Mejiro Kogaku
Est. 1956
Mejiro Kogaku
Mejiro Kogaku was a Japanese camera manufacturer associated with the first Honor 35 mm rangefinder cameras. Period literature names Mejiro as manufacturer during the early part of Honor production, while later documentation names Zuiho. LeicaLensList separates Mejiro Kogaku from Zuiho so early Honor S1 attribution can follow documented production identity without erasing the later Zuiho succession.
History
Honor Introduction
The Honor camera appeared in 1956. Early cameras are marked Honor Opt. and period references identify Mejiro Kogaku as manufacturer. The precise relationship between the Honor brand, Mejiro and the sales organization is incompletely documented.
Transition to Zuiho
By about 1958, literature increasingly identified Zuiho rather than Mejiro. Sources suggest a succession, absorption or transfer of the camera operation, but the exact legal arrangement remains uncertain.
Short Production Period
The Honor range entered a market already moving toward combined finders, lever advance and single-lens reflex cameras. Production remained limited and the Mejiro name did not develop into a large independent camera system.
Product Lines
Honor S1
The Honor S1 is a Leica-inspired 35 mm coupled rangefinder with separate viewing and focusing windows, knob wind, a removable back and Leica 39 mm screw mount. Early and later versions differ in maker marking and shutter-speed progression.
Technical Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Company type | Japanese camera manufacturer |
| Historic base | Japan |
| Principal camera | Honor S1 |
| Lens mount | Leica Thread Mount, LTM, L39, M39 |
| Related identity | Honor Opt., later Zuiho |
| Documented kit lenses | Konica Hexar and Hexanon standard lenses |
| Collector caution | Attribute early and late Honor cameras from markings and period evidence |
Market Reception
Mejiro-made Honor cameras are scarce and historically relevant examples of the smaller Japanese Leica-copy makers. Collectors should record the exact top-plate wording, shutter sequence, serial number and supplied lens. A later Zuiho-marked camera should remain under Zuiho rather than being assigned to Mejiro solely because the body resembles an early Honor S1.
Sources
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