Difference between revisions of "User:Heritagefutures/WorkSpace"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(→‎Packaging Lists)
(→‎Army Type 100 Small Aerial Camera (SK-100))
 
(44 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{WIP}}
 +
 +
= Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm Nedinsco type =
 +
The first [[Japanese aerial cameras | aerial camera]]  used by the Japanese air forces in some quantity was the [[Nedinsco]] FK I.<REF name="Wetwing Nedinsco"> [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/25cmcamera/25cmcamera.html 25cm Aerial Camera (Nedinsco type)] at Wetwing Aerial Camera. </REF> (Nedinsco was a Dutch branch of [[Carl Zeiss]], and "FK" resolves to <u>'''F'''</u>lieger<u>'''k'''</u>amera.)
 +
 +
The design was adopted by the Japanese Army as the '''25cm Aerial Camera''' (二十五糎航空写真機),<REF name="Wetwing Nedinsco" /> named after its 25cm focal length. It was also used by the Navy as the '''Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm''' (手持式航空写真機二五糎).<REF name="Kore-nani Nedinsco"> [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/nhandcam.html Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm] at Kore Nāni. </REF> The Nedinsco 25cm camera was made from 1924 (or 1925) to the mid 1930s.<REF>1924 to 1938: [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/aerialcameras/cameras.html Aerial camera types] at Wetwing Aerial Camera. 1925 to 1938: Iwama, pp.55 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF>  While it is likely that initially direct imports were used, the Nedinsco design was copied and units were later produced in Japan by [[Konica|Rokuoh-sha]],<REF name="Wetwing Nedinsco" /> perhaps after an official license was bought or as an unauthorized copy. Cameras made in the 1930s have a [[Hexar lenses|Hexar Ser.1 25cm f/4.5]] lens. They were mostly retired from use when the Pacific War broke out<REF> ''Japanese Naval Photography'', p.12, where the camera is described as the "25cm Hand-Held Oblique Camera". </REF> and had been replaced by the [[Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type]] and by the [[Japanese aerial cameras#Army Type 96 Small Aerial Camera | Army Type 96 Small Aerial Camera]] respectively.
 +
 +
==Surviving Examples==
 +
 +
The camera takes 13×18cm film plates. The rigid body is made of wood, with a characteristic octagonal front section, covered by a cap. There is a built-in grip on the left and a separate wooden handle on the right.
 +
 +
The focal-plane shutter is a separate unit,<ref>露出機, roshutsuki</ref> which can be slid out of the body for maintenance or repair. It would appears that spare shutter units were carried aboard reconnaissance planes for exchange in mid-air if required.<REF name="Wetwing Nedinsco" /> The shutter  has vertically travelling curtains, and the range of speeds is 1/90, 1/180, 1/375 and 1/750.<REF name="Wetwing Nedinsco" /><REF name="Kore-nani Nedinsco" />
 +
 +
The aperture is set by an index at the top of the camera, in front of the identification plate, with f/4.5, f/6.3 and f/9 positions.<REF name="Kore-nani Nedinsco pictures"> Pictures in [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/nhandcam.html this page] at Kore Nāni. </REF> There is an articulated mechanism placed around the lens, holding two filters (UV and Yellow) controlled by external knobs on either side of the body.
 +
 +
If we accept the 1924 or 1925 release date given by some Japanese sources,<ref>see above</ref> the early examples made until the early 1930s certainly had an imported German lens.
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references />
 +
 +
 +
 +
= Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type =
 +
The '''Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type''' (手持式航空写真機25cm F-8型) was made for the Japanese Navy by [[Konica|Rokuoh-sha]], later [[Konica|Konishiroku]].<REF name="JNP p8"><i>Japanese Naval Photography</i>. Compiled by Lt W.D.Hedden, USNR, with LtCdr G.Z.Dimitroff USNR and Lt(jg) W.A. Seymour, USNR. Intelligence Targets Japan (DNI) of 4 September 1945. Facicle A-1, Target A-39. U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan. December 1945. pp.8-9.</REF><REF name="Wetwing Aerial"> [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/aerialcameras/cameras.html Aerial camera types] at Wetwing Aerial Camera. </REF><REF name="Iwama p55"> Iwama, pp.55 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF> The [[Japanese aerial cameras | aerial camera]]  was essentially a copy of the  American [[Fairchild F-8]]. Additionally,  original Fairchild F-8 cameras reputedly also found use by the Japanese Navy.<REF> ''Japanese Naval Photography'', p.7. </REF>
 +
 +
Recent Japanese sources claim that the camera was made from 1924 (or 1925) to 1938.<REF>1924 to 1938: [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/aerialcameras/cameras.html Aerial camera types] at Wetwing Aerial Camera. 1925 to 1938: Iwama, pp.55 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF> This is most likely a result of the confusion of the various types of 25cm cameras used by the Japanese armed forces. The early models, introduced in 1924/5 were the [[Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm Nedinsco type]] cameras. In the mid-1930s, after the [[Fairchild F-8]] had entered the market (in 1930), these units were also copied replacing the Nedinsco types. During World War II, the Fairchild-type F-8 was replaced by a home-grown version. A report from the U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan, written in December 1945, gives detailed production figures for the Konishiroku F-8 in the 1941–1945 period (table 1). Earlier production data are not available.
 +
 +
<center>
 +
<b>Table 1 Production volume of Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type for the period 1941-1945</b><REF name="JNP p8" />
 +
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
 +
|| Year || 1941 || 1942 || 1943 || 1944 || 1945 || Total
 +
|-
 +
|| Ordered || 400 || 500 || 640 || 1044 || 1080 || 3664
 +
|-
 +
|| Delivered || 286 || 403 || 698 || 787 || 142 || 2316
 +
|}
 +
</center>
 +
 +
The F-8 type takes 13×18cm exposures. The 1945 American report says that the early examples were taking six glass plates within a magazine, but the camera was modified to use rollfilm "early in the war".<REF name="JNP p10 Airrecce"> ''Japanese Naval Photography'', p.10, repeated in [http://www.airrecce.co.uk/cameras/Jap_cameras.html this page] at Airrecce </REF> All the surviving examples known so far take 18cm wide film rolls.<REF name="Wetwing Aerial" /><REF name="Iwama p55" /> The rolls were normally 3.7m long, allowing for 25 frames,<REF name="Wetwing Aerial" /> but double-length 7.5m rolls were manufactured in 1943 and 1944.<REF name="JNP p18"> ''Japanese Naval Photography'', p.18. </REF><REF> Iwama, p.55 of {{KKS}} no.10, says 6m, but this is certainly a confusion with the 18cm × 6m rolls used in some Army cameras, see ''Japanese Naval Photography'', p.18. </REF>
 +
 +
The camera body is made of metal. The shutter is of the focal-plane type, with 1/60, 1/100, 1/160, 1/200, 1/300 and 1/400 speeds.<REF name="Wetwing Aerial" /> When rotated, the right handle advances the film, winds the shutter and advances the exposure counter in a single movement.<REF name="Iwama p55" /> There is a folding frame finder at the top, of which variations are known.
 +
 +
The December 1945 American report says that attempts were made to use the F-8 type as a vertical camera, and about 25 mounts were produced for the C6N Saiun (Myrt) reconnaissance plane, but the trials were not satisfactory and the camera was only used hand-held.<REF name="JNP p10 Airrecce" />
 +
 +
 +
==Surviving examples==
 +
Surviving examples have been observed in two main variants.
 +
 +
==== Early Models (Fairchild-type)====
 +
The '''first variant'''<REF> Examples pictured in [http://www.worthpoint.com/worthowikiwwii-japanese-aerial-camera-5x7-konishiroku-25cm this WorthPoint entry] (with Rokuoh-sha Tokyo Hexar Ser.1 25cm f/4.5 lens no.5382), and in [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/aerialcameras/cameras.html this page] and [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/index.html this page] at Wetwing Aerial Camera (with serial no.1176). </REF> has a large black identification plate, with the camera's official name in Japanese characters (手持手持式航空寫眞機25cm F-8型), a serial number, the year and month of manufacture, and the words Tokyo (東京) and Rokuoh-sha (六櫻社). There is a small housing on the left side, behind the left handle. There are no control levers above the camera, and the aperture is directly controlled by turning the internal sleeve of the lens cone.<ref>In the same fashion as with the [[Fairchild F-8]].</ref> Finally, there are four screw threads at the front of the main body, probably provided to attach the camera to a fixed aircraft mount.
 +
 +
'''Lenses''': The examples found today normally have a [[Hexar lenses|Hexar Ser.1 25cm f/4.5]] in a helical focussing mount.
 +
