Difference between revisions of "Zenobia"
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| − | The '''Zenobia''' is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 folders, successors to the [[Waltax]]. They were made by [[Daiichi Kōgaku]]. All the Zenobia models have a body copied from the [[Ikonta A]] and inherited from the Waltax. The finder is within a top housing with an accessory shoe. The advance knob is on the left and there is a double-exposure prevention mechanism with a small indicator. | + | The '''Zenobia''' is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 folders, successors to the [[Waltax]]. They were made by [[Daiichi Kōgaku]], later Zenobia Kōgaku. All the Zenobia models have a body copied from the [[Ikonta A]] and inherited from the Waltax. The finder is within a top housing with an accessory shoe. The advance knob is on the left and there is a double-exposure prevention mechanism with a small indicator. |
== Viewfinder models == | == Viewfinder models == | ||
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The '''Zenobia C''' and '''Zenobia P''' are continuations of the [[Waltax]]. According to {{Kokusan}}, both appear in the Japanese camera announce column of the January 1952 issue of ''Asahi Camera''. The C has a synchronized D.O.C.-Rapid shutter with B, 1–500 speeds, the '''P I''' has a synchronized [[NKS]] shutter with B, 1–200 speeds and the '''P II''' is the same as the P I with a self-timer. The D.O.C.-Rapid is a copy of the [[Compur]] and the NKS is a copy of the [[Prontor]], so it is not impossible that "C" stands for <u>C</u>ompur and "P" for <u>P</u>rontor, but this is only a guess. It is the only appearance of the Zenobia P mentioned by {{Kokusan}}. No example has been observed yet and it is not sure that this version was effectively sold. | The '''Zenobia C''' and '''Zenobia P''' are continuations of the [[Waltax]]. According to {{Kokusan}}, both appear in the Japanese camera announce column of the January 1952 issue of ''Asahi Camera''. The C has a synchronized D.O.C.-Rapid shutter with B, 1–500 speeds, the '''P I''' has a synchronized [[NKS]] shutter with B, 1–200 speeds and the '''P II''' is the same as the P I with a self-timer. The D.O.C.-Rapid is a copy of the [[Compur]] and the NKS is a copy of the [[Prontor]], so it is not impossible that "C" stands for <u>C</u>ompur and "P" for <u>P</u>rontor, but this is only a guess. It is the only appearance of the Zenobia P mentioned by {{Kokusan}}. No example has been observed yet and it is not sure that this version was effectively sold. | ||
| − | Shortly afterwards in 1952, the Zenobia '''C I''' and '''C II''' are advertised together<REF> {{Showa10ad|Zenobia C I and C II|570|Apr 1952|Asahi Camera}} </REF>, distributed by Hattori Tokei-ten (服部時計店). The lens is a four element (Tessar type) coated Hesper 75mm f:3.5. The C I is the new name of the C and it is offered for ¥14,000 with a D.O.C.-Rapid B, 1–500 shutter (advertised as a Compur-Rapid copy), synchronized with an ASA bayonet connector. The C II is offered for ¥15,000 with a [[Seikosha-Rapid]] shutter having similar specifications. | + | Shortly afterwards in 1952, the Zenobia '''C I''' and '''C II''' are advertised together<REF> {{Showa10ad|Zenobia C I and C II|570|Apr 1952|Asahi Camera}} </REF>, distributed by Hattori Tokei-ten (服部時計店). The lens is a four element (Tessar type) coated Hesper 75mm f:3.5. The C I is the new name of the C and it is offered for ¥14,000<REF> All the prices mentioned include a case. </REF> with a D.O.C.-Rapid B, 1–500 shutter (advertised as a Compur-Rapid copy), synchronized with an ASA bayonet connector. The C II is offered for ¥15,000 with a [[Seikosha-Rapid]] shutter having similar specifications. |
In 1953, both versions are still offered<REF> {{Showa10ad|Zenobia H II, C I, C II, R and Zenobiaflex|573|Mar 1953|Asahi Camera}} </REF>, respectively for ¥14,000 and ¥16,000, together with the H II and R (see below). In 1954 only the C I is still advertised<REF> {{Showa10ad|Zenobia R I, R II, C I and Zenobiaflex|572|Apr 1954|Asahi Camera}} </REF> for ¥13,000, together with the R I and R II. The shutter name has changed to Daiichi-Rapid. | In 1953, both versions are still offered<REF> {{Showa10ad|Zenobia H II, C I, C II, R and Zenobiaflex|573|Mar 1953|Asahi Camera}} </REF>, respectively for ¥14,000 and ¥16,000, together with the H II and R (see below). In 1954 only the C I is still advertised<REF> {{Showa10ad|Zenobia R I, R II, C I and Zenobiaflex|572|Apr 1954|Asahi Camera}} </REF> for ¥13,000, together with the R I and R II. The shutter name has changed to Daiichi-Rapid. | ||
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The '''Super Zenobia SR I''', advertised in 1955<REF> {{Showa10ad|Super Zenobia SR I and Zenobiaflex II|574|May 1955|Camera Mainichi}} </REF>, has a coupled rangefinder with front-cell focusing, a Neo-Hesper 75mm f:3.5 lens and the Daiichi-Rapid B, 1–500 synchronized shutter. "SR" certainly stands for <u>S</u>uper <u>R</u>angefinder. Its aspect is similar to the Zenobia R, but in place of the distance setting lever there is a knob whose usage is unknown. | The '''Super Zenobia SR I''', advertised in 1955<REF> {{Showa10ad|Super Zenobia SR I and Zenobiaflex II|574|May 1955|Camera Mainichi}} </REF>, has a coupled rangefinder with front-cell focusing, a Neo-Hesper 75mm f:3.5 lens and the Daiichi-Rapid B, 1–500 synchronized shutter. "SR" certainly stands for <u>S</u>uper <u>R</u>angefinder. Its aspect is similar to the Zenobia R, but in place of the distance setting lever there is a knob whose usage is unknown. | ||
| − | The later '''Zenobia SR''' | + | The later '''Zenobia SR''' is advertised in 1956<REF> {{Showa10ad|Zenobia SR and Zenobiaflex F II|1324|June 1956|Sankei Camera}} </REF> by Zenobia Kōgaku for ¥14,000. It is intermittently called '''Super Zenobia SR''' and is similar to the SR I except that the shutter is now a [[Copal|Copal-MX]] with B, 1–300 speeds and that the knob on the right of the top housing has disappeared. |
The last advertisements mentioned by {{Kokusan}} are dated 1957. | The last advertisements mentioned by {{Kokusan}} are dated 1957. | ||
Revision as of 20:19, 25 June 2006
The Zenobia is a series of Japanese 4.5×6 folders, successors to the Waltax. They were made by Daiichi Kōgaku, later Zenobia Kōgaku. All the Zenobia models have a body copied from the Ikonta A and inherited from the Waltax. The finder is within a top housing with an accessory shoe. The advance knob is on the left and there is a double-exposure prevention mechanism with a small indicator.
Viewfinder models
The Zenobia C and Zenobia P are continuations of the Waltax. According to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, both appear in the Japanese camera announce column of the January 1952 issue of Asahi Camera. The C has a synchronized D.O.C.-Rapid shutter with B, 1–500 speeds, the P I has a synchronized NKS shutter with B, 1–200 speeds and the P II is the same as the P I with a self-timer. The D.O.C.-Rapid is a copy of the Compur and the NKS is a copy of the Prontor, so it is not impossible that "C" stands for Compur and "P" for Prontor, but this is only a guess. It is the only appearance of the Zenobia P mentioned by Kokusan kamera no rekishi. No example has been observed yet and it is not sure that this version was effectively sold.
Shortly afterwards in 1952, the Zenobia C I and C II are advertised together[1], distributed by Hattori Tokei-ten (服部時計店). The lens is a four element (Tessar type) coated Hesper 75mm f:3.5. The C I is the new name of the C and it is offered for ¥14,000[2] with a D.O.C.-Rapid B, 1–500 shutter (advertised as a Compur-Rapid copy), synchronized with an ASA bayonet connector. The C II is offered for ¥15,000 with a Seikosha-Rapid shutter having similar specifications.
