Difference between revisions of "Tsubasa Nettar and Tsubasa Kiko Three"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(reworked the Kiko III)
m (Optochrom)
Line 20: Line 20:
  
 
=== Advertisements ===
 
=== Advertisements ===
The camera was advertised and featured in Japanese magazines dated 1941.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.338. </REF> The March 1941 advertisement in ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'' lists two versions, one with a Lucomar f/4.5 lens and a Kiko (キコー) shutter (T, B, 5–200), for {{yen|85|1941}}, the other with an Erinar f/3.5 lens and a Kiko (キコー)  shutter (T, B, 1–200), for {{yen|130|1941}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. </REF>
+
The camera was advertised and featured in Japanese magazines dated 1941.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.338. </REF> The March 1941 advertisement in ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'', placed by [[Kigawa|Optochrom]], lists two versions, one with a Lucomar f/4.5 lens and a Kiko (キコー) shutter (T, B, 5–200), for {{yen|85|1941}}, the other with an Erinar f/3.5 lens and a Kiko (キコー)  shutter (T, B, 1–200), for {{yen|130|1941}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. </REF>
  
 
=== Evolution ===
 
=== Evolution ===

Revision as of 15:20, 5 March 2008

Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Semi Ace | Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Semi Ako | Ami | Bakyna | Semi Chrome | Semi Clover | Collex | Semi Condor | Semi Dymos | Semi Elega | Semi First | Auto Semi First | Baby Semi First | Gaica | Semi Gelto | Semi Germa | Hansa Semi Rollette | Heil | Hokoku | Hope | Kadera | Kankyu | Kelly | Kiko Semi | Semi Kinka | Semi Konter | Semi Kreis | Semi Kulax | Semi Lead | Semi Leotax | Semi Lester | Loyal | Semi Lucky | Semi Lyra | Semi Makinet | Semi Metax | Semi Minolta (I) and II | Auto Semi Minolta | Semi Miss | Mizuho | Semi Mulber | Semi National | New Gold | Okaco | Oko Semi | Semi Olympus | Semi Olympus II | Semi Osamo | Semi Pearl | Primo | Semi Prince | Semi Proud | Semi Prux | Roavic | Semi Rody | Rondex | Semi Rosen | Semi Rotte | Seica | Seves | Semi Shiks | Sintax | Semi Sixteenth | Semi Solon | Semi Sport | Star Semi | Semi-Tex | Tsubasa Kiko Three | Tsubasa Nettar | Tsubasa Super Semi | Ugein | Vester-Lette | Victor | Waltax | Wester | Zeitax
collapsible
Semi Kinsi | Lord | Lyrax | Nippon | New Olympic | Semi Olympic | Semi Renky | Auto Victor | Well Super
stereo
Sun Stereo
unknown
Semi Elka | Semi Keef | Napoleon
Postwar models ->
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo ->
Japanese 3×4, 4×4, 4×5, 4×6.5, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Tsubasa Nettar (ツバサネッター) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folder announced by Kigawa in late 1940, and the Tsubasa Kiko III (ツバサキコーⅢ型) or Tsubasa Kiko Three (ツバサキコースリー) is a derivative made in 1941.

The Tsubasa Nettar

Description

The Tsubasa Nettar is a horizontal folder. The body has tapered ends, and the three-part folding struts are similar to those of the Ikonta A by Zeiss Ikon. The name "Nettar" itself is an obvious reference to the Nettar, another product by Zeiss Ikon. The Tsubasa Nettar has a folding optical finder in the middle of the top plate, similar to the finder of the late Tsubasa Super Semi. The body release is on the right and the folding bed release is on the left, as seen by the photographer. The advance knob is at the bottom right, under the body, and the back is hinged to the left. The back latch consists of a long sliding bar.

Briefly announced

The Tsubasa Nettar was advertised in the October 1940 issue of Asahi Camera, together with the Tsubasa Super Semi.[1] The advertisement was placed by Optochrom, the sales company associated to Kigawa. The shutter is mentioned as a Kulax, giving 1–300 speeds, and the picture perhaps shows the word KULAX at the bottom of the shutter plate. There is a choice of two Erinar lenses, with f/4.5 or f/3.5 aperture, and no price is indicated. The advertisement displays a TSUBASA NETTAR logo, which is perhaps engraved on the folding struts.

The only other reported advertisement is dated December 1940.[2] No surviving example of the Tsubasa Nettar is known. The camera was perhaps never sold, and the use of the name "Nettar" perhaps caused some protest.

The Tsubasa Kiko III

Description

The Tsubasa Kiko III is an evolution of the Tsubasa Nettar, with the same horizontal folding body. The advance knob at the bottom right was replaced by an advance key. There is a short top housing containing an eye level finder on the left and a brilliant finder on the right, and supporting an accessory shoe between the two. The body release is protruding from the top housing, to the right of the brilliant finder, and the folding bed release is in front of the accessory shoe. The back is hinged to the left, and the back latch consists of a long sliding bar. The red window is protected by a vertically sliding cover, and is placed at the top left or at the bottom right, depending on the particular example (see below).

The top housing has a large KSK logo engraved above the eye level finder, presumably for Kigawa Seimitsu Kōgaku. The company name and number 3 are embossed in the back leather: KIGAWA 3 KOGAKU. There is a logo embossed in the folding bed covering and at the front of the leather case, with the word KIKO diagonally written above a large number 3.

Advertisements

The camera was advertised and featured in Japanese magazines dated 1941.[3] The March 1941 advertisement in Shashin Bunka, placed by Optochrom, lists two versions, one with a Lucomar f/4.5 lens and a Kiko (キコー) shutter (T, B, 5–200), for ¥85, the other with an Erinar f/3.5 lens and a Kiko (キコー) shutter (T, B, 1–200), for ¥130.[4]

Evolution

Minor variations have been observed on original examples. On the presumably early examples, the top housing is deeply recessed between the two finders, and is engraved Kiko Three at the front. This is the top housing pictured in the March 1941 advertisement cited above. Two surviving examples of this version have been observed.[5] One of them has a Lucomar 75/4.5 lens and a shutter giving 5–200 speeds engraved KIKO–SHUTTER at the bottom of the speed rim. The other is known to have the red window at the top left of the back.

On the presumably late examples, the top housing has a shallower depression between the two finders and no engraving at the front.

The example pictured in this page has a Pisco shutter (250–1, B, T) and an Eagle Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens. It seems that the back was modified over time. The original red window is at the top left, and the KIGAWA 3 KOGAKU embossing is at the bottom. There is an additional uncovered red window at the bottom right, pierced through the embossing, and it seems that the pressure plate was reversed to accommodate the new red window.

On another example with the late top housing, the red window is at the bottom right and the KIGAWA 3 KOGAKU embossing is moved towards the top of the back.[6] It has a Rapit Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 lens and an unmarked everset shutter giving 5–250, B, T speeds.

The example pictured in Sugiyama has the late top housing.[7] The shutter is a Kenzio giving 150, 100, 50, 25, B, T speeds. The shutter plate is inscribed PATENTS TSUBASA at the top and KENZIO at the bottom. The lens is reported as a ULL Anastigmat 7.5cm f/4.5.

Notes

  1. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.
  2. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.338.
  3. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.338.
  4. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.
  5. Examples observed in online auctions.
  6. Example observed in an online auction.
  7. Sugiyama, item 1256.

Bibliography