You are here:

Cameras/Old Unknown Camera

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/15/2005


Question
Hello,
  I have an old camera that I have been searching all over the internet to identify - to little avail. The most that I have been able to learn about it is that its most likely an old roll-film camera. It is also a folding camera that does not look exactly like any other I have seen on any of the many websites I've visited. In an attempt to identify its brand, the only markings that it has to that effect are simply the words "Union Model-U" atop the viewfinder and "Union" pressed into the black leather-covered metal body. I found it also with a worn leather case that says "Crystar SEMI". Inside the leather case is also the name "Richard Meier". Can you please help me identify this piece, and hopefully learn a little history about it. Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi,

There were several versions of the "Union" camera, the model C-II is actually the most common, but the same description covers all of them.  The Union is a compact (or "semi") folding bellows camera, made by Union Optical Company of Japan in the 1950's, for 2 1/4 x 1 5/8 inch exposures on #120 roll film.  Most of the ones I've seen over the years have a Coonar lens in a Copal shutter, but there are other combinations as well.  In truly excellent condition, a Union would sell for about $75 in the collectible camera market today.  That case is for a completely different camera (the Crystar Semi made in the 1950's by Crystar Optical Company of Japan), but an identical design, so it doesn't surprise me if it fits the Union perfectly.  There were MANY similar cameras made by dozens of Japanese companies back then, most of them had "semi" as part of their name (indicating they made a smaller than full size exposure on that #120 film), and it's common to find them today mixed up with the wrong cases.

Best wishes,

David Silver

Cameras

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

David Silver

Expertise

I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.

Experience

I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:

http://www.photographyhistory.com


©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.