Walcon Semi

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Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Postwar models (edit)
folding
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rigid or collapsible
Semi Dak | Semi Hobix | Super Semi Plum | Rocket Camera | Tomy
Prewar and wartime models ->
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo models ->
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 4.5×6 and older 6×9 ->

The Walcon (ワルコン) or Walcon Semi (ワルコン・セミ) is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera sold by Walz in 1954 and 1955.

See also the 6×6 folder called Walcon 6.

Description

The Walcon Semi is based on the contemporary Zenobia C made by Daiichi Kōgaku, with a different lens and shutter.[1] The top housing is slightly modified, with slightly smoother contours. The advance knob is different too. There is a film reminder dial on the right end of the top housing, replacing the rotating depth-of-field indicator of the Zenobia C. A WALCON logo is embossed in the back leather and engraved above the viewfinder. The serial number is engraved behind the top housing, it seems that the two first digits indicate the year of production.[2]

The Walcon Semi has a Kominar 75/3.5 front-cell focusing lens made by Nittō Kōgaku and a Copal B, 1–300 synchronized shutter with self-timer and PC socket. The aperture is set by an index above the shutter housing and the depth-of-field scale is on the shutter plate.

Advertising

An advertisement dated August 1954[3] calls the camera "Walcon" while advertisements dated November 1954[4] and March 1955[5] call it "Walcon Semi". These advertisements are illustrated with stylish drawings of young women and in the two first ones, the Walcon is presented as a smart camera for ladies. The camera was priced ¥11,000, case included.

Notes

  1. No source has been found to confirm this, but it is obvious from pictures of the two cameras.
  2. An example observed in an online auction shows a faintly readable serial number that seems to begin with 54.
  3. Advertisement in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.215. The same advertisement is visible here in the Shashin-Bako website.
  4. Advertisement in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.215.
  5. Advertisement in Camera Mainichi, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.215.

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 1058. (See also the advertisements for items 1057 and 1059.)
  • Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.86 (brief mention only).

Links

In Japanese:

Timeline

<-Okada Daiichi and Zenobia timeline (edit)
Type 1950s
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
                                                                     
4.5×6 folder viewfinder Zenobia P Zenobia M
Zenobia C
rebadged versions: Union Semi Walcon Semi
Zenobia H
uncoupled rangefinder Zenobia R
coupled rangefinder Super Zenobia SR-I Super Zenobia SR
6×6 TLR knob advance Zenobiaflex Zenobiaflex II Zenobiaflex F-II
crank advance Zenobiaflex
Automat
35mm rangefinder f/2.8 Zenobia 35 Zenobia 35
F2.8
f/2 Zenobia 35 F2
Leica copy Ichicon-35
Company: Daiichi Kōgaku ... Zenobia Kōgaku
Cameras whose actual existence is dubious are in a lighter shade.
Cameras in yellow are variants sold and maybe assembled by other companies.