Difference between revisions of "Well Standard"

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{{Japanese Vest
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|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/32845243597/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32845243597_00cf62f2ea_m_d.jpg]<br>''{{with permission}}''
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| colspan="3" | <div class="plainlinks" align="center">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/416257610/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/180/416257610_79f4ace191_m_d.jpg]<br>''Extract of a leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten. {{public domain}}''</div>
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The '''Well''' or '''Well Standard''' (ウエルスタンダード) is a Japanese camera taking ten 4×5cm pictures on [[127 film]]. It was made by [[Nippon Kōki]] between 1939 and 1942 and distributed by [[Misuzu Shōkai]].<REF> The attribution to [[Nippon Kōki]] is confirmed in the {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 155. </REF> The [[Well Super]] is an evolution in 4.5×6cm format, described in a separate page.
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! bgcolor="#ff4444" colspan="3" | Japanese Vest (4&times;5 and 4&times;6.5) ({{edit|Template:Japanese Vest contents}})
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== Description ==
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{{Japanese Vest contents}}
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The Well Standard is trying to imitate the luxury [[35mm film|35mm]] rangefinder it is not. The lens and shutter are mounted on a telescopic tube. The direct vision finder and a brilliant finder are positioned on each side of the top housing, thus showing two windows like a [[rangefinder camera]]. There is an accessory shoe between the two finders, and the name ''Well Standard'' is engraved above the eye-level finder, together with the model number and the initials ''N.K.K.''
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| align="right" colspan="3" | [[:Template:Japanese Baby and Four|Japanese Baby (3&times;4) and Four (4&times;4) ->]]
 
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! bgcolor="#44ff44" colspan="3" | Japanese ''[[Semi]]'' (4.5&times;6)
 
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! colspan="3" | Prewar and wartime models ({{edit|Template:Japanese Semi prewar contents}})
 
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| rowspan="3" | '''4.5&times;6'''
 
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{{Japanese Semi prewar contents}}
 
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| align="right" colspan="3" | [[:Template:Japanese Semi postwar|Postwar models ->]]
 
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| align="right" colspan="3" | [[:Template:Japanese plate|Japanese plate cameras ->]]
 
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The '''Well''' are Japanese cameras made by [[Nihon Kōki]] between 1939 and 1942 and distributed by [[Misuzu Shōkai]].<REF> Attribution to [[Nihon Kōki]] confirmed by the {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 155. </REF>
 
  
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== Well Standard ==
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Two knobs are visible on either end of the top plate. That on the photographer's right is real, and is used to advance the film. That on the left is a fake, imitating the rewind knob of contemporary [[35mm film|35mm cameras]].
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The '''Well Standard''' (ウエルスタンダード) takes ten 4&times;5cm pictures on [[127 film]].
 
  
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=== Description ===
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Traditional advance control by red windows was not possible, because the paper backing of [[127 film]] is not marked for the unusual 4×5cm format. To overcome this, almost all other Japanese cameras of the time taking 4×4cm and 4×5cm exposures were equipped with an automatic stop advance device, but the Well Standard has a manual counter, merely consisting of numbers engraved on a disc turning together with the advance knob. To advance one exposure, you have to manually stop turning when the correct number is facing an index engraved on the top plate. This approach is less than ideal, and irregular spacing is probably frequent. The counter is shaped as the automatic exposure counter of the contemporary [[Leica]]. It is reset manually to "1" after the film is loaded and the first exposure is positioned.
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The Well is trying to imitate the luxury 35mm rangefinder it is not. The lens and shutter are mounted on a telescopic tube. The direct vision finder and a brilliant finder are positioned on each side of the top housing, thus showing two windows like a rangefinder camera. There is an accessory shoe between the two finders.
 
  
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To confuse you even more, the camera has two knobs, one on each end of the top plate. The right knob is real and is used to advance the film. The left one is a fake rewind knob, because 127 film does not need to be rewound.
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To load the film, the back is removed together with the bottom plate and is locked by a key placed under the camera, in the middle. It contains a single red window at the left end, to set the position of the first exposure. The tripod thread is offset to the right, as seen by the photographer.
  
