Vester-Lette
The Vester-Lette (ベスターレット) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera released in 1937. Some sources attribute the camera to Kyokutō Kōki Seisakusho[1] but many hints (camera name, lens and shutter equipment) indicate that it is related to the company Ginrei.
Description of the body
The Vester-Lette is a vertical folder with no body release and with folding struts inspired from the Ikonta. The folding optical finder is in the middle of the top plate and its front part folds above the rear one. There are two film flanges at the ends of the top plate, and the advance knob is at the bottom right. The back is hinged to the left and has two red windows near the top to control film advance. The name VESTER-LETTE is embossed in the front leather.
Lens and shutter equipment
Two lens and shutter combinations are reported:
- Venner 75/4.5 lens, Venner shutter (T, B, 25–100);[2]
- Venner 75/4.5 lens, Vester I shutter (T, B, 10–200).[3]
The shutter plate of the Vester I is black and is marked G.R.C. Co at the top and VESTER. I at the bottom.
Notes
- ↑ Date: articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.340–1. Attribution to Kyokutō: Sugiyama, item 1260; Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.340–1; McKeown, p.592.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.340–1, probably after the 1937 magazine issues mentioned.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1260, Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.340–1, McKeown, p.592. A similar example has been observed in an online auction.
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 237.
- 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). P.592.
- 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. Item 1260.
Links
In Japanese:
