The Vester Klapp (ベスタークラップ, besutā kurappu) is a Japanese 6.5×9cm strut-folding camera, made by Ginrei in the 1930s. The camera is called "Vesta Klapp" by various modern sources,[1] but the name Vester and a serial number is engraved above the lens, and the company Ginrei was using the brand name Vester for most of its products before 1945.
Description[]
The Vester Klapp was inspired by the Ernemann Klapp. The rectangular front standard is mounted on four straight folding struts, mounted by pairs on spring-loaded axis. The lens is a Vengor or Venner Special 105/4.5, mounted on a focusing helical and surrounded by a sort of hood. It was probably made by Ginrei itself.
The rear part of the camera contains a vertically travelling focal-plane shutter, wound and set by a large knob on the photographer's right, giving T, B, 10–500 speeds.[2] The release button protrudes at the front of the right-hand side plate, and there is a thread for a cable release just below. There is a leather handle on the photographer's left, helping to hold the camera. There is a folding Newton viewfinder at the top, copied on that of the Ernemann Klapp, and a viewing bead hinged above the lens.
Commercial life[]
The camera was featured as the Vester Klapp D (ベスタークラップD型) in the September 1936 issue of Asahi Camera, and was advertised as such in the January 1936 issue of Ars Camera.[3] In the advertisement, the camera is said to be "made by G.R.C. Gōmei" (G.R.C.合名製造), and the price is given as ¥135, with a Vengor 105/4.5 lens and T, B, 10–500 shutter speeds.[4]
The only surviving example observed so far is shown in Sugiyama;[5] it is indistinguishable from the model pictured in the advertisement. It is presented as an "early version" dating from 1931, but this date is dubious. It has an Anastigmat Vengor 105mm f/4.5 lens, surrounded by an aperture ring graduated from 4.5 to 22 and inscribed Vester N°447 at the top.
The Vester Klapp H (ベスタークラップH型) was advertised in the October 1936 issue of Camera Club and in the November 1936 issue of Asahi Camera.[6] The November advertisement says that the focusing system was improved for smoother operation, and the pictures show some sort of wheel next to the lens.[7] The price is given as ¥120, with a Venner Special f/4.5. The camera was supplied with three plate holders, a film pack holder and an ever-ready case, for use with film packs only. Various authorized dealers are listed in the advertisement: Konishiroku Honten, Asanuma Shōkai, Misuzu Shōkai, Yamashita Shōten, Hagi Kōgyō Bōeki and Mizuno Shashinki-ten.
No surviving example of the Vester Klapp H has been observed so far.
Notes[]
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.340; Sugiyama, item 1259; McKeown, p.345.
- ↑ Shutter speeds: Sugiyama, item 1259, only says B, 10–500; the January 1936 advertisement for the Vester Klapp D reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92, says T, B, 10–500.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.340.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 1259.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.340.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.92. The bottom pictured is upside down in the original advertisement.
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 235–6.
- 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.345.
- 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 1259.
Links[]
In Japanese:
- Advertisement for the Vester Klapp dated May 1936 reproduced in Nostalgic Camera, a page by Toshio Inamura.