The (Super) Zenobia SR is a 120 film folding rangefinder camera, 4.5 x 6 format,
first
issued in 1955 by Daiichi Kōgaku, later Zenobia Kōgaku, Tokyo. It was built until 1957 and there are several variants.
The
camera shown is a late model of the SR series, most probably the
intermediate Super Zenobia model from 1956. It has the Daiichi Rapid
shutter from the SR I, it's marked "Super-Zenobia" on the focus ring
and has all the other features from the latest Zenobia SR. It's one of
the smallest and lightest rangefinder cameras for 120
film and it's quite rare.
Size (mm): 122 x 100 x 48 Weight: 580 g Lens: Neo-Hesper 3,5/75, closest focus 0.9 m Shutter: Daiichi Rapid, B, 1 - 1/500, F 3.5 - 22 variant: Copal MX Finder: coupled rangefinder Film advance: red window
Here
are some photos of the camera. As it's a 4.5 x 6, you have to turn the
camera by 90° for ordinary landscape format. In consequence it unfolds
sideways. There is a short introduction to the use of it and how it
feels at the bottom of the page.
Camera
front closed. Top: viewfinder window,
rangefinder window, shutter release button and film wind knob.
Seen
from the back. Film wind and viewer on top.
Seen from the bottom. Opening button and ripod socket.
Seen from above.
Camera
front open. Focusing ring first, then speed setting ring around the
lens. Focusing ring just turns, movements are inside the lens.
Seen
from above of the camera bed, camera open. From front: focusing ring, speed setting ring, shutter
cocking lever and aperture
control.
Seen from the bottom, camera open.
Seen from the top, camera open.
Camera back open.
Genuine leather case, closed. The little pouch contains a shade and a filter.
Leather case open.
Just to show how small it is:
A roll of film.
With one of the smallest ultra-compact 135 film cameras.
Handling
a Super Zenobia is very easy, it's just like
other folding rangefinders, everything is where it should be. Loading
film is as usual. Open the
camera back and put the
film roll into its place, just retract
the spool
shaft at the bottom of the camera. Same
procedure for the take-up spool. Insert the film
paper
backing
into the spool and advance it using the knob, until it's well
engaged. Close the camera back. Then move the film via the red window
to "1".
Open
the camera.
Cock the shutter, set speed and aperture. Set focus by turning the focus ring, it has a kind of knob, easy to use. Press the
shutter release on the camera top. That's it. Advance film with the help of the red window to the next number. To
close the camera, press the hinges of the struts as
usual, it will fold easily.
The Super Zenobia is a very nice, very small, but sturdy camera, easy to use. It's
one of the tiniest 120 film cameras and one of the lightest with
rangefinder. Unfortunately it lacks automatic film advance which I find very useful. It fits easily into your coat or suit pocket, which makes it easier to carry around than most of the other 120 film folders.
Super Zenobia
580
122 x 100 x 48
C
RW
Neo-Hesper 3,5/75
| 0,9
Daiichi Rapid, B 1 - 1/500 | 22
I
also own two Zenobia C models, which I bought before I could put my
hands on a Super Zenobia and a Pearl III, both very rare. They are
simpler and quite common. They have a good Hesper 3.5/75 lens, a very
good shutter and, as far as I know, they are very reliable. In my
opinion they are a very good value. They are a copy of the famous
Ikonta A, but with a better viewer, more modern shutters and very good
lenses as well. They are fun to use.
