Difference between revisions of "Tsubasa Arawashi"

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{{Japanese Baby and Four}}
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{{Japanese Baby and Four
The '''Tsubasa Arawashi''' (ツバサ・アラワシ) is a 3&times;4 camera made by the Japanese company [[Kigawa|Optochrom]] in 1939&ndash;40.<REF> Dates: advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;338. </REF>
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|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/2951260279/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2951260279_3edbec7bf6_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture courtesy of {{image author|Rick Soloway}}. {{with permission}}''
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}}
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The '''Tsubasa Arawashi''' (ツバサ・アラワシ) is a 3×4 camera sold by the Japanese company [[Kigawa|Optochrom]] in 1939–40.<REF> Dates: advertisements listed in {{Kokusan}}, p.338. </REF>
  
 
== Name ==
 
== Name ==
The Japanese word ''tsubasa'', usually written 翼, means "wing" or "pair of wings", and the word ''arawashi'', usually written 荒鷲, means "wild eagle" or "ace pilot".<REF> Sugiyama, p.&nbsp;11, says that the Arawashi was "named after the famous bomber", but no Japanese aircraft seems to have been called that way. </REF> They appear in ''katakana'' (ツバサ and アラワシ) in advertisements seen so far. (An advertisement dated 1940<REF> Advertisement published in the April 1940 issue of ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;79. </REF> shows a stylized bird of prey with outstretched wings.)
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The Japanese word ''tsubasa'', usually written 翼, means "wing" or "pair of wings", and the word ''arawashi'', usually written 荒鷲, means "wild eagle" or "ace pilot".<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, p.11, says that the Arawashi was "named after the famous bomber", but no Japanese aircraft seems to have been called that way. </REF> They appear in ''katakana'' (ツバサ and アラワシ) in advertisements seen so far. (An advertisement dated 1940<REF> Advertisement published in the April 1940 issue of ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. </REF> shows a stylized bird of prey with outstretched wings.)
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
The Tsubasa Arawashi has a crudely shaped metal body. The tubular optical finder is in the middle of the top plate. A large black knurled ring supports the lens and shutter assembly. The film advance is certainly controlled by red windows.
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The Tsubasa Arawashi has an almond shaped metal body. The tubular optical finder is in the middle of the top plate. A large black knurled ring supports the lens and shutter assembly. The film advance is certainly controlled by red windows.
  
 
All the models have an everset shutter. The shutter plate is marked ''TSUBASA SHUTTER'' at the top with a ''NE'' logo between both words, and ''NEW GOLD'' at the bottom.
 
All the models have an everset shutter. The shutter plate is marked ''TSUBASA SHUTTER'' at the top with a ''NE'' logo between both words, and ''NEW GOLD'' at the bottom.
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== Evolution ==
 
== Evolution ==
 
=== Early model, bottom advance ===
 
=== Early model, bottom advance ===
The '''early model''' has the advance knob at the bottom right and the back hinged to the left. There are film flanges on both ends of the top plate.
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The '''early model''' has the advance knob at the bottom right and the back hinged to the left. There are film flanges on both ends of the top plate. The back latch consists of a sliding button.
  
In advertisements dated June and July 1939,<REF> June 1939 advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;79. July 1939 advertisement published in ''Camera,'' reproduced in [http://www.warbirds.jp/heiki/350000.htm this page of the Heiki Seikatsu website]. </REF> this model was offered in two versions:
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In advertisements dated June and July 1939,<REF> June 1939 advertisement published in {{ACA}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. July 1939 advertisement published in {{AR}}, reproduced in [http://www.warbirds.jp/heiki/350000.htm this page of the Heiki Seikatsu website]. </REF> this model appears in two versions:
* New Gold f/6.3 lens and Tsubasa B, 25&ndash;100 shutter ({{yen|20|1939}});
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* New Gold f/6.3 lens, Tsubasa shutter (B, 25–100), {{yen|20|1939}};
* New Gold f/4.5 lens and Tsubasa T, B, 25&ndash;150 shutter ({{yen|30|1939}}).
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* New Gold f/4.5 lens, Tsubasa shutter (T, B, 25–150), {{yen|30|1939}}.
  