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Under the advance knob is what looks like an exposure counter. In fact it is just another fake, an exposure counter of the crudest type: numbers engraved in the rotating knob. It is not possible to use the traditional red window advance because the 127 film paperback is not marked for this unusual 4&times;5cm format. A serious maker would have made an automatic stop advance device, that equips almost all other Japanese 4&times;4cm and 4&times;5cm cameras of the time. But not Nihon Kōki: to advance one exposure, you have to manually stop turning when the correct number is facing an index. There is just one red window, at the back's left, to set the position of the first exposure. Irregular spacing is probably frequent. To load the film, the back is removed together with the bottom plate. The latter has a tripod screw on the right and the locking key on the centre.
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Two shutter types exist. The NKK shutter has a black front plate, inscribed ''NKK'' at the bottom, and T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds engraved in that order. The Well-Rapid shutter (T, B, 1–500) has a silver front plate and the name ''WELL–RAPID'' inscribed at the bottom of the rim.
  
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All the models have a front-cell focusing Well Anastigmat lens of 65mm focal length. The f/4.5 lenses have a black bezel and the f/3.5 lenses have a silver bezel.
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All the models have a front-cell focusing Well Anastigmat lens of 65mm focal length. The f/4.5 lenses have a black bezel and the f/3.5 lenses have a silver bezel. A metal-finished dedicated lens hood was available, engraved ''Well''.
  
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=== Evolution ===
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== Evolution ==
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/412970181/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/412970181_02fb0439f7_m_d.jpg]
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<br>''Extract of a leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten.''<br>''{{public domain}}''
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/46873454875/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/46873454875_159d0b42cf_m_d.jpg]
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Released in 1939, the Well Standard was simply called "Well" (ウエル) in advertising until about 1941,<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;334. </REF> but it seems that all the examples of the camera have the name ''Well Standard'' engraved above the eye-level finder, together with the model number and the initials ''N.K.K.''
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|| ''Extract of a leaflet by [[Kintetsu|Kankyū Hyakkaten]]. {{Flickr translated}} {{public domain Japan old}}''
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The camera was first advertised in August 1939, and was featured in the new products column of {{ACA}} in September 1939.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.334. </REF> It was simply called "Well" (ウエル) in advertising until about 1941,<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.334. </REF> but it seems that all the examples of the camera have ''Well Standard'' markings.
  
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The Well was offered in an advertisement by [[Misuzu Shōkai]] dated April 1940<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;60. </REF> for {{yen|60|1940}} with a Well Anastigmat f/4.5 lens and a shutter providing T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds.
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In the April 1940 advertisement in {{ACA}}, placed by [[Misuzu Shōkai]], the camera is offered for {{yen|60|1940}} with a Well Anastigmat f/4.5 lens and a shutter providing T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.60. </REF>
  
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An undated leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten (関急百貨店) offered the camera in three versions:<REF> Leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten reproduced in this page. </REF>
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An undated leaflet by [[Kintetsu|Kankyū Hyakkaten]] lists three versions:<REF> Leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten reproduced in this page. </REF>
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* '''Model I''': f/3.5 lens, Well-Rapid shutter (T, B, 1&ndash;500, self-timer), &yen;110;
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* '''Model I''': f/3.5 lens, Well-Rapid shutter (T, B, 1–500, self-timer), ¥110;
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* '''Model II''': f/4.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds, &yen;60;
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* '''Model II''': f/4.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds, ¥60;
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* '''Model III''': f/3.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds, &yen;80.
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* '''Model III''': f/3.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds, ¥80.
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The Well Rapid shutter was made by [[Nihon Kōki]] itself and the three-element Well Anastigmat 65mm f/3.5 lens was made by [[Suzuki]] (the f/4.5 lens was certainly made by Suzuki too but this is unconfirmed).<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 18-R-7 and lens item K8. </REF>
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The Well-Rapid shutter was made by [[Nippon Kōki]] itself and the three-element Well Anastigmat 65mm f/3.5 lens was made by [[Suzuki]] (the f/4.5 lens was certainly made by Suzuki too but this is unconfirmed).<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, shutter item 18-R-7 and lens item K8. </REF> The camera pictured in the leaflet has a Well-Rapid and lens no.1004; the lens number sequence presumably started at 1001 and this is probably one of the earliest made.
  
