Difference between revisions of "Walcon Semi"
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| − | * {{Lewis}} | + | * {{Lewis}} P. 86 (brief mention only). |
== Links == | == Links == | ||
Revision as of 20:06, 29 October 2006
The Walcon Semi
The Walcon or Walcon Semi is a 4.5×6 folding camera sold by Walz in 1954 and 1955, a modified variant of the Zenobia. It is advertised in 1954[1] and 1955[2], presented as a camera for ladies. It is offered with a Kominar 75/3.5 front-cell focusing lens made by Nitto Kogaku and a Copal B, 1–300 synchronized shutter with a self-timer and PC socket, for ¥11,000, case included.
The Walcon Semi is based on the contemporary Zenobia C, with a different lens and shutter.[3] The top housing is slightly modified, with contours a bit smoother. The depth-of-field scale is on the shutter plate and on the right end of the top housing, a film reminder dial replaces the rotating depth-of-field indicator of the Zenobia C. The advance knob is different too. The camera is embossed WALCON in the front leather and there is a WALCON logo engraved above the top housing.
The Walcon 6
The Walcon 6, advertised in 1955[4] for ¥13,000, is a 6×6 horizontal folding camera with an uncoupled rangefinder.
The lens and shutter are the same as the Walcon Semi: a front-cell focusing Kominar 7.5cm f:3.5 and a Copal with B, 1&ndash300 speeds, a self-timer and F synchronization via a PC socket.
The rangefinder eyepiece is on the left, separate from the viewfinder, and three windows are visible on the front. The distance setting knob is placed vertically and protrudes from the top housing, offset to the right and falling under the right index. Centered in the top housing, there is a Walcon 6 engraving and an accessory shoe, with the viewfinder eyepiece below. The shutter release and folding bed opening buttons are symmetrically placed at both ends of the finder housing.
There is an auto-stop film advance mechanism with double exposure prevention and an exposure counter in the advance knob at the left of the top housing. The knob at the opposite end is certainly a film reminder, the depth-of-field scale being on the shutter plate.
There is one red window at the top of the back, protected by a sliding cover, and Kokusan kamera no rekishi suggests that it was used to take 4.5×6 pictures.
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement for the Walcon and Wagoflex, published in the Aug 1954 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 1058. — Advertisement for the Wagoflex and Walcon Semi, published in the Nov 1954 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 1057.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Walcon 6, Wagoflex and Walcon Semi, published in the Mar 1955 issue of Camera Mainichi, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 1059.
- ↑ It is obvious from pictures of the two cameras.
- ↑ March 1955 advertisement cited above.
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 1057–9.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P. 86 (brief mention only).
Links
In Japanese:
- Walcon 6 repair notes at Kan's Room, with sample pictures
- Advertisement for the Walcon and Wagoflex, originally published in the Aug 1954 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in a page of Japanese ads mostly dating from the same year
Timeline
| <-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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
