Difference between revisions of "Tsubasa Chrome"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(some details, added a source, more to come)
(reworked)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{127 Japan}}
 
{{127 Japan}}
−
The '''Tsubasa Chrome''' (ツバサ・クローム) is a dual format camera, taking both 4×6.5cm and 3×4cm format pictures on [[127 film]], that was made by the Japanese company [[Kigawa|Optochrom]]. Its lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a telescopic tube. There is a tubular optical finder, with delimitations for both formats. The leatherette is embossed ''TSUBASA'' on the left of the body. No focusing device is visible; maybe it was [[fixfocus]].
+
The '''Tsubasa Chrome''' is a dual format camera, taking both 4×6.5cm and 3×4cm format pictures on [[127 film]], that was made by the Japanese company [[Kigawa|Optochrom]]. Its lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a telescopic tube. There is a tubular optical finder, with delimitations for both formats. The leatherette is embossed ''TSUBASA'' on the left of the body. No focusing device is visible; maybe it has [[fixed focusing]]. There are two red windows in the back, both uncovered, to control the film advance.
  
−
On the cameras observed, the lens is a Lucomar Anastigmat 75/6.3 and the shutter has T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds. The shutter plate is marked ''WING ANCHOR'' at the top and ''MADE IN JAPAN'' at the bottom and there is a logo at the right (''NE'' in a circle). Two variants have been observed:
+
The '''original Tsubasa Chrome''' (ツバサ・クローム) has a Tsubasa shutter with T, B, 25&ndash;100 speeds. There is a buttom on the top plate that looks like a body release but it is actually a release for the spring loaded telescopic tube. It is advertised in 1937<REF> {{Showa10ad|Tsubasa Chrome and Semi Chrome B|143|Aug 37|Asahi Camera}} </REF> and 1938<REF> {{Showa10ad|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome and Tsubasa Spring|146|Jun 38|Asahi Camera}} Eight authorized dealers are mentioned, among which Asanuma Shōkai, Misuzu Shōkai, Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, Mizuno Shashinki-ten, Eikō-Dō, Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten and Ueda Shashinki-ten. </REF> with a Lucomar f:6.3 lens (&yen;19.50 then &yen;23) or a Lucomar f:4.5 lens (&yen;28.50 then &yen;34, case for an extra &yen;4 then &yen;4.50). On the camera pictured, the shutter plate is marked ''TSUBASA SHUTTER'' at the top, with a logo between both words, and ''NEW GOLD'' at the bottom.
−
* no shutter release visible, maybe the shutter is everset or only a soft release can be used (see [http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/tsubasa/index.html at Mediajoy Cla_came])
 
−
* body release (at least there is a button on the body, pictured in McKeown)
 
  
−
It appeared in a 1938 ad (in the September 1938 issue of ''Asahi Camera,'' visible [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm here]) as the '''Tsubasa Chrome New''' (ツバサ・クローム新型, means "New Model"). There is a body release in the picture, which might be the significance of the "new model". It was offered with a Tsubasa shutter, speeds maybe T-B-25-50-100-150 (barely readable). The lens name was maybe Lucomar (barely readable in the ad, but name observed on the cameras). The price was &yen;25 with a f/6.3 (probably) lens, and &yen;34 with a f/4.5 lens. The case was sold for 5 yen. On the ad's picture, the shutter plate could be the same as described above. Another Japanese catalogue, probably from 1942, listed the Tsubasa Chrome for &yen;40, with a Lucomar f/6.3 lens and a Tsubasa T-B-25-100-150 shutter (1/50 speed omitted maybe by mistake). The case was offered for an additional &yen;6.70.
+
The '''Tsubasa Chrome New''' (ツバサ・クローム・新型) has a Tsubasa shutter with T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds. It is advertised in 1938<REF> {{Gochamaze|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome New, Tsubasa Spring Camera and Baby Chrome|44|Sep 1938|Asahi Camera}} </REF> and 1939 <REF> {{Showa10ad|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome New, Tsubasa Spring Camera and Baby Chrome|144|Feb 1939|Asahi Camera}} This advertisement is looking the same as the one dated September 1938 cited above, but there are some detail differences. </REF> with a Lucomar f:6.3 lens (&yen;25) or a Lucomar f:4.5 lens (&yen;34, case for an extra &yen;5). On the camera pictured, the shutter plate is marked ''WING ANCHOR'' at the top, ''MADE IN JAPAN'' at the bottom, with a logo at the right. Compared to the original model, the advance knob has a different higher shape. The button on the top plate is still there is the September 1938 advertisement, but has disappeared in the one dated February 1939. The same camera is advertised again in April 1939<REF> {Showa10ad|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa A Chrome and Tsubasa Chrome|147|Apr 1939|Asahi Camera}} The price of the f:6.3 variant is now &yen;28. </REF>, simply called Tsubasa Chrome, without the "New". A Japanese catalogue, maybe dated 1942<REF> Observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF>, shows the Tsubasa Chrome offered only with a Lucomar f/6.3 lens for &yen;40 &mdash; case for &yen;6.70 extra.
 +
 
