Difference between revisions of "Tanaka"
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== History == | == History == | ||
| − | Tanaka Kōgaku was perhaps already active in the early 1950s, making screw lenses and camera accessories.<REF> Awano, p.52 of {{KKS}} no.37. </REF> It announced a Leica copy called [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack 35]] in late 1952, improved in 1954 as the [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack IIIS]] and in 1955 as the [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack IV-S]]. The latter model met some success and was produced until 1958. At the same time, Tanaka was making a series of [[Tanar lenses]] in [[39mm screw lenses|Leica mount]], to go on the Tanack cameras. | + | Tanaka Kōgaku was perhaps already active in the early 1950s, making screw lenses and camera accessories.<REF> Awano, p.52 of {{KKS}} no.37. </REF> It was founded by a former employee of [[Kōgaku Seiki]] (predecessor of [[Nicca]]), who worked under [[Kumagai Genji]] on the [[Nippon (35mm)|Nippon]] Leica copy.<REF> Shirai, pp.25–6 of ''Maboroshi no kamera o otte'': 熊谷氏の会社の職人だった人々が作ったカメラに、やはりライカそっくりの「タナック」、「チヨタックス」、「メルコン」があるという. </REF> The company announced a Leica copy called [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack 35]] in late 1952, improved in 1954 as the [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack IIIS]] and in 1955 as the [[Tanack 35 to IV-S|Tanack IV-S]]. The latter model met some success and was produced until 1958. At the same time, Tanaka was making a series of [[Tanar lenses]] in [[39mm screw lenses|Leica mount]], to go on the Tanack cameras. |
In 1957, Tanaka released an ambitious rangefinder camera called [[Tanack SD]], inspired by the [[Nikon S2]] but taking [[39mm screw lenses|Leica mount lenses]]. The camera was produced until 1959 but met very limited success. | In 1957, Tanaka released an ambitious rangefinder camera called [[Tanack SD]], inspired by the [[Nikon S2]] but taking [[39mm screw lenses|Leica mount lenses]]. The camera was produced until 1959 but met very limited success. | ||
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* 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 {{KKS037}} Pp.52–5. | * 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 {{KKS037}} Pp.52–5. | ||
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.913–4. | * {{McKeown12}} Pp.913–4. | ||
| + | * Shirai Tatsuo (白井達男). "Nippon Kamera" (ニッポンカメラ, Nippon Camera). Pp.17–26 of ''Maboroshi no kamera o otte'' (幻のカメラを追って, Pursuing phantom cameras). Gendai Kamera Shinsho (現代カメラ新書). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1982. ISBN 4-257-08077-9. (First published in ''Kamera Rebyū / Camera Review'' no.2, February 1978.) Contains an interview of [[Kumagai Genji]], mentioning the [[Chiyoca and Chiyotax]] as made by a former employee. | ||
[[Category: Japanese camera makers]] | [[Category: Japanese camera makers]] | ||
[[Category: Japanese lens makers]] | [[Category: Japanese lens makers]] | ||
Revision as of 16:04, 17 April 2009
See also the wartime Tanaka, maker of the Mulix, and Tanaka Shōkai, an unrelated distributor.
Tanaka Kōgaku (田中光学, meaning Tanaka Optical) was a Japanese camera and lens maker.
History
Tanaka Kōgaku was perhaps already active in the early 1950s, making screw lenses and camera accessories.[1] It was founded by a former employee of Kōgaku Seiki (predecessor of Nicca), who worked under Kumagai Genji on the Nippon Leica copy.[2] The company announced a Leica copy called Tanack 35 in late 1952, improved in 1954 as the Tanack IIIS and in 1955 as the Tanack IV-S. The latter model met some success and was produced until 1958. At the same time, Tanaka was making a series of Tanar lenses in Leica mount, to go on the Tanack cameras.
In 1957, Tanaka released an ambitious rangefinder camera called Tanack SD, inspired by the Nikon S2 but taking Leica mount lenses. The camera was produced until 1959 but met very limited success.
In early 1959, the company made an attempt to give a successor to the Tanack IV-S, releasing the Tanack V3 with a specific bayonet mount. Tanaka finally produced the Tanack VP, an evolution of the V3 turning back to the Leica screw mount, but it lacked the resource to develop it further, and disappeared in 1959 or 1960.
Camera list
Lens list
- Tanar lenses in Leica screw mount
- tele lenses for 16mm and 8mm movie cameras (announced in mid 1953)[3]
Other
- accessory finders for the Tanar lenses
- Universal zoom finder for 35mm cameras (announced in mid 1953)[4]
Notes
- ↑ Awano, p.52 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.37.
- ↑ Shirai, pp.25–6 of Maboroshi no kamera o otte: 熊谷氏の会社の職人だった人々が作ったカメラに、やはりライカそっくりの「タナック」、「チヨタックス」、「メルコン」があるという.
- ↑ Advertisement in Ars Camera May 1953, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.145.
- ↑ Advertisement in Ars Camera May 1953, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.145.
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.
- 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.
- 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.913–4.
- Shirai Tatsuo (白井達男). "Nippon Kamera" (ニッポンカメラ, Nippon Camera). Pp.17–26 of Maboroshi no kamera o otte (幻のカメラを追って, Pursuing phantom cameras). Gendai Kamera Shinsho (現代カメラ新書). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1982. ISBN 4-257-08077-9. (First published in Kamera Rebyū / Camera Review no.2, February 1978.) Contains an interview of Kumagai Genji, mentioning the Chiyoca and Chiyotax as made by a former employee.