check this and add to description based in example in hand
 +
 +
====Late Models====
 +
The '''second variant'''<REF> Examples pictured in [http://www.airrecce.co.uk/cameras/Jap_cameras.html this page] at Airrecce, and in [http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19711014000 F-8 this page] of the NASM. </REF> is later. It has a small white plate with Rokuoh-sha or Konishiroku's logo (the character ''roku'' 六 inside a stylized cherry blossom) and a serial number. Two levers are visible at the top, in front of the frame finder. The front lever controls the aperture and has three positions: 4.5, 6.3 and 9. The second lever was used to compensate for proper focus with infra-red film.<REF name="JNP p10 Airrecce" /> The small housing on the left side and the four screw threads at the front are no longer present.
 +
 +
'''Lenses''': The examples found today normally have a [[Hexar lenses|Hexar Ser.1 25cm f/4.5]] set in a barrel, (same as mounted on the [[#Nedinsco type|Nedinsco type]]), sometimes with abbreviated markings ''Hexar.1 4.5 25''.
 +
check this and add to description based in example in hand
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references />
 +
 +
= Army Type 100 Small Aerial Camera (SK-100) =
 +
The '''Army Type 100 Small Aerial Camera''' (SK-100) (陸軍 –oo式 小航空写真機) is a hand-held aerial camera, introduced in 1940.<REF> "Type 100" (–oo式) stands for year 2600 in the Japanese imperial calendar, i.e. 1940. While the Imperial Japanese Army sued the full term, the Imperial Japanese Navy abbreviated Type 100 to 'Type 0'. </REF> It seems that it was mainly produced by [[Konica|Konishiroku]]. The US report already cited above gives detailed production figures for the cameras built by Konishiroku in the 1941–1945 period (table 1).
 +
 +
<center>
 +
<b>Table 1 Army Type 100 Small Aerial Cameras  for the period 1941-1945</b><REF name="JNP p9"><i>Japanese Naval Photography</i>. Compiled by Lt W.D.Hedden, USNR, with LtCdr G.Z.Dimitroff USNR and Lt(jg) W.A. Seymour, USNR. Intelligence Targets Japan (DNI) of 4 September 1945. Facicle A-1, Target A-39. U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan. December 1945. pp.8-9.</ref>
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
 +
|| Year || 1941 || 1942 || 1943 || 1944 || 1945 || Total
 +
|-
 +
|| Ordered || 233 || 400 || 2500 || 1400 || 1600 || 6133
 +
|-
 +
|| Delivered || 30 || 306 || 1456 || 2212 || 265 || 4269
 +
|}
 +
</center>
 +
 +
At least some SK-100 cameras were also produced by [[Minolta |Chiyoda Kōgaku]],<REF name="SUG 6013"> {{SUG}}, item 6013.</REF>  [[Katsura|Katsura Seisakusho]].<ref>Seen in an online auction.</ref><REF name="Topcon Club SK-100"> [http://www003.upp.so-net.ne.jp/Topconclub/another.htm This page] of the Topcon Club. </REF> and also by [[Nikon | Nippon Kogaku]]<ref>Westlcht 28 May 2011 Lot 467</ref> Some sources insist in attributing the SK-100 to Chiyoda altogether, but it rather seems that the camera was developed by [[Konica|Konishiroku]],<REF name="Wetwing Aerial"> [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/aerialcameras/cameras.html Aerial camera types] at Wetwing Aerial Camera. </REF> drawing on its longer experience of aerial cameras, and that the other manufacturers played a secondary role to boost production output.
 +
 +
The SK-100 takes fourty 11.5×16cm pictures<REF name="KKS12 p18"> {{KKS}} no.12, p.18. </REF><REF name="Francesch SK100"> Francesch, p.253. </REF> on special rollfilm, 18cm wide and 6m long.<REF name="JNP p9"> ''Japanese Naval Photography'', p.9. </REF> The camera is much larger than the [[GSK-99]] — its dimensions are 38×29×35cm, and it weighs 6.9kg.<REF name="KKS12 p18" /> There is a built-in focal-plane shutter, giving 1/200, 1/300 and 1/400 speeds.<REF name="KKS12 p18" /><REF name="Francesch SK100" /><REF name="SUG 6013" />
 +
 +
The camera has a folding frame finder at the top, and large handles on both sides of the body. There is a retractable bubble level, for vertical photography.<REF name="Kore-nani SK-100 pictures"> Pictures in [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/nhandcam.html Type 100 Small Aerial Camera] at Kore Nāni. </REF> The main release is a trigger, falling under the right-hand index.
 +
 +
The shutter is of the focal-plane type, with vertically running curtains. It gives 1/200, 1/300 and 1/400 speeds,<REF name="KKS12 p18" /><REF name="Francesch SK100" /><REF name="SUG 6013" /> set by a small button placed at the bottom right of the camera. On some cameras, the selected speed is displayed in a small window on the rear, behind this button, with the indication 露出速度 ("exposure speed").<REF name="Kore-nani SK-100 pictures" /> The slit between the two shutter curtains has a fixed width, and the speed button actually modifies the tension of the main springs.<REF name="Kore-nani SK-100"> [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/nhandcam.html Type 100 Small Aerial Camera] at Kore Nāni. </REF> It is said that the slit is constantly open, and that a light shield is raised behind the lens after each exposure, in order not to fog the film.<REF name="Topcon Club SK-100" />
 +
 +
The camera's back is removable for film loading. The supply spool is inserted at the bottom, and the film runs from bottom to top.<REF name="Kore-nani SK-100" /> There is a glass plate inside the exposure chamber, behind the shutter curtains, to improve the film flatness. The film is advanced and the shutter is wound by turning a large knob on the right. The frame number is displayed on the rear, behind the knob, sometimes with the indication 撮影枚數 ("frame number").<REF name="Kore-nani SK-100 pictures" />
 +
 +
There is an electrical connector on the side of the front barrel, to supply electrical power to two heating resistors built inside the camera, to prevent freezing at high altitude.<REF name="Kore-nani SK-100" />
 +
 +
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 +
|-
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/4967970905/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4967970905_8cf5ff7777.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''Army Type 100 Small Aerial Camera (SK-100), with [[Hexar lenses|Hexar Ser.IIA]] 20cm f/3.5 no.4203.<br>The other lenses are Simlar 180.2mm and 179.5mm f/4.5, Tele-Hexar and Boen Rokkor 40cm f/5.6.<br>Picture by eBayer Hbpartner. {{with permission}}''
 +
|}
 +
 +
===Lenses===
 +
 +
The SK-100 takes interchangeable lenses via a large bayonet mount with three lugs. The cameras were packed in transport cases, with the lens kits carried in a separate case with shoulder straps; the kits contained a 20cm and a 40cm lens, as well as two filters.
 +
 +
====20cm====
 +
On record are:
 +
* [[Konica|Rokuoh-Sha]] [[Hexar lenses|Hexar Ser.IIA]] 20cm f/3.5.<ref>Lower serial numbers</ref>
 +
* [[Konica|Konishiroku]] [[Hexar lenses|Hexar Ser.IIA]] 20cm f/3.5 (the most common, standard lens).
 +
* [[Rokkor]] 20cm f/4.5<REF> Example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 6013.</REF> by [[Minolta|Chiyoda Kōgaku]].
 +
* [[Simlar]] 180mm f/4.5 by [[Tōkyō Kōgaku]] (engraved with the exact focal length, i.e. 179.5mm or 180.2mm),<REF> Examples pictured in this article. </REF>
 +
* [[Zuiko]] 200mm f/4.5 by [[Olympus|Takachiho]].
 +
* [[Tessar]] 21cm f/4.5 by [[Carl Zeiss | Zeiss Jena]] with a [[Minolta |Chiyoda]] marking on the lens barrel.<ref>Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann.</ref>
 +
 +
====40cm====
 +
* [[Konica|Rokuoh-Sha]] [[Hexar lenses|Tele-Hexar]] 40cm f/5.6.<ref>Lower serial numbers</ref>
 +
* [[Konica|Konishiroku]] [[Hexar lenses|Tele-Hexar]] 40cm f/5.6 (the most common, standard lens).
 +
* [[Hexar lenses|Tele-Hexar]] 40cm f/5.6<ref>These lenses lack the manufacturer name. They also omit the 'no' before the serial number.</ref>
 +
* [[Minolta |Chiyoda Kōgaku]]  [[Rokkor|Boen Rokkor]]. 40cm f/5.6.<REF> Examples pictured in this article.</REF><REF> Various sources mention a Rokkor 50cm f/5.6 instead of the 40cm f/5.6, but this is perhaps a confusion The Rokkor 50cm f/5.6 is mentioned in {{SUG}}, item 6013, in {{KKS}} no.12, p.18, in Francesch, p.253, and in [http://rokkor.blogspot.com/2006/03/woher-kommt-der-name-rokkor.html this page by Dennis Lohmann]. All these sources list two lenses only for the SK-100: the 20cm f/4.5 and the "50cm" f/5.6, and none mentions the 40cm f/5.6. </REF>
 +
 +
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/4968579620/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4968579620_669998d111_m.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/4968579904/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4968579904_215b0e2252_m.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''Tele-Hexar 40cm f/5.6 lens no.4046 and Boen Rokkor 40cm f/5.6 no.78, for SK-100.<br>Pictures by eBayer Hbpartner. {{with permission}}''
 +
|}
 +
 +
===Filters===
 +
All the lenses for the SK-100 have three prongs at the front, to attach a filter. Various filter types exist; most are engraved ''SK&nbsp;100'' on the rim.
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references />
 +
 
