Difference between revisions of "Walz"

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'''Walz''' was a Japanese camera maker or distributor. The first camera with the name [[Walz]] appeared in 1936, distributed by [[Nihon Shōkai]] and made by '''Walz Camera Works''' (ワルツカメラ・ウオークス) or '''Walz Works''' (ワルツウオークス). This maker is identified to [[Okada|Okada Kōgaku]] by {{Kokusan}}.
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{{Flickr_image
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|image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/greyscale3/46257963525/in/pool-camerawiki/
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|image= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7832/46257963525_3fae0eedb8.jpg
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|image_align= right
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|image_text= [[Walz Automat]]
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|image_by= Mike Novak
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|image_rights= wp
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}}
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'''Walz''' was a Japanese camera maker or distributor.
  
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The company '''K.K. Walz Shōkai''' (株式会社ワルツ商会) was founded in Dec 1952. Shōkai literally means "Company" in Japanese, but it is often used for trading companies, and this looks like a distributor's name. It does not mean however that it did not have its own manufacturing branch.
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== History ==
 +
=== First use of the name ===
 +
The [[Walz (3×4)|first camera with the name Walz]], a 3×4cm folder, appeared in 1936. It was ostensibly made by "Walz Camera Works" (ワルツカメラ・ウオークス) or "Walz Works" (ワルツウオークス) but these were dummy names (see [[Camera Works]]), and this maker is identified as [[Okada and Daiichi|Okada Kōgaku]] by various sources.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.344 (item 346); {{SUG}}, item 1262; {{MK}}, p.745. </REF> The earliest examples of the Okada [[Waltax]], made in 1940, also have ''Walz'' markings. Both the 3×4cm Walz and the Waltax were distributed by [[Nihon Shōkai]]. The same company sold various Walz accessories before 1945, such as a rangefinder, filters and hoods, and again others around 1949. It was certainly the owner of the Walz brand name, and was perhaps the predecessor of Walz Shōkai.
  
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Walz sold cameras under its own name and was also an Olympus authorized dealer, at least in 1954. It went bankrupt in April 1961, according to ''The History of the Japanese Camera.''
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=== Trading company ===
 +
The company '''K.K. Walz Shōkai''' ({{kabu}}ワルツ商会) was already existing in November 1952.<REF> Advertisement dated November 1952, reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.214. </REF> It was based in Tokyo.<REF> Its address between 1952 and 1961 was Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Nihonbashi Muromachi 1–16 (東京都中央区日本橋室町1–16). Source: advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.214–5 and 329–32. </REF> Shōkai literally means "Company" in Japanese; but it is often used for trading companies, and this looks like a distributor's name. It does not mean however that it did not have its own manufacturing branch, perhaps called "Walz Camera Co." as indicated by some lens markings.
  
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Walz also sold many accessories, including filters, selftimers, exposure meters, rangefinders, multifocal finders (including a copy of the [[Leitz]] Imarect), flash units, movie editors, etc.
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Walz sold cameras under its own name. It was also an Olympus authorized dealer, at least in 1954.<REF> Advertisements dated 1954 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.215. See also [https://united3arrows.livedoor.blog/archives/29618220.html this advertisement] for the Walcon and Wagoflex reproduced in the Shashin-Bako website. </REF> Walz also sold many accessories, including filters, self-timers, exposure meters, rangefinders, multifocal finders (including a copy of the [[Leitz]] Imarect), flash units, movie editors, etc.
  
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Note: A post at a Japanese forum indicates that Walz's president was Ōta Toshio (太田俊夫), and that he wrote a novel titled Keikaku Tōsan (計画倒産, Fake Bankruptcy) about the business world of the time.
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The company name became simply '''K.K. Walz''' ({{kabu}}ワルツ) at some date between October 1955 and August 1956.<REF> Advertisements dated October 1955 and August 1956 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.215 and 329, showing the transition. </REF> In 1960 and 1961 it had offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Washington D.C.<REF> Advertisements dated 1960 and 1961 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.330 and 332. </REF> It went bankrupt in April 1961.<REF> Lewis, p.104. </REF>
  
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== 120 film cameras ==
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=== Miscellaneous ===
 +
Walz's president Ōta Toshio (太田俊夫) became a writer after the company closed its doors.<REF> [http://shima3.fc2web.com/oldcameras.html This page] by Shimamura Hideki. </REF> He wrote several novels about the business world of the time, including ''Shachō Saigo no Hi'' (社長最後の日, The last days of a CEO) or ''Keikaku Tōsan'' (計画倒産, Fake Bankruptcy).
  
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=== 4.5&times;6 folder ===
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A company called Waltz K.K. (ワルツ{{kabu}}) exists today (2007) and sells coffee. It was founded in December 1952 in the town of Toyohashi. It is certainly not the same company that sold photographic products, that already existed in November 1952 and was based in Tokyo.<REF> See the [https://www.waltz.co.jp/corporate/ chronology] of the current [https://www.waltz.co.jp/ Waltz website]. </REF>
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* [[Walcon]]
 
  
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=== 6&times;6 folder ===
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== Camera list ==
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* [[Walcon 6]]
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=== 120 film ===
 +
* [[Walcon Semi]] (4.5×6 folder)
 +
* [[Walcon 6]] (6×6 folder)
 +
* [[Wagoflex]] (6×6 TLR)
 +
* [[Walzflex]] (6×6 TLR), various models
  
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=== 6&times;6 TLR ===
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{| class="plainlinks floatright" style="text-align: center;"
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* [[Wagoflex]]
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|-
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* [[Walzflex]], various models
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48254993351/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48254993351_30954fa70d_m_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''{{with permission}}''
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|}
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=== 127 film ===
 +
* [[Walz Automat 44]] (4×4 TLR)
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* [[Walz Automat 44|Walz Automat M44]] (4×4 TLR)
 +
The [[Walz (3×4)]] was sold by [[Nihon Shōkai]] before the Walz company.
 +
{{br}}
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=== 35mm film ===
 +
* Walz 35
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* [[Walz 35-S]]
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* Walz 35-SV
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* [[Walz Comet]]
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* [[Walz Electric]]
 +
* [[Walz Envoy 35]]
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* [[Walz Envoy M-35]]
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* [[Walz Wide]]
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 +
=== Meters ===
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{| class="plainlinks" align="right" style="text-align: center"
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| width=250px valign=bottom | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48257314286/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48257314286_dfb8e1f314_m.jpg]
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| width=50px |
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| width=200px | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/48257336101/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48257336101_3cd6e44f23_n.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Walz Super II and Etalon exposure meters in {{FAR}} no.80, June 1955. {{public domain Japan new}}''
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||
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|| ''Advertisement for Walz accessories in {{FAR}} no.80, June 1955. {{public domain Japan new}}''
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|}
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* Walz Corona
 +
* Walz Coronet
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* Walz Coronet B
 +
* Walz Coronet BII
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* Walz Coronet C
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* Walz Coronet Super
 +
* Walz Electric Eye Model P
 +
* Walz Electric Eye Model S
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* Walz Etalon (sold ¥3,900 in 1955)<REF name="FAR 06/55 column"> Column in {{FAR}} no.80, June 1955, p.103. </REF><REF name="FAR 06/55 advert" />
 +
* Walz EV LV Meter
 +
* Walz Mighty 60
 +
* Walz Mighty Star
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* Walz Minor (c.1955)<REF name="FAR 06/55 advert"> Advertisement in {{FAR}} no.80, June 1955, p.55. </REF>
 +
* Walz Micro Meter
 +
* Walz Micro Meter Model II
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* Walz Movie Meter
 +
* Walz P-1 (Polaroid)
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* Walz P-2 (EV LV)
 +
* Walz Starmat
 +
* Walz Snap
 +
* Walz Super II (sold ¥7,000 in 1955)<REF name="FAR 06/55 column" /><REF name="FAR 06/55 advert" />
  
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== 127 film cameras ==
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== Other products ==
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* [[Walz (original)]]
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* Walz rangefinder
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* Walz Automat 44
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* Walz multifocal finder
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* Walz flash guns
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* Walz self-timer
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* Walz filters and hoods
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* Walz tripods and ball-heads
  
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== 35mm film cameras ==
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== Notes ==
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* Walz 35
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<references />
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* Walz 35-S
 
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* Walz Electric
 
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* Walz Envoy 35
 
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* Walz Envoy M-35
 
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* Walz Wide
 
  
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==References / further reading==
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== References / further reading ==
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* ''Asahi Camera'' (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. ''Shōwa 10&ndash;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&ndash;1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7
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* {{Showa10}}
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* 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) ISBN 0-935398-16-3 (hard)
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* {{Lewis}}
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* {{FAR80}}
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** "Denki roshutsukei" (電気露出計, Electric exposure meters). Pp.102–3.
 +
** Advertisement by Walz Shōkai on p.55.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In English:
 
