Difference between revisions of "Tsubasa Chrome"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
m (nav template change)
(some more pictures found, made the page clearer)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Japanese Vest}}
 
{{Japanese Vest}}
−
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; focus may be [[fixed focus|fixed]]. There are two red windows in the back, both uncovered, to control the film advance.
+
The '''Tsubasa Chrome''' is a Japanese camera taking 4&times;6.5cm and 3&times;4cm exposures on [[127 film]]. It was made by the Japanese company [[Kigawa|Optochrom]] from 1937 to 1939.<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF>
 +
 
 +
== General description ==
 +
All the models have a telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly. They have a tubular optical finder in the middle of the top plate, with two bars indicating the field of view for 3&times;4 format. The advance knob is at the left end and the release lever is on the shutter housing itself. The back is hinged to the right and film advance is controlled by red window. The front leather is embossed ''TSUBASA''.
  
 
== Original model ==
 
== Original model ==
 +
The '''original Tsubasa Chrome''' (ツバサ・クローム) has T, B, 25, 50, 100 speeds. The advance knob has a cylindrical shape and their is a smaller cylindrical knob at the opposite end of the top plate.
 +
 +
There is a button on the right of the top plate, looking like a body release. Actually it is probably the release of the spring loaded telescopic tube. The back contains two uncovered red windows.
 +
 +
The shutter plate is marked ''TSUBASA SHUTTER'' at the top, with a ''NE'' logo between both words, and ''NEW GOLD'' at the bottom. The speeds are written on the shutter plate itself and they are selected by turning a very thin rim. The aperture scale is at the bottom.
  
−
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 button on the top plate that looks like a body release but is actually a release for the spring loaded telescopic tube. It is advertised in 1937<REF> {{Showa10ad|Tsubasa Chrome and Semi Chrome B|143|August 1937|Asahi Camera}} </REF> and 1938<REF> {{Showa10ad|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome and Tsubasa Spring|146|June 1938|Asahi Camera}} Eight authorized dealers are mentioned, among which [[Asanuma|Asanuma Shōkai]], [[Misuzu Shōkai]], [[Yamashita|Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten]], [[Mizuno|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]], [[Eikō-Dō]], [[Matsuzaki|Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten]] and [[Ueda|Ueda Shashinki-ten]]. </REF> with a Lucomar f:6.3 lens ({{yen|19.50|1937}} then {{yen|23|1938}}) or a Lucomar f:4.5 lens ({{yen|28.50|1937}} then {{yen|34|1938}}, 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.
+
{{Kokusan}} says that the camera was featured in the new products column of the August 1937 issue of ''Asahi Camera''.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337. </REF> An advertisement dated August 1937<REF> Published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF> offers the model with a Lucomar f/6.3 lens ({{yen|19.50|1937}}) or a Lucomar f/4.5 lens ({{yen|28.50|1937}}) &mdash; case cost extra &yen;4. In an advertisement dated June 1938<REF> Published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. Eight authorized dealers are mentioned, among which [[Asanuma|Asanuma Shōkai]], [[Misuzu Shōkai]], [[Yamashita|Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten]], [[Mizuno|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]], [[Eikō-Dō]], [[Matsuzaki|Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten]] and [[Ueda|Ueda Shashinki-ten]]. </REF>, the prices are respectively {{yen|23|1938}} and {{yen|34|1938}} (case for &yen;4.50).
 +
 
 +
Two examples have been observed. Their advance knob is higher than on the advertising pictures and it has three rows of knurls. One of them has a Lucomar Anastigmat f/6.3 fixed-focus lens and speeds marked T, B, 25, 50, 100 in that order. The other has a Lucomar Anastigmat f/4.5 front-cell focusing lens and speeds marked T, B, 100, 50, 25.
  
 
== Tsubasa Chrome New ==
 
== Tsubasa Chrome New ==
 +
The '''Tsubasa Chrome New''' (ツバサ・クローム・新型) adds 1/150 top speed. The advance knob has a more rounded shape and a hollow top, and the samll knob at the right end of the top plate has a conical shape.
 +
 +
The shutter plate is marked ''WING ANCHOR'' at the top, ''MADE IN JAPAN'' at the bottom, and the ''NE'' logo is on the right. The speeds are engraved T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 in that order in the shutter rim. There is a distant release connector added next to the release lever.
 +
 +
An advertisement dated September 1938<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki44.jpg Advertisement for the Tsubasa range] published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]. </REF> offers the camera with the Lucomar f/6.3 lens ({{yen|25|1938}}) or the Lucomar f/4.5 lens ({{yen|34|1938}}, case &yen;5 extra). The advertising picture shows the new shutter plate and there is still a button on the right of the top plate.
 +
 +
This button has disappeared in an advertisement dated February 1939, but the prices are unchanged.<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. It is looking the same as the September 1938 advertisement cited above, but there are detail differences. </REF> The disparition of the button probably means that the telescopic tube was no longer spring-loaded.
  
−
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|September 1938|Asahi Camera}} </REF> and 1939 <REF> {{Showa10ad|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome New, Tsubasa Spring Camera and Baby Chrome|144|February 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|1938}}) or a Lucomar f:4.5 lens ({{yen|34|1938}}, 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|April 1939|Asahi Camera}} The price of the f:6.3 variant is now {{yen|28|1939}}. </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 with a Lucomar f/6.3 lens only, for &yen;40 &mdash; case for &yen;6.70 extra.
+
The camera was simply called '''Tsubasa Chrome''' again in an advertisement dated April 1939<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;79. </REF>, where the price of the f/6.3 variant was lifted to {{yen|28|1939}}. {{Kokusan}} does not mention any advertisement posterior to 1939, but a Japanese catalogue reportedly dated 1942 lists the Tsubasa Chrome with Lucomar f/6.3 only, for &yen;40 &mdash; case &yen;6.70 extra.<REF> Scans observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF>
  
−
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.
+
The Tsubasa Chrome New has been observed on various occasions, with or without the telescopic tube release. None of them has a focusing lens, and it seems that all of them have a Lucomar Anastigmat f/6.3.
  
−
A probably later variant has been observed<REF> In a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF>, with a number of changes. There is a big key in place of the advance knob. The back latch is a revised flatter part. There is only one red window in the back, to the right, and a round metal plate centered in the back. There is also an accessory shoe added to the right of the viewfinder.
+
== Later version ==
 +
A single example of a probably later version has been observed.<REF> In a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> It has a big key in place of the advance knob. The back latch has changed and consists of a long sliding bar. The back has a round metal plate in the middle and a single red window on the right. An accessory shoe is added to the right of the viewfinder, in place of the telescopic tube release of the early version.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
−
== Printed bibliography ==
+
== Bibliography ==
−
* {{Showa10}} Items 143&ndash;4 and 146&ndash;7.
+
* {{Showa10}} Items 143&ndash;4. (See also the advertisements for items 146&ndash;7.)
−
* {{McKeown12}} Page 464.
+
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;464.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 +
In Japanese:
 
* [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.
 
* [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}}
+
* [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki44.jpg Advertisement for the Tsubasa range] published in the September 1938 issue of ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in the [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm Japanese camera page] of the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website]
  
 
== Timeline ==
 
== Timeline ==

Revision as of 00:36, 10 December 2006

Japanese Vest (4×5 and 4×6.5) (edit)
folding
4×4.5 Orient
4×5 Minion
4×6.5 Clover Vest | Dianette | Eagle | Friend | Kooa | National | New Vest | Nifcarette | Pearlette | B Pearlette | Special Pearlette | Pionette | Pocket Prince | Sirius Bebe | Speed Pocket | Tsubasa Spring | Victory
rigid or collapsible
4×5 Alfax | Olympus Standard | Sakura (bakelite) | Well Standard
4×6.5 Vest Adler | Vest Alex | Kowa Kid | Light | Light Super | Baby Minolta | Minolta Vest | Regal Olympic | Vest Olympic | Tsubasa Chrome | Zen-99
box
4×6.5 Baby Clover | Sakura (box) | Spirit
unknown
4×5 Vesten
4×6.5 Victor Vest
unknown Meiro
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4.5×6, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Tsubasa Chrome is a Japanese camera taking 4×6.5cm and 3×4cm exposures on 127 film. It was made by the Japanese company Optochrom from 1937 to 1939.[1]

General description

All the models have a telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly. They have a tubular optical finder in the middle of the top plate, with two bars indicating the field of view for 3×4 format. The advance knob is at the left end and the release lever is on the shutter housing itself. The back is hinged to the right and film advance is controlled by red window. The front leather is embossed TSUBASA.

Original model

The original Tsubasa Chrome (ツバサ・クローム) has T, B, 25, 50, 100 speeds. The advance knob has a cylindrical shape and their is a smaller cylindrical knob at the opposite end of the top plate.

There is a button on the right of the top plate, looking like a body release. Actually it is probably the release of the spring loaded telescopic tube. The back contains two uncovered red windows.