= Navy Field Camera=
 
= Navy Field Camera=
 
The '''Navy Field Camera (21cm & 36cm)''' (¶¶¶) was produced for the Japanese Navy by [[Konica|Rokuoh-sha]]( (六桜社) ) / [[Konica|Konishiroku]]) (小西六)<REF name="JNP p8"><i>Japanese Naval Photography</i>. Compiled by Lt W.D.Hedden, USNR, with LtCdr G.Z.Dimitroff USNR and Lt(jg) W.A. Seymour, USNR. Intelligence Targets Japan (DNI) of 4 September 1945. Facicle A-1, Target A-39. U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan. December 1945. pp.8-9</REF>
 
The '''Navy Field Camera (21cm & 36cm)''' (¶¶¶) was produced for the Japanese Navy by [[Konica|Rokuoh-sha]]( (六桜社) ) / [[Konica|Konishiroku]]) (小西六)<REF name="JNP p8"><i>Japanese Naval Photography</i>. Compiled by Lt W.D.Hedden, USNR, with LtCdr G.Z.Dimitroff USNR and Lt(jg) W.A. Seymour, USNR. Intelligence Targets Japan (DNI) of 4 September 1945. Facicle A-1, Target A-39. U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan. December 1945. pp.8-9</REF>
Line 25: Line 153:
 
|}
 
|}
 
</center>
 
</center>
 +
 +
==Notes==
 +
<references />
  
 
= Army Type B  Field Camera=
 
= Army Type B  Field Camera=
Line 46: Line 177:
 
</center>
 
</center>
  
−
= Navy Type 99 Handheld Aerial Camera =
 
−
{{Flickr_image
 
−
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5181013247/in/pool-camerawiki
 
−
|image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/4151/5181013247_14cb92eb9e.jpg
 
