Difference between revisions of "Tsubasa Super Semi"

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(details, reworked the Rondex)
(reworked the model II, getting rid of the description of the surviving example which is actually the Tsubasa Kiko III pictured in our page)
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== The Tsubasa II Super Semi ==
 
== The Tsubasa II Super Semi ==
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The '''Tsubasa II Super Semi''' (ツバサⅡ型スーパーセミ) has a direct vision eye level finder and a waist level [[brilliant finder]], both under a short top housing. The rest of the camera is similar to the Tsubasa Super Semi, except maybe the shutter plate markings. It was offered in an advertisement dated April 1940<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. </REF> with a Lucomar f/4.5 lens for {{yen|60|1940}}. As said above, this model was only briefly advertised and the original Tsubasa Super Semi appeared again at the middle of 1940, together with more expensive models like the [[Tsubasa Nettar]] and the [[Tsubasa Kiko III]].
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The '''Tsubasa II Super Semi''' (ツバサⅡ型スーパーセミ) has an short top housing containing a direct vision finder on the left and a [[brilliant finder]] on the right, and perhaps supporting an accessory shoe between the two. The camera is otherwise similar to the third and fourth versions of the original model.
  
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Records have been found of a past eBay auction with a description probably corresponding to a Tsubasa II Super Semi with an Eagle Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens, a Pisca shutter (1&ndash;250) and a ''Kigawa 3 KOC'' embossing in the back leather, but no pictures have yet been observed.
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The Tsubasa II Super Semi was offered in an advertisement dated April 1940,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. </REF> with a Lucomar f/4.5 lens for {{yen|60|1940}}. It was only advertised for a brief period in spring 1940 and was replaced by more expensive models such as the [[Tsubasa Nettar]] and [[Tsubasa Kiko III]].
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No surviving example of the Tsubasa II Super Semi has been observed so far.
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==

Revision as of 23:06, 16 December 2007

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 Super Semi (ツバサスーパーセミ) is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 folding cameras, made by Optochrom or Kigawa from 1938.

General description

The Tsubasa Super Semi is a horizontal folder with incurved folding struts. On all the models, the film is advanced by a key at the bottom right, as seen by the photographer. The folding bed release is above the top plate and looks very much like a shutter release; the latter is actually hidden beneath the folding bed.[1] The back is hinged to the left and has two red windows to control the film advance, protected by an internal pivoting mask actuated by a thumbwheel. The leather covering is embossed TSUBASA SUPER SEMI CHROME under the red windows and has an NG logo on the folding bed.

The original Tsubasa Super Semi

First version

The original model has a folding optical finder. In the first version, the front part of the finder folds above the rear part, the folding bed release is on the photographer's left, the film flanges at both ends of the top plate have a low profile and the back is opened by a sliding button covered by a leather handle.

In advertisements dated June and September 1938,[2] this version is listed with a Tsubasa shutter (T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150) and a choice of two lenses:

  • Lucomar f/4.5 (¥45);
  • Lausar[3] f/4.5 (¥50, case ¥5 extra).

In an advertisement dated February 1939,[4] the body is similar but only the Lucomar lens is listed, at the same price of ¥45 (case ¥6 extra).

Only one surviving example of the first version has been observed so far.[5] The shutter plate is marked TSUBASA SHUTTER at the top, with an NG logo between the two words, and NEW GOLD at the bottom, with metal stripes on both sides (similar markings are faintly visible in the advertising pictures). On the first version, the distance scale is engraved on a silver background at the front of the lens rim.

Second version

The second version differs by the conical shape of the top film flanges on the top plate and by the new position of the folding bed release on the photographer's right, perhaps to look more like a body release. The advertisements in the April and September 1939 issues of Asahi Camera list this version with the Lucomar f/4.5 lens for ¥50.[6] All the surviving examples observed so far have the Lucomar Anastigmat 75/4.5 lens and an everset shutter giving T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds.[7] The markings on the shutter plate are the same as on the first version. The lens rim differs and the distance scale is engraved on the outer side. One example is known with lens no.486, a very low three-digit number.[8]

Third version

The third version has a new type of back latch consisting of a long sliding bar, and is otherwise unchanged. Only one surviving example has been observed so far,[9] and no original document has been found yet.

Fourth version

The fourth version only differs by the new type of viewfinder, whose rear part folds above the front one. This version is shown in advertisements dated October 1940 and March 1941, where it is listed with the Lucomar f/4.5 lens for ¥58 (including the lens hood).[10] The shutter is reportedly called Kikō (キコー) instead of Tsubasa in some advertisements dated 1941.[11] (Kikō is an acronym of Kigawa Kōgaku.) Surviving examples have been observed with lens numbers above 20000.[12]

The Rondex

The Rondex (ロンデックス) is a name variant of the Tsubasa Super Semi. It is attributed to Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten (certainly only the distributor), and it was featured in the new products column of the May 1940 issue of Asahi Camera.[13] The only known surviving example is pictured in Sugiyama and belongs to the Pentax Gallery.[14] The body is similar to the fourth version of the Tsubasa Super Semi except for the RONDEX embossing in the front leather and for the presence of an accessory shoe to the left of the viewfinder, which is perhaps not original. The lens is a Ronder Anastigmat 75/4.5 and the shutter is a Romper, inscribed as such at the bottom; they are certainly rebadged versions of the Lucomar Anastigmat and New Gold.[15] The Rondex name is certainly related to the Rondo brand used by Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten and its postwar successor Chūō Shashin-yōhin for various photographic products.

The Tsubasa II Super Semi

The Tsubasa II Super Semi (ツバサⅡ型スーパーセミ) has an short top housing containing a direct vision finder on the left and a brilliant finder on the right, and perhaps supporting an accessory shoe between the two. The camera is otherwise similar to the third and fourth versions of the original model.

The Tsubasa II Super Semi was offered in an advertisement dated April 1940,[16] with a Lucomar f/4.5 lens for ¥60. It was only advertised for a brief period in spring 1940 and was replaced by more expensive models such as the Tsubasa Nettar and Tsubasa Kiko III.

No surviving example of the Tsubasa II Super Semi has been observed so far.

Notes

  1. ↑ See this page of Aya's camera site.
  2. ↑ June 1938: advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.78. September 1938: advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in the Gochamaze website.
  3. ↑ Inferred from the katakana ローザー
  4. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.78.
  5. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  6. ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.
  7. ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1253, example pictured in Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten, p.24, and examples observed in online auctions.
  8. ↑ Example observed in an online auction, has a non original film reminder replacing the film flange on the top right.
  9. ↑ Example observed in an online auction, with lens no.15642.
  10. ↑  : Advertisements published in Asahi Camera October 1940 and in Shashin Bunka March 1941, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.
  11. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.338.
  12. ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1253, and examples observed in online auctions.
  13. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.344.
  14. ↑ Sugiyama, item 1239.
  15. ↑ Sugiyama, item 1239.
  16. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.

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. Items 149–50 and 344. (See also the advertisements for items 144, 146–7 and 151–2.)
  • Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.56 (brief mention only).
  • McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). Pp.465 and 1020.
  • Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten (思い出のスプリングカメラ展, Exhibition of beloved self-erecting cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.24.
  • 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. Items 1239 and 1253–4.

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.
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