Difference between revisions of "Taroflex"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (more observations) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) m (link fix) |
||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
One of the two examples pictured in {{Sugiyama}} is exactly similar to the advertised model, with Toa Anastigmat lenses and an [[NKS]] shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer) inscribed ''NKS–TOKIO'' on the speed rim.<REF> Sugiyama, item 2030 </REF> | One of the two examples pictured in {{Sugiyama}} is exactly similar to the advertised model, with Toa Anastigmat lenses and an [[NKS]] shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer) inscribed ''NKS–TOKIO'' on the speed rim.<REF> Sugiyama, item 2030 </REF> | ||
| − | Two examples of the camera have been observed with a plain viewing hood and no sportsfinder and without the company name engraving.<REF> Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 2031, and example observed in an online auction. </REF> Both have the serial number at the bottom and have the same NKS-Tokio shutter as previously described. One has Toa Anastigmat lenses and the other has a taking lens probably called [[Kajiro|K.O.L.]] Taro Anastigmat and a viewing lens whose name is unknown.<REF> Toa lens: Sugiyama, item 2031. K.O.L. Taro lens: example observed in an online auction. </REF> | + | Two examples of the camera have been observed with a plain viewing hood and no sportsfinder and without the company name engraving.<REF> Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 2031, and example observed in an online auction. </REF> Both have the serial number at the bottom and have the same NKS-Tokio shutter as previously described. One has Toa Anastigmat lenses and the other has a taking lens probably called [[Kajiro Kōgaku|K.O.L.]] Taro Anastigmat and a viewing lens whose name is unknown.<REF> Toa lens: Sugiyama, item 2031. K.O.L. Taro lens: example observed in an online auction. </REF> |
Another example has been observed with the sportsfinder hood and the company name engraving but no serial number at the bottom.<REF> ''Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten,'' p. 25. </REF> It has Toa Anastigmat lenses, with taking lens no. 2963. The shutter is a [[Ceres]] giving B, 1–300 speeds. This shutter is certainly postwar: if this fitting is original, this would mean that the production and sales of the Taroflex continued after 1945. | Another example has been observed with the sportsfinder hood and the company name engraving but no serial number at the bottom.<REF> ''Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten,'' p. 25. </REF> It has Toa Anastigmat lenses, with taking lens no. 2963. The shutter is a [[Ceres]] giving B, 1–300 speeds. This shutter is certainly postwar: if this fitting is original, this would mean that the production and sales of the Taroflex continued after 1945. | ||
Revision as of 22:59, 26 March 2007
The Taroflex (タローフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made by Nippon Kōsokki from 1943.[1]
Contents
Description
The Taroflex is a 6×6 TLR. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth. The film advance is semi-automatic, with a red window under the camera, only used to set the position of the first exposure. The focusing and film advance knobs are on the photographer's right, and there is a round exposure counter window at the top of the right-hand side plate. The focusing knob has a depth-of-field plate next to it. The nameplate has a stepped frame and reads TAROFLEX in capital letters, or perhaps TARO FLEX with a narrow space between the two words. The shutter release button is at the bottom of the front, to the photographer's left.
On all the variants, the taking lens is a 7.5cm f/3.5 and has a serial number and the viewing lens is a 7.5cm f/3.2 and is not numbered.
Advertisements and other documents
The Taroflex was offered for ¥378 in an advertisement dated May 1943, by the distributors Nihon Shōkai and Honjō Shōkai.[2] The shutter was mentioned as an NKS giving 1–200 speeds with a self-timer, and only the lens aperture was given.
The camera was also mentioned in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.[3] The maker's name is unfortunately missing from the document. The lens was given as a four-element Toa 75/3.5 made by Riken and the shutter as an NKS (B, 1–200, self-timer) made by Nippon Kōsokki.
Variations and actual examples
The camera pictured in the May 1943 advertisement has a sportsfinder built in the viewing hood, with a logo in the middle (perhaps reading NKS TOKYO). There is a large viewing loupe hinged to the front part of the hood. The company name NIPPON KOSOKUKI SEISAKUSHO TOKIO is written under the nameplate in small capital letters. It seems that the serial number is engraved at the bottom, under the moving front standard.
One of the two examples pictured in Sugiyama is exactly similar to the advertised model, with Toa Anastigmat lenses and an NKS shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer) inscribed NKS–TOKIO on the speed rim.[4]
Two examples of the camera have been observed with a plain viewing hood and no sportsfinder and without the company name engraving.[5] Both have the serial number at the bottom and have the same NKS-Tokio shutter as previously described. One has Toa Anastigmat lenses and the other has a taking lens probably called K.O.L. Taro Anastigmat and a viewing lens whose name is unknown.[6]
Another example has been observed with the sportsfinder hood and the company name engraving but no serial number at the bottom.[7] It has Toa Anastigmat lenses, with taking lens no. 2963. The shutter is a Ceres giving B, 1–300 speeds. This shutter is certainly postwar: if this fitting is original, this would mean that the production and sales of the Taroflex continued after 1945.
Notes
- ↑ Date: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337, run from 1943 to 1944.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 114, under the name "Taro Ref" (タローレフ).
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 2030
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 2031, and example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Toa lens: Sugiyama, item 2031. K.O.L. Taro lens: example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten, p. 25.
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 141.
- "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Item 114.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P. 39 (brief mention only).
- 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. 915.
- 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 2030–1.
- Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten (私の二眼レフカメラ展, Exhibition of twin lens reflex cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P. 25.
