Union Semi

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, because of the engraving on the top housing. It was made in 1953–4 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 has the serial number 531845: "53" may refer to the year of production.

The camera is advertised in 1953 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 to a later Copal variant with B, 1–300 speeds and PC socket.

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 while others have a less plausible six-digit lens number.

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:

• Union C-II at westfordcomp.com

In Japanese:

• Union C-II at Japan Family Camera
• Union C-II in a page of the AJCC website

<-Okada

Daiichi and Zenobia timeline ()

Type

1950s

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

4.5×6 folder

viewfinder

Zenobia P

Zenobia M

Zenobia C

rebadged versions:

Union Semi

Walcon Semi

Zenobia H

uncoupled rangefinder

Zenobia R

coupled rangefinder

Super Zenobia SR-I

Super Zenobia SR

6×6 TLR

knob advance

Zenobiaflex

Zenobiaflex II

Zenobiaflex F-II

crank advance

Zenobiaflex Automat

35mm rangefinder

f/2.8

Zenobia 35

Zenobia 35 F2.8

f/2

Zenobia 35 F2

Leica copy

Ichicon-35

Company:

Daiichi Kōgaku

...

Zenobia Kōgaku

Cameras whose actual existence is dubious are in a lighter shade.

Cameras in yellow are variants sold and maybe assembled by other companies.