Difference between revisions of "Toyoca 35 (TLR)"
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| − | || ''Toyoca 35 (TLR) no. | + | || ''Toyoca 35 (TLR) no.55673, taking lens no.541121, viewing lens no.541446, [[NKS]] shutter (B, 1–200), second nameplate variant.''<br>''Picture courtesy of Alexander Schulz. {{with permission}}'' |
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| − | At least four nameplate variants exist with the [[NKS]] shutter. The '''first nameplate''' has no underlining, a plain ''Toyoca'' with a squarish "y" letter and perhaps'' '35' ''in single quotes. It is only known from the April 1955 advertisement in | + | At least four nameplate variants exist with the [[NKS]] shutter. The '''first nameplate''' has no underlining, a plain ''Toyoca'' with a squarish "y" letter and perhaps'' '35' ''in single quotes. It is only known from the April 1955 advertisement in {{ACA}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.152. </REF> The '''second nameplate''' has the word ''Toyoca'' underlined from the bottom of the "T" to the end of the "a", with a round "y" letter and no quotes around ''35''.<REF> Examples pictured in this article (no.55673), in [http://www.ne.jp/asahi/clacame/club/toyoca35.html this page at Kamera Tenjiba], in [http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/0002.htm this page at Nekosan], and observed in online auctions. </REF> The '''third nameplate''' has bars coming out of the letters "y" and "a", underlining the word ''Toyoca'', and has ''"35"'' in double quotes.<REF> Examples pictured in {{SUG}}, item 3823, in Awano, p.155 of {{KKS}} no.35, and in ''Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten'', p.31. </REF> The '''fourth nameplate''' has long bars coming out of the "T" and "y" letters and double quotes.<REF> Examples pictured in {{SUG}}, item 3822, and in [http://www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium/pm.cgi?action=display&login=toyoca this page at Historic Camera]. </REF> |
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| − | || ''Second, third and fourth nameplate variants (from left to right).''<br>''Left and right pictures courtesy of Alexander Schulz. {{with permission}}''<br>''Middle picture from the October 1955 special issue of | + | || ''Second, third and fourth nameplate variants (from left to right).''<br>''Left and right pictures courtesy of Alexander Schulz. {{with permission}}''<br>''Middle picture from the October 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}. {{public domain Japan new}}'' |
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=== Second version, 1/300 top speed === | === Second version, 1/300 top speed === | ||
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| − | || ''Column on the Toyoca 35 (TLR) in the October 1955 special issue of | + | || ''Column on the Toyoca 35 (TLR) in the October 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}. {{public domain Japan new}}'' |
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| − | The Toyoca 35 TLR was featured in Japanese magazines dated February 1955, and was first advertised on the same month.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.356. </REF> Advertisements dated April, June and November 1955 in | + | The Toyoca 35 TLR was featured in Japanese magazines dated February 1955, and was first advertised on the same month.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.356. </REF> Advertisements dated April, June and November 1955 in {{ACA}} give the price of {{yen|11,000|1955}} (case included).<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.152. </REF> In all these, the shutter is mentioned as an [[NKS]] (B, 1–200), and the pictured camera corresponds to the first version with 1/200 top speed, mainly recognized by the aperture scale at the top of the shutter casing. The nameplate in the April picture is of the first type, and it is of the third type in the June and November pictures. |
| − | The camera was also featured in the October 1955 special issue of | + | The camera was also featured in the October 1955 special issue of {{FAR}}.<REF> Special issue of {{FAR}} October 1955 ''Kamera no chishiki'', p.73. </REF> The picture and the price are the same as in the June and November advertisements. |
| − | The November 1956 advertisement in | + | The November 1956 advertisement in {{ACA}} gives the price of {{yen|1956|10,000}}, with ¥1,000 extra for the case.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.152. </REF> The shutter name is not mentioned. In the picture, the aperture scale is at the bottom, indicating that the camera is of the second version, and the taking lens has a silver rim. |
The last reported advertisement is dated January 1957.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.356. </REF> | The last reported advertisement is dated January 1957.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.356. </REF> | ||
== Total production == | == Total production == | ||
| − | The observed or reported body numbers of the Toyoca 35, Haco 35 and Hulda 35 have five digits in the 55xxx, 56xxx and 57xxx range; the first two digits might indicate the year of production but this is yet unclear.<REF> Known body numbers: from 55444 to | + | The observed or reported body numbers of the Toyoca 35, Haco 35 and Hulda 35 have five digits in the 55xxx, 56xxx and 57xxx range; the first two digits might indicate the year of production but this is yet unclear.<REF> Known body numbers: from 55444 to 55831, from 56470 to 56881, and from 57161 to 57205. </REF> The known taking and viewing lens numbers usually have either six digits in the 541xxx range or five digits in the 55xxx range, and a few taking lenses have a five-digit number in the 56xxx or 58xxx range.<REF> Known taking lens numbers: from 541024 to 541918, from 55126 to 55911, 56818, 58026 and 58070. Known viewing lens numbers: from 541154 to 541930, and from 55115 to 55795. </REF> The spanned range tends to indicate that the viewing and taking lenses were numbered in separate sequences; the lens number prefix might indicate the year of production too. The total production can be estimated at little less than 2,000 units. |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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* {{McKeown12}} P.932. | * {{McKeown12}} P.932. | ||
* ''[[Photo Art]] Rinji Zōkan Kamera no Chishiki'' (臨時増刊カメラの知識, special issue on cameras). October 1955. "Kokusan kamera no hatten 1: 35-miri kamera" (国産カメラの祭典1・35ミリカメラ), article on 35mm cameras, pp.71–82. | * ''[[Photo Art]] Rinji Zōkan Kamera no Chishiki'' (臨時増刊カメラの知識, special issue on cameras). October 1955. "Kokusan kamera no hatten 1: 35-miri kamera" (国産カメラの祭典1・35ミリカメラ), article on 35mm cameras, pp.71–82. | ||
| + | * Schulz, Alexander. "Kameras aus dem Hause Tougo (I)" (Cameras of the Tougo firm [I]). In ''Photographica Cabinett'' no.43 (April 2008). Pp.16–20. | ||
* {{Zukan}} Items 3271 and 3822–3. | * {{Zukan}} Items 3271 and 3822–3. | ||
* ''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.31. | * ''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.31. | ||
Revision as of 11:26, 15 November 2008
The Toyoca 35[1] (トヨカ35) TLR, sometimes called "Toyocaflex 35" (トヨカフレックス35), is a Japanese 35mm TLR made by Tougodo from 1955 to 1957. The Haco 35 and Hulda 35 are name variants.
Contents
Description
The Toyoca 35 TLR is shaped as a conventional 35mm camera with a mirror box and viewing lens grafted on one side of the taking lens. There is an additional direct vision finder in the top housing, above the taking lens. The film runs horizontally and is advanced by a knob at the right end of the top plate, as seen by the photographer. The knob has an arrow indicating the turning direction, and its base is surrounded by an exposure counter; it is not coupled to the shutter, which must be cocked separately by hand. Next to the advance knob is the shutter release, surrounded by a removable milled cup which is sometimes missing on the examples found today; this release button is interlocked with the advance for double exposure prevention. The accessory shoe is to the right of the direct vision finder. The viewing hood for the reflex finder is on the left, and contains a magnifying lens hinged at the front and erected by a small lever on the side. There is a condenser in the reflex finder, for brighter illumination of the corners, and the viewing screen has a cross and parallax indications on the left.[2] The rewind knob is at the left end of the top plate.
The camera name Toyoca 35, is engraved on a nameplate screwed above the viewing lens; variations in the engraving are known (see below), sometimes with quotes around "35". There is a lens-shaped TOYOCA FLEX logo and "35" above the direct vision finder. The body serial number is inscribed in front of the accessory shoe.
The back is hinged to the right; inside the camera the exposure chamber and pressure plate appear offset to the right because of the mirror box. There are knob-like flanges at both ends of the bottom plate. The one on the advance side contains a tripod thread, there is a smaller knob next to it, with A and R indications, to unlock the sprocket shaft for film rewind. The bottom plate also has the words MADE IN JAPAN engraved in small characters.
  
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| Toyoca 35 (TLR) no.56881, B, 1–300 speeds, silver lens rim. Pictures courtesy of Bernard Guéant. (Image rights) |
 
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| Direct release lever (old and new). (Image rights) |
The two lenses and the shutter unit move together for focusing; the helical surrounding the taking lens is driven by a focusing tab. The shutter gives B, 1–200 or B, 1–300 speeds (see below) and has a self-timer. It has an additional release lever on the side, opposite the self-timer lever, used in case the user accidentally trips the main release without having cocked the shutter first: the lock for double exposure prevention then makes the main release inoperable and the loaded film frame would otherwise be lost.[3] There are two PC synch sockets buried in the main body under the viewing lens, with F and X indications corresponding to flash bulbs or electronic flash.
