Difference between revisions of "Walcon Semi"
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{{Japanese Semi and Six}} | {{Japanese Semi and Six}} | ||
== The Walcon Semi == | == The Walcon Semi == | ||
| − | The '''Walcon''' or '''Walcon Semi''' is a 4.5×6 folding camera sold by [[Walz]] in 1954 and 1955 | + | The '''Walcon''' (ワルコン) or '''Walcon Semi''' (ワルコン・セミ) is a 4.5×6 folding camera that was sold by [[Walz]] in 1954 and 1955. |
| − | + | This camera is based on the contemporary [[Zenobia#Description of the Zenobia C|Zenobia C]], with a different lens and shutter.<REF> No source has been found to confirm this, but it is obvious from pictures of the two cameras. </REF> The top housing is slightly modified, with contours a bit smoother. The advance knob is different too. There is a film reminder dial on the right end of the top housing, replacing the rotating depth-of-field indicator of the Zenobia C. A ''WALCON'' logo is embossed in the back leather and engraved above the viewfinder. The serial number is engraved behind the top housing, it seems that the two first digits indicate the year of production.<REF> An example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction shows a faintly readable serial number that seems to begin with 54. </REF> | |
| + | |||
| + | The Walcon Semi has a Kominar 75/3.5 front-cell focusing lens made by [[Nittō Kōgaku]] and a [[Copal]] B, 1–300 synchronized shutter with self-timer and PC socket. The aperture is set by an index above the shutter housing and the depth-of-field scale is on the shutter plate. | ||
| + | |||
| + | An advertisement dated August 1954<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 215. The same advertisement is visible [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/cat_911880.html#29618220 here] in the [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/ Shashin-Bako website]. </REF> calls the camera "Walcon" while advertisements dated November 1954<REF> Advertisement published in ''Asahi Camera'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 215. </REF> and March 1955<REF> Advertisement published in ''Camera Mainichi'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 215. </REF> call it "Walcon Semi". These advertisements are illustrated with stylish drawings of young women and in the two first ones, the Walcon is presented as a smart camera for ladies. The camera was priced {{yen|11,000|1954}}, case included. | ||
== The Walcon 6 == | == The Walcon 6 == | ||
| − | The '''Walcon 6''', | + | The '''Walcon 6''' is a 6×6 horizontal folding camera with an uncoupled rangefinder, made in 1955. It is said that it is dual format and can take 4.5×6 exposures.<REF> This is mentioned in {{Kokusan}}, p. 375. </REF> |
| + | |||
| + | === Description === | ||
| + | The Walcon 6 has a top housing covering all the top plate, with the viewfinder in the middle. Above the viewfinder there is an accessory shoe and a ''Walcon 6'' engraving. The rangefinder has a separate eyepiece on the left and small rectangular windows on both sides. The distance setting knob is vertically oriented and protrudes from the top housing, on the right of the viewfinder, thus falling under the right index. The shutter release and folding bed release are symmetrically placed at both ends of the finder housing. The knob at the right end is certainly a film reminder, the depth-of-field scale being on the shutter plate. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The lens and shutter are the same as on the Walcon Semi: a front-cell focusing [[Nittō Kōgaku|Kominar]] 7.5cm f:3.5 and a [[Copal]] with B, 1&ndash300 speeds, self-timer and F synchronization via a PC socket. | ||
| − | The | + | The back is hinged to the right and has a single red window near the top, protected by a horizontally sliding cover. The position of this red window indicates that it is used for 4.5×6 exposures. |
| − | + | === Advertisements and versions === | |
| + | The advertisement dated March 1955 cited above for the Walcon Semi<REF> Advertisement published in ''Camera Mainichi'', reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 215. </REF> offers the camera for {{yen|13,000|1955}}. It mentions auto-stop film advance and double exposure prevention but does not say anything about 4.5×6 exposures. | ||
| − | + | Two versions of the Walcon 6 have been observed. One of them<Example observed in [http://kans1948.zero-yen.com/html/p119.html this page] at [http://kans1948.zero-yen.com/ Kan's Room]. </REF> has an '''exposure counter''' dial around the base of the advance knob and a small hole showing a white or red dot whether the film is wound or not. It is said that the auto-stop advance mechanism only works for 6×6 exposures<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 375. </REF> and that it incorporates double exposure prevention,<REF> This is what is said in the March 1955 advertisement and in {{Kokusan}}, p. 375. </REF> thus unlocking film advance each time the shutter button is pressed. There is also a sliding button on the rear, next to the rangefinder eyepiece. It is perhaps used to disengage the mechanism either for setting the first exposure or for taking 4.5×6 exposures. | |
| − | There is | + | The other one<REF> Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> has a lower advance knob. (It seems that it is the version pictured in the March 1955 advertisement.) There is no exposure counter, no film advance indicator and no sliding button on the rear. The position of the red window again indicates that it cannot be used for 6×6 exposures. It is supposed that there is a simple auto-stop advance device, unlocked each time the shutter button is pressed. However the way to set the first exposure and to disengage the device for 4.5×6 exposures is unknown. |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 27: | Line 37: | ||
In Japanese: | In Japanese: | ||
* [http://kans1948.zero-yen.com/html/p119.html Walcon 6 repair notes] at [http://kans1948.zero-yen.com/ Kan's Room], with sample pictures | * [http://kans1948.zero-yen.com/html/p119.html Walcon 6 repair notes] at [http://kans1948.zero-yen.com/ Kan's Room], with sample pictures | ||
| + | * {{shashinbako|Walcon and Wagoflex|29618220}} | ||
| + | * [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/cat_911880.html#{{{2}}} Advertisement for the {{{1}}}], published in 1954, reproduced in a [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/cat_911880.html page of Japanese postwar advertisements] at the [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/ Shashin-Bako website] | ||
* [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/cat_911880.html#29618220 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 | * [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/cat_911880.html#29618220 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 | ||
Revision as of 17:14, 7 November 2006
Contents
The Walcon Semi
The Walcon (ワルコン) or Walcon Semi (ワルコン・セミ) is a 4.5×6 folding camera that was sold by Walz in 1954 and 1955.
