Difference between revisions of "Tsubasa Super Semi"
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{{Japanese Semi prewar}} | {{Japanese Semi prewar}} | ||
| − | The '''Tsubasa Super Semi''' (ツバサスーパーセミ) is a series of [[Japanese 4. | + | The '''Tsubasa Super Semi''' (ツバサスーパーセミ) is a series of [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders|Japanese 4.5×6 folding cameras]], made by [[Kigawa|Optochrom or Kigawa]] from 1938. |
== General description == | == General description == | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
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. | 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,<REF> June 1938: advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.78. September 1938: [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> this version is listed with a Tsubasa shutter (T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150) and a choice of two lenses: | + | In advertisements dated June and September 1938,<REF> June 1938: advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.78. Eight authorized dealers are mentioned: [[Asanuma|Asanuma Shōkai]], [[Hagi|Hagi Kōgyō Bōeki]], [[Misuzu Shōkai]], [[Mizuno|Mizuno Shashinki-ten]], [[Yamashita|Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten]], [[Eikōdō]], [[Matsuzaki|Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten]] and [[Ueda|Ueda Shashinki-ten]]. September 1938: [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> this version is listed with a Tsubasa shutter (T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150) and a choice of two lenses: |
* Lucomar f/4.5 ({{yen|45|1938}}); | * Lucomar f/4.5 ({{yen|45|1938}}); | ||
| − | * Lausar<REF> Inferred from the ''katakana'' ローザー </REF> f/4.5 ({{yen|50|1938}}, case | + | * Lausar<REF> Inferred from the ''katakana'' ローザー </REF> f/4.5 ({{yen|50|1938}}, case ¥5 extra). |
| − | In an advertisement dated February 1939,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.78. </REF> the body is similar but only the Lucomar lens is listed, at the same price of {{yen|45|1939}} (case | + | In an advertisement dated February 1939,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.78. </REF> the body is similar but only the Lucomar lens is listed, at the same price of {{yen|45|1939}} (case ¥6 extra). |
Only one surviving example of the first version has been observed so far.<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> 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. | Only one surviving example of the first version has been observed so far.<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> 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. | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
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 {{yen|58|1940}} (including the lens hood).<REF> : Advertisements published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' October 1940 and in ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'' March 1941, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. </REF> The shutter is reportedly called Kikō (キコー) instead of Tsubasa in some advertisements dated 1941.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.338. </REF> (Kikō is an acronym of [[Kigawa|Kigawa Kōgaku]].) On the observed surviving examples, the shutter plate is exactly similar to that of the previous versions.<REF> Example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1253, and examples observed in online auctions. </REF> | 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 {{yen|58|1940}} (including the lens hood).<REF> : Advertisements published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' October 1940 and in ''[[Shashin Bunka]]'' March 1941, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.79. </REF> The shutter is reportedly called Kikō (キコー) instead of Tsubasa in some advertisements dated 1941.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.338. </REF> (Kikō is an acronym of [[Kigawa|Kigawa Kōgaku]].) On the observed surviving examples, the shutter plate is exactly similar to that of the previous versions.<REF> Example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 1253, and examples observed in online auctions. </REF> | ||
| − | The official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 has the Tsubasa Super Semi and the Tsubasa Super Semi II for | + | The official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 has the Tsubasa Super Semi and the Tsubasa Super Semi II for ¥62, and the Tsubasa Super Semi IIA for ¥74, with no further details.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 3, sections 3A and 4A. </REF> The official price list dated November 1941 has the same three models, attributed to the distributor [[Kigawa|Nichiei Shōkai]], successor of Optochrom.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 3, sections 3A and 4A. </REF> It is not known for sure if the models II and IIA correspond to the Tsubasa II Super Semi described below. |
| − | The Tsubasa Super Semi is also mentioned in the government inquiry dated April 1943.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, items | + | The Tsubasa Super Semi is also mentioned in the government inquiry dated April 1943.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, items 77–8. </REF> The document gives [[Kigawa]] as the maker and Kikō as the distributor. Two versions are listed, one has the Lucomar 75/4.5 lens and a Kikō shutter giving T, B, 25–150 speeds, the other has a Kikō 75/3.5 three-element lens and a Kikō shutter giving T, B, 5–200 speeds.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens items Lb8 and Lc20, shutter items 18-U-5 and 18-V-1. </REF> No surviving example has been observed so far with an f/3.5 lens, and it is wondered if this corresponds to the more expensive Tsubasa Super Semi IIA mentioned in the official price lists cited above. |
=== The Rondex === | === The Rondex === | ||
| Line 43: | Line 43: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
| − | * {{Showa10}} Items | + | * {{Showa10}} Items 149–50 and 344. (See also the advertisements for items 144, 146–7 and 151–2.) |
* {{Kakaku1141}} Type 3, sections 3A and 4A. | * {{Kakaku1141}} Type 3, sections 3A and 4A. | ||
| − | * {{Inquiry1943}} Items | + | * {{Inquiry1943}} Items 77–8. |
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 3, sections 3A and 4A. | * {{Kakaku0141}} Type 3, sections 3A and 4A. | ||
* {{Lewis}} P.56 (brief mention only). | * {{Lewis}} P.56 (brief mention only). | ||
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.465 and 1020. | * {{McKeown12}} 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. | * ''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. | ||
| − | * {{Zukan}} Items 1239 and | + | * {{Zukan}} Items 1239 and 1253–4. |
== Links == | == Links == | ||
Revision as of 12:20, 23 January 2008
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.