In English:
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* [http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00BP1A A post by Peter Evans at photo.net] and [http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00FcTX&tag= another one by J Hopper] both discuss Walz, Okada, Waltax, Walcon and so on (''to be explored'')
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* [http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/waltz_ENVOY35/index.html The Walz Envoy 35 page, in English] and [http://www.mediajoy.com/mjc/cla_came/waltz_ENVOY35/index.html in Japanese] at [http://www.mediajoy.com/cla_came/ Mediajoy Classic Cameras], follow the "Next" links at bottom of the page to get an illustrated sequence of operations.
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* [http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/waltz_ENVOY35/index.html The Walz Envoy 35 page, in English] and [http://www.mediajoy.com/cla_came/waltz_ENVOY35/index.html in Japanese] at [http://www.mediajoy.com/cla_came/ Mediajoy Classic Cameras], follow the "Next" links at bottom of the page to get an illustrated sequence of operations.
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/walz/walz.htm Walz 35-S / Walz Electric F/1.8 / Walz Envoy 35 PDF instructions] from [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ www.OrphanCameras.com]
 +
 
  
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
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* [http://homepage1.nifty.com/fukucame/wa35.htm The Walz 35], [http://homepage1.nifty.com/fukucame/waenvoy.htm the Walz Envoy 35] and [http://homepage1.nifty.com/fukucame/waele.htm the Walz Electric 2.8], all with sample pictures and some with restore tips, at [http://homepage1.nifty.com/fukucame/index.htm K.Fukushi's Rangefinder website]
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* [http://shima3.fc2web.com/oldcameras.html Page on classic cameras] at [http://shima3.fc2web.com/ Shimamura Hideki's website], including details on Walz and its president Ōta Toshio
 +
* [http://fukucame.fan.coocan.jp/wa35.htm The Walz 35], [http://fukucame.fan.coocan.jp/waenvoy.htm the Walz Envoy 35] and [http://fukucame.fan.coocan.jp/waele.htm the Walz Electric 2.8], all with sample pictures and some with restore tips, at [http://fukucame.fan.coocan.jp/index.htm K.Fukushi's Rangefinder website]
 
* [http://asacame.fc2web.com/htmds/dbn35rfdaz.htm A-Z 35mm rangefinder cameras] at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame], with the Walz Wide [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hsp35rfdaz/rfd35w.htm on this page]
 
* [http://asacame.fc2web.com/htmds/dbn35rfdaz.htm A-Z 35mm rangefinder cameras] at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame], with the Walz Wide [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hsp35rfdaz/rfd35w.htm on this page]
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* [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371157&APage=16 The Walz 35 page] in the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/set_brws_01.php?id=1033 Camera database] of the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/ Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology]
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* [https://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?no=103310371157&APage=16 The Walz 35 page] in the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/set_brws_01.php?id=1033 Camera database] of the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/ Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology]
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* [http://blog.livedoor.jp/united3arrows/archives/cat_911880.html Japanese postwar ads, mostly from 1954], including an ad (posted 2005/08/04) for the Walcon and Walzflex, also stating that Walz was an Olympus agent
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* [https://united3arrows.livedoor.blog/archives/29618220.html Advertisement for the Walcon and Wagoflex], published in 1954, reproduced in a [https://united3arrows.livedoor.blog/archives/cat_911880.html page of Japanese postwar advertisements] at the [https://united3arrows.livedoor.blog/ Shashin-Bako website]
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* [http://www.waltz.co.jp/info/enkaku.htm The history page] of the coffee company [http://www.waltz.co.jp/ Waltz] (ワルツ株式会社), that is apparently an offshoot of Walz Shōkai. This page gives the Dec. 1952 founding date.
 
 
* [http://www.pluto.dti.ne.jp/~masaki-k/camera%20WALZFLEX.htm This Walzflex page] at [http://www.pluto.dti.ne.jp/~masaki-k/newpage5.htm La Chambre Claire] suggests that Nihon Shōkai was the owner of the Walz brand name before the war, and became Walz Shōkai after the war.
 
* [http://www.pluto.dti.ne.jp/~masaki-k/camera%20WALZFLEX.htm This Walzflex page] at [http://www.pluto.dti.ne.jp/~masaki-k/newpage5.htm La Chambre Claire] suggests that Nihon Shōkai was the owner of the Walz brand name before the war, and became Walz Shōkai after the war.
  
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[[Category: Camera makers]]
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[[Category: Japanese camera makers]]
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[[Category: Japanese companies]]
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[[Category: Japanese accessory makers]]
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[[Category: Meter makers]]
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[[Category: Japanese distributors]]

Latest revision as of 06:05, 14 December 2023

46257963525_3fae0eedb8.jpg
Walz Automat
image by Mike Novak (Image rights)

Walz was a Japanese camera maker or distributor.

History

First use of the name

The first camera with the name Walz, a 3×4cm folder, appeared in 1936. It was ostensibly made by "Walz Camera Works" (ワルツカメラ・ウオークス) or "Walz Works" (ワルツウオークス) but these were dummy names (see Camera Works), and this maker is identified as Okada Kōgaku by various sources.[1] The earliest examples of the Okada Waltax, made in 1940, also have Walz markings. Both the 3×4cm Walz and the Waltax were distributed by Nihon Shōkai. The same company sold various Walz accessories before 1945, such as a rangefinder, filters and hoods, and again others around 1949. It was certainly the owner of the Walz brand name, and was perhaps the predecessor of Walz Shōkai.

Trading company

The company K.K. Walz Shōkai (㈱ワルツ商会) was already existing in November 1952.[2] It was based in Tokyo.[3] Shōkai literally means "Company" in Japanese; but it is often used for trading companies, and this looks like a distributor's name. It does not mean however that it did not have its own manufacturing branch, perhaps called "Walz Camera Co." as indicated by some lens markings.

Walz sold cameras under its own name. It was also an Olympus authorized dealer, at least in 1954.[4] Walz also sold many accessories, including filters, self-timers, exposure meters, rangefinders, multifocal finders (including a copy of the Leitz Imarect), flash units, movie editors, etc.

The company name became simply K.K. Walz (㈱ワルツ) at some date between October 1955 and August 1956.[5] In 1960 and 1961 it had offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Washington D.C.[6] It went bankrupt in April 1961.[7]

Miscellaneous

Walz's president Ōta Toshio (太田俊夫) became a writer after the company closed its doors.[8] He wrote several novels about the business world of the time, including Shachō Saigo no Hi (社長最後の日, The last days of a CEO) or Keikaku Tōsan (計画倒産, Fake Bankruptcy).

A company called Waltz K.K. (ワルツ㈱) exists today (2007) and sells coffee. It was founded in December 1952 in the town of Toyohashi. It is certainly not the same company that sold photographic products, that already existed in November 1952 and was based in Tokyo.[9]

Camera list

120 film

48254993351_30954fa70d_m_d.jpg
(Image rights)

127 film

The Walz (3×4) was sold by Nihon Shōkai before the Walz company.

35mm film

Meters

48257314286_dfb8e1f314_m.jpg 48257336101_3cd6e44f23_n.jpg
Walz Super II and Etalon exposure meters in Photo Art no.80, June 1955. (Image rights) Advertisement for Walz accessories in Photo Art no.80, June 1955. (Image rights)
  • Walz Corona
  • Walz Coronet
  • Walz Coronet B
  • Walz Coronet BII
  • Walz Coronet C
  • Walz Coronet Super
  • Walz Electric Eye Model P
  • Walz Electric Eye Model S
  • Walz Etalon (sold ¥3,900 in 1955)[10][11]
  • Walz EV LV Meter
  • Walz Mighty 60
  • Walz Mighty Star
  • Walz Minor (c.1955)[11]
  • Walz Micro Meter
  • Walz Micro Meter Model II
  • Walz Movie Meter
  • Walz P-1 (Polaroid)
  • Walz P-2 (EV LV)
  • Walz Starmat
  • Walz Snap
  • Walz Super II (sold ¥7,000 in 1955)[10][11]

Other products

  • Walz rangefinder
  • Walz multifocal finder
  • Walz flash guns
  • Walz self-timer
  • Walz filters and hoods
  • Walz tripods and ball-heads

Notes

  1. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.344 (item 346); Sugiyama, item 1262; McKeown, p.745.
  2. ↑ Advertisement dated November 1952, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.214.
  3. ↑ Its address between 1952 and 1961 was Tōkyō-to Chūō-ku Nihonbashi Muromachi 1–16 (東京都中央区日本橋室町1–16). Source: advertisements reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.214–5 and 329–32.
  4. ↑ Advertisements dated 1954 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.215. See also this advertisement for the Walcon and Wagoflex reproduced in the Shashin-Bako website.
  5. ↑ Advertisements dated October 1955 and August 1956 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.215 and 329, showing the transition.
  6. ↑ Advertisements dated 1960 and 1961 reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, pp.330 and 332.
  7. ↑ Lewis, p.104.
  8. ↑ This page by Shimamura Hideki.
  9. ↑ See the chronology of the current Waltz website.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Column in Photo Art no.80, June 1955, p.103.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Advertisement in Photo Art no.80, June 1955, p.55.

References / further reading

  • 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.
  • 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).
  • Photo Art rinji zōkan: Kamera akusesarī zensho (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラアクセサリー全書, Photo Art special issue: All the camera accessories). June 1955, no.80 of the magazine.
    • "Denki roshutsukei" (電気露出計, Electric exposure meters). Pp.102–3.
    • Advertisement by Walz Shōkai on p.55.

Links

In English:


In Japanese:

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