 +
An example of the Tsubasa Chrome New is displayed in [http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/tsubasa/index.html this page of the Mediajoy's Guide to Classic Cameras], with a Lucomar Anastigmat 75/6.3 lens and no opening button. The logo on the shutter plate seems to be ''NE'' or ''NG'' in a circle. On the shutter, only a release lever and a soft release connector are visible, and the shutter is probably everset. {{McKeown}} pictures a Tsubasa Chrome New with an opening button and the same lens, the shutter plate is rotated 90° to the left, surely by mistake.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 13: Line 13:
 
== Printed bibliography ==
 
== Printed bibliography ==
 
* {{Showa10}} Items 143&ndash;4 and 146&ndash;7.
 
* {{Showa10}} Items 143&ndash;4 and 146&ndash;7.
 +
* {{McKeown12}} Page 464.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
−
* [http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/tsubasa/index.html Tsubasa Chrome at Mediajoy Cla_came]
+
* [http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/tsubasa/index.html Tsubasa Chrome New] at [http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/index.html Mediajoy's Guide to Classic Cameras], follow the "Next" link at the bottom of the page to have illustrated instructions of use.
 
* {{Gochamaze|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome New, Tsubasa Spring Camera and Baby Chrome|44|Sep 1938|Asahi Camera}}
 
* {{Gochamaze|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome New, Tsubasa Spring Camera and Baby Chrome|44|Sep 1938|Asahi Camera}}
  

Revision as of 13:42, 2 July 2006

Template:127 Japan The Tsubasa Chrome is a dual format camera, taking both 4×6.5cm and 3×4cm format pictures on 127 film, that was made by the Japanese company Optochrom. Its lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a telescopic tube. There is a tubular optical finder, with delimitations for both formats. The leatherette is embossed TSUBASA on the left of the body. No focusing device is visible; maybe it has fixed focusing. There are two red windows in the back, both uncovered, to control the film advance.

The original Tsubasa Chrome (ツバサ・クローム) has a Tsubasa shutter with T, B, 25–100 speeds. There is a buttom on the top plate that looks like a body release but it is actually a release for the spring loaded telescopic tube. It is advertised in 1937[1] and 1938[2] with a Lucomar f:6.3 lens (¥19.50 then ¥23) or a Lucomar f:4.5 lens (¥28.50 then ¥34, case for an extra ¥4 then ¥4.50). On the camera pictured, the shutter plate is marked TSUBASA SHUTTER at the top, with a logo between both words, and NEW GOLD at the bottom.

The Tsubasa Chrome New (ツバサ・クローム・新型) has a Tsubasa shutter with T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds. It is advertised in 1938[3] and 1939 [4] with a Lucomar f:6.3 lens (¥25) or a Lucomar f:4.5 lens (¥34, case for an extra ¥5). On the camera pictured, the shutter plate is marked WING ANCHOR at the top, MADE IN JAPAN at the bottom, with a logo at the right. Compared to the original model, the advance knob has a different higher shape. The button on the top plate is still there is the September 1938 advertisement, but has disappeared in the one dated February 1939. The same camera is advertised again in April 1939[5], simply called Tsubasa Chrome, without the "New". A Japanese catalogue, maybe dated 1942[6], shows the Tsubasa Chrome offered only with a Lucomar f/6.3 lens for ¥40 — case for ¥6.70 extra.

An example of the Tsubasa Chrome New is displayed in this page of the Mediajoy's Guide to Classic Cameras, with a Lucomar Anastigmat 75/6.3 lens and no opening button. The logo on the shutter plate seems to be NE or NG in a circle. On the shutter, only a release lever and a soft release connector are visible, and the shutter is probably everset. McKeown pictures a Tsubasa Chrome New with an opening button and the same lens, the shutter plate is rotated 90° to the left, surely by mistake.

Notes

  1. ↑ Advertisement for the Tsubasa Chrome and Semi Chrome B, published in the Aug 37 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 143.
  2. ↑ Advertisement for the Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome and Tsubasa Spring, published in the Jun 38 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 146. Eight authorized dealers are mentioned, among which Asanuma Shōkai, Misuzu Shōkai, Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, Mizuno Shashinki-ten, Eikō-Dō, Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten and Ueda Shashinki-ten.
  3. ↑ Template:Gochamaze
  4. ↑ Advertisement for the Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome New, Tsubasa Spring Camera and Baby Chrome, published in the Feb 1939 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 144. This advertisement is looking the same as the one dated September 1938 cited above, but there are some detail differences.
  5. ↑ {Showa10ad|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa A Chrome and Tsubasa Chrome|147|Apr 1939|Asahi Camera}} The price of the f:6.3 variant is now ¥28.
  6. ↑ Observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.

Printed bibliography

Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Tsubasa_Chrome&oldid=73864"