Sociedad Ibero-Americana de la Historia de la Fotografia Museo Fotográfico y Archivo Historico "Adolfo Alexander"
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Historic Japanese SLR (2)

- Chapter II – 1959 – Present -

Part Three

The Golden Age Phase 1959- 1990

In this phase, Japanese constructors targeted the highest technological levels, first with mechanical cameras and after with electronic gears. This made two currents of consumers. The mechanical fans became on prejudice once making electronic devices cost less to manufacturers, and are more profitable , no matter electronic devices have a shorter life and often cannot be fixed. Indubitably, an exhibition of the manufacturer’s capabilities, unhappily in the next phase (1990 up to now) this characteristic is lost and each manufacturer is technologically growing on dependence each other, killing all inventiveness and skillfulness by applying computer techniques and production robotization.

 

 

-1959-

 

   ゼンザブロニカ・デラックス ニッコールP･C 75mmF2.8

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Zenza Bronica Deluxe

Maker:

Bronica Camera Co.

Mfg Year:

1959

Lens:

Nikkor P 2.8/75mm

Shutter:

Focal plane 1 to 1/1250

Film type and format:

6x6 on 120 film

Comments:

Patterned after the Hasselblad, This camera had its own mechanics with an ingenious shutter with THREE curtains. One is used to close viewfinder screen. The mirror was also divided in two pieces. Half part swings up, half swings down. This enabled using short focal lenses without mirror problems. The same advance knob was used to change speeds and lens focusing.

This was sure the most complex SLR ever designed.

 

 

-1960-

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Komaflex S

Maker:

Kowa Optical Works

Mfg Year:

1960

Lens:

Prominar 2.8/65mm

Shutter:

Seikosha SLV  B 1 to 1/500

Film type and format:

4x4 on 127 film

Comments:

This camera was an evolution of the previous Kowa/ Kowaflex 35mm cameras and used patent rights of Metz Mecaflex camera of Dr, Kilfitt. This camera was used as a pre-series study of the future Professional Kowa-Six.

 

 

-1967-

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Konica SF

Maker:

Konishiroku

Mfg Year:

1967

Lens:

Hexanon 2.8/80mm

Shutter:

Electronic Copal Metal vertical focal plane B 1 to 1/1000

Film type and format:

4.5x6 on 120 film

Comments:

Interchangeable lenses and finders. Lens mount  compatible with Hasselblad. The lenses for the Hasselblad can be directly mounted on the Konica SF and used in manual exposure mode only. The dedicated SF lenses have an additional pin for auto-exposure operation, and no built-in shutter.

The knob film advance has provision for motor-drive

World’s first medium-format SLR to have automatic exposure

 

-1968-

Artistic view according to descriptions

Characteristics:

Name:

Minolta SR66

Maker:

180 degrees, provides a circular image (not a full-frame image) on 35mm film

Mfg Year:

1968

Lens:

Rokkor PF  2.8/80mm

Shutter:

Focal-plane shutter with electronic control 30 sec to 1/1000

Film type and format:

6x6 on 120 film

Comments:

 Lens, film back and finder are interchangeable.

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Rittreck 6X6 220

Maker:

Musashino Koki

Mfg Year:

1968

Lens:

Rittron 2.0/80mm

Shutter:

Focal plane 1 to 1/500 +B

Film type and format:

6x6 on 220 film

Comments:

This camera was marketed under several names Norita, Graflex/Norita and Warner 66

 

 

 IMG_8228.jpg

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Kowa/Six

Maker:

Kowa Optical Works

Mfg Year:

1968

Lens:

Kowa 2.8/85mm

Shutter:

Seiko SLV 1 to 1/500 + B

Film type and format:

6x6 on 120 or 220 film

Comments:

Kowa keep targeting the professional and high-level amateur photographers

 

-1969-

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Asahi Pentax 67

Maker:

Asahi Optical Co.

Mfg Year:

1969

Lens:

Super Takumar 2.4/105mm

Shutter:

Electronic controlled focal plane 1 to 1/1000

Film type and format:

6x7 on 120 or 220 film

Comments:

First medium format with electronic shutter

 

 

-1970-

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Mamiya RB 67

Maker:

Mamiya Optical Co.

Mfg Year:

1970

Lens:

Mamiya Sekor 3.8/127mm

Shutter:

Seiko SLV between the lens 1 to 1/400 and T

Film type and format:

7x7 for 6x7 format in revolving back 120 & 220 films

Comments:

New format following the same technical rules of Kowa Six 6x6 camera

 

 

-1976-

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Mamiya M645 1000S

Maker:

Mamiya Optical Co.

Mfg Year:

1976

Lens:

Mamiya Sekor 1.9/80mm

Shutter:

Electronic focal plane shutter 8 sec to 1/1000

Film type and format:

4.5x6 on 120 or 220 film

Comments:

After the success of the RB 67 Mamiya decided to go to the  4.5x6 economic format. Now with electronic shutter.

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Bronica ETR

Maker:

Bronica Camera Co..

Mfg Year:

1976

Lens:

Zenzanon PE 2.8/75mm

Shutter:

Electronic controlled SEIKO#0 8 sec to 1/500 T, B.

Film type and format:

4.5x6 on 120 or 220 film

Comments:

Bronica entry in 4.5x6 format. The most popular type

 

 

-1982-

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Mamiya RZ 67

Maker:

Mamiya Optical Co.

Mfg Year:

1982

Lens:

Mamiya Sekor 3.5/100mm

Shutter:

Electronic controlled SEIKO#0 15 sec to 1/500 T, B

Film type and format:

7x7 for 6x7 format in revolving back 120 & 220 films

Comments:

Evolution of the former Mamiya RB 67

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Bronica GS-1

Maker:

Bronica Camera Co..

Mfg Year:

1983

Lens:

Zenzanon PG 3.5/100mm

Shutter:

Electronic controlled SEIKO#0 15 sec to 1/500 T, B and auto exposure in each lens.

Film type and format:

6x7 on 120 or 220 film

Comments:

First 6x7 Bronica

 

 

-1984-

 

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Asahi Pentax 645

Maker:

Asahi Optical Co.

Mfg Year:

1984

Lens:

SMC Pentax A 645 2.8/75mm

Shutter:

Focal plane  15 sec to 1/1000 and auto exposure

Film type and format:

4.5x6 on 120 or 220 film

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Mamiya M645 PRO TL

Maker:

Mamiya Optical Co.

Mfg Year:

1984

Lens:

Mamiya Sekor 2.8/80mm

Shutter:

Focal plane  15 sec to 1/1000 and auto exposure

Film type and format:

4.5x6 on 120 or 220 film

Comments:

Evolution of the Mamiya M645 1000S

 

 

 

XXXXX  

 

 

 

Part Four

 

The Uncertain Future 1990 - ????

 

Finally it arrived the computer age. Freezing together man’s capabilities. No more inventions no more developments – The computer does all. - Not exactly as privileged minds wants –No more skills –No more dedications –No more motivations – No more enthusiasm. The camera and the computer do this for us. Probably the end of the photography as the artist tool or the perfection skill of a man. Human values are down. Salute to electronic machines! Salute to the mediocrity!

 

 

 

-1998-

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Contax 645

Maker:

Kyocera Co.

Mfg Year:

1998

Lens:

Planar 2/80 (Zeiss)

Shutter:

Focal plane Electronic controlled 32 sec to 1/4000

Film type and format:

4.5x6 120/220 film

Comments:

First and last attempt of Zeiss –Kyocera in a medium format camera with auto focus. After the beginning of the production, in 2005 Kyocera gave-up in producing cameras,

Auto focus, Motorized film transport, Vacuum pressure plate, View of controls through viewfinder.

 

-2000-

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Fuji 680

Maker:

Fuji Photo Film Co.

Mfg Year:

2000

Lens:

Fuji 680 100mm F4 and others

Shutter:

In lens electronic shutter 1/400 to 8s, B

Film type and format:

Revolving back from horizontal to vertical position. 6x8, 6x7, 6x6,  6x4.5 on 120 or 220 film and digital back. Optional Polaroid film back using 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 film.

Comments:

Fuji 7.2V, 350 milliamp nicad battery pack (requires charger). Auto film advance (1.0 fps)

 

 

 

-2004-

 

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Mamiya ZD

Maker:

Mamiya Optical Co.

Mfg Year:

2004

Lens:

Mamiya Sekor 2.8/80mm AF lens

Shutter:

Electronic Focal plane 30 minutes to 1/4000

Film type and format:

Digital 4.5x6 format

Comments:

Integrated digital back system 22 M pixel sensor

 

 

-2005-

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Hasselblad H 3

Maker:

Fuji Photo Film Co.

Mfg Year:

2005

Lens:

HC 2.8/80mm (Fuji)

Shutter:

Seiko in lens electronic 18 sec to 1/800

Film type and format:

DSLR camera system with 39 mio. pixel sensor, HVD90x full frame viewfinder, 2.2"OLED image display, rechargeable battery grip and charger, 2 GB CF card, FireWire cable, and FlexColor software.

Comments:

This camera has also a 120 film insert for 4.5x6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristics:

Name:

Pentax 645 D

Maker:

Asahi Optical Co.

Mfg Year:

2006

Lens:

SMC Pentax A 645 2.8/75mm

Shutter:

Focal plane  15 sec to 1/1000 and auto exposure

Film type and format:

Complete digital 4.5x6 format

Comments:

Reedition of the original Pentax 645 now with integrated digital system 20 M pixel sensor

 

 

XXXXX                 ....to be continued

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