Walcon Semi

Japanese Semi (4.5×6)

Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Semi Ace \| Semi Adler \| Adler III \| Adler A \| Adler B \| Adler C \| Semi Ako \| Ami \| Bakyna \| Semi Chrome \| Semi Clover \| Collex \| Semi Condor \| Semi Dymos \| Semi Elega \| Semi First \| Auto Semi First \| Baby Semi First \| Gaica \| Semi Gelto \| Semi Germa \| Hansa Semi Rollette \| Heil \| Hokoku \| Hope \| Kadera \| Kankyu \| Kelly \| Kiko Semi \| Semi Kinka \| Semi Konter \| Semi Kreis \| Semi Kulax \| Semi Lead \| Semi Leotax \| Semi Lester \| Loyal \| Semi Lucky \| Semi Lyra \| Semi Makinet \| Semi Metax \| Semi Minolta (I) and II \| Auto Semi Minolta \| Semi Miss \| Mizuho \| Semi Mulber \| Semi National \| New Gold \| Okaco \| Oko Semi \| Semi Olympus \| Semi Olympus II \| Semi Osamo \| Semi Pearl \| Primo \| Semi Prince \| Semi Proud \| Semi Prux \| Roavic \| Semi Rody \| Rondex \| Semi Rosen \| Semi Rotte \| Seica \| Seves \| Semi Shiks \| Sintax \| Semi Sixteenth \| Semi Solon \| Semi Sport \| Star Semi \| Semi-Tex \| Tsubasa Kiko Three \| Tsubasa Nettar \| Tsubasa Super Semi \| Ugein \| Vester-Lette \| Victor \| Waltax \| Wester \| Zeitax
collapsible
Semi Kinsi \| Lord \| Lyrax \| Nippon \| New Olympic \| Semi Olympic \| Semi Renky \| Auto Victor \| Well Super
stereo
Sun Stereo
unknown
Semi Elka \| Semi Keef \| Napoleon
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Apollo \| Semi Blond \| Semi Crystar \| Daido Semi \| Doris \| Semi Frank \| Semi Gelto \| Semi Golder \| Karoron \| Karoron RF \| Kely \| Kiko Semi \| Korin \| Kuri \| BB Kuri \| Lark \| Semi Leotax \| Semi Leotax DL / R \| Lo Ruby \| Semi Lord \| Luck \| Semi Lyra \| Semi Masmy \| Middl 120 \| Semi Mihama \| Mikado \| Million Proud \| Semi Minolta III \| Semi Minolta P \| Semi Oscon \| Semi Pearl \| Pearl I–III \| Pearl IV \| Petri \| Petri RF \| Petri Super \| Pioneer \| Semi Proud \| Semi Rocket \| Rocky Semi \| Rosen \| Ruby \| Shinkoh Rabbit \| Semi Sport \| Tsubasa Semi \| Union Semi \| Union Model U \| Walcon Semi \| Waltax \| Semi Wester \| Zenobia
rigid or collapsible
Semi Dak \| Semi Hobix \| Super Semi Plum \| Rocket Camera \| Tomy
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo models ->
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Walcon (ワルコン) or Walcon Semi (ワルコン・セミ) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera sold by Walz in 1954 and 1955.

See also the 6×6 folder called Walcon 6.

Description

The Walcon Semi is based on the contemporary Zenobia C made by Daiichi Kōgaku, 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.

Advertising

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.

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.

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 1058. (See also the advertisements for items 1057 and 1059.)
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).