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Japanese Semi (4.5×6)
Postwar models (edit)
folding
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The Rosen is a Japanese 4.5×6 folding camera, perhaps made by JID in the early 1950s and perhaps related to the Kigawa Tsubasa Semi. It is known from a single surviving example.[1]

See also the prewar and wartime Semi Rosen, a completely different camera.

Description[]

The camera is a vertical folder, with three-part folding struts copied from the Ikonta. The body shell made of sheet steel is very similar to the Tsubasa Semi, as well as the back door, front door and folding struts. It is possible that these parts were supplied by Kigawa and only slightly modified for the Rosen. The folding struts have a round JID logo engraved, probably corresponding to the JID company. The front door is hinged on the camera's right-hand side, the reverse of the usual configuration. The shutter release in placed outside, as on the Pearl I and II, and is tripped by the right hand finger. The back is hinged to the right and is locked by a sliding bar on the left. It contains a single red window at the top right, protected by a horizontally sliding cover.

The top housing is not the same as on the Tsubasa Semi, but its style is nonetheless similar. The viewfinder is placed in the middle. There is a pair of black lines extending on both sides of the finder window, inspired by the Pearl (I–III) and by the Tsubasa Semi F. They are repeated at the rear on both sides of the eyepiece. The advance knob is at the left end, and the folding bed release is placed nearby. There is an accessory shoe at the right end. The name Rosen is inscribed on the centre part, together with a serial number. There are patches of leatherette around the advance knob and accessory shoe. The name Rosen is repeated at the front of the leather ever-ready case.

On the example observed, with body no.26896, the shutter is an NKS with B, 1–200 speeds and a self-timer, synchronized via two pins at the bottom right. The lens is a Daguerre 75mm f/3.5, with no.16288. The same lens is found on the Rectaflex TLR made by Kigawa, with similar numbers in the 16xxx range, a further hint that the camera was related to Kigawa.

Notes[]

  1. Example observed in an online auction.

Bibliography[]

The Rosen is not listed in Sugiyama or Kokusan kamera no rekishi.

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