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The Well Standard was mentioned in the official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, under the names "Well Standard I" (&yen;125), "Well Standard II" (&yen;60) and "Well Standard III" (&yen;92), probably corresponding to the above versions.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}, type 1, section 10 and type 2, sections 5B and 7. </REF> At least the Well Standard II and III were again in a similar price list dated November 1941. <REF> {{Kakaku1141_short}}, type 2, sections 5B and 7. </REF>
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The official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 mentions the "Well Standard I" (¥125), "Well Standard II" (¥60) and "Well Standard III" (¥92), probably corresponding to the above versions.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}, type 1, section 10 and type 2, sections 5B and 7. </REF> At least the Well Standard II and III appear again in a similar price list dated November 1941.<REF> {{Kakaku1141_short}}, type 2, sections 5B and 7. </REF>
  
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In an advertisement by [[Misuzu Shōkai]] dated March 1942 the three same versions were offered, respectively at {{yen|129|1942}}, {{yen|71|1942}} and {{yen|94|1942}}.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;60. </REF> The Well Standard was still mentioned in the {{Inquiry1943_short}}, listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943, in the version with f/3.5 lens and Well-Rapid shutter.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 155. </REF>
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The March 1942 advertisement in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]]'', again by [[Misuzu Shōkai]], offers the same three versions, respectively at {{yen|129|1942}}, {{yen|71|1942}} and {{yen|94|1942}}.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.60. </REF> The Well Standard is still mentioned in the April 1943 government inquiry on Japanese camera production, in a single version with f/3.5 lens and Well-Rapid shutter.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 155. </REF>
  
 
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/32845243597/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32845243597_00cf62f2ea_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/33912866548/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33912866548_1521a3e34e_m_d.jpg]
 
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|| ''Well Standard Model I, Well Anastigmat 65mm f/4.5 lens, NKK shutter (T, B, 150&ndash;25)''<br>''{{with permission}}''
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|| ''Well Standard Model I, Well Anastigmat 65mm f/4.5 lens, T, B, 150–25 speeds.''<br>''{{with permission}}''
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|}
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The model numbering observed on the surviving examples is quite inconsistent. Either the company changed its mind about the model numbers at some time, or it simply used whatever top housing was available regardless of the information given in the advertisements. The observed combinations are summarized in this table (no ''MODEL III'' has been observed so far):
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{| border="1" cellpadding="4" style="margin: 0.5em 2em; text-align: center; border-collapse: collapse;"
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|-
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|| Combination
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|| Lens
 +
|| Shutter
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|| Marking on the camera
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|| Model number in the advertisements
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|-
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|| 1<REF> Marking observed in [https://web.archive.org/web/20161109234339/https://sites.google.com/site/ldtomei/wellstandardmodeli this page at Tomei Collection] (lens no.2472) (archived), and in an online auction (lens no.2486). Marking reported in {{SUG}}, item 3060 (lens no.1755), in {{MK}}, p.721 (lens no.214x), and in an announce by a Russian dealer. </REF>
 +
|| f/3.5
 +
|| Well-Rapid
 +
|| ''MODEL I''
 +
|| Model I
 +
|-
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|| 2<REF> Marking observed in [http://je2luz.g1.xrea.com/wantedcamera01.htm this page at je2luz], in an announce by a Japanese dealer (lens no.3713), and in online auctions (lens no.3473, 4543, 7279 and 8569). Marking reported in {{SUG}}, item 3059 (lens no.4570), and on the example pictured in this page. The same version is pictured in [https://web.archive.org/web/20180106190255/http://asacame.webcrow.jp/hsp127az/well.htm this page at Asacame] (lens no.4100) (archived) but the marking is unknown. </REF>
 +
|| f/4.5
 +
|| 25–150
 +
|| ''MODEL I''
 +
|| Model II
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|-
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|| 3<REF> Marking observed in an online auction (lens no.6095). Marking reported in {{SUG}}, item 3061 (lens no.4944). </REF>
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|| f/4.5
 +
|| 25–150
 +
|| ''MODEL II''
 +
|| Model II
 +
|-
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|| 4<REF> Marking observed in an online auction (lens no.1610). </REF>
 +
|| f/3.5
 +
|| 25–150
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|| ''MODEL II''
 +
|| Model III
 
