Difference between revisions of "Yamasaki"

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<br>''Picture courtesy of eBayer Oddog2. {{with permission}}''
 
<br>''Picture courtesy of eBayer Oddog2. {{with permission}}''
 
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K.&nbsp;Yamasaki (山崎光七),<REF> The first name perhaps reads Kōichi. See Baird, p.&nbsp;59. </REF> founder of the company, was a former employee of [[Asanuma|Asanuma Shōkai]].<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]; Inoue, p.&nbsp;130; Baird, p.&nbsp;59. </REF> He opened a camera shop called Shūzandō Yamasaki Shōten (秀山堂山崎商店) in 1924 and worked in the shop's basement after business hours to develop a camera lens.<REF> Name of the shop: Inoue, p.&nbsp;130. 1924 date: [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page] and Baird, p.&nbsp;59. Working after office hours in the basement: Inoue, p.&nbsp;130; Baird, p.&nbsp;59. </REF> The result of this hard work was the Congo 210/4.5 lens released in 1931.<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]; Inoue, p.&nbsp;130. Baird, p.&nbsp;59, says 1932. </REF> Yamasaki has used the name "Congo" (コンゴー, Kongō) for its lenses since that date. The Japanese word ''kongō'' means "great strength" and "diamond", but it is said that the lenses were named after the Japanese battleship ''Kongō'' (金剛, usually spelled "Kongo" in English contexts), built in Britain as a battle cruiser in 1911 and sunk in 1944.<ref> Niimi, p.&nbsp;102; Inoue, p.&nbsp;130. </ref> (The ship was itself named after the 1112m-high Mt Kongō (金剛山, Kongō-san) on the Ōsaka/Nara border.)<REF> See [http://military.sakura.ne.jp/navy/b_kongo2.htm this page about the battleship]. </REF>
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K.&nbsp;Yamasaki (山崎光七),<REF> The first name perhaps reads Kōichi. See Baird, p.59. </REF> founder of the company, was a former employee of [[Asanuma|Asanuma Shōkai]].<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]; Inoue, p.130; Baird, p.59. </REF> He opened a camera shop called Shūzandō Yamasaki Shōten (秀山堂山崎商店) in 1924 and worked in the shop's basement after business hours to develop a camera lens.<REF> Name of the shop: Inoue, p.130. 1924 date: [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page] and Baird, p.59. Working after office hours in the basement: Inoue, p.130; Baird, p.59. </REF> The result of this hard work was the Congo 210/4.5 lens released in 1931.<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]; Inoue, p.130. Baird, p.59, says 1932. </REF> Yamasaki has used the name "Congo" (コンゴー, Kongō) for its lenses since that date. The Japanese word ''kongō'' means "great strength" and "diamond", but it is said that the lenses were named after the Japanese battleship ''Kongō'' (金剛, usually spelled "Kongo" in English contexts), built in Britain as a battle cruiser in 1911 and sunk in 1944.<ref> Niimi, p.102; Inoue, p.130. </ref> (The ship was itself named after the 1112m-high Mt Kongō (金剛山, Kongō-san) on the Ōsaka/Nara border.)<REF> See [http://military.sakura.ne.jp/navy/b_kongo2.htm this page about the battleship]. </REF>
  
 
The company was incorporated as '''K.K. Yamasaki Kōgaku Kenkyūsho''' ({{kabu}}山崎光学研究所, Yamasaki Optical Co., Ltd.) in 1955.<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]. </REF> It is based in Hino-shi, suburban Tokyo (山崎光学研究所) since 1972.<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]. </REF> It has concentrated on lenses for large-format cameras.
 
The company was incorporated as '''K.K. Yamasaki Kōgaku Kenkyūsho''' ({{kabu}}山崎光学研究所, Yamasaki Optical Co., Ltd.) in 1955.<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]. </REF> It is based in Hino-shi, suburban Tokyo (山崎光学研究所) since 1972.<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/history.htm Yamasaki history page]. </REF> It has concentrated on lenses for large-format cameras.
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|| ''Yamasaki Congo 21cm f/4.5 lens''<br>''Picture courtesy of eBayer Oddog2. {{with permission}}''
 
|| ''Yamasaki Congo 21cm f/4.5 lens''<br>''Picture courtesy of eBayer Oddog2. {{with permission}}''
 
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A prewar advertisement for the Congo lenses lists the following:<REF> Advertisement by [[Asanuma|Asanuma Shōkai]] for the Congo lenses, reproduced in Inoue, p.&nbsp;130. </REF>
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A prewar advertisement for the Congo lenses lists the following:<REF> Advertisement by [[Asanuma|Asanuma Shōkai]] for the Congo lenses, reproduced in Inoue, p.130. </REF>
 
* 150/4.5 (&yen;42)
 
* 150/4.5 (&yen;42)
 
* 180/4.5 (&yen;50)
 
* 180/4.5 (&yen;50)
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* 210/6.3, kabine format (&yen;41.65)
 
* 210/6.3, kabine format (&yen;41.65)
 
This source says that the f/4.5 lenses have four elements and the f/6.3 lens is a triplet.<REF> Catalogue by [[Asanuma|Asanuma Shōkai]], dated October 1941, p.7. </REF>
 
This source says that the f/4.5 lenses have four elements and the f/6.3 lens is a triplet.<REF> Catalogue by [[Asanuma|Asanuma Shōkai]], dated October 1941, p.7. </REF>
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An advertisement by Yamasaki dated 1960 still mentions [[Asanuma]] as authorized dealer and shows the following product lines:<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]] Annual '60''. </REF>
 +
* large format camera lenses, from 135mm to 300mm, 12 models
 +
* small format camera lenses, from 35mm to 150mm, 13 models
 +
* enlarging lenses, from 50mm to 135mm, 7 models
 +
* projection lenses for 8mm movies: 18/1.2, 19/1.6, 25/1.4
  
 
The current lens range (as of 2005) consists of:<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/spec_e.htm Congo lens specifications] in the Yamasaki official website. </REF>
 
The current lens range (as of 2005) consists of:<REF> [http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/spec_e.htm Congo lens specifications] in the Yamasaki official website. </REF>
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== Sources / Further reading ==
 
== Sources / Further reading ==
 +
* ''[[Asahi Camera]] Annual '60'' (アサヒカメラ年鑑'60). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbun-sha. No ISBN number.
 
* Asanuma Shōkai. ''Shashinki to zairyō'' (Cameras and supplies). Catalogue dated October 1941. P.16. Document partly reproduced [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157602475194663/ here in rebollo_fr's Flickr account].
 
* Asanuma Shōkai. ''Shashinki to zairyō'' (Cameras and supplies). Catalogue dated October 1941. P.16. Document partly reproduced [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/sets/72157602475194663/ here in rebollo_fr's Flickr account].
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* {{Baird Japanese}} Pp.&nbsp;58&ndash;61.
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* {{Baird Japanese}} Pp.58&ndash;61.
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* Inoue, Mitsuo (井上光朗). "Shashin renzu no yoake. Renzu-ya Funsenki" (写真レンズの夜明け・レンズ屋奮戦記, Dawn of the photographic lens &ndash; Fierce war tales between lens shops). {{KKS014}} Pp&nbsp;128&ndash;132.
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* Inoue, Mitsuo (井上光朗). "Shashin renzu no yoake. Renzu-ya Funsenki" (写真レンズの夜明け・レンズ屋奮戦記, Dawn of the photographic lens &ndash; Fierce war tales between lens shops). {{KKS014}} Pp.128&ndash;132.
 
* Niimi Kahee (新見嘉兵衛). ''Kamera-mei no gogen sanpo'' (カメラ名の語源散歩, Strolls in the etymology of camera names). 2nd ed. Tokyo: Shashin Kōgyō Shuppansha, 2002. ISBN 4-87956-060-X.
 
* Niimi Kahee (新見嘉兵衛). ''Kamera-mei no gogen sanpo'' (カメラ名の語源散歩, Strolls in the etymology of camera names). 2nd ed. Tokyo: Shashin Kōgyō Shuppansha, 2002. ISBN 4-87956-060-X.
  

Revision as of 15:46, 28 November 2007

Yamasaki Kōgaku Kenkyūsho (山崎光学研究所, meaning Yamasaki Optical Laboratory) is a Japanese lens maker.

See also the company Yamasaki Seiki Seisakusho which made the Bonny cameras in the first half of the 1940s and is probably unrelated.

History

1347412888_2dfc514cee_m_d.jpg
Yamasaki Congo 21cm f/4.5 lens
Picture courtesy of eBayer Oddog2. (Image rights)

K. Yamasaki (山崎光七),[1] founder of the company, was a former employee of Asanuma Shōkai.[2] He opened a camera shop called Shūzandō Yamasaki Shōten (秀山堂山崎商店) in 1924 and worked in the shop's basement after business hours to develop a camera lens.[3] The result of this hard work was the Congo 210/4.5 lens released in 1931.[4] Yamasaki has used the name "Congo" (コンゴー, Kongō) for its lenses since that date. The Japanese word kongō means "great strength" and "diamond", but it is said that the lenses were named after the Japanese battleship Kongō (金剛, usually spelled "Kongo" in English contexts), built in Britain as a battle cruiser in 1911 and sunk in 1944.[5] (The ship was itself named after the 1112m-high Mt Kongō (金剛山, Kongō-san) on the Ōsaka/Nara border.)[6]

The company was incorporated as K.K. Yamasaki Kōgaku Kenkyūsho (㈱山崎光学研究所, Yamasaki Optical Co., Ltd.) in 1955.[7] It is based in Hino-shi, suburban Tokyo (山崎光学研究所) since 1972.[8] It has concentrated on lenses for large-format cameras.

