特徴, Mechanism and characteristics of the Tanack V3). In Shashin Kōgyō no.83, March 1959.
- 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 3769–70.
- Teranishi Jirō (寺西二郎). "Tanakku VP" (タナックVP, Tanack VP). In 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.45, March 1998. ISBN 4-257-13014-8. Sekai no Raika-gata kamera (世界のライカ型カメラ, Leica-like cameras of the world). Pp.26–7.
Links
In English:
- Tanack V3 and Tanack family at Ian Norris' Prime Lens
- Tanack V3 among copies of the Leica III at Massimo Bertacchi's Innovative Cameras
- Tanack V3 (1/1000 top speed) with Tanar 5cm f/2: lot no.259 of auction no.10 (November 18, 2006) by Westlicht
- Tanack V3 with Tanar 5cm f/2.8: lot no.142 of the October 15, 1998 auction by Christies
- Tanack V3: lot no.786 of the May 20, 2006 auction by Auction Team Breker
In Japanese:
- Tanack V3 with Tanar 5cm f/1.9 at Koujiya's blog
- Tanack V3 with Tanar 5cm f/1.9 and with Tanar 5cm f/1.8 at Fukagawa Seimitsu Kōbō
- Tanack VP at Nagoya's Camera Club