|}
 
|}
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Examples of the cheapest version with f/4.5 lens and 25&ndash;150 speeds have been observed with a ''MODEL I'' marking above the eye-level finder,<REF> Sugiyama, item 3059 (lens no.&nbsp;4570), example sold by a Japanese dealer (lens no.&nbsp;3713), example pictured in [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/wantedcamera01.htm this page at je2luz] and example pictured in this page. The same variant is pictured in [http://asacame.sugoihp.jp/hspbestaz/bestw.htm this page at Asacame] (lens number 4100) but the markings are not visible. </REF> and one example with f/3.5 lens and 25&ndash;150 speeds has been observed with a ''MODEL II'' engraving.<REF> Example sold in a Yahoo Japan auction, f/3.5 lens no.&nbsp;1610. </REF> It thus seems that the range originally consisted of these two models, and that the model numbers were shifted after the introduction of the Well-Rapid shutter.
 
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Examples with the Well Anastigmat 65mm f/3.5 lens and the Well-Rapid shutter, giving T, B, 1&ndash;500 speeds and engraved ''WELL&ndash;RAPID'' at the bottom of the rim, have been reported with ''MODEL I'' markings.<REF> Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 3060 (lens no.&nbsp;1755), example pictured in McKeown, p.&nbsp;721 (lens no.&nbsp;214x). </REF> An example with the f/4.5 lens and 25&ndash;150 speeds has also been reported with ''MODEL II'' markings, apparently confirming the model number shift recorded in the advertisements.<REF> Sugiyama, item 3061. </REF> On the pictures of some examples, it seems that either the top housing is unmarked or the markings have been erased.
 
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== Well Super ==
 
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The '''Well Super''' (ウエルスーパー) takes 4.5&times;6cm pictures on [[120 film]].
 
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=== Description ===
 
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The Well Super looks similar to the Well Standard, except that it is a little higher and that the top housing extends somewhat under the fake rewind knob. The front of the top housing is marked ''ウエル'' ("Well" in ''katakana'' writing). The marking above the top housing reads ''WELL SUPER'', ''4.5x6'' and something else, maybe an ''NKK'' logo.<REF> Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction. </REF> The advance knob has the same shape as the Well Standard, with the same crude exposure counter. There is one red window at the bottom of the back, protected by a horizontally sliding cover.
 
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The various models of the Well Super have a front-cell focusing Well Anastigmat lens of 75mm focal length.
 
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=== Evolution ===
 
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The Well Super was already mentioned in the list of set prices published in January 1941, under the names "Well Super I" (&yen;80), "Well Super IIA" and "Well Super IIIA" (both at &yen;121), "Well Super IIB" and "Well Super IIIB" (both at &yen;160), with no further details.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}, type 3, sections 3B, 6B, 7B. </REF> Only the I, IIIA and IIIB were in the official price list dated November 1941.<REF> {{Kakaku1940_short}}, type 3, sections 3B, 6B, 7B. </REF>
 
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The March 1942 advertisement by [[Misuzu Shōkai]], cited above for the Well Standard, also offered the Well Super in these three versions, all with a Well Anastigmat lens:<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Hōdō Shashin]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;60. </REF>
 
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* '''Model I''': f/4.5 lens, T, B, 25&ndash;150 speeds ({{yen|88|1942}});
 
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* '''Model IIIA''': f/4.5 lens, T, B, 1&ndash;300 shutter ({{yen|111|1942}});
 
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* '''Model IIIB''': f/3.5 lens, T, B, 1&ndash;300 shutter ({{yen|129|1942}}).
 
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Another advertisement dated 1942 offered the same versions except that the IIIA was simply called III or perhaps II.<REF> Another [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/welsupper42_l.jpg advertisement] published in 1942 in an unidentified magazine, is reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera] by Toshio Inamura. </REF> The two advertisements show the same picture of a Model IIIB, with an f/3.5 lens having a silver lens bezel and the shutter rim probably reading ''SUPER&ndash;WELL''. The camera was also mentioned in the {{Inquiry1943_short}} cited above, in the version with f/4.5 lens and 25&ndash;150 speeds.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, item 72. </REF> The f/4.5 lens has three elements and was made by [[Suzuki]]; it was certainly also the case of the f/3.5 lens.<REF> {{Inquiry1943_short}}, lens item Lc17. </REF> (They were probably identical to the Tenobder lenses mounted on the [[Semi Renky|New Semi Renky]].)
 
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The only example of the Well Super observed so far has a Well Anastigmat 75mm f/4.5 with a black lens bezel and the shutter rim marked ''SUPER&ndash;WELL''. It certainly corresponds to the Model IIIA.<REF> Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction, lens number 1629 or 1829. </REF>
 
  
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
Line 88: Line 82:
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
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* {{Showa10}} Items 25&ndash;7.
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=== Original documents ===
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* {{Kakaku1141}} Type 2, sections 5B and 7; type 3, sections 3B, 6B and 7B.
+
* {{Kakaku1141}} Type 2, sections 5B and 7.
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* {{Inquiry1943}} Items 72 and 155.
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* [[Kintetsu|Kankyū Hyakkaten]]. Leaflet for the [[Midget|New Midget II]], [[Romax (6×6)|Romax]], [[Semi Leotax]] and Well Standard. Date not indicated. Document reproduced in [https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/albums/72157712069585046/ this Flickr album] by Rebollo_fr.
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* {{Kakaku1940}} Type 1, section 10; type 2, sections 5B and 7; type 3, sections 3B, 6B and 7B.
+
* {{Inquiry1943}} Item 155.
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* Leaflet for the [[Midget|New Midget II]], [[Romax (6&times;6)|Romax]], [[Semi Leotax]] and Well, published by Kankyū Hyakkaten. Date not indicated.
+
* {{Kakaku0141}} Type 1, section 10; type 2, sections 5B and 7.
−
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;721.
+
 
−
* {{Zukan}} Items 3059&ndash;61.
+
=== Recent sources ===
 +
* {{Showa10}} Items 25–6.
 +
* {{McKeown12}} P.721.
 +
* {{Zukan}} Items 3059–61.
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 +
In English:
 +
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161109234339/https://sites.google.com/site/ldtomei/wellstandardmodeli Well Standard Model I] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20161019003505/https://sites.google.com/site/ldtomei/home Tomei Collection] (archived)
 
In Japanese
 
In Japanese
−
* [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hspbestaz/bestw.htm Well Standard] in the [http://asacame.fc2web.com/htmds/dbnbestaz.htm A-Z 127 film cameras] at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame]
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180106190255/http://asacame.webcrow.jp/hsp127az/well.htm Well Standard] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20180323220319/http://asacame.webcrow.jp/ Asacame] (archived)
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* [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/wantedcamera01.htm Page of wanted cameras] with a Well at [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/cameralist01.htm je2luz]
 
 
* [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/welsupper42_l.jpg Advertisement] for the Well Super, also mentioning the Well Standard, published in an unidentified Japanese magazine in 1942, reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page of old Japanese advertisements by Toshio Inamura.
 
