Difference between revisions of "Vest Alex and Vest Olympic"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) m (template fix) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (camera's origin) |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/211819795/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/65/211819795_801ca52d8e_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture courtesy of Rick Soloway. {{with permission}}'' | |image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/211819795/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/65/211819795_801ca52d8e_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture courtesy of Rick Soloway. {{with permission}}'' | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | The '''Vest Alex''' | + | The '''Vest Alex''' is a Japanese camera taking 4×6.5cm and 3×4cm pictures on [[127 film]], sold from 1936 to 1938 by [[Misuzu Shōkai]].<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p.334, mentions advertisements for the Vest Alex dated 1936 to 1938. </REF> The '''Vest Olympic''' and '''Regal Olympic''' are evolutions of the original camera, introduced in late 1937 by [[Asahi Bussan]]. After that company was merged into [[Ricoh|Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō]], only the Vest Olympic was distributed in quantities, until about 1941 or 1942.<REF> Dates: {{Kokusan}}, p.335 mentions advertisements for the Vest Olympic dated 1941. A catalogue said to be dated 1942 is still listing the Vest Olympic. </REF> It was certainly manufactured by [[Ricoh|Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō]], the dependent company of Riken that was making the bakelite [[Olympic]] cameras. The '''Vest Adler''' is a late name variant of the Vest Olympic. |
| − | ''See also the | + | ''See also the 3×4cm and 4×4cm [[Olympic]], the 24×36mm [[Super Olympic]] and the 4.5×6cm [[Semi Olympic]].'' |
== General description == | == General description == | ||
| − | All the models have a metal body and a silver telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly. This tube is grabbed by ear-like tabs on each side to pull it forward. The tubular finder is in the middle of the top plate and has two red lines indicating the field of view for | + | All the models have a metal body and a silver telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly. This tube is grabbed by ear-like tabs on each side to pull it forward. The tubular finder is in the middle of the top plate and has two red lines indicating the field of view for 3×4cm exposures. The advance knob is at the left end, as seen by the photographer. The release lever is on the shutter housing and the lens is focused by turning the front element. The back is hinged to the right and contains a single red window in the middle, with a pivoting black cover. The rollfilm sold in Japan at the time probably had markings on the paper backing for 3×4cm exposures. The name ''Vest Alex'', ''Vest Olympic'' or ''Vest Adler'' is embossed in the leather above the red window. |
== The Vest Alex == | == The Vest Alex == | ||
| − | The '''Vest Alex''' was introduced first and was sold by [[Misuzu Shōkai]] from 1936 to 1938. An advertisement dated March 1936<REF> Advertisement published in | + | The '''Vest Alex''' was introduced first and was sold by [[Misuzu Shōkai]] from 1936 to 1938. An advertisement dated March 1936<REF> Advertisement published in {{ACA}}, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.59. </REF> offers the camera for {{yen|19.50|1936}} as a new model and makes no mention of 3×4 exposures. (The lines in the viewfinder delimiting the frame for 3×4 pictures are not visible in the advertising picture, perhaps because it is heavily retouched. All the actual examples observed have such lines.) |
The lens of the Vest Alex is an Erith<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.692, says Efith but it is a typo or a misreading. The advertisement reads エリス (''erisu''). </REF> Anastigmat 75mm f/6.3. | The lens of the Vest Alex is an Erith<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.692, says Efith but it is a typo or a misreading. The advertisement reads エリス (''erisu''). </REF> Anastigmat 75mm f/6.3. | ||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
The lens of the Vest Olympic is an Ukas Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 and the shutter is a Fiskus. The speeds are selected by turning the shutter rim, engraved 25, 50, 50, 100, 150, T, B in that order. The shutter plate is marked ''VEST OLYMPIC'' at the top and ''FISKUS'' at the bottom, with an ''AKK'' logo on the right certainly standing for <U>A</U>sahi <U>K</U>ōgaku <U>K</U>ōgyō. The lens and shutter equipment is thus identical to the [[Semi Olympic]]. | The lens of the Vest Olympic is an Ukas Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 and the shutter is a Fiskus. The speeds are selected by turning the shutter rim, engraved 25, 50, 50, 100, 150, T, B in that order. The shutter plate is marked ''VEST OLYMPIC'' at the top and ''FISKUS'' at the bottom, with an ''AKK'' logo on the right certainly standing for <U>A</U>sahi <U>K</U>ōgaku <U>K</U>ōgyō. The lens and shutter equipment is thus identical to the [[Semi Olympic]]. | ||
| − | The Vest Olympic was briefly mentioned in an advertisement published in ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938'', certainly published at the end of 1937.<REF> Advertisement published by Asahi Bussan in ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938'', pp. | + | The Vest Olympic was briefly mentioned in an advertisement published in ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938'', certainly published at the end of 1937.<REF> Advertisement published by [[Asahi Bussan]] in ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938'', pp.694–5. </REF> The same advertisement also offered T, B, 1–250 shutters and f/3.5 lenses, mentioned as "available on request". None has been observed since on the Vest Olympic, but a Ukas Anastigmat 50mm f/3.5 lens and a shutter giving T, B, 250, 150, 50, 25 speeds have been observed on a [[Super Olympic]]. |
The Vest Olympic was listed in the official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, for ¥42.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 2, section 5A. </REF> The camera was offered for the same price of {{yen|42|1941}} in an advertisement dated September 1941.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' and mistakenly giving a 50mm focal length, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.64. </REF> The advertisement was inserted by [[Doi|Doi Shōten]] and it says that the camera was sold (not necessarily made) by [[Ricoh|Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō]]. A catalogue said to be dated 1942 still listed the Vest Olympic for ¥48.<REF> Catalogue by [[Gold Camera|Gold Camera Kōgyō-sho]] observed in an online auction. </REF> | The Vest Olympic was listed in the official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, for ¥42.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 2, section 5A. </REF> The camera was offered for the same price of {{yen|42|1941}} in an advertisement dated September 1941.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' and mistakenly giving a 50mm focal length, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.64. </REF> The advertisement was inserted by [[Doi|Doi Shōten]] and it says that the camera was sold (not necessarily made) by [[Ricoh|Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō]]. A catalogue said to be dated 1942 still listed the Vest Olympic for ¥48.<REF> Catalogue by [[Gold Camera|Gold Camera Kōgyō-sho]] observed in an online auction. </REF> | ||
| Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
|| ''Regal Olympic. From ''The British Photography Journal Almanac 1938''. {{public domain UK}}'' | || ''Regal Olympic. From ''The British Photography Journal Almanac 1938''. {{public domain UK}}'' | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | The '''Regal Olympic''' is only known from the advertisement published in ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938.''<REF> Advertisement published by Asahi Bussan at the end of 1937 in ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938,'' pp.694–5. </REF> It is a dual format (4×6.5 and 3×4) camera, probably with a metal body. It looks like the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a helical pulled out by turning a massive metal ring, an arrangement similar to the bakelite [[Olympic]] models. There are large thin knobs at both ends of the top plate. | + | The '''Regal Olympic''' is only known from the advertisement published in ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938.''<REF> Advertisement published by [[Asahi Bussan]] at the end of 1937 in ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938,'' pp.694–5. </REF> It is a dual format (4×6.5 and 3×4) camera, probably with a metal body. It looks like the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a helical pulled out by turning a massive metal ring, an arrangement similar to the bakelite [[Olympic]] models. There are large thin knobs at both ends of the top plate. |
The camera was offered with a Ukas Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens and a shutter announced as "Olympic System". The shutter plate is marked ''Regal Olympic'' at the top and has an ''AB'' logo on the right, certainly for <U>A</U>sahi <U>B</U>ussan. The speed settings are engraved on the speed rim, certainly in that order: T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 (unlike the Fiskus of the Vest Olympic). | The camera was offered with a Ukas Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens and a shutter announced as "Olympic System". The shutter plate is marked ''Regal Olympic'' at the top and has an ''AB'' logo on the right, certainly for <U>A</U>sahi <U>B</U>ussan. The speed settings are engraved on the speed rim, certainly in that order: T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 (unlike the Fiskus of the Vest Olympic). | ||
| Line 61: | Line 61: | ||
* {{Kakaku1141}} Type 2, section 5A. | * {{Kakaku1141}} Type 2, section 5A. | ||
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 2, section 5A. | * {{Kakaku0141}} Type 2, section 5A. | ||
| − | * ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938'', edited by Arthur J. Dalladay. London: Henri Greenwood & Co., Ltd. Publication date not indicated, certainly late 1937. Advertisement by [[ | + | * ''The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938'', edited by Arthur J. Dalladay. London: Henri Greenwood & Co., Ltd. Publication date not indicated, certainly late 1937. Advertisement by [[Asahi Bussan]] on pp.694–5. |
=== Recent sources === | === Recent sources === | ||
Revision as of 19:02, 18 January 2009
The Vest Alex is a Japanese camera taking 4×6.5cm and 3×4cm pictures on 127 film, sold from 1936 to 1938 by Misuzu Shōkai.[1] The Vest Olympic and Regal Olympic are evolutions of the original camera, introduced in late 1937 by Asahi Bussan. After that company was merged into Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō, only the Vest Olympic was distributed in quantities, until about 1941 or 1942.[2] It was certainly manufactured by Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō, the dependent company of Riken that was making the bakelite Olympic cameras. The Vest Adler is a late name variant of the Vest Olympic.
See also the 3×4cm and 4×4cm Olympic, the 24×36mm Super Olympic and the 4.5×6cm Semi Olympic.
Contents
General description
All the models have a metal body and a silver telescopic tube supporting the lens and shutter assembly. This tube is grabbed by ear-like tabs on each side to pull it forward. The tubular finder is in the middle of the top plate and has two red lines indicating the field of view for 3×4cm exposures. The advance knob is at the left end, as seen by the photographer. The release lever is on the shutter housing and the lens is focused by turning the front element. The back is hinged to the right and contains a single red window in the middle, with a pivoting black cover. The rollfilm sold in Japan at the time probably had markings on the paper backing for 3×4cm exposures. The name Vest Alex, Vest Olympic or Vest Adler is embossed in the leather above the red window.
The Vest Alex
The Vest Alex was introduced first and was sold by Misuzu Shōkai from 1936 to 1938. An advertisement dated March 1936[3] offers the camera for ¥19.50 as a new model and makes no mention of 3×4 exposures. (The lines in the viewfinder delimiting the frame for 3×4 pictures are not visible in the advertising picture, perhaps because it is heavily retouched. All the actual examples observed have such lines.)
The lens of the Vest Alex is an Erith[4] Anastigmat 75mm f/6.3.
The shutter is called Complete and gives B, 25, 50, 100 speeds. The shutter plate is marked Vest Alex at the top and COMPLETE at the bottom, with an intricate logo on the right, perhaps reading MS for Misuzu Shōkai. The back leather is certainly embossed Vest Alex.
Minor variations are known, they are described below in the presumed chronological order. The early examples[5] have a conical advance knob and lack the metal film flanges at the top right and at the bottom. The viewfinder is black painted and the back is opened by pulling a lever. The tripod thread is at the right end of the bottom plate and it is slightly offset to the front. The shutter plate has no decorative strips and two screws are visible. The markings use a thin font and the logo is directed inscribed on the plate itself. The speed is selected by a movable index and the settings are engraved on the shutter plate in the B, 25, 50, 100 order. The aperture scale has 6.3, 8, 10, 12, 15 positions.
The middle examples[6] have a larger and lower advance knob and metal film flanges on all other corners. The tripod thread in inside one of these flanges, at the right end of the bottom plate. The viewfinder is chrome finished and the back is opened by sliding a button. The shutter plate has attached decorative strips and the logo is probably a separate part too.[7] The markings use a bolder font. The aperture scale has 6.3, 8, 11, 16, 22 positions.
On the late examples, the speed is selected by turning the shutter rim and the settings are engraved in the 100, 50, 25, B order on the rim itself.[8]
The Vest Olympic
|
| Vest Olympic. Picture courtesy of Rick Soloway. (Image rights) |
The Vest Olympic is based on the Vest Alex with an f/4.5 lens. It was released in 1938 or perhaps at the end of 1937.[9] The body is exactly similar to the Vest Alex. One example has been observed with a black accessory shoe added to the right of the viewfinder but this is perhaps not original.[10]
|
| Advertisement for the Olympic cameras in The British Journal of Photography Almanac 1938, certainly dated late 1937. (Image rights) |
The lens of the Vest Olympic is an Ukas Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 and the shutter is a Fiskus. The speeds are selected by turning the shutter rim, engraved 25, 50, 50, 100, 150, T, B in that order. The shutter plate is marked VEST OLYMPIC at the top and FISKUS at the bottom, with an AKK logo on the right certainly standing for Asahi Kōgaku Kōgyō. The lens and shutter equipment is thus identical to the Semi Olympic.
The Vest Olympic was briefly mentioned in an advertisement published in The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938, certainly published at the end of 1937.[11] The same advertisement also offered T, B, 1–250 shutters and f/3.5 lenses, mentioned as "available on request". None has been observed since on the Vest Olympic, but a Ukas Anastigmat 50mm f/3.5 lens and a shutter giving T, B, 250, 150, 50, 25 speeds have been observed on a Super Olympic.
The Vest Olympic was listed in the official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, for ¥42.[12] The camera was offered for the same price of ¥42 in an advertisement dated September 1941.[13] The advertisement was inserted by Doi Shōten and it says that the camera was sold (not necessarily made) by Riken Kōgaku Kōgyō. A catalogue said to be dated 1942 still listed the Vest Olympic for ¥48.[14]
The Vest Adler
The Vest Adler is a name variant of the Vest Olympic. The name Vest Adler is embossed in the back leather, above the red window. The camera is known with an AKK Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 and a shutter plate slightly different from that of the Vest Olympic: it has Olympic at the top in fancy letters, the AKK logo on the right, Fiskus in fancy letters and MADE IN JAPAN at the bottom.[15] The Vest Adler has also been reported with a Ukas Anastigmat 75/4.5.[16] The official price list dated November 1941 also has a "Vest Adler" attributed to Riken Kōgaku.[17]
The Regal Olympic
|
| Regal Olympic. From The British Photography Journal Almanac 1938. (Image rights) |
The Regal Olympic is only known from the advertisement published in The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938.[18] It is a dual format (4×6.5 and 3×4) camera, probably with a metal body. It looks like the lens and shutter assembly is mounted on a helical pulled out by turning a massive metal ring, an arrangement similar to the bakelite Olympic models. There are large thin knobs at both ends of the top plate.
The camera was offered with a Ukas Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 lens and a shutter announced as "Olympic System". The shutter plate is marked Regal Olympic at the top and has an AB logo on the right, certainly for Asahi Bussan. The speed settings are engraved on the speed rim, certainly in that order: T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 (unlike the Fiskus of the Vest Olympic).
Notes
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.334, mentions advertisements for the Vest Alex dated 1936 to 1938.
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.335 mentions advertisements for the Vest Olympic dated 1941. A catalogue said to be dated 1942 is still listing the Vest Olympic.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.59.
- ↑ McKeown, p.692, says Efith but it is a typo or a misreading. The advertisement reads エリス (erisu).
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction and example pictured in the advertisement dated March 1936 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.59.
- ↑ Example pictured in McKeown, p.692.
- ↑ These parts have certainly fallen off in the example pictured in McKeown, p.692.
- ↑ Example pictured in this page of the AJCC and lens and shutter assembly observed for sale at a Chinese dealer.
- ↑ The Vest Olympic was briefly mentioned in an advertisement published in The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938, certainly published at the end of 1937. Arimura, p.8 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.14, Tanaka, p.16 of the same magazine, Sugiyama, item 3042 and McKeown, p.747, all say that it was released in 1938.
- ↑ This example is pictured in Sugiyama, item 3042, and in Tanaka, p.16 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.14. A small copy of one of the pictures is also reproduced in this page of the Ricoh official website.
- ↑ Advertisement published by Asahi Bussan in The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938, pp.694–5.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 2, section 5A.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera and mistakenly giving a 50mm focal length, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.64.
- ↑ Catalogue by Gold Camera Kōgyō-sho observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Example reported for sale at a dealer.
- ↑ "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 2, section 5A. The name "Vest Adler" is also mentioned in the list of cameras distributed by Riken given by Tanaka, p.8 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.14.
- ↑ Advertisement published by Asahi Bussan at the end of 1937 in The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938, pp.694–5.
Bibliography
Original documents
- "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 2, section 5A.
- "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 2, section 5A.
- The British Journal Photographic Almanac 1938, edited by Arthur J. Dalladay. London: Henri Greenwood & Co., Ltd. Publication date not indicated, certainly late 1937. Advertisement by Asahi Bussan on pp.694–5.
Recent sources
- Arimura Katsumi (有村克巳). "Rikō Ryakushi" (リコー略史, Ricoh short history). 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.14, October 1989. No ISBN number. Rikō kamera no subete (リコーカメラのすべて, special issue on Ricoh). Pp.6–7.
- 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 16 and 51.
- 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.692 and 747.
- 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 3042 and 4017.
- Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Rikō kamera no nagare" (リコーカメラの流れ, Evolution of the Ricoh 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.14, October 1989. No ISBN number. Rikō kamera no subete (リコーカメラのすべて, special issue on Ricoh). Pp.8–11.
- Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Senzen no kamera 1: Orinpikku" (戦前のカメラ1・オリンピック, Prewar cameras 1: Olympic). 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.14, October 1989. No ISBN number. Rikō kamera no subete (リコーカメラのすべて, special issue on Ricoh). Pp.12–6.
Links
In Japanese:
- Vest Alex in a page of the AJCC website
- Vest Olympic in the Ricoh camera list of the Ricoh official website (copied in this page of the Kitamura Camera Museum)
- Vest Olympic at Japan Family Camera
- Pages of the Asacame website:
| Asahi Bussan and Riken prewar and wartime cameras () | ||
|---|---|---|
| rigid or collapsible | ||
| Vest Adler | Gokoku | Semi Kinsi | Letix | Olympic | New Olympic | Regal Olympic | Semi Olympic | Super Olympic | Vest Olympic | Riken No.1 | Ricohl | Roico | Seica | Zessan | ||
| folders | pseudo TLR | TLR |
| Semi Adler | Adler III | Adler A | Adler B | Adler C | Adler Four | Adler Six | Gaica | Heil | Kinsi | Chukon Ref | Ricohflex | Ricohflex B |
