Difference between revisions of "Union Semi"
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{{Japanese Semi and Six}} | {{Japanese Semi and Six}} | ||
| − | The '''Union Semi''' (ユニオン・セミ) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folder, | + | The '''Union Semi''' (ユニオン・セミ) is a [[Japanese 4.5×6 folders|Japanese 4.5×6 folder]]. It is also called '''Union C-II''' by many sources<REF> Including {{McKeown}}, [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.40.html this page of the AJCC website] and [http://westfordcomp.com/classics/unioncII/index.htm this page at westfordcomp.com]. According to {{Kokusan}}, it is also the name given in the ''Kamera Nenkan'' book by Sugiyama and Naoi. </REF>, because of the engraving on the top housing. It was made in 1953–4<REF> {{Kokusan}} mentions advertisements dated 1953 and 1954. </REF> by a company called [[Union Kōgaku]], a microscope maker. |
| − | + | The Union C-II is certainly based on the contemporary [[Zenobia#Description of the Zenobia C|Zenobia C]]. The advance knob is different and has a smooth top with a black arrow engraved. There is a depth-of-field scale on the shutter plate. On the right of the top housing, in place of the rotating depth-of-field indicator of the Zenobia C, there is a film reminder, similarly made to look like a knob, and rotating to display the film type (for example ''COLOR'') under a crescent-shaped window situated on top. | |
| − | The | + | The front leather is embossed ''Union'' and the back leather has no marking and is cut differently from that on the Zenobia, with more black trim at the top and bottom. The top housing is engraved ''Union'' and ''C-II'', with the serial number engraved on its back. An example<REF> In [http://westfordcomp.com/classics/unioncII/index.htm this page at westfordcomp.com] </REF> has the serial number 531845: "53" may refer to the year of production. |
| − | The | + | The camera is advertised in 1953<REF> {{Showa10ad|Union Semi|975|May 1953|Asahi Camera}} </REF> under the name "Union Semi", for ¥13,000, with a Conoor Anastigmat 7.5cm f:3.5 four-element coated lens and a [[Copal]] synchronized shutter with B, 1–200 speeds and a self-timer. The distributor is Muraue Shashin-yōhin K.K. (村上写真用品株式会社). |
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| − | At some point, the shutter was changed from a synchronized Copal with B, 1–200 speeds and ASA bayonet connector<REF> It equips the camera pictured in the May 1953 advertisement cited above and the one pictured in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.40.html#P4UnionC2 this page of the AJCC website]. </REF> to a later Copal variant with B, 1–300 speeds and PC socket<REF> It equips the camera pictured in {{McKeown}} and the one pictured in [http://westfordcomp.com/classics/unioncII/index.htm this page at westfordcomp.com]. </REF>. | + | At some point, the shutter was changed from a synchronized Copal with B, 1–200 speeds and ASA bayonet connector<REF> It equips the camera pictured in the May 1953 advertisement cited above and the one pictured in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.40.html#P4UnionC2 this page of the AJCC website]. </REF> to a later Copal variant with B, 1–300 speeds and PC socket<REF> It equips the camera pictured in {{McKeown}}, the one pictured in [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JAS_UNION_C2_PIC.htm this page at Japan Family Camera] and the one pictured in [http://westfordcomp.com/classics/unioncII/index.htm this page at westfordcomp.com]. </REF>. |
| − | The lens is engraved ''H.C. Conoor Anastigmat 1:3.5 F=7.5cm No,xxxxxx'', where "H.C." probably stands for "<u>H</u>ard <u>C</u>oated". One example has been observed with a four-digit lens number<REF> The one pictured in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.40.html#P4UnionC2 this page of the AJCC website]. </REF> while | + | The lens is engraved ''H.C. Conoor Anastigmat 1:3.5 F=7.5cm No,xxxxxx'', where "H.C." probably stands for "<u>H</u>ard <u>C</u>oated". One example has been observed with a four-digit lens number<REF> The one pictured in [http://www.ajcc.gr.jp/sub1.40.html#P4UnionC2 this page of the AJCC website]. </REF> while others have a less plausible six-digit lens number<REF> The one pictured in [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/JAS_UNION_C2_PIC.htm this page at Japan Family Camera], lens number 281381, and the one pictured in [http://westfordcomp.com/classics/unioncII/index.htm this page at westfordcomp.com], lens number 282058. </REF>. |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 14:10, 3 July 2006
The Union Semi (ユニオン・セミ) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folder. It is also called Union C-II by many sources[1], because of the engraving on the top housing. It was made in 1953–4[2] by a company called Union Kōgaku, a microscope maker.
The Union C-II is certainly based on the contemporary Zenobia C. The advance knob is different and has a smooth top with a black arrow engraved. There is a depth-of-field scale on the shutter plate. On the right of the top housing, in place of the rotating depth-of-field indicator of the Zenobia C, there is a film reminder, similarly made to look like a knob, and rotating to display the film type (for example COLOR) under a crescent-shaped window situated on top.
The front leather is embossed Union and the back leather has no marking and is cut differently from that on the Zenobia, with more black trim at the top and bottom. The top housing is engraved Union and C-II, with the serial number engraved on its back. An example[3] has the serial number 531845: "53" may refer to the year of production.
The camera is advertised in 1953[4] under the name "Union Semi", for ¥13,000, with a Conoor Anastigmat 7.5cm f:3.5 four-element coated lens and a Copal synchronized shutter with B, 1–200 speeds and a self-timer. The distributor is Muraue Shashin-yōhin K.K. (村上写真用品株式会社).
At some point, the shutter was changed from a synchronized Copal with B, 1–200 speeds and ASA bayonet connector[5] to a later Copal variant with B, 1–300 speeds and PC socket[6].
The lens is engraved H.C. Conoor Anastigmat 1:3.5 F=7.5cm No,xxxxxx, where "H.C." probably stands for "Hard Coated". One example has been observed with a four-digit lens number[7] while others have a less plausible six-digit lens number[8].
Notes
- ↑ Including McKeown, this page of the AJCC website and this page at westfordcomp.com. According to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, it is also the name given in the Kamera Nenkan book by Sugiyama and Naoi.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi mentions advertisements dated 1953 and 1954.
- ↑ In this page at westfordcomp.com
- ↑ Advertisement for the Union Semi, published in the May 1953 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 975.
- ↑ It equips the camera pictured in the May 1953 advertisement cited above and the one pictured in this page of the AJCC website.
- ↑ It equips the camera pictured in McKeown, the one pictured in this page at Japan Family Camera and the one pictured in this page at westfordcomp.com.
- ↑ The one pictured in this page of the AJCC website.
- ↑ The one pictured in this page at Japan Family Camera, lens number 281381, and the one pictured in this page at westfordcomp.com, lens number 282058.
Printed 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. Item 975.
- 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). Page 935.
Links
In English:
In Japanese:
- Union C-II at Japan Family Camera
- Union C-II in a page of the AJCC website