The taking lens is an Owla Anastigmat 4.5cm f/3.5 and the viewing lens is a Viewer Owla Anastigmat 4.5cm f/3.5. The lens numbers are in the same range, and the two lenses are probably identical except for the marking.
Evolution of the Toyoca 35
The Toyoca 35 slightly evolved during its production run.
First version, NKS shutter
The first version has an NKS shutter (B, 1–200), with either one of four different nameplates. The aperture scale is above the shutter casing and has the NKS logo. The black shutter plate sometimes has TOYOCA at the bottom, but this is not the sign of a shutter change.[4] The first version is also distinguished by the shape of the focusing tab, reproducing the shape of the fixed part of the mount, and by the presence of a spring-loaded infinity stop. The examples of the first version are said to focus down to 2.5ft.[5]
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| Toyoca 35 (TLR) no.55673, taking lens no.541121, viewing lens no.541446, NKS shutter (B, 1–200), second nameplate variant. Picture courtesy of Alexander Schulz. (Image rights) |
At least four nameplate variants exist with the NKS shutter. The first nameplate has no underlining, a plain Toyoca with a squarish "y" letter and perhaps '35' in single quotes. It is only known from the April 1955 advertisement in Asahi Camera.[6] The second nameplate has the word Toyoca underlined from the bottom of the "T" to the end of the "a", with a round "y" letter and no quotes around 35.[7] The third nameplate has bars coming out of the letters "y" and "a", underlining the word Toyoca, and has "35" in double quotes.[8] The fourth nameplate has long bars coming out of the "T" and "y" letters and double quotes.[9]
  
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| Second, third and fourth nameplate variants (from left to right). Left and right pictures courtesy of Alexander Schulz. (Image rights) Middle picture from the October 1955 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights) |
Second version, 1/300 top speed
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|
On the second version, the NKS shutter was replaced by a different model, giving B, 1–300 speeds. The new shutter is also distinguished by a different position and shape of the shutter cocking lever, and by the aperture scale moved to the bottom of the shutter plate. The second version is also distinguished by a new focusing tab with no infinity stop, and by a close focusing distance of 3.5ft instead of 2.5ft.[10]
 
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| Toyoca 35 (TLR) no.57205, taking lens no.56818, viewing lens no.541247, B, 1–300 speeds, black lens rim. Pictures courtesy of Alexander Schulz. (Image rights) |
All the cameras of the second version have the fourth nameplate type. The early examples retain the silver taking lens rim of the previous version.[11] The last examples have a black instead of silver taking lens rim.[12]
Hulda 35 and Haco 35 name variants
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| Hulda 35 no.56605, NKS shutter, HULDA FLEX logo. Picture courtesy of Alexander Schulz. (Image rights) |
The Hulda 35 is a name variant of the Toyoca 35, mainly differing by the HULDA "35" nameplate. It is only known with the NKS shutter (B, 1–200). Some examples have a HULDA FLEX logo engraved on the top housing, but at least one is known with the TOYOCA FLEX logo instead.[13]
The Haco 35 is another name variant of the Toyoca 35, probably made for export only.[14] It was certainly sold by the same distributor as the Haco-44 TLR. The only example observed so far is pictured in Sugiyama.[15] It has the newer shutter to 1/300 and the newer focusing tab, and its taking lens has a silver rim. Its nameplate reads HACO "35", and it is unclear if the top housing has TOYOCA or HACO.
Commercial life
|
| Column on the Toyoca 35 (TLR) in the October 1955 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights) |
The Toyoca 35 TLR was featured in Japanese magazines dated February 1955, and was first advertised on the same month.[16] Advertisements dated April, June and November 1955 in Asahi Camera give the price of ¥11,000 (case included).[17] In all these, the shutter is mentioned as an NKS (B, 1–200), and the pictured camera corresponds to the first version with 1/200 top speed, mainly recognized by the aperture scale at the top of the shutter casing. The nameplate in the April picture is of the first type, and it is of the third type in the June and November pictures.
The camera was also featured in the October 1955 special issue of Photo Art.[18] The picture and the price are the same as in the June and November advertisements.
The November 1956 advertisement in Asahi Camera gives the price of ¥1956, with ¥1,000 extra for the case.[19] The shutter name is not mentioned. In the picture, the aperture scale is at the bottom, indicating that the camera is of the second version, and the taking lens has a silver rim.
