Difference between revisions of "Well Standard"
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== Well Standard == | == Well Standard == | ||
| − | The '''Well Standard''' (ウエルスタンダード) takes ten 4×5cm pictures on [[127 film]] | + | The '''Well Standard''' (ウエルスタンダード) takes ten 4×5cm pictures on [[127 film]]. |
| − | + | === Description === | |
| + | 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. | ||
| − | To confuse you even more, | + | 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. |
| − | 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 4×5cm format. A serious maker would have made an automatic stop advance device, that equips almost all other Japanese 4×4cm and 4×5cm 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, | + | 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 4×5cm format. A serious maker would have made an automatic stop advance device, that equips almost all other Japanese 4×4cm and 4×5cm 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. |
| − | + | All the models have a 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. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | === Evolution === | |
| + | <div class="plainlinks floatleft" style="text-align: center;"> | ||
| + | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/412970181/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/412970181_02fb0439f7_m_d.jpg] | ||
| + | <br>''Extract of a leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten.''<br>''{{public domain}}'' | ||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | Released in 1939, the Well Standard 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 the name ''Well Standard'' engraved above the eye-level finder, together with the model number and the initials ''N.K.K.'' | ||
| − | The Well | + | The Well was offered in an advertisement dated April 1940<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 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. |
| + | |||
| + | 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> | ||
| + | * '''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 Standard was listed in the {{Kakaku1940_short}}, compiled on October 25, 1940 and published in January 1941, under the names "Well Standard I" (¥125), "Well Standard II" (¥60) and "Well Standard III" (¥92), probably corresponding to the above versions. In an advertisement dated March 1942 the three same versions were offered again, respectively at {{yen|129|1942}}, {{yen|71|1942}} and {{yen|94|1942}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Examples of the cheapest version with f/4.5 lens and 25–150 speeds have been observed with a ''MODEL I'' marking above the eye-level finder,<REF> Sugiyama item 3059 (lens no. 4570), example sold by a Japanese dealer (lens no. 3713) and example pictured in [http://www.geocities.jp/je2luz/wantedcamera01.htm this page at je2luz]. 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 25–150 speeds has been observed with a ''MODEL II'' engraving.<REF> Example sold in a Yahoo Japan auction, f/3.5 lens no. 1610. </REF> It thus seems that the range originally consisted of these two models, are that the model numbers were shifted after the introduction of the Well-Rapid shutter. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Examples with the Well Anastigmat 65mm f/3.5 lens and the Well-Rapid shutter, giving T, B, 1–500 speeds and engraved ''WELL–RAPID'' at the bottom of the rim, have been reported with ''MODEL I'' markings.<REF> Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 3060 (lens no. 1755), example pictured in McKeown, p. 721 (lens no. 214x). </REF> An example with the f/4.5 lens and 25–150 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. | ||
== Well Super == | == Well Super == | ||
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* [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] | * [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] | ||
* [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.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. |
[[Category: Japanese 4x5 viewfinder]] | [[Category: Japanese 4x5 viewfinder]] | ||
[[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder]] | [[Category: Japanese 4.5x6 viewfinder]] | ||
[[Category: W]] | [[Category: W]] | ||
Revision as of 23:05, 10 March 2007
The Well are Japanese cameras made by Nihon Kōki between 1939 and 1942 and distributed by Misuzu Shōkai.
Well Standard
The Well Standard (ウエルスタンダード) takes ten 4×5cm pictures on 127 film.
Description
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.
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.
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 4×5cm format. A serious maker would have made an automatic stop advance device, that equips almost all other Japanese 4×4cm and 4×5cm 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.
All the models have a 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.
Evolution
Extract of a leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten.
(Image rights)
Released in 1939, the Well Standard was simply called "Well" (ウエル) in advertising until about 1941,[1] 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.
The Well was offered in an advertisement dated April 1940[2] for ¥60 with a Well Anastigmat f/4.5 lens and a shutter providing T, B, 25, 50, 100, 150 speeds.
An undated leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten (関急百貨店) offered the camera in three versions:[3]
- 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 Standard was listed in the Template:Kakaku1940 short, compiled on October 25, 1940 and published in January 1941, under the names "Well Standard I" (¥125), "Well Standard II" (¥60) and "Well Standard III" (¥92), probably corresponding to the above versions. In an advertisement dated March 1942 the three same versions were offered again, respectively at ¥129, ¥71 and ¥94.
Examples of the cheapest version with f/4.5 lens and 25–150 speeds have been observed with a MODEL I marking above the eye-level finder,[4] and one example with f/3.5 lens and 25–150 speeds has been observed with a MODEL II engraving.[5] It thus seems that the range originally consisted of these two models, are that the model numbers were shifted after the introduction of the Well-Rapid shutter.
Examples with the Well Anastigmat 65mm f/3.5 lens and the Well-Rapid shutter, giving T, B, 1–500 speeds and engraved WELL–RAPID at the bottom of the rim, have been reported with MODEL I markings.[6] An example with the f/4.5 lens and 25–150 speeds has also been reported with MODEL II markings, apparently confirming the model number shift recorded in the advertisements.[7] On the pictures of some examples, it seems that either the top housing is unmarked or the markings have been erased.
Well Super
The Well Super (ウエルスーパー), made in 1942, takes 4.5×6cm pictures on 120 film. It 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[8]. 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.
The Well Super is advertised in 1942[9], in three versions, all with a Well Anastigmat lens (focal unknown):
- Model I, with f:4.5 lens and T, B, 25–150 shutter (¥88 — case for ¥8.35 extra);
- Model III or Model IIIA (depending on the advertisement), with f:4.5 lens and T, B, 1–300 shutter (¥111);
- Model IIIB, with f:3.5 lens and T, B, 1–300 shutter (¥129).
The two advertisements observed show the same picture of a Model IIIB, with an f:3.5 lens (chrome lens bezel) and the shutter rim probably reading SUPER-WELL. There is no mention of Nihon Kōki in these advertisements, and there is no record of a Model II.
A Well Super has been observed with a Well Anastigmat 75mm f:4.5 (black lens bezel), and the shutter rim marked SUPER-WELL. It is probably a Model IIIA.[10]
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 334.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 60.
- ↑ Leaflet by Kankyū Hyakkaten reproduced in this page.
- ↑ Sugiyama item 3059 (lens no. 4570), example sold by a Japanese dealer (lens no. 3713) and example pictured in this page at je2luz. The same variant is pictured in this page at Asacame (lens number 4100) but the markings are not visible.
- ↑ Example sold in a Yahoo Japan auction, f/3.5 lens no. 1610.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 3060 (lens no. 1755), example pictured in McKeown, p. 721 (lens no. 214x).
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 3061.
- ↑ Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ March 1942 advertisement cited above. Another advertisement, originally published between 1942 and 1945, is reproduced in Nostalgic Camera, a page of old Japanese ads by Toshio Inamura.
- ↑ Example observed in a Yahoo Japan auction, lens number 1829 or 1629.
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 25–7.
- Leaflet for the New Midget II, Romax, Semi Leotax and Well, published by Kankyū Hyakkaten. Date not indicated.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P. 721.
Links
In Japanese
- Well Standard in the A-Z 127 film cameras at Asacame
- Page of wanted cameras with a Well at je2luz
- 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.
