Crown (6×6)
The Crown is a Japanese 6×6 folder made in the 1950s, probably made by a company called Tōken.[1]
Description
The Crown is a horizontal folder and has straight diagonal struts. The film is advanced by a knob placed at the left end of the top plate, as seen by the photographer, and the advance is certainly controlled via a red window.
The viewfinder is contained in a top housing, which is incurved towards the right. There is an accessory shoe at the right end. A button is visible to the left of the viewfinder, probably used to open the folding bed.
It seems that the shutter release is some sort of lever placed on the right, alongside the bed's opening. The back is hinged to the right and the back latch consists of a long sliding bar.
Surviving examples
The Crown is an extremely rare camera. One surviving example is pictured in Sugiyama, where it is called "Crown Modal-III", probably after the engraving on the top plate.[2] The shutter gives B, 1–200 speeds, has an ASA synch socket and no visible marking. The lens is a Seriter Anastigmat 80mm f/3.5.
Another camera is pictured in this page, with Crown Modal.III engraved on the top housing. The name "Token" is reportedly engraved on the front door, and the camera comes with a brown case embossed TOKEN at the front.[3]
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| Crown Modal.III. The arrow next to the advance knob was probably added with a marker. Picture by remediate.this. (Image rights) |
Notes
Bibliography
- 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.922.
- 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. Item 1289.
The camera is not listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.
Links
In English:
- Other Flickr image and description by remediate.this