The last reported advertisement is dated January 1957.[20]
Total production
The observed or reported body numbers of the Toyoca 35, Haco 35 and Hulda 35 have five digits in the 55xxx, 56xxx and 57xxx range; the first two digits might indicate the year of production but this is yet unclear.[21] The known taking and viewing lens numbers usually have either six digits in the 541xxx range or five digits in the 55xxx range, and a few taking lenses have a five-digit number in the 56xxx or 58xxx range.[22] The spanned range tends to indicate that the viewing and taking lenses were numbered in separate sequences; the lens number prefix might indicate the year of production too. The total production can be estimated at little less than 2,000 units.
Notes
- ↑ "Toyoca" is certainly the contraction of Toyohashi — Tougodo's hometown — and Camera.
- ↑ Details of the reflex finder: Awano, p.155 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.35.
- ↑ Release lever described in Awano, p.155 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.35. It is visible on the cameras with 1/200 and 1/300 top speed.
- ↑ Compare the cameras pictured in Sugiyama, items 3822 and 3823: the shutter controls are identical and the only difference is the TOYOCA marking (and the nameplate variant).
- ↑ Awano, p.155 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.35, says 2.5ft on the "early version" (初期型).
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.152.
- ↑ Examples pictured in this article (no.55673), in this page at Kamera Tenjiba, in this page at Nekosan, and observed in online auctions.
- ↑ Examples pictured in Sugiyama, item 3823, in Awano, p.155 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.35, and in Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten, p.31.
- ↑ Examples pictured in Sugiyama, item 3822, and in this page at Historic Camera.
- ↑ Awano, p.155 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.35, says 3ft for the second version by mistake.
- ↑ Examples pictured in this article (no.56881), in McKeown, p.932 (where the shutter is wrongly described as an NSK), and in Kuno, pp.129–30 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Examples pictured in this article (no.57205) and observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Hulda 35 with HULDA FLEX: examples pictured in this article (no.56605) and in Kuno, p.130 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10. Hulda 35 with TOYOCA FLEX: example pictured in the 18 December 1996 Christies auction catalogue, lot no.187.
- ↑ Export only: Sugiyama, item 3271.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 3271.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.356.
- ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.152.
- ↑ Special issue of Photo Art October 1955 Kamera no chishiki, p.73.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.152.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.356.
- ↑ Known body numbers: from 55444 to 55831, from 56470 to 56881, and from 57161 to 57205.
- ↑ Known taking lens numbers: from 541024 to 541918, from 55126 to 55911, 56818, 58026 and 58070. Known viewing lens numbers: from 541154 to 541930, and from 55115 to 55795.
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 629. (See also the advertisements for items 628 and 630.)
- Awano Mikio (粟野幹男). "Aishō 'yoko-nigan' no 35mm-ki: Toyokafurekkusu 35 [Toyoka 35]" (愛称'横二眼'の35mm機・トヨカフレックス35[トヨカ35], The Toyocaflex 35 [Toyoca 35], a so-called 'horizontal TLR' 35mm camera.) 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.35, November 1995. Nihon no kamera 50nen (日本のカメラ50年, special issue on 50 years of Japanese cameras). P.155.
- Christies auction catalogue: "Rare 35mm and Other Cameras" (18 December 1996), lot no.187 (Hulda 35).
- Kuno Mikio (久野幹雄). "35mm-han nigan-refu no sekai" (35mm判二眼レフの世界, The world of 35mm TLRs.) 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.10, September 1987. No ISBN number. Konishiroku kamera no rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, special issue on Konishiroku). Pp.128–30.
- 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.932.
- Photo Art Rinji Zōkan Kamera no Chishiki (臨時増刊カメラの知識, special issue on cameras). October 1955. "Kokusan kamera no hatten 1: 35-miri kamera" (国産カメラの祭典1・35ミリカメラ), article on 35mm cameras, pp.71–82.
- Schulz, Alexander. "Kameras aus dem Hause Tougo (I)" (Cameras of the Tougo firm [I]). In Photographica Cabinett no.43 (April 2008). Pp.16–20.
- 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 3271 and 3822–3.
- 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.31.
Links
In English:
- Marriage, John. "History of the 35mm Twin Lens Reflex".
- 35mm TLR at Massimo Bertacchi's Innovative cameras, also reproduced here at Fotografia e Reflex (these pages are based on the above article by John Marriage)
- Toyoca 35 at Historic Camera
- Toyoca 35 among Tougodo cameras at Nekosan's website
In Japanese:
- Toyoca 35 at the Kamera Tenjiba