Contents
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:
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.) On the observed surviving examples, the shutter plate is exactly similar to that of the previous versions.[12]
The official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 has the Tsubasa Super Semi and the Tsubasa Super Semi II for ¥62, and the Tsubasa Super Semi IIA for ¥74, with no further details.[13] The official price list dated November 1941 has the same three models, attributed to the distributor Nichiei Shōkai, successor of Optochrom.[14] It is not known for sure if the models II and IIA correspond to the Tsubasa II Super Semi described below.
The Tsubasa Super Semi is also mentioned in the government inquiry dated April 1943.[15] The document gives Kigawa as the maker and Kikō as the distributor. Two versions are listed, one has the Lucomar 75/4.5 lens and a Kikō shutter giving T, B, 25–150 speeds, the other has a Kikō 75/3.5 three-element lens and a Kikō shutter giving T, B, 5–200 speeds.[16] No surviving example has been observed so far with an f/3.5 lens, and it is wondered if this corresponds to the more expensive Tsubasa Super Semi IIA mentioned in the official price lists cited above.
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.[17] The only known surviving example is pictured in Sugiyama and belongs to the Pentax Gallery.[18] 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.[19] 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 body is otherwise similar to the third and fourth versions of the original model.
In an April 1940 advertisement,[20] the Tsubasa II Super Semi is listed with a Lucomar f/4.5 lens for ¥60. The shutter speeds are not mentioned and the shutter plate looks different from that of the original model. The camera 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
- ↑ See this page of Aya's camera site.
- ↑ June 1938: advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.78. Eight authorized dealers are mentioned: Asanuma Shōkai, Hagi Kōgyō Bōeki, Misuzu Shōkai, Mizuno Shashinki-ten, Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten, Eikōdō, Matsuzaki Shashinki-ten and Ueda Shashinki-ten. September 1938: advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in the Gochamaze website.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana ローザー
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.78.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1253, example pictured in Omoide no supuringu-kamera-ten, p.24, and examples observed in online auctions.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction, has a non original film reminder replacing the film flange on the top right.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction, with lens no.15642.
- ↑ : Advertisements published in Asahi Camera October 1940 and in Shashin Bunka March 1941, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.79.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.338.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1253, and examples observed in online auctions.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 3, sections 3A and 4A.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 3, sections 3A and 4A.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), items 77–8.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens items Lb8 and Lc20, shutter items 18-U-5 and 18-V-1.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.344.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1239.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1239.
- ↑ 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.)
- "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō" (カメラの公定価格官報発表, Official announcement of the set prices of the cameras), November 1941. Extract of a table listing Japanese camera production and setting the retail prices, reproduced in "Bebī Semi Fāsuto 'Kore ha bebī wo nanotta semi-ki da'" (ベビーセミファースト"これはベビーを名乗ったセミ機だ", Baby Semi First, 'this is a Semi camera called Baby'), an article by Furukawa Yasuo (古川保男) in Camera Collectors' News no. 277 (July 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P. 27. Type 3, sections 3A and 4A.
- "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Items 77–8.
- "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 3, sections 3A and 4A.
- 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:
- Tsubasa Super Semi (second version) at Aya's camera site
- Tsubasa Super Semi (second version) in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- Tsubasa Super Semi (fourth version) at Minorhouse
- Advertisement by Optochrom published in the September 1938 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in the Japanese camera page of the Gochamaze website
Timeline
| Kigawa timeline () | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