The shutter plate is marked TSUBASA SHUTTER at the top, with a NE logo between both words, and NEW GOLD at the bottom. The speeds are written on the shutter plate itself and they are selected by turning a very thin rim. The aperture scale is at the bottom.

Kokusan kamera no rekishi says that the camera was featured in the new products column of the August 1937 issue of Asahi Camera.[2] An advertisement dated August 1937[3] offers the model with a Lucomar f/6.3 lens (¥19.50) or a Lucomar f/4.5 lens (¥28.50) — case cost extra ¥4. In an advertisement dated June 1938[4], the prices are respectively ¥23 and ¥34 (case for ¥4.50).

Two examples have been observed. Their advance knob is higher than on the advertising pictures and it has three rows of knurls. One of them has a Lucomar Anastigmat f/6.3 fixed-focus lens and speeds marked T, B, 25, 50, 100 in that order. The other has a Lucomar Anastigmat f/4.5 front-cell focusing lens and speeds marked T, B, 100, 50, 25.

Tsubasa Chrome New

The Tsubasa Chrome New (ツバサ・クローム・新型) adds 1/150 top speed. The advance knob has a more rounded shape and a hollow top, and the samll knob at the right end of the top plate has a conical shape.

The shutter plate is marked WING ANCHOR at the top, MADE IN JAPAN at the bottom, and the NE logo is on the right. The speeds are engraved T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 in that order in the shutter rim. There is a distant release connector added next to the release lever.

An advertisement dated September 1938[5] offers the camera with the Lucomar f/6.3 lens (¥25) or the Lucomar f/4.5 lens (¥34, case ¥5 extra). The advertising picture shows the new shutter plate and there is still a button on the right of the top plate.

This button has disappeared in an advertisement dated February 1939, but the prices are unchanged.[6] The disparition of the button probably means that the telescopic tube was no longer spring-loaded.

The camera was simply called Tsubasa Chrome again in an advertisement dated April 1939[7], where the price of the f/6.3 variant was lifted to ¥28. Kokusan kamera no rekishi does not mention any advertisement posterior to 1939, but a Japanese catalogue reportedly dated 1942 lists the Tsubasa Chrome with Lucomar f/6.3 only, for ¥40 — case ¥6.70 extra.[8]

The Tsubasa Chrome New has been observed on various occasions, with or without the telescopic tube release. None of them has a focusing lens, and it seems that all of them have a Lucomar Anastigmat f/6.3.

Later version

A single example of a probably later version has been observed.[9] It has a big key in place of the advance knob. The back latch has changed and consists of a long sliding bar. The back has a round metal plate in the middle and a single red window on the right. An accessory shoe is added to the right of the viewfinder, in place of the telescopic tube release of the early version.

Notes

  1. ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337.
  2. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337.
  3. ↑ Published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78.
  4. ↑ Published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78. 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.
  5. ↑ Advertisement for the Tsubasa range published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in the Gochamaze website.
  6. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78. It is looking the same as the September 1938 advertisement cited above, but there are detail differences.
  7. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 79.
  8. ↑ Scans observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
  9. ↑ In a Yahoo Japan auction.

Bibliography

Links

In Japanese:

Timeline

Kigawa timeline (edit)
Type 1930s 1940s 1950s
6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3
                                                                                                                                                                                   
3×4 rigid Baby Chrome
Baby Oso Tsubasa Oso
Tsubasa Arawashi ...
4×6.5 telescopic Tsubasa Chrome ...
folding Tsubasa Spring ...
4.5×6 strut folding Semi Chrome B
horizontal folding Tsubasa Super Semi ... _
Tsubasa II Super Semi
Tsubasa Nettar Tsubasa Kiko Three
vertical folding Semi Chrome A Semi Sixteenth
(dates unclear) 		Semi Kulax Kiko Semi ... _ Tsubasa Semi
6×6 horizontal folding Gotex ... ... Poppy Six
(dates unknown) 		... Carl Six
TLR Kiko Flex Tsubasaflex Graceflex
16mm subminiature ... Poppy
(dates unknown) 		...
Manufacturer: ... Kigawa Seimitsu ... Kigawa Kōgaku Carl Kōgaku
Shin Nippon
Distributor: Optochrom-sha ... Nichiei Shōkai Kikō Shōji ...
Cameras whose actual existence is dubious are in a lighter shade.
Cameras in yellow are variants sold and maybe assembled by other companies.
Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Tsubasa_Chrome&oldid=73879"