In an advertisement dated September 1939,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;79. </REF> the features were the same but the lens name was changed to Lucomar.
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The lens name "New Gold" was perhaps used in advertisements only, or stemmed from a confusion. No "New Gold" lens has ever been observed on a [[Kigawa]] camera, but the "New Gold" brand regularly appears on the Tsubasa shutters.
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In an advertisement dated September 1939,<REF> Advertisement published in {{ACA}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. </REF> the listed versions are the same but the lens is called Lucomar, probably the brand name used from the beginning on the actual engravings.
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=== Intermediate model ===
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The '''intermediate model''' has the advance knob at the top left and the back hinged to the right. The body is upside down compared to the previous model. The back latch is the same as on the previous model.
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This model has been observed in an undated catalogue, where it is presented together with the [[Tsubasa Chrome]], [[Olympic|Olympic Four]] and [[Vest Alex and Vest Olympic|Vest Olympic]].<REF> Catalogue observed in an online auction. </REF> The example pictured in this page also seems to have this configuration, but it has a folding frame finder for 4×6.5cm and 3×4cm format which is obviously not original, and which was perhaps attached to the bottom of the camera.
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{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricksoloway/2951260279/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2951260279_3edbec7bf6_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Tsubasa Arawashi, intermediate model, Lucomar Anastigmat 50mm f/6.3 lens, finder not original.<br>Picture courtesy of {{image author|Rick Soloway}}. {{with permission}}''
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|}
  
 
=== Late model, top advance ===
 
=== Late model, top advance ===
The '''late model''' has the advance knob at the top left and the back hinged to the right. The body is upside down compared to the previous model. The back latch is modified and consists of a long sliding bar.<REF> This model is pictured in Sugiyama, item 4101. </REF>
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The '''late model''' has the same configuration as the intermediate model, but has a modified back latch consisting of a long sliding bar. One surviving example is pictured in {{SUG}}.<REF> {{SUG}}, item 4101. </REF>
  
This model was advertised in April 1940,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;79. </REF> in both f/6.3 and f/4.5 versions. The prices were the same and the shutter speeds were not given. The camera was also listed in the {{Kakaku1940_short}}, compiled on October 25, 1940 and published in January 1941, under the name "Arawashi" (&yen;28) with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}, type 1, section 3. </REF> It is not known if the set price corresponded to the f/6.3 or to the f/4.5 version.
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This model appears in an advertisement in {{ACA}} April 1940,<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. </REF> in both f/6.3 and f/4.5 versions. The prices are unchanged and the shutter speeds are not given. The camera also appears in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, under the name "Arawashi" (¥28), with no further detail.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 1, section 3. </REF> It is not known if the set price corresponded to the f/6.3 or to the f/4.5 version.
 
 
It seems that an '''intermediate model''' exists with the top advance knob, the back hinged to the right and the old type of back latch. It has been observed in an undated catalogue, where it is presented together with the [[Tsubasa Chrome]], [[Olympic|Olympic Four]] and [[Vest Alex and Vest Olympic|Vest Olympic]].<REF> Catalogue observed at a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> An example has also been observed in this configuration, but it has a folding frame finder for 4&times;6.5cm and 3&times;4cm format which is obviously not original, and which was perhaps attached to the bottom of the camera.
 
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 148. (See also the advertisement for item 150.)
 