* [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/b_camera/welsupper42_l.jpg Advertisement] for the Well Super, also mentioning the Well Standard, published in an unidentified Japanese magazine in 1942, reproduced in [http://www.remus.dti.ne.jp/~inasan99/camera/nostalgic_camera.html Nostalgic Camera], a page of old Japanese advertisements by Toshio Inamura.
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 4x5 viewfinder]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 4x5 viewfinder]]
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[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder]]
 
 
[[Category: W]]
 
[[Category: W]]
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[[Category: 1939]]

Latest revision as of 05:54, 9 December 2023

32845243597_00cf62f2ea_m_d.jpg
(Image rights)
Japanese Vest (4×5 and 4×6.5) (edit)
folding
4×4.5 Orient
4×5 Minion
4×6.5 Clover Vest | Dianette | Eagle | Friend | Kooa | National | New Vest | Nifcarette | Pearlette | B Pearlette | Special Pearlette | Pionette | Pocket Prince | Sirius Bebe | Speed Pocket | Tsubasa Spring | Victory
rigid or collapsible
4×5 Alfax | Olympus Standard | Sakura (bakelite) | Well Standard
4×6.5 Vest Adler | Vest Alex | Kowa Kid | Light | Light Super | Baby Minolta | Minolta Vest | Regal Olympic | Vest Olympic | Tsubasa Chrome | Zen-99
box
4×6.5 Baby Clover | Sakura (box) | Spirit
unknown
4×5 Vesten
4×6.5 Victor Vest
unknown Meiro
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4.5×6, 6×6 and 6×9 ->

The Well or Well Standard (ウエルスタンダード) is a Japanese camera taking ten 4×5cm pictures on 127 film. It was made by Nippon Kōki between 1939 and 1942 and distributed by Misuzu Shōkai.[1] The Well Super is an evolution in 4.5×6cm format, described in a separate page.

Description

The Well Standard is trying to imitate the luxury 35mm rangefinder it is not. The lens and shutter are mounted on a telescopic tube. The direct vision finder and a brilliant finder are positioned on each side of the top housing, thus showing two windows like a rangefinder camera. There is an accessory shoe between the two finders, and the name Well Standard is engraved above the eye-level finder, together with the model number and the initials N.K.K.

Two knobs are visible on either end of the top plate. That on the photographer's right is real, and is used to advance the film. That on the left is a fake, imitating the rewind knob of contemporary 35mm cameras.

Traditional advance control by red windows was not possible, because the paper backing of 127 film is not marked for the unusual 4×5cm format. To overcome this, almost all other Japanese cameras of the time taking 4×4cm and 4×5cm exposures were equipped with an automatic stop advance device, but the Well Standard has a manual counter, merely consisting of numbers engraved on a disc turning together with the advance knob. To advance one exposure, you have to manually stop turning when the correct number is facing an index engraved on the top plate. This approach is less than ideal, and irregular spacing is probably frequent. The counter is shaped as the automatic exposure counter of the contemporary Leica. It is reset manually to "1" after the film is loaded and the first exposure is positioned.

To load the film, the back is removed together with the bottom plate and is locked by a key placed under the camera, in the middle. It contains a single red window at the left end, to set the position of the first exposure. The tripod thread is offset to the right, as seen by the photographer.

Two shutter types exist. The NKK shutter has a black front plate, inscribed NKK at the bottom, and T, B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds engraved in that order. The Well-Rapid shutter (T, B, 1–500) has a silver front plate and the name WELL–RAPID inscribed at the bottom of the rim.

All the models have a front-cell focusing Well Anastigmat lens of 65mm focal length. The f/4.5 lenses have a black bezel and the f/3.5 lenses have a silver bezel. A metal-finished dedicated lens hood was available, engraved Well.

Evolution

46873454875_159d0b42cf_m_d.jpg
Extract of a leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten. Click on the image for a translation. (Image rights)

The camera was first advertised in August 1939, and was featured in the new products column of Asahi Camera in September 1939.[2] It was simply called "Well" (ウエル) in advertising until about 1941,[3] but it seems that all the examples of the camera have Well Standard markings.

In the April 1940 advertisement in Asahi Camera, placed by Misuzu Shōkai, the camera is offered for ¥60 with a Well Anastigmat f/4.5 lens and a shutter providing T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds.[4]

An undated leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten lists three versions:[5]

  • Model I: f/3.5 lens, Well-Rapid shutter (T, B, 1–500, self-timer), ¥110;
  • Model II: f/4.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds, ¥60;
  • Model III: f/3.5 lens, T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds, ¥80.

The Well-Rapid shutter was made by Nippon Kōki itself and the three-element Well Anastigmat 65mm f/3.5 lens was made by Suzuki (the f/4.5 lens was certainly made by Suzuki too but this is unconfirmed).[6] The camera pictured in the leaflet has a Well-Rapid and lens no.1004; the lens number sequence presumably started at 1001 and this is probably one of the earliest made.

The official price list compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941 mentions the "Well Standard I" (¥125), "Well Standard II" (¥60) and "Well Standard III" (¥92), probably corresponding to the above versions.[7] At least the Well Standard II and III appear again in a similar price list dated November 1941.[8]

The March 1942 advertisement in Hōdō Shashin, again by Misuzu Shōkai, offers the same three versions, respectively at ¥129, ¥71 and ¥94.[9] The Well Standard is still mentioned in the April 1943 government inquiry on Japanese camera production, in a single version with f/3.5 lens and Well-Rapid shutter.[10]

32845243597_00cf62f2ea_m_d.jpg 33912866548_1521a3e34e_m_d.jpg
Well Standard Model I, Well Anastigmat 65mm f/4.5 lens, T, B, 150–25 speeds.
(Image rights)

The model numbering observed on the surviving examples is quite inconsistent. Either the company changed its mind about the model numbers at some time, or it simply used whatever top housing was available regardless of the information given in the advertisements. The observed combinations are summarized in this table (no MODEL III has been observed so far):

Combination Lens Shutter Marking on the camera Model number in the advertisements
1[11] f/3.5 Well-Rapid MODEL I Model I
2[12] f/4.5 25–150 MODEL I Model II
3[13] f/4.5 25–150 MODEL II Model II
4[14] f/3.5 25–150 MODEL II Model III

Notes

  1. ↑ The attribution to Nippon Kōki is confirmed in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 155.
  2. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.334.
  3. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.334.
  4. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.60.
  5. ↑ Leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten reproduced in this page.
  6. ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-R-7 and lens item K8.
  7. ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku", type 1, section 10 and type 2, sections 5B and 7.
  8. ↑ "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 2, sections 5B and 7.
  9. ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.60.
  10. ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 155.
  11. ↑ Marking observed in this page at Tomei Collection (lens no.2472) (archived), and in an online auction (lens no.2486). Marking reported in Sugiyama, item 3060 (lens no.1755), in McKeown, p.721 (lens no.214x), and in an announce by a Russian dealer.
  12. ↑ Marking observed in this page at je2luz, in an announce by a Japanese dealer (lens no.3713), and in online auctions (lens no.3473, 4543, 7279 and 8569). Marking reported in Sugiyama, item 3059 (lens no.4570), and on the example pictured in this page. The same version is pictured in this page at Asacame (lens no.4100) (archived) but the marking is unknown.
  13. ↑ Marking observed in an online auction (lens no.6095). Marking reported in Sugiyama, item 3061 (lens no.4944).
  14. ↑ Marking observed in an online auction (lens no.1610).

Bibliography

Original documents

  • "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō" (カメラの公定価格官報発表, Official announcement of the set prices of the cameras), November 1941. Extract of a table listing Japanese camera production and setting the retail prices, reproduced in "Bebī Semi Fāsuto 'Kore ha bebī wo nanotta semi-ki da'" (ベビーセミファースト"これはベビーを名乗ったセミ機だ", Baby Semi First, 'this is a Semi camera called Baby'), an article by Furukawa Yasuo (古川保男) in Camera Collectors' News no. 277 (July 2000). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. P. 27. Type 2, sections 5B and 7.
  • Kankyū Hyakkaten. Leaflet for the New Midget II, Romax, Semi Leotax and Well Standard. Date not indicated. Document reproduced in this Flickr album by Rebollo_fr.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Item 155.
  • "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. Type 1, section 10; type 2, sections 5B and 7.

Recent sources

Links

In English:

In Japanese

  • Well Standard at Asacame (archived)
  • Advertisement for the Well Super, also mentioning the Well Standard, published in an unidentified Japanese magazine in 1942, reproduced in Nostalgic Camera, a page of old Japanese advertisements by Toshio Inamura.
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