This camera is based on the contemporary Zenobia C, with a different lens and shutter.[1] The top housing is slightly modified, with contours a bit smoother. The advance knob is different too. There is a film reminder dial on the right end of the top housing, replacing the rotating depth-of-field indicator of the Zenobia C. A WALCON logo is embossed in the back leather and engraved above the viewfinder. The serial number is engraved behind the top housing, it seems that the two first digits indicate the year of production.[2]
The Walcon Semi has a Kominar 75/3.5 front-cell focusing lens made by Nittō Kōgaku and a Copal B, 1–300 synchronized shutter with self-timer and PC socket. The aperture is set by an index above the shutter housing and the depth-of-field scale is on the shutter plate.
An advertisement dated August 1954[3] calls the camera "Walcon" while advertisements dated November 1954[4] and March 1955[5] call it "Walcon Semi". These advertisements are illustrated with stylish drawings of young women and in the two first ones, the Walcon is presented as a smart camera for ladies. The camera was priced ¥11,000, case included.
The Walcon 6
The Walcon 6 is a 6×6 horizontal folding camera with an uncoupled rangefinder, made in 1955. It is said that it is dual format and can take 4.5×6 exposures.[6]
Description
The Walcon 6 has a top housing covering all the top plate, with the viewfinder in the middle. Above the viewfinder there is an accessory shoe and a Walcon 6 engraving. The rangefinder has a separate eyepiece on the left and small rectangular windows on both sides. The distance setting knob is vertically oriented and protrudes from the top housing, on the right of the viewfinder, thus falling under the right index. The shutter release and folding bed release are symmetrically placed at both ends of the finder housing. The knob at the right end is certainly a film reminder, the depth-of-field scale being on the shutter plate.
The lens and shutter are the same as on the Walcon Semi: a front-cell focusing Kominar 7.5cm f:3.5 and a Copal with B, 1&ndash300 speeds, self-timer and F synchronization via a PC socket.
The back is hinged to the right and has a single red window near the top, protected by a horizontally sliding cover. The position of this red window indicates that it is used for 4.5×6 exposures.
Advertisements and versions
The advertisement dated March 1955 cited above for the Walcon Semi[7] offers the camera for ¥13,000. It mentions auto-stop film advance and double exposure prevention but does not say anything about 4.5×6 exposures.
Two versions of the Walcon 6 have been observed. One of them<Example observed in this page at Kan's Room. </REF> has an exposure counter dial around the base of the advance knob and a small hole showing a white or red dot whether the film is wound or not. It is said that the auto-stop advance mechanism only works for 6×6 exposures[8] and that it incorporates double exposure prevention,[9] thus unlocking film advance each time the shutter button is pressed. There is also a sliding button on the rear, next to the rangefinder eyepiece. It is perhaps used to disengage the mechanism either for setting the first exposure or for taking 4.5×6 exposures.
The other one[10] has a lower advance knob. (It seems that it is the version pictured in the March 1955 advertisement.) There is no exposure counter, no film advance indicator and no sliding button on the rear. The position of the red window again indicates that it cannot be used for 6×6 exposures. It is supposed that there is a simple auto-stop advance device, unlocked each time the shutter button is pressed. However the way to set the first exposure and to disengage the device for 4.5×6 exposures is unknown.
Notes
- ↑ No source has been found to confirm this, but it is obvious from pictures of the two cameras.
- ↑ An example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction shows a faintly readable serial number that seems to begin with 54.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 215. The same advertisement is visible here in the Shashin-Bako website.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 215.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Camera Mainichi, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 215.
- ↑ This is mentioned in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 375.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Camera Mainichi, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 215.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 375.
- ↑ This is what is said in the March 1955 advertisement and in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 375.
- ↑ Example observed in a Yahoo Japan 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. 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
- Template:Shashinbako
- Advertisement for the {{{1}}}, published in 1954, reproduced in a page of Japanese postwar advertisements at the Shashin-Bako website
- 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