* {{Showa10}} Item 148. (See also the advertisement for item 150.)
* {{Kakaku1940}}
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* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 1, section 3.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 4101.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 4101.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
* Advertisement for the Tsubasa Arawashi published in the July 1939 issue of ''Camera,'' reproduced in [http://www.warbirds.jp/heiki/350000.htm this page] of the [http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~heikiseikatsu/index.html Heiki Seikatsu website]
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* Advertisement for the Tsubasa Arawashi published in the July 1939 issue of {{AR}}, reproduced in [http://www.warbirds.jp/heiki/350000.htm this page] of the [http://www2.ttcn.ne.jp/~heikiseikatsu/index.html Heiki Seikatsu website]
 
 
== Timeline ==
 
{{Kigawa timeline}}
 
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 3x4 viewfinder]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 3x4 viewfinder]]
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[[Category: Kigawa]]
 
[[Category: Kigawa]]
 
[[Category: T]]
 
[[Category: T]]
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[[Category: 1939]]

Revision as of 07:33, 10 September 2011

Japanese Baby (3×4) and Four (4×4) (edit)
folding
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4×4 Adler Four | Rosen Four
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unknown
Baby First | Baby Lyra Flex
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo models ->
Japanese 4×5 and 4×6.5, 4.5×6, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Tsubasa Arawashi (ツバサ・アラワシ) is a 3×4 camera sold by the Japanese company Optochrom in 1939–40.[1]

Name

The Japanese word tsubasa, usually written 翼, means "wing" or "pair of wings", and the word arawashi, usually written 荒鷲, means "wild eagle" or "ace pilot".[2] They appear in katakana (ツバサ and アラワシ) in advertisements seen so far. (An advertisement dated 1940[3] shows a stylized bird of prey with outstretched wings.)

Description

The Tsubasa Arawashi has an almond shaped metal body. The tubular optical finder is in the middle of the top plate. A large black knurled ring supports the lens and shutter assembly. The film advance is certainly controlled by red windows.

All the models have an everset shutter. The shutter plate is marked TSUBASA SHUTTER at the top with a NE logo between both words, and NEW GOLD at the bottom.

Evolution

Early model, bottom advance

The early model has the advance knob at the bottom right and the back hinged to the left. There are film flanges on both ends of the top plate. The back latch consists of a sliding button.

In advertisements dated June and July 1939,[4] this model appears in two versions:

  • New Gold f/6.3 lens, Tsubasa shutter (B, 25–100), ¥20;
  • New Gold f/4.5 lens, Tsubasa shutter (T, B, 25–150), ¥30.

The lens name "New Gold" was perhaps used in advertisements only, or stemmed from a confusion. No "New Gold" lens has ever been observed on a Kigawa camera, but the "New Gold" brand regularly appears on the Tsubasa shutters.

In an advertisement dated September 1939,[5] the listed versions are the same but the lens is called Lucomar, probably the brand name used from the beginning on the actual engravings.

Intermediate model

The intermediate model has the advance knob at the top left and the back hinged to the right. The body is upside down compared to the previous model. The back latch is the same as on the previous model.

This model has been observed in an undated catalogue, where it is presented together with the Tsubasa Chrome, Olympic Four and Vest Olympic.[6] The example pictured in this page also seems to have this configuration, but it has a folding frame finder for 4×6.5cm and 3×4cm format which is obviously not original, and which was perhaps attached to the bottom of the camera.

Late model, top advance

The late model has the same configuration as the intermediate model, but has a modified back latch consisting of a long sliding bar. One surviving example is pictured in Sugiyama.[7]

This model appears in an advertisement in Asahi Camera April 1940,[8] in both f/6.3 and f/4.5 versions. The prices are unchanged and the shutter speeds are not given. The camera also appears in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, under the name "Arawashi" (¥28), with no further detail.[9] It is not known if the set price corresponded to the f/6.3 or to the f/4.5 version.

Notes

  1. Dates: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.338.
  2. Sugiyama, p.11, says that the Arawashi was "named after the famous bomber", but no Japanese aircraft seems to have been called that way.
  3. Advertisement published in the April 1940 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.
  4. June 1939 advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79. July 1939 advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in this page of the Heiki Seikatsu website.
  5. Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.
  6. Catalogue observed in an online auction.
  7. Sugiyama, item 4101.
  8. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.
  9. "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 1, section 3.

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 148. (See also the advertisement for item 150.)
  • "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 1, section 3.
  • 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 4101.

Links

In Japanese: