Dorimaflex
The Dorimaflex (ドリマフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made in 1952–3 by Tōkyō Kōki. This company also announced the Dorima Six 6×6 folder in 1954.
General description
The Dorimaflex is a copy of the Ricohflex VI. It has externally geared lenses for focusing, and the distance scale and depth-of-field indications are engraved on the upper lens. The viewing hood contains a large magnifying lens. The film is advanced by a knob on the photographer's right. The advance is controlled by a red window in the back, protected by a vertically sliding cover.
The lenses are Dorima Special 8.0cm f/3.5, and the marking has a red C indicating lens coating. The shutter is of the setting type and the release lever is attached to the shutter casing itself.
Body variations
The Dorimaflex presents a number of variations. On some cameras, the back door consists of a single panel hinged at the top and locked by a latch at the bottom, as on the Ricohflex. It contains a rectangular red window. Other examples have an L-shaped back styled after more expensive TLR models, containing a round red window.
Commercial life
The Dorimaflex was advertised in Japanese magazines dated August 1952 to May 1953, and was featured in the February 1953 issue of Photo Art.[1] The January 1953 advertisement in Asahi Camera, placed by the distributor Sanwa Shōkai, lists a number of versions (the prices include the case):
- Dorimaflex AII AL: B, 1–200 speeds, self-timer, Albada finder, ¥13,000;
- Dorimaflex AII: B, 1–200, self-timer, no Albada, ¥12,500;
- Dorimaflex A: B, 1–200, no self-timer, no Albada, ¥11,500;
- Dorimaflex B AL: B, 25–200, no self-timer, Albada finder, ¥10,500;
- Dorimaflex B: B, 25–200, no self-timer, no Albada, ¥10,000.
Notes
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.356.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7. Item 640.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). Pp.80 and 88 (brief mentions only).
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.927.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Items 2086–8.
Links
In English:
- Dorimaflex among other Japanese TLRs in Barry Toogood's tlr-cameras.com
In Japanese: