The Eagle are Japanese folding bed cameras taking film plates, distributed by Asanuma Shōkai around 1915.[1] They were available in various formats, including meishi (5.5×8cm), tefuda (8×10.5cm), hagaki (8×14cm) and probably nimaigake (8×12cm).[2] In 1915, the tefuda model existed in three versions, called A (¥9.50), B (¥12) and C (¥18).[3]
The Eagle has a wooden body, with an oval nameplate on one side. It is focused by a small wheel on the right-hand side of the folding bed. There is a brilliant finder offset to the left and a handle at the top of the body.
The example pictured in Sugiyama and in Baird is said to take 8×10.5cm plates (tefuda format).[4] It reportedly has an Ilex Anastigmat 5¼in f/7.5 lens in a Universal shutter giving T, B, 1–150 speeds.[5] Its front standard is made of two pylons and seems to allow both vertical and horizontal movements (rise and shift).
The example pictured in this page at Asacame has a more modern front standard, again with rise and shift ability, and a bubble lever next to the brilliant finder. Its shutter is a Singlo by Gauthier, only giving I, B, T settings. Its aperture scale has 0, 8, 16, 32, 64 settings, perhaps in the older Uniform Scale.
An Eagle plate folder taking daylight loading 4×6cm sensitized material is also pictured in Sugiyama, but it is not known if it is related to the models sold by Asanuma Shōkai.[6] The shutter reportedly has O, B, I settings, and the name EAGLE is inscribed on the setting wheel. The shutter plate reads SPECIAL SHUTTER at the top and MADE IN JAPAN at the bottom. The lens is a simple meniscus and the aperture scale goes from 8 to 32.
References[]
- ↑ Attribution to Asanuma: Lewis, p.24, Sugiyama, item 1040. Date: Lewis, p.24, says 1915, and Sugiyama, item 1040, says 1917.
- ↑ Lewis, p.24. This source mentions 4×5in but this most certainly corresponds to nimaigake-size (8×12cm).
- ↑ Lewis, p.24.
- ↑ Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 1040, and in Baird, p.30.
- ↑ Lens and shutter: Sugiyama, item 1040.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 4034.
Bibliography[]
- Baird, John R. The Japanese Camera. Yakima, WA: Historical Camera Publications, 1990. ISBN 1-879561-02-6. P.30 (picture only).
- 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), ISBN 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.24.
- 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.85.
- 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. Items 1040 and 4034.
Links[]
In Japanese: