Difference between revisions of "Well Standard"
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|| ''Well Standard Model I, Well Anastigmat 65mm f/4.5 lens, NKK shutter (T, B, 150–25)''<br>''{{with permission}}'' | || ''Well Standard Model I, Well Anastigmat 65mm f/4.5 lens, NKK shutter (T, B, 150–25)''<br>''{{with permission}}'' | ||
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| − | 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), 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 25–150 speeds has been observed with a ''MODEL II'' engraving.<REF> Example sold in | + | 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), 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 25–150 speeds has been observed with a ''MODEL II'' engraving.<REF> Example sold in an online auction, f/3.5 lens no. 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. |
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. | 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. | ||
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=== Description === | === Description === | ||
| − | 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 | + | 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 an online 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. |
The various models of the Well Super have a front-cell focusing Well Anastigmat lens of 75mm focal length. | The various models of the Well Super have a front-cell focusing Well Anastigmat lens of 75mm focal length. | ||
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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–WELL''. The camera was also mentioned in the {{Inquiry1943_short}} cited above, in the version with f/4.5 lens and 25–150 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]].) | 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–WELL''. The camera was also mentioned in the {{Inquiry1943_short}} cited above, in the version with f/4.5 lens and 25–150 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]].) | ||
| − | 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–WELL''. It certainly corresponds to the Model IIIA.<REF> Example observed in | + | 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–WELL''. It certainly corresponds to the Model IIIA.<REF> Example observed in an online auction, lens number 1629 or 1829. </REF> |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 22:44, 24 October 2007
The Well are Japanese cameras made by Nihon Kōki between 1939 and 1942 and distributed by Misuzu Shōkai.[1]
Contents
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 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.
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,[2] 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 by Misuzu Shōkai dated April 1940[3] 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:[4]
- 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 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).[5]
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" (¥125), "Well Standard II" (¥60) and "Well Standard III" (¥92), probably corresponding to the above versions.[6] At least the Well Standard II and III were again in a similar price list dated November 1941. [7]
In an advertisement by Misuzu Shōkai dated March 1942 the three same versions were offered, respectively at ¥129, ¥71 and ¥94.[8] The Well Standard was still mentioned in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943, in the version with f/3.5 lens and Well-Rapid shutter.[9]
 
|
| Well Standard Model I, Well Anastigmat 65mm f/4.5 lens, NKK shutter (T, B, 150–25) (Image rights) |
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,[10] and one example with f/3.5 lens and 25–150 speeds has been observed with a MODEL II engraving.[11] 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.
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.[12] 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.[13] 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) takes 4.5×6cm pictures on 120 film.
Description
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.[14] 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 various models of the Well Super have a front-cell focusing Well Anastigmat lens of 75mm focal length.
Evolution
The Well Super was already mentioned in the list of set prices published in January 1941, under the names "Well Super I" (¥80), "Well Super IIA" and "Well Super IIIA" (both at ¥121), "Well Super IIB" and "Well Super IIIB" (both at ¥160), with no further details.[15] Only the I, IIIA and IIIB were in the official price list dated November 1941.[16]
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:[17]
- Model I: f/4.5 lens, T, B, 25–150 speeds (¥88);
- Model IIIA: f/4.5 lens, T, B, 1–300 shutter (¥111);
- Model IIIB: f/3.5 lens, T, B, 1–300 shutter (¥129).
Another advertisement dated 1942 offered the same versions except that the IIIA was simply called III or perhaps II.[18] 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–WELL. The camera was also mentioned in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras") cited above, in the version with f/4.5 lens and 25–150 speeds.[19] 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.[20] (They were probably identical to the Tenobder lenses mounted on the New Semi Renky.)
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–WELL. It certainly corresponds to the Model IIIA.[21]
Notes
- ↑ Attribution to Nihon Kōki confirmed by the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 155.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), shutter item 18-R-7 and lens item K8.
- ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 1, section 10 and type 2, sections 5B and 7.
- ↑ "Kamera no kōtei kakaku kanpō happyō", November 1941, type 2, sections 5B and 7.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 60.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 155.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 3059 (lens no. 4570), example sold by a Japanese dealer (lens no. 3713), example pictured in this page at je2luz and example pictured in this page. The same variant is pictured in this page at Asacame (lens number 4100) but the markings are not visible.
- ↑ Example sold in an online 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 an online auction.
- ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 3, sections 3B, 6B, 7B.
- ↑ Template:Kakaku1940 short, type 3, sections 3B, 6B, 7B.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 60.
- ↑ Another advertisement published in 1942 in an unidentified magazine, is reproduced in Nostalgic Camera by Toshio Inamura.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 72.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens item Lc17.
- ↑ Example observed in an online auction, lens number 1629 or 1829.
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; type 3, sections 3B, 6B and 7B.
- Kankyū Hyakkaten. Leaflet for the New Midget II, Romax, Semi Leotax and Well. Date not indicated. Document reproduced here in rebollo_fr's Flickr space.
- "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. Items 72 and 155.
- Template:Kakaku1940 Type 1, section 10; type 2, sections 5B and 7; type 3, sections 3B, 6B and 7B.
Recent sources
- 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.
- 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.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 3059–61.
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.
