Difference between revisions of "Tsubasa Spring"

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{{Japanese Vest}}
 
{{Japanese Vest}}
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The '''Tsubasa Spring''' is a vertically folding camera taking 4×6.5 and 3×4 pictures on [[127 film]]. It was made by the Japanese company [[Kigawa|Optochrom]].
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The '''Tsubasa Spring''' is a Japanese folding camera taking 4×6.5 and 3×4 pictures on [[127 film]]. It was made by [[Kigawa|Optochrom]] in 1938 and 1939.
  
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It is advertised in 1938 first as the '''Tsubasa Spring A'''<REF> Mentioned by {{Kokusan}}, item 145. </REF>, then as the '''Tsubasa Spring''' (ツバサスプリング)<REF> {{Showa10ad|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome and Tsubasa Spring|146|June 1938|Asahi Camera}} </REF> or '''Tsubasa Spring Camera''' (ツバサ・スプリング・カメラ)<REF> {{Gochamaze|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome New, Tsubasa Spring Camera and Baby Chrome|44|Sep 1938|Asahi Camera}} </REF>. In 1939 it is advertised first under the latter name<REF> {{Showa10ad|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome New, Tsubasa Spring Camera and Baby Chrome|144|Feb 1939|Asahi Camera}} This advertisement looks the same as the one dated September 1938 cited above, but there are some detail differences.<!-- I am indeed talking of the advertisement itself, not only the camera.--> </REF> then as the '''Tsubasa A Chrome''' (ツバサＡ型クローム)<REF> {{Showa10ad|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa A Chrome, Tsubasa Chrome and Baby Chrome|147|Apr 1939|Asahi Camera}} </REF>.
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== Description ==
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The Tsubasa Spring is a vertical folder, with incurved folding struts. It has a small top housing on the top plate, supporting an accessory shoe and containing the viewfinder. There are two lines in the viewfinder to indicate the field of view for 3&times;4cm exposures. There is a large button on the right to release the folding bed and a smaller shutter release on the left. The advance key is at the bottom right and the back is hinged to the left. The front leather is embossed ''TSUBASA''.
  
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These various names all designate the same camera. The viewfinder is enclosed in a small top housing with an accessory shoe, and two vertical lines delineate the 3&times;4 exposure frame. The lens is a Lucomar f:4.5 and no focusing control is visible, focus may be [[fixed focus|fixed]]. The shutter is a Tsubasa with T, B, 25&ndash;100 speeds and a body release. The shutter plate is marked ''NEW GOLD'' at the bottom, and maybe ''TSUBASA SHUTTER'' at the top. In the advertisements observed, the price varies between &yen;34 and &yen;38 &mdash; case for &yen;6 extra. It is systematically offered with a Tsubasa accessory rangefinder, at a price between &yen;14 and &yen;16, that is even pictured mounted on the camera in the June 1938 advertisement cited above.
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The lens is a Lucomar Anastigmat 75/4.5. The shutter is a Tsubasa with T, B, 25&ndash;100 speeds and a body release. The shutter plate is marked ''TSUBASA SHUTTER'' at the top and ''NEW GOLD'' at the bottom with a ''NE'' logo on the right.
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== Evolution ==
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The camera was first advertised at the beginning of 1938 as the '''Tsubasa Spring A''' (ツバサスプリングA), and it was featured as such in the new products column of the June 1938 issue of ''Asahi Camera''.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;337 (item 145). </REF>
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An advertisement dated June 1938<REF> Published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF> lists the camera as the '''Tsubasa Spring''' (ツバサスプリング), for {{yen|34|1938}}. It is pictured with a Tsubasa accessory rangefinder, offered separately for &yen;14.
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In advertisements dated September 1938<REF> [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki44.jpg Advertisement] published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website] </REF> and February 1939<REF> Published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;78. </REF>, the camera is called '''Tsubasa Spring Camera''' (ツバサ・スプリング・カメラ). The price of the camera is the same but the price of the rangefinder has raised to &yen;15.
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In an advertisement dated April 1939, the camera is called '''Tsubasa A Chrome''' (ツバサＡ型クローム) and is priced {{yen|38|1939}} (rangefinder for &yen;16).<REF> Published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;79. </REF>
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Despite the various names, no change is visible in the advertising pictures. The lens rim is thin and no focusing control is apparent.
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Only one surviving example has been observed so far, pictured in {{Sugiyama}}.<REF> Sugiyama item 1252. </REF> It has a front-cell focusing lens and the aspect of the lens bezel differs from the advertising pictures.  
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
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== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
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* {{Showa10}} Item 144&ndash;6.
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* {{Showa10}} Item 145&ndash;7. (See also the advertisement for item 144.)
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* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;465.
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* {{Zukan}} Item 1252.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
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* {{Gochamaze|Tsubasa Super Semi, Tsubasa Chrome New, Tsubasa Spring Camera and Baby Chrome|44|Sep 1938|Asahi Camera}}
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* [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki44.jpg Advertisement] 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 22:34, 26 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 Spring is a Japanese folding camera taking 4×6.5 and 3×4 pictures on 127 film. It was made by Optochrom in 1938 and 1939.

Description

The Tsubasa Spring is a vertical folder, with incurved folding struts. It has a small top housing on the top plate, supporting an accessory shoe and containing the viewfinder. There are two lines in the viewfinder to indicate the field of view for 3×4cm exposures. There is a large button on the right to release the folding bed and a smaller shutter release on the left. The advance key is at the bottom right and the back is hinged to the left. The front leather is embossed TSUBASA.

The lens is a Lucomar Anastigmat 75/4.5. The shutter is a Tsubasa with T, B, 25–100 speeds and a body release. The shutter plate is marked TSUBASA SHUTTER at the top and NEW GOLD at the bottom with a NE logo on the right.

Evolution

The camera was first advertised at the beginning of 1938 as the Tsubasa Spring A (ツバサスプリングA), and it was featured as such in the new products column of the June 1938 issue of Asahi Camera.[1]

An advertisement dated June 1938[2] lists the camera as the Tsubasa Spring (ツバサスプリング), for ¥34. It is pictured with a Tsubasa accessory rangefinder, offered separately for ¥14.

In advertisements dated September 1938[3] and February 1939[4], the camera is called Tsubasa Spring Camera (ツバサ・スプリング・カメラ). The price of the camera is the same but the price of the rangefinder has raised to ¥15.

In an advertisement dated April 1939, the camera is called Tsubasa A Chrome (ツバサＡ型クローム) and is priced ¥38 (rangefinder for ¥16).[5]

Despite the various names, no change is visible in the advertising pictures. The lens rim is thin and no focusing control is apparent.

Only one surviving example has been observed so far, pictured in Sugiyama.[6] It has a front-cell focusing lens and the aspect of the lens bezel differs from the advertising pictures.

Notes

  1. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 337 (item 145).
  2. ↑ Published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78.
  3. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in the Gochamaze website
  4. ↑ Published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 78.
  5. ↑ Published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 79.
  6. ↑ Sugiyama item 1252.

Bibliography

Links

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.
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