Difference between revisions of "Taroflex"
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{{Japanese prewar and wartime 6×6 TLR}} | {{Japanese prewar and wartime 6×6 TLR}} | ||
| − | The '''Taroflex''' (タローフレックス) is a Japanese | + | The '''Taroflex''' (タローフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made by [[Taron|Nippon Kōsokki]] from 1943.<REF> Date: advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.337, run from 1943 to 1944. </REF> |
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | The Taroflex is a | + | 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 is surrounded by a depth-of-field plate. 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. | 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 == | == Advertisements and other documents == | ||
| − | The Taroflex was offered for {{yen|378|1943}} in an advertisement dated May 1943, by the distributors [[Nihon Shōkai]] and [[Honjō|Honjō Shōkai]].<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. | + | The Taroflex was offered for {{yen|378|1943}} in an advertisement dated May 1943, by the distributors [[Nihon Shōkai]] and [[Honjō|Honjō Shōkai]].<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.78. </REF> 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 | + | The camera was also mentioned in the April 1943 government inquiry on Japanese camera production.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 114, under the name "Taro Ref" (タローレフ). </REF> The maker's name is unfortunately missing from the document. The lens was given as a four-element Toa 75/3.5 made by [[Ricoh|Riken]] and the shutter as an [[NKS]] (B, 1–200, self-timer) made by [[Taron|Nippon Kōsokki]]. |
== Variations and actual examples == | == Variations and actual examples == | ||
The camera pictured in the May 1943 advertisement has a viewing hood inspired from the [[Ikoflex]], with the shape of a truncated pyramid and a logo in the middle reading ''NKS TARO''. There is a large viewing loupe hinged to the front part of the hood. It is not clear if the hood contains a sportsfinder or not. 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 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. | The camera pictured in the May 1943 advertisement has a viewing hood inspired from the [[Ikoflex]], with the shape of a truncated pyramid and a logo in the middle reading ''NKS TARO''. There is a large viewing loupe hinged to the front part of the hood. It is not clear if the hood contains a sportsfinder or not. 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 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, | + | 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> Example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 2030. </REF> |
| − | One example has been observed with the truncated pyramid hood, the stepped nameplate and the company name engraving but no serial number at the bottom.<REF> ''Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten,'' p. | + | One example has been observed with the truncated pyramid hood, the stepped nameplate 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. |
Two examples of the camera have been observed with a plain flat viewing hood and the stepped nameplate but no company name. 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: example pictured in {{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 flat viewing hood and the stepped nameplate but no company name. 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: example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 2031. K.O.L. Taro lens: example observed in an online auction. </REF> | ||
| − | One example has been observed with a flat nameplate, shaped as on the [[Rolleicord|1936 Rolleicord models]].<REF> Example pictured in ''Shunkan o torae-tsuzukeru shattā-ten'', p. | + | One example has been observed with a flat nameplate, shaped as on the [[Rolleicord|1936 Rolleicord models]].<REF> Example pictured in ''Shunkan o torae-tsuzukeru shattā-ten'', p.19. </REF> The name ''Taroflex'' is inscribed in fancy script letters, and the company name is engraved below. This example has body no.2627. The shutter is an NKS-Tokio, the taking lens is engraved ''TOA'' and ''RIKEN KOGAKU'' and has no.2622, the name of the viewing lens is unknown but its number is in the same 26xx range. |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* {{Showa10}} Item 141. | * {{Showa10}} Item 141. | ||
| − | * ''Kamera no mekanizumu sono I: "Hai! Chīzu" Shunkan o torae-tsuzukeru shattā-ten'' (カメラのメカニズム・そのⅠ・「ハイ！チーズ」瞬間をとらえ続けるシャッター展, Camera mechanism, part 1 "Cheese!" Exhibition of instant taking shutters). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2002. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number) P. | + | * ''Kamera no mekanizumu sono I: "Hai! Chīzu" Shunkan o torae-tsuzukeru shattā-ten'' (カメラのメカニズム・そのⅠ・「ハイ！チーズ」瞬間をとらえ続けるシャッター展, Camera mechanism, part 1 "Cheese!" Exhibition of instant taking shutters). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2002. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number) P.19. |
* {{Inquiry1943}} Item 114. | * {{Inquiry1943}} Item 114. | ||
| − | * {{Lewis}} P. | + | * {{Lewis}} P.39 (brief mention only). |
| − | * {{McKeown12}} P. | + | * {{McKeown12}} P.915. |
| − | * {{Zukan}} Item | + | * {{Zukan}} Item 2030–1. |
| − | * Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Senzen umare no maboroshi no kokusan nigan-refu: | + | * Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Senzen umare no maboroshi no kokusan nigan-refu: 6×6-han no Sakurafurekkusu" (戦前生まれの幻の国産二眼レフ6×6判のサクラフレックス, A Japanese phantom TLR born before the war: the 6×6 Sakura-flex). {{KKS027}} Pp.122–4. The article has a front view of the Taroflex, showing the logo in the viewing hood. |
| − | * ''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. | + | * ''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. |
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 TLR]] | [[Category: Japanese 6x6 TLR]] | ||
[[Category: T]] | [[Category: T]] | ||
Revision as of 15:06, 6 March 2008
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 is surrounded by a depth-of-field plate. 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 April 1943 government inquiry on Japanese camera production.[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 viewing hood inspired from the Ikoflex, with the shape of a truncated pyramid and a logo in the middle reading NKS TARO. There is a large viewing loupe hinged to the front part of the hood. It is not clear if the hood contains a sportsfinder or not. 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 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]
One example has been observed with the truncated pyramid hood, the stepped nameplate and the company name engraving but no serial number at the bottom.[5] 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.
Two examples of the camera have been observed with a plain flat viewing hood and the stepped nameplate but no company name. 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]
One example has been observed with a flat nameplate, shaped as on the 1936 Rolleicord models.[7] The name Taroflex is inscribed in fancy script letters, and the company name is engraved below. This example has body no.2627. The shutter is an NKS-Tokio, the taking lens is engraved TOA and RIKEN KOGAKU and has no.2622, the name of the viewing lens is unknown but its number is in the same 26xx range.
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).
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 2030.
- ↑ Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten, p.25.
- ↑ Toa lens: example pictured in Sugiyama, item 2031. K.O.L. Taro lens: example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Example pictured in Shunkan o torae-tsuzukeru shattā-ten, p.19.
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.
- Kamera no mekanizumu sono I: "Hai! Chīzu" Shunkan o torae-tsuzukeru shattā-ten (カメラのメカニズム・そのⅠ・「ハイ！チーズ」瞬間をとらえ続けるシャッター展, Camera mechanism, part 1 "Cheese!" Exhibition of instant taking shutters). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2002. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number) P.19.
- "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.
- Tanimura Yoshihiko (谷村吉彦). "Senzen umare no maboroshi no kokusan nigan-refu: 6×6-han no Sakurafurekkusu" (戦前生まれの幻の国産二眼レフ6×6判のサクラフレックス, A Japanese phantom TLR born before the war: the 6×6 Sakura-flex). 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.122–4. The article has a front view of the Taroflex, showing the logo in the viewing hood.
- 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.
