Saneidō (from right to left). (Image rights)

Saneidō was a Japanese distributor based in Tokyo, active in the 1920s and early 1930s. Its main address from 1921 to 1930 was Kanda Suda-chō (神田須田町); from 1932, it was Kanda-ku Saeki-chō (神田区佐柄木町).^[1] It used the brand name Royal for various photographic products.

Advertisement for the tubular finder, published in the June 1932 issue of Asahi Camera. (Image rights)

Contents 1 Distributed cameras 2 Accessories 3 Imported cameras distributed by Saneidō 4 Field cameras 5 Other advertisements 6 Notes 7 Bibliography

Distributed cameras Edit

• Mikuni (c.1928)^[2]
• Speed Reflex (c.1927)^[3]
• Photoman Special Reflex (c.1925)^[4]
• New Argus (c.1924)^[5]

Accessories Edit

• Royal enlarger (c.1924)^[5]
• Royal soft focus lens, for tefuda and for meishi size (c.1924)^[5]
• Royal magnesium flash unit (c.1924–8)^[6]
• accessory tubular finder, to attach to the side of a strut-folding 4×6.5cm camera such as the Pearlette or Vest Pocket Kodak, sold ¥2 in 1932^[7]

Imported cameras distributed by Saneidō Edit

• Vest Pocket Kodak (c.1924)^[5]
• Bob I (c.1924)^[5]
• Bobette (c.1927)^[8]
• Roll Tenax (c.1924)^[5]

Field cameras Edit

The advertisement by Saneidō in the May 1927 issue of Ars Camera mentions an "unprecedented bargain sale" of field cameras. It lists two different models:

• a Tokyo-built kabine size model, for professionals, including a four-stage tripod and three double-sided plate holders:
  • with double extension bellows, normally at ¥45, lowered to ¥33;
  • with triple extension bellows, normally at ¥50, lowered to ¥35;
  • in mahogany colour and special finish, with double extension bellows, normally at ¥53, lowered to ¥38;
• the ES No.7 (ES七號型) in tefuda size, for amateurs, with a large 4×3¾in lens standard, including a four-stage tripod, three double-sided plate holders and one film pack holder:
  • with double extension bellows, normally at ¥54, lowered to ¥39;
  • with triple extension bellows, normally at ¥70, lowered to ¥49.

The advertising picture shows the ES No.7.

Advertisement by Saneidō in Ars Camera May 1927, showing field cameras . (Image rights)

Other advertisements Edit

Advertisements by Saneidō in Ars Camera November 1924. (Image rights)

Advertisements by Saneidō in Asahi Camera February 1930 (left) and June 1932 (right). (Image rights)

Advertisement by Saneidō in Shashin Salon January 1934. (Image rights)

Notes Edit

1. ↑ Advertisements in Ars Camera September 1921, February 1922 and November 1924, in Asahi Camera February 1930 (p.A25) and June 1932 (p.A24), and in Shashin Salon January 1934.
2. ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera March 1928 (p.A20).
3. ↑ Advertisement in Ars Camera February 1927.
4. ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera September 1925, reproduced in Baird, p.40.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5} Advertisement in Ars Camera November 1924.
6. ↑ Advertisements in Ars Camera November 1924 and Asahi Camera March 1928 (p.A20).
7. ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera June 1932 (p.A24).
8. ↑ Advertisement in Ars Camera February 1927.

Bibliography Edit

• Ars Camera. Advertisements by Saneidō in September 1921, February 1922, November 1924, February and May 1927. No page numbers.
• Asahi Camera. Advertisement by Saneidō in March 1928 (p.A20), February 1930 (p.A25) and June 1932 (p.A24).
• Baird, John R. Collectors guide to Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras. Grantsburg, WI (USA): Centennial Photo Service, 1991. ISBN 0-931838-16-9. P.40.
• Shashin Salon. Advertisement by Saneidō in January 1934. No page number.