−
|image_align= right
 
−
|image_text= Navy Type 99 Handheld Aerial Camera
 
−
|image_by= Dirk HR Spennemann
 
−
|image_rights= with permission
 
−
}}
 
−
The '''Type 99 Handheld Aerial Camera (15cm)''' (九九式航空写真機十五糎) was produced for the Japanese Navy by [[Konica|Rokuoh-sha]]( (六桜社) ) / [[Konica|Konishiroku]]) (小西六) and also by [[Fuji|Fuji Shashin Film]] (富士寫眞フィルム株式會社)<REF name="JNP p8"><i>Japanese Naval Photography</i>. Compiled by Lt W.D.Hedden, USNR, with LtCdr G.Z.Dimitroff USNR and Lt(jg) W.A. Seymour, USNR. Intelligence Targets Japan (DNI) of 4 September 1945. Facicle A-1, Target A-39. U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan. December 1945. pp.8-9.</REF><REF>See also the examples depicted in this article</ref>As was usual practice with the Japanese military ordnance of the time, the name "type 99" stands for year 2599 in the Japanese imperial calendar, i.e. 1939. 
 
−
 
−
The total number of cameras produced is unknown at this point in time. A report from the U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan, written in December 1945, gives detailed production figures, they refer to the Konishiroku-built Navy Type 99 Handheld Aerial Cameras only  (Table 1). The total production was higher, as the numbers of cameras made by [[Fuji]]  are unknown. A Japanese source claims that the introduction of the camera was plagued with reliability problems, and it only went in full service around 1943.<REF name="Wetwing Aerial"> [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/aerialcameras/cameras.html Aerial camera types] at Wetwing Aerial Camera.</REF>  This seems to be borne out by the statistics provided in the U.S. report that show that production started in 1942 and was ramped up in 1943, peaking in 1944. The dramatic drop of actual deliveries compared or orders in 1945  shows the impact of the Allied bombing on specialised camera production.
 
−
 
−
<center>
 
−
<b>Table 1 Production volume of Navy Type 99 Handheld Aerial Cameras for the period 1941-1945</b><REF name="JNP p8" />
 
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
 
−
|| Year || 1941 || 1942 || 1943 || 1944 || 1945 || Total
 
−
|-
 
−
|| Ordered || _ || 50 || 700 || 1416 || 1440 || 3606
 
−
|-
 
−
|| Delivered || _ || 50 || 600 || 1231 || 65 || 1946
 
−
|}
 
−
</center>
 
−
The camera is loaded with 9cm wide<REF name="JNP p8" /> perforated film rolls. The picture format is about 7.5×10cm.<REF name="Iwama"> Iwama Tomohisa (岩間倶久). "Konica history 8. Konishiroku no gun'yō kamera." (Konica history 8. 小西六の軍用カメラ. Konishiroku military cameras.) Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.10, September 1987. No ISBN number. Konishiroku kamera no rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, special issue on Konishiroku). Pp.54–5.</ref><ref>[http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/aerialcameras/cameras.html this page] at Wetwing Aerial Camera, and ''Japanese Naval Photography'', p.11, all say 7.5×10cm. [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/99cam.html This page] at Kore Nāni says 70×100mm, and {{SUG}}, item 6010, says 72×98mm. </REF> The film strips are 2.3 metres in length,<REF name="JNP p8" /><REF name="JNP p18"> ''Japanese Naval Photography'', p.18.</REF> allowing for 20 exposures.<REF>The camera pictured in [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/99cam.html this page] at Kore Nāni clearly shows an exposure counter graduated from 1 to 20. ''Japanese Naval Photography'' * p.11) also mentions 20 exposures. [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/aerialcameras/cameras.html This page] at Wetwing Aerial Camera, mentions 6 or 10-exposure film strips, perhaps by mistake. {{SUG}}, item 6010, says that the camera takes glass plates and sheetfilm, but this is obviously a mistake. </REF>
 
−
 
−
The camera has a folding, self-erecting frame finder at the top, and wooden handles on both sides of the body. The shutter is of the focal-plane type, with horizontally running curtains. It normally gives 1/75, 1/150, 1/250 and 1/400 speeds,<REF> [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/99cam.html This page] at Kore Nāni, and specifications in {{SUG}}, item 6010. </REF> selected by a wheel at the top. <REF>The American report mentions 1/25 to 1/500 speeds, probably by mistake: 'Japanese Naval Photography' (''op. cit.''), p.11. </REF> The aperture selection occurs by twisting the front section of the lens cone, copied from the mechanism of the Rokuoh Sha-bult [[Japanese_aerial_cameras#Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type | Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type]], which in tun was a copy of the [[Fairchild F-8]].
 
−
The main release has the shape of a trigger, actioned by the right index.<ref> See this [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/7582874642 image].</ref> The film is advanced and the shutter is wound by turning the right-hand handle by 90 degrees twice.<REF> [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/99cam.html This page] at Kore Nāni. </REF><REF name="Wetwing Aerial" /> The camera has an automatic exposure counter.  The back is fully removable and is locked by two keys, with open (開) and close (閉) indications.
 
−
 
−
At least two versions were made, reputedly one for aerial use only and the other for both aerial and terrestrial use.<REF name="Wetwing Aerial" /> The American report mentions two variants distinguished by the lens maximal aperture, either f/3.5 or f/4.5, saying that the latter was more common as the faster lens did not provide advantages that warranted the higher cost of production.<REF name="JNP p10"> 'Japanese Naval Photography' (''op. cit.''), p.10.</REF>
 
−
 
−
==Surviving Examples==
 
−
A number of examples have appeared in recent years, which allow the identification of two types (Rokuoh Sha and Fuji) and some variants among the former. The distinguishing criteria between the two types are [[Navy Type 99 Aerial Camera Distinguishing Characteristics | set out on this seperate page]].
 
−
At this point, it is not clear which company designed the camera. It is probable that the design originated by [[Konica|Rokuoh Sha / Konishiroku]] which had designed and manufactured several other cameras for the Japanese military.  On the other hand, the top line of the contents list attached to the inside lid of the transport case of the Fuji-built unit sn#62 reads " 假稱" 九九式  (kashō 99-shiki; temporary designation Type 99), with the first two characters of the aluminium tag blackened out.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/7567103848/ see this image]. Transliteration and translation by [[User:Rebollo_fr]].</ref>
 
−
 
−
EXPAND
 
−
 
−
  Variations have been observed in the surviving camera bodies, but no clear pattern has been identified.<REF> Examples pictured in [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/99cam.html this page] at Kore Nāni, in [http://www.wetwing.com/aerialcamera/aerialcameras/cameras.html this page] at Wetwing Aerial Camera, in {{SUG}}, item 6010, and in Iwama, p.54 of {{KKS}} no.10. </REF>
 
−
 
−
 
−
===Cameras manufactured by Rokuoh Sha / Konishiroku===
 
−
 
−
 
−
The front cone is attached to the camera with four visible screws. It has four ratchet stops machined into the fore edge, even if only a three-aperture setting lens was fitted.<ref>[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/7582256540 See this image]</ref> The shutter advance grip on the right has a vertically ribbed, oval-shaped metal plate the front and a straight band on the back. The bottom bracket holding the grip protrudes from the camera body at an angle and with a visible step. The thumb push-button to release the film-advance lock is curved with broad grooves. The finger surface of the shutter release shows wide grooves (8 grooves/10mm).
 
−
 
−
''Top plate'': The shutter speed selector sits off centric on a raised oval-shaped base. The shutter speed is set by lifting the entire mushroom-shaped knob with a thin top.  The self-erecting viewfinder protrudes slightly from the front plate and has a front wire frame with an round cross-section (dimensions: front frame 2 1/8" x 1 3/4", back frame 1 1/4" x 1 1/2").<ref>It is intriguing that the design seems to have been made in Imperial rather than Metric. All measurements work out in inches .</ref> The film counter is more or less in line with  the left hand grip of the  camera, with the varying positions of the  round counter window.
 
−
 
−
''Bottom plate'':  The locks for the film spools show an aluminium knob with a central crew. In the center of the bottom plate is the serial number tag (aluminium or Bakelite).
 
−
 
−
''Removable back'': The Bakelite note slate on the removable back is more high than wide (3" x 2 3/8").
 
−
 
−
Over time, some modifications occurred.<ref>At present it is not clear to what extent these variations are the result of different workshops/plants. NAVY MISSION reports that Konishiroku manufactured its aerial cameras at the ¶¶ and  ¶¶¶ plants.—Some changes, such as the shift from Aluminium to Bakelite tags is likely the result of cost saving measures in the face of material shortages.</ref>  An inspection of a range of examples has shown the existence of at least two major variants which can be distinguished based on the film counter mechanism:<ref>Note that the naming of the variants is arbitrary.</ref>
 
−
 
−
====Variant A====
 
−
The film counter window is flush with the top plate and located towards the back of the camera.
 
−
 
−
'''Variant A1 (early):''' The camera has a serial number tag made from aluminium (punched unit stamp,<ref>Rarely present.</ref> Rokuoh-Sha/Konishuroku Symbol, punched naval anchor<ref>Occasionally absent</ref> | punched serial number). The removable backs have the fasteners for the pressure plate shown on the outside of the back as four raised circles, each with a raised central dome.<ref>Both criteria documented for serial numbers: #344</ref>.
 
−
 
−
CHECK whether it is really '''Bakelite''' or '''Bone'''??
 
−
'''Variant A2 (late):''' The camera has a serial number tag made from white [[Bakelite]] (engraved unit stamp,<ref>Rarely present.</ref> Rokuoh-Sha/Konishuroku Symbol, engraved naval anchor<ref>Occasionally absent</ref> | engraved serial number).<Ref>Documented for serial numbers: #393, #566, #813, #819, #844, #1009, #1185</ref> The earlier removable backs have the fasteners for the pressure plate shown on the outside of the back as four raised circles, each with a raised central dome,<ref>Documented for serial numbers: ##393, #566, #593</ref> while the later backs lack the raised central  domes.<Ref>Documented for serial numbers: #813, #819, #844, #849, #1009, #1117, #1184.</ref>
 
−
Note that there is no discernible serial number pattern whether the tags with the closing directions are made from aluminium or from [[Bakelite]].
 
−
 
−
====Variant B ====
 
−
The film counter window is located on a well-defined circular area plate slightly raised off the top plate, with the window located towards the front of the camera.<ref>As the overall position of the center of the exposure number wheel has not changed compared to Variant A, it is possible that top plate above the  exposure number wheel  was raised to allow for better movement.</ref> The camera has a serial number tag made from white [[Bakelite]] (engraved unit stamp,<ref>Rarely present.</ref> Rokuoh-Sha/Konishuroku Symbol, engraved naval anchor<ref>Occasionally absent</ref> | engraved serial number).<Ref>Documented for serial numbers: #1257.</ref>
 
−
 
−
====Documented Lens Options====
 
−
The lens is attached to the camera through a mounting flange held by by four screws. It  has the standard three prongs at the front for filter attachment. The aperture ring is fitted with a two-pronged lever  tab that is connected to the inner sleeve of the lens cone. Aperture is set by turning the end of the inner sleeve which protrudes from the outer lens cone.<ref>This is a direct copy of the mechanism used in the [[Fairchild F-8]] and its Japanese copy, the Rokuoh Sha-bult [[Japanese_aerial_cameras#Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type | Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type]].</ref>
 
−
 
−
Documented are the following three lens options:
 
−
* Hexar Ser. II B 1:3.5 f=15cm Rokuoh-sha Tokyo Nº xxxx <ref>On record are Hexar sn#3223 (possibly body #150 based on number painted on the packing case).</ref>
 
−
*  Hexar Ser. I B 1:4.5 f=15cm Konishiroku Tokyo Nº xxxx <ref>On record are Hexar sn#3050 (body #344)(lettering 'Konishiroku' in  [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/7581955156  very messy alignment]); Hexar #3910 (body #1009)</ref><REF>See also example pictured in [http://www.geocities.jp/kyo_oomiya/99cam.html this page] at Kore Nāni. </REF>
 
−
*  Hexar Ser. I B 1:4.5 f=15cm xxxx<ref>On record are Hexar sn#4152 (on body #1185); Hexar #4098 (on body #1257);</ref>
 
−
 
−
===Cameras manufactured by Fuji===
 
−
The front cone is attached to the camera without visible screws. The shutter advance grip on the right has a smooth oval-shaped metal plate on both the front and back. The bottom bracket holding the grip protrudes from the camera body at an angle, but without a visible step. The thumb push-button to release the film-advance lock is angular with fine grooves. The finger surface of the shutter release shows fine grooves (15 grooves/10mm).
 
−
 
−
''Top plate'': The shutter speed selector sits on a raised circular base. The shutter speed is set by lifting the narrow external ring of a mushroom-shaped knob with a thick top. The self-erecting viewfinder is mounted flush with the front plate and has a front wire frame with an angular cross-section (dimensions: front frame, 2" x 1 7/8", back frame 1" x 1 1/2").<ref>It is intriguing that the design seems to have been made in Imperial rather than Metric. All measurements work out in inches .</ref> The film counter with its square window is positioned to the right of the left hand grip of the  camera.
 
