Union Ref and Hansa Rollette Ref

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The Union Ref and Hansa Rollette Ref[1] (ハンザ・ローレット・レフ) are Japanese 4.5×6 pseudo TLR cameras. They seem to be the first Japanese cameras with the TLR shape.[2]

Both models are nearly identical and they are believed to be name variants of each other. Their actual maker is unknown, with hints pointing to Optochrom, Yamashita and Ōmiya.

General description

Both cameras are shaped like a twin lens reflex but the viewing lens is not used for focusing. They are said to be fixed-focus[3], but this is perhaps not the case for all versions.

The advance knob is on the top of the right hand sideplate. The viewing hood has an "X"-shaped decorative rib.

The Union Ref

The Union Ref is only known from a leaflet dating around 1937[4] where it is presented together with the Baby Ref as an affordable reflex camera. No company name is indicated.

Three variants are listed:

  • f/8 lens, B, 25, 50 speeds (¥20 — case ¥6 extra);
  • Lucomar Anastigmat f/6.3 lens, B, 25, 50, 100 speeds (¥28);
  • Milittle[5] f/4.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100, 200 speeds (¥48).

The advertising picture shows the Lucomar f/6.3 variant. The lens appears to be fixed-focus but it is probable that the f/4.5 variant has front-cell focusing. The shutter plate is marked Optochrom at the top and something beginning with DUPL at the bottom (perhaps "Duplex"), with a logo in a circle on the right perhaps reading DK.

These markings and brand names indicate that the lens and shutter were made by Optochrom (the later Kigawa), and are similar to the markings found on the shutter plate of the original version of the Baby Chrome illustrated in the same leaflet.

The nameplate reads Union Ref and there is a YS logo in a circle in the middle of the viewing hood. This logo might stand for Yamashita Shōten but this is merely a guess.

The Hansa Rollette Ref

The Hansa Rollette Ref was surely distributed by Ōmiya Shashin-yōhin, the owner of the "Hansa" brand. Its nameplate is only written Rollette Ref.

It was featured in the new products column of the February 1936 issue of Asahi Camera[6], and it was listed in the catalogue of Yamashita Yūjirō Shōten dated April 20, 1937[7], but the YS logo is no more visible. The price was ¥16. It is said to have a Tribar[8] 75/8 lens and a T, B, 25–100 shutter.[9]

Notes

  1. The name is spelled "Hanza Rollette Ref" in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 339, but this is a typo.
  2. The Japanese Historical Camera, p. 23 (in Japanese and English); Japanese-only version in this page of the JCII.
  3. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 339.
  4. Undated leaflet for the Victory, Semi Dymos, Reex, Baby Ref, Union Ref and Baby Chrome.
  5. Name inferred from the katakana ミリトル.
  6. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 339.
  7. Reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 84.
  8. Inferred from the katakana トリバー.
  9. Lens and shutter: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 339.

Bibliography

Links

In Japanese: