Vester Klapp
The Vester Klapp (ベスタークラップ, besutā kurappu) is a Japanese 6.5×9cm strut-folding camera, made by Ginrei in the 1930s. The camera is called "Vesta Klapp" by various modern sources,[1] but the name Vester and a serial number is engraved above the lens, and the company Ginrei was using the brand name Vester for most of its products before 1945.
Description
The Vester Klapp was inspired by the Ernemann Klapp. The rectangular front standard is mounted on four straight folding struts, mounted by pairs on spring-loaded axis. The lens is an Anastigmat Vengor 105mm f/4.5, mounted on a focusing helical and surrounded by a sort of hood. It was probably made by Ginrei itself.
The rear part of the camera contains a vertically traveling focal-plane shutter, wound and set by a large knob on the photographer's right, giving T, B, 10–500 speeds.[2] The release button protrudes at the front of the right-hand side plate, and there is a thread for a cable release just below. There is a leather handle on the photographer's left, helping to hold the camera. There is a folding Newton viewfinder at the top, copied on that of the Ernemann Klapp, and a viewing bead hinged above the lens.
Commercial life
Sugiyama says that the Vester Klapp was released in 1931, and shows a presumably early model.[3] Its lens is surrounded by an aperture ring graduated from 4.5 to 22 and inscribed Vester N°447 at the top.
The camera was featured as the Vester Klapp D (ベスタークラップD型) in the September 1936 issue of Asahi Camera, and was advertised as such in the January 1936 issue of Ars Camera.[4] In the advertisement, the picture shows no difference with the example presented in Sugiyama.[5]
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.340; Sugiyama, item 1259; McKeown, p.345.
- ↑ Shutter speeds: Sugiyama, item 1259, only says B, 10–500; the January 1936 advertisement for the Vester Klapp D reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92, says T, B, 10–500.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1259.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.340.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92.
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. Items 235–6.
- 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.345.
- 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 1259.
Links
In Japanese:
- Advertisement for the Vester Klapp dated May 1936 reproduced in Nostalgic Camera, a page by Toshio Inamura.