−
 
−
''Bottom plate'':  The locks for the film spools show an aluminium knob without a central crew. In the center of the bottom plate is the serial number tag (silver text on black background with  date | punched unit stamp,<ref>Rarely present.</ref> serial number, punched naval anchor<ref>Occasionally absent</ref> | Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd).
 
−
 
−
''Removable Back'': The surface of the back is smooth throughout without any protrusions. The [[Bakelite]] note slate is square (3" x 3"). The closing tags are made from aluminium.<ref>Unlike the backs of the Rokuoh-Sha/Konishiroku-built cameras which have engraved serial numbers (theoretically matching with those of the camera bodies), the serial numbers of the Fuji-built units are hand painted.</ref>
 
−
 
−
==Links==
 
−
*  [[Navy Type 99 Aerial Camera Distinguishing Characteristics | Distinguishing Characteristics of Navy Type 99 Aerial Cameras]] manufactured by Rokuoh Sha and by Fuji
 
−
* [[Navy Type 99 Aerial Camera Sets | Description of Navy Type 99 Aerial Camera Storage Boxes and Packing Lists ]]
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references />
 
<references />
 +
  
 
=Navy Type 99 Aerial Camera Sets=
 
=Navy Type 99 Aerial Camera Sets=
Line 164: Line 212:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|| Type 2  
 
|| Type 2  
−
||  [[Konica|Rokuoh-sha]]
+
||  [[Fuji|Fuji Shashin Film]]
−
||sn#1257
+
||sn#122<ref>The camera that came with the case is a [[Konica|Rokuoh-sha]]-built unit sn#1257, but the [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/7582713272 paper label] in the lid shows that the box belonged to a [[Fuji|Fuji Shashin Film]]-built unit sn#122.</ref>
 
||Wood
 
||Wood
 
||
 
||
Line 199: Line 247:
 
</center>
 
</center>
  
 +
<br>&nbsp;
 
==Packaging Lists==
 
==Packaging Lists==
 +
To ensure that store personnel could account for the contents of the sets, camera manufacturers affixed content labels on the insides of the storage boxes. These labels were made of aluminum, printed paper or (cheaper) duplication by mimeograph or Whiteprint.
  
 
<center>
 
<center>
Line 231: Line 281:
 
||  [[Fuji|Fuji Shashin Film]]
 
||  [[Fuji|Fuji Shashin Film]]
 
||122
 
||122
−
||Paper, printed<br>Hand-written Kanji Characters
+
||Paper, mimeographed<ref>See this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimeograph Wikipedia entry] for the duplication technique.</ref><br>Hand-written Kanji Characters
 
||
 
||
 
||{{Flickr_image
 
||{{Flickr_image
Line 248: Line 298:
 
||  [[Konica|Rokuoh-sha]]
 
||  [[Konica|Rokuoh-sha]]
 
|| 393
 
|| 393
−
||Paper, ammonia-printed ('diazo')<br>Hand-written Kanji Characters
+
||Paper, Whiteprint ('diazo')<ref> See this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiteprint Wikipedia entry] for the duplication technique.</ref><br>Hand-written Kanji Characters
 
|| 1944 (May)
 
|| 1944 (May)
 
||{{Flickr_image
 
||{{Flickr_image

Latest revision as of 21:52, 11 November 2012

This is a work in progress.

Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm Nedinsco type

The first aerial camera used by the Japanese air forces in some quantity was the Nedinsco FK I.[1] (Nedinsco was a Dutch branch of Carl Zeiss, and "FK" resolves to Fliegerkamera.)

The design was adopted by the Japanese Army as the 25cm Aerial Camera (二十五糎航空写真機),[1] named after its 25cm focal length. It was also used by the Navy as the Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm (手持式航空写真機二五糎).[2] The Nedinsco 25cm camera was made from 1924 (or 1925) to the mid 1930s.[3] While it is likely that initially direct imports were used, the Nedinsco design was copied and units were later produced in Japan by Rokuoh-sha,[1] perhaps after an official license was bought or as an unauthorized copy. Cameras made in the 1930s have a Hexar Ser.1 25cm f/4.5 lens. They were mostly retired from use when the Pacific War broke out[4] and had been replaced by the Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type and by the Army Type 96 Small Aerial Camera respectively.

Surviving Examples

The camera takes 13×18cm film plates. The rigid body is made of wood, with a characteristic octagonal front section, covered by a cap. There is a built-in grip on the left and a separate wooden handle on the right.

The focal-plane shutter is a separate unit,[5] which can be slid out of the body for maintenance or repair. It would appears that spare shutter units were carried aboard reconnaissance planes for exchange in mid-air if required.[1] The shutter has vertically travelling curtains, and the range of speeds is 1/90, 1/180, 1/375 and 1/750.[1][2]

The aperture is set by an index at the top of the camera, in front of the identification plate, with f/4.5, f/6.3 and f/9 positions.[6] There is an articulated mechanism placed around the lens, holding two filters (UV and Yellow) controlled by external knobs on either side of the body.

If we accept the 1924 or 1925 release date given by some Japanese sources,[7] the early examples made until the early 1930s certainly had an imported German lens.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 25cm Aerial Camera (Nedinsco type) at Wetwing Aerial Camera.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm at Kore Nāni.
  3. ↑ 1924 to 1938: Aerial camera types at Wetwing Aerial Camera. 1925 to 1938: Iwama, pp.55 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  4. ↑ Japanese Naval Photography, p.12, where the camera is described as the "25cm Hand-Held Oblique Camera".
  5. ↑ 露出機, roshutsuki
  6. ↑ Pictures in this page at Kore Nāni.
  7. ↑ see above


Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type

The Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type (手持式航空写真機25cm F-8型) was made for the Japanese Navy by Rokuoh-sha, later Konishiroku.[1][2][3] The aerial camera was essentially a copy of the American Fairchild F-8. Additionally, original Fairchild F-8 cameras reputedly also found use by the Japanese Navy.[4]

Recent Japanese sources claim that the camera was made from 1924 (or 1925) to 1938.[5] This is most likely a result of the confusion of the various types of 25cm cameras used by the Japanese armed forces. The early models, introduced in 1924/5 were the Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm Nedinsco type cameras. In the mid-1930s, after the Fairchild F-8 had entered the market (in 1930), these units were also copied replacing the Nedinsco types. During World War II, the Fairchild-type F-8 was replaced by a home-grown version. A report from the U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan, written in December 1945, gives detailed production figures for the Konishiroku F-8 in the 1941–1945 period (table 1). Earlier production data are not available.

Table 1 Production volume of Navy Handheld Aerial Camera 25cm F-8 type for the period 1941-1945[1]

Year 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Total
Ordered 400 500 640 1044 1080 3664
Delivered 286 403 698 787 142 2316

The F-8 type takes 13×18cm exposures. The 1945 American report says that the early examples were taking six glass plates within a magazine, but the camera was modified to use rollfilm "early in the war".[6] All the surviving examples known so far take 18cm wide film rolls.[2][3] The rolls were normally 3.7m long, allowing for 25 frames,[2] but double-length 7.5m rolls were manufactured in 1943 and 1944.[7][8]

The camera body is made of metal. The shutter is of the focal-plane type, with 1/60, 1/100, 1/160, 1/200, 1/300 and 1/400 speeds.[2] When rotated, the right handle advances the film, winds the shutter and advances the exposure counter in a single movement.[3] There is a folding frame finder at the top, of which variations are known.

The December 1945 American report says that attempts were made to use the F-8 type as a vertical camera, and about 25 mounts were produced for the C6N Saiun (Myrt) reconnaissance plane, but the trials were not satisfactory and the camera was only used hand-held.[6]


Surviving examples

Surviving examples have been observed in two main variants.

Early Models (Fairchild-type)

The first variant[9] has a large black identification plate, with the camera's official name in Japanese characters (手持手持式航空寫眞機25cm F-8型), a serial number, the year and month of manufacture, and the words Tokyo (東京) and Rokuoh-sha (六櫻社). There is a small housing on the left side, behind the left handle. There are no control levers above the camera, and the aperture is directly controlled by turning the internal sleeve of the lens cone.[10] Finally, there are four screw threads at the front of the main body, probably provided to attach the camera to a fixed aircraft mount.

Lenses: The examples found today normally have a Hexar Ser.1 25cm f/4.5 in a helical focussing mount. 

check this and add to description based in example in hand

Late Models

The second variant[11] is later. It has a small white plate with Rokuoh-sha or Konishiroku's logo (the character roku 六 inside a stylized cherry blossom) and a serial number. Two levers are visible at the top, in front of the frame finder. The front lever controls the aperture and has three positions: 4.5, 6.3 and 9. The second lever was used to compensate for proper focus with infra-red film.[6] The small housing on the left side and the four screw threads at the front are no longer present.

Lenses: The examples found today normally have a Hexar Ser.1 25cm f/4.5 set in a barrel, (same as mounted on the Nedinsco type), sometimes with abbreviated markings Hexar.1 4.5 25. 

check this and add to description based in example in hand

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Japanese Naval Photography. Compiled by Lt W.D.Hedden, USNR, with LtCdr G.Z.Dimitroff USNR and Lt(jg) W.A. Seymour, USNR. Intelligence Targets Japan (DNI) of 4 September 1945. Facicle A-1, Target A-39. U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan. December 1945. pp.8-9.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Aerial camera types at Wetwing Aerial Camera.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Iwama, pp.55 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  4. ↑ Japanese Naval Photography, p.7.
  5. ↑ 1924 to 1938: Aerial camera types at Wetwing Aerial Camera. 1925 to 1938: Iwama, pp.55 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Japanese Naval Photography, p.10, repeated in this page at Airrecce
  7. ↑ Japanese Naval Photography, p.18.
  8. ↑ Iwama, p.55 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, says 6m, but this is certainly a confusion with the 18cm × 6m rolls used in some Army cameras, see Japanese Naval Photography, p.18.
  9. ↑ Examples pictured in this WorthPoint entry (with Rokuoh-sha Tokyo Hexar Ser.1 25cm f/4.5 lens no.5382), and in this page and this page at Wetwing Aerial Camera (with serial no.1176).
  10. ↑ In the same fashion as with the Fairchild F-8.
  11. ↑ Examples pictured in this page at Airrecce, and in F-8 this page of the NASM.

Army Type 100 Small Aerial Camera (SK-100)

The Army Type 100 Small Aerial Camera (SK-100) (陸軍 –oo式 小航空写真機) is a hand-held aerial camera, introduced in 1940.[1] It seems that it was mainly produced by Konishiroku. The US report already cited above gives detailed production figures for the cameras built by Konishiroku in the 1941–1945 period (table 1).

Table 1 Army Type 100 Small Aerial Cameras for the period 1941-1945[2]

Year 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Total
Ordered 233 400 2500 1400 1600 6133
Delivered 30 306 1456 2212 265 4269

At least some SK-100 cameras were also produced by Chiyoda Kōgaku,[3] Katsura Seisakusho.[4][5] and also by Nippon Kogaku[6] Some sources insist in attributing the SK-100 to Chiyoda altogether, but it rather seems that the camera was developed by Konishiroku,[7] drawing on its longer experience of aerial cameras, and that the other manufacturers played a secondary role to boost production output.

The SK-100 takes fourty 11.5×16cm pictures[8][9] on special rollfilm, 18cm wide and 6m long.[2] The camera is much larger than the GSK-99 — its dimensions are 38×29×35cm, and it weighs 6.9kg.[8] There is a built-in focal-plane shutter, giving 1/200, 1/300 and 1/400 speeds.[8][9][3]

The camera has a folding frame finder at the top, and large handles on both sides of the body. There is a retractable bubble level, for vertical photography.[10] The main release is a trigger, falling under the right-hand index.

The shutter is of the focal-plane type, with vertically running curtains. It gives 1/200, 1/300 and 1/400 speeds,[8][9][3] set by a small button placed at the bottom right of the camera. On some cameras, the selected speed is displayed in a small window on the rear, behind this button, with the indication 露出速度 ("exposure speed").[10] The slit between the two shutter curtains has a fixed width, and the speed button actually modifies the tension of the main springs.[11] It is said that the slit is constantly open, and that a light shield is raised behind the lens after each exposure, in order not to fog the film.[5]

The camera's back is removable for film loading. The supply spool is inserted at the bottom, and the film runs from bottom to top.[11] There is a glass plate inside the exposure chamber, behind the shutter curtains, to improve the film flatness. The film is advanced and the shutter is wound by turning a large knob on the right. The frame number is displayed on the rear, behind the knob, sometimes with the indication 撮影枚數 ("frame number").[10]

There is an electrical connector on the side of the front barrel, to supply electrical power to two heating resistors built inside the camera, to prevent freezing at high altitude.[11]

4967970905_8cf5ff7777.jpg
Army Type 100 Small Aerial Camera (SK-100), with Hexar Ser.IIA 20cm f/3.5 no.4203.
The other lenses are Simlar 180.2mm and 179.5mm f/4.5, Tele-Hexar and Boen Rokkor 40cm f/5.6.
Picture by eBayer Hbpartner. (Image rights)

Lenses

The SK-100 takes interchangeable lenses via a large bayonet mount with three lugs. The cameras were packed in transport cases, with the lens kits carried in a separate case with shoulder straps; the kits contained a 20cm and a 40cm lens, as well as two filters.