In 1953, both versions are still offered[3], respectively for ¥14,000 and ¥16,000, together with the H II and R (see below). In 1954 only the C I is still advertised[4] for ¥13,000, together with the R I and R II. The shutter name has changed to Daiichi-Rapid.
The Zenobia H switches from front-cell to unit focusing. The "H" probably stands for Helical. It is advertised in March 1953[5] as the H II with the Seikosha shutter, together with the C I, C II and R. The lens is the same Hesper 75mm f:3.5, and no price is given. Kokusan kamera no rekishi also mentions an H I with the D.O.C.-Rapid shutter. All the advertisements and magazine columns cited are from March 1953, and no example has been observed yet, so it is again unsure if this version was ever sold.
According to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, a Zenobia M was announced in 1955 with a three-element Hesper 75/3.5 lens and a Seikosha-Rapid shutter, but it was never sold.
Rangefinder models
The Zenobia R is like the Zenobia C with an uncoupled rangefinder, combined with the viewfinder. The "R" certainly stands for Rangefinder. The top housing is extended to the right to cover the additional rangefinder window. In place of the rotating depth-of-field scale, there is a lever falling under the right thumb to set the rangefinder distance. The R is advertised in 1952[6] as a new product, distributed by Hattori Tokei-ten, with the Seikosha-Rapid B, 1–500 synchronized shutter and the Hesper 75mm f:3.5 lens announced as being hard coated on all its elements. It is advertised again in 1953[7] for ¥19,000, appearing together with the viewfinder models and the Zenobiaflex.
In 1954, it is advertised[8] as R I with the Daiichi-Rapid shutter for ¥16,500 and R II with the Seikosha-Rapid for ¥18,500, together with the C I. The Daiichi-Rapid shutter is a renaming of the D.O.C.-Rapid, it is unclear if the R I exists with the old shutter name.
The Super Zenobia SR I, advertised in 1955[9], has a coupled rangefinder with front-cell focusing, a Neo-Hesper 75mm f:3.5 lens and the Daiichi-Rapid B, 1–500 synchronized shutter. "SR" certainly stands for Super Rangefinder. Its aspect is similar to the Zenobia R, but in place of the distance setting lever there is a knob whose usage is unknown.
The later Zenobia SR is advertised in 1956[10] by Zenobia Kōgaku for ¥14,000. It is intermittently called Super Zenobia SR and is similar to the SR I except that the shutter is now a Copal-MX with B, 1–300 speeds and that the knob on the right of the top housing has disappeared.
The last advertisements mentioned by Kokusan kamera no rekishi are dated 1957.
Notes
- ↑ Advertisement for the Zenobia C I and C II, published in the Apr 1952 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 570.
- ↑ All the prices mentioned include a case.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Zenobia H II, C I, C II, R and Zenobiaflex, published in the Mar 1953 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 573.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Zenobia R I, R II, C I and Zenobiaflex, published in the Apr 1954 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 572.
- ↑ March 1953 advertisement cited above.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Zenobia R, published in the June 1952 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 571.
- ↑ March 1953 advertisement cited above.
- ↑ April 1954 advertisement cited above.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Super Zenobia SR I and Zenobiaflex II, published in the May 1955 issue of Camera Mainichi, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 574.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Zenobia SR and Zenobiaflex F II, published in the June 1956 issue of Sankei Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 1324.
Printed 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 569–75 and 1324.
- 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). Page 239.
Links
In English:
- Zenobia at medfmt
- A post about the Zenobia at photo.net, with sample pictures
- A post about the Zenobia's shutters at the Classic Camera Repair Forum
In French:
In Japanese:
- Zenobia CI and Zenobia SR at Japan Family Camera
- Zenobia CI at Aya's Camera site
- Zenobia R page at La Chambre Claire
- Zenobia R with other folders at Puppy's Island
- Zenobia R repair notes at Takasaki Motohiro's camera site
- Zenobia: the photograph shows four folders with non-coupled rangefinders; clockwise from top left these are: Ofuna Six, Zenobia, Sisley 55 and Balm Six