Yamasaki seems to buck stereotypes about Japanese companies. It caters for a niche market, advertises little, and sells directly via mail and its website; the FAQ in its website answers just three questions, of which the first is of why the prices are so low.[9]

Cameras fitted with Congo lenses

Congo lenses

1347412872_9170784da9_m_d.jpg
Yamasaki Congo 21cm f/4.5 lens
Picture courtesy of eBayer Oddog2. (Image rights)

A prewar advertisement for the Congo lenses lists the following:[10]

  • 150/4.5 (¥42)
  • 180/4.5 (¥50)
  • 210/4.5 (¥58)
  • 300/4.5 (¥135)
  • 210/6.3 (¥28)
  • 300/6.3 (¥75)
1601819819_ae2f86d7e5_m_d.jpg
Congo lenses in an Asanuma catalogue (October 1941). (Image rights)

A catalogue by Asanuma Shōkai dated October 1941 gives the following list of Congo lenses:[11]

  • 150/4.5, tefuda format (¥71.90)
  • 180/4.5, kabine format (¥84)
  • 210/4.5, kabine format (¥101.10)
  • 210/6.3, kabine format (¥41.65)

This source says that the f/4.5 lenses have four elements and the f/6.3 lens is a triplet.[12]

An advertisement by Yamasaki dated 1960 still mentions Asanuma as authorized dealer and shows the following product lines:[13]

  • large format camera lenses, from 135mm to 300mm, 12 models
  • small format camera lenses, from 35mm to 150mm, 13 models
  • enlarging lenses, from 50mm to 135mm, 7 models
  • projection lenses for 8mm movies: 18/1.2, 19/1.6, 25/1.4

The current lens range (as of 2005) consists of:[14]

  • Commercial Congo 90/3.5 (6×9cm)
  • Commercial Congo 105/4.5 (6×9cm)
  • Commercial Congo 135/4.7 (3×4")
  • Commercial Congo 135/4.7 (4×5")
  • Commercial Congo 150/4.5 (4×5")
  • Commercial Congo 150/6.3 (4×5")
  • Commercial Congo 180/6.8 (5×7")
  • Commercial Congo 210/6.3 (5×7")
  • Commercial Congo 240/6.3 (5×7")
  • Commercial Congo 250/6.3 (6×8")
  • Commercial Congo 300/6.3 (8×10")
  • Commercial Congo 360/6.8 (10×12")
  • Tele-Congo 300/8 (4×5")
  • Tele-Congo 400/8 (4×5")
  • Tele-Congo 500/9.5 (4×5")
  • Wide Angle Congo 90/6.3 (4×5")
  • Wide Angle Congo 120/6.3 (5×7")
  • Soft Focus Congo 150/4 (4×5")
  • Soft Focus Congo 200/4 (Cabinet size)
  • Alto-W 180/5.6 (5×7")
  • Alto-W 210/5.6 (6×8")

Notes

  1. ↑ The first name perhaps reads Kōichi. See Baird, p.59.
  2. ↑ Yamasaki history page; Inoue, p.130; Baird, p.59.
  3. ↑ Name of the shop: Inoue, p.130. 1924 date: Yamasaki history page and Baird, p.59. Working after office hours in the basement: Inoue, p.130; Baird, p.59.
  4. ↑ Yamasaki history page; Inoue, p.130. Baird, p.59, says 1932.
  5. ↑ Niimi, p.102; Inoue, p.130.
  6. ↑ See this page about the battleship.
  7. ↑ Yamasaki history page.
  8. ↑ Yamasaki history page.
  9. ↑ Yamasaki Optical FAQ.
  10. ↑ Advertisement by Asanuma Shōkai for the Congo lenses, reproduced in Inoue, p.130.
  11. ↑ Catalogue by Asanuma Shōkai, dated October 1941, p.16.
  12. ↑ Catalogue by Asanuma Shōkai, dated October 1941, p.7.
  13. ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera Annual '60.
  14. ↑ Congo lens specifications in the Yamasaki official website.

Sources / Further reading

Links

In English:

In Japanese:

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