20cm

On record are:

40cm

4968579620_669998d111_m.jpg 4968579904_215b0e2252_m.jpg
Tele-Hexar 40cm f/5.6 lens no.4046 and Boen Rokkor 40cm f/5.6 no.78, for SK-100.
Pictures by eBayer Hbpartner. (Image rights)

Filters

All the lenses for the SK-100 have three prongs at the front, to attach a filter. Various filter types exist; most are engraved SK 100 on the rim.

Notes

  1. ↑ "Type 100" (–oo式) stands for year 2600 in the Japanese imperial calendar, i.e. 1940. While the Imperial Japanese Army sued the full term, the Imperial Japanese Navy abbreviated Type 100 to 'Type 0'.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Japanese Naval Photography. Compiled by Lt W.D.Hedden, USNR, with LtCdr G.Z.Dimitroff USNR and Lt(jg) W.A. Seymour, USNR. Intelligence Targets Japan (DNI) of 4 September 1945. Facicle A-1, Target A-39. U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan. December 1945. pp.8-9. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "JNP p9" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Sugiyama, item 6013.
  4. ↑ Seen in an online auction.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 This page of the Topcon Club.
  6. ↑ Westlcht 28 May 2011 Lot 467
  7. ↑ Aerial camera types at Wetwing Aerial Camera.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.12, p.18.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Francesch, p.253.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Pictures in Type 100 Small Aerial Camera at Kore Nāni.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Type 100 Small Aerial Camera at Kore Nāni.
  12. ↑ Lower serial numbers
  13. ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 6013.
  14. ↑ Examples pictured in this article.
  15. ↑ Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann.
  16. ↑ Lower serial numbers
  17. ↑ These lenses lack the manufacturer name. They also omit the 'no' before the serial number.
  18. ↑ Examples pictured in this article.
  19. ↑ Various sources mention a Rokkor 50cm f/5.6 instead of the 40cm f/5.6, but this is perhaps a confusion The Rokkor 50cm f/5.6 is mentioned in Sugiyama, item 6013, in Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.12, p.18, in Francesch, p.253, and in this page by Dennis Lohmann. All these sources list two lenses only for the SK-100: the 20cm f/4.5 and the "50cm" f/5.6, and none mentions the 40cm f/5.6.

Navy Field Camera

The Navy Field Camera (21cm & 36cm) (¶¶¶) was produced for the Japanese Navy by Rokuoh-sha( (六桜社) ) / Konishiroku) (小西六)[1]

f/4.5 21cm or 36cm , plate size 12 x 16.5 (nominally) 

discuss relationship to Army camera

A report from the U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan, written in December 1945, gives detailed production figures (Table 1), showing that the camera was introduced in 1942.[1] The dramatic drop of actual deliveries compared or orders in 1945 shows the impact of the Allied bombing on specialised camera production.

Table 1 Production volume of Navy Field Cameras for the period 1941-1945[1]

Year 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Total
21cm model
Ordered — 150 150 300 300 900
Delivered — 127 28 293 20 468
36cm model
Ordered — 80 100 120 120 420
Delivered — 55 124 3 — 182

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Japanese Naval Photography. Compiled by Lt W.D.Hedden, USNR, with LtCdr G.Z.Dimitroff USNR and Lt(jg) W.A. Seymour, USNR. Intelligence Targets Japan (DNI) of 4 September 1945. Facicle A-1, Target A-39. U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan. December 1945. pp.8-9

Army Type B Field Camera

The Army Type B Field Camera (21cm) (¶¶¶) was produced for the Japanese Army by Rokuoh-sha( (六桜社) ) / Konishiroku) (小西六)[1] 

discuss relationship to Navy camera

A report from the U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan, written in December 1945, gives detailed production figures (Table 1), showing that the camera was introduced in 1941.[1] f/4.5 21cm , plate size 12 x 16.5 (nominally)

Table 1 Production volume of Army Type B Field Camera for the period 1941-1945[1]

Year 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 Total
Ordered 75 125 50 50 — 300
Delivered 50 100 — 100 — 250


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Japanese Naval Photography. Compiled by Lt W.D.Hedden, USNR, with LtCdr G.Z.Dimitroff USNR and Lt(jg) W.A. Seymour, USNR. Intelligence Targets Japan (DNI) of 4 September 1945. Facicle A-1, Target A-39. U.S. Naval Technical Mission to Japan. December 1945. pp.9


Navy Type 99 Aerial Camera Sets

As was custom with all Japanese military camera gear, the the Type 99 Handheld Aerial Cameras (15cm) (九九式航空写真機十五糎) were supplied as a set complete with all the required paraphernalia (such as filters, additional magazines etc).

Storage Boxes

Table 1 Shape of boxes

Type Manufacturer
(of camera) 		Serial number (range)
Date (if known) 		Material Dimensions (L x B x H) External View Internal View
Type 1 Fuji Shashin Film 62 Plywood
with leather covering
5261261985_379e93d2ef_m.jpg
5261261985_379e93d2ef_m.jpg
Type 2 Fuji Shashin Film sn#122[1] Wood
7582772470_becd046997_m.jpg
7582729314_8172567f2f_m.jpg
Type 3 Rokuoh-sha sn#393 Plywood
with leather covering
5261261985_379e93d2ef_m.jpg
7582200694_684769f3d9_m.jpg


images by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)


 

Packaging Lists

To ensure that store personnel could account for the contents of the sets, camera manufacturers affixed content labels on the insides of the storage boxes. These labels were made of aluminum, printed paper or (cheaper) duplication by mimeograph or Whiteprint.

Table 2 Packing Labels (Lists of Contents)

Type Manufacturer of Camera Serial number (range) Material Date (if known)
Type 1 Fuji Shashin Film 62 Aluminium
7567109670_ee16b7d80a_m.jpg
Type 2 Fuji Shashin Film Paper, printed
Type-set Kanji Characters
Type 3 Fuji Shashin Film 122 Paper, mimeographed[2]
Hand-written Kanji Characters
7582713272_3b37b8d60c_m.jpg
Type 4 Rokuoh-sha Paper, printed
Type-set Kanji Characters
Type 5 Rokuoh-sha 393 Paper, Whiteprint ('diazo')[3]
Hand-written Kanji Characters 		1944 (May)
7582203744_063b98f517_m.jpg
images by Dirk HR Spennemann (Image rights)

Notes

  1. ↑ The camera that came with the case is a Rokuoh-sha-built unit sn#1257, but the paper label in the lid shows that the box belonged to a Fuji Shashin Film-built unit sn#122.
  2. ↑ See this Wikipedia entry for the duplication technique.
  3. ↑ See this Wikipedia entry for the duplication technique.
Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=User:Heritagefutures/WorkSpace&oldid=139616"