Kiko Flex

Japanese 6×6 TLR

Prewar and wartime models (edit)
6×6cm	Elmoflex \| First Reflex \| Kiko Flex \| Lyra Flex \| Minoltaflex \| Minoltaflex Automat \| Minoltaflex military prototype \| Nōman Flex \| Ostenflex \| Prince Flex \| Ricohflex (original) \| Ricohflex B \| Rollekonter \| Roll-o-Frex \| Rorter Ref \| Rorterflex \| Sakura-flex \| Simpuflex \| Starflex \| Taroflex \| Valflex \| Yokusanflex
Postwar models and other TLR ->
Pseudo TLR and medium format SLR ->
Other Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->

The Kiko Flex (キコーフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made in 1943 by the company Kigawa Seimitsu, and distributed by Kikō Shōji.

It is advertised in 1943^[1] for ¥305 with an Erinar 75/3.5 lens and a Kikō Compur^[2] T, B, 1–300 shutter.

The name plate is written KIKO FLEX. The front plate moves back and forth for focusing. The knob advance and focusing knob are grouped together on the right hand side. The advertisement speaks of a body release and there is a button under the focusing knob that could act as such. On the same side, there is a small hole, near the finder, that could be an exposure counter.

The advertisement is the only source of information, and no example seems to have surfaced yet.

Notes

↑ Advertisement for the Kiko Flex, published in the July 1943 issue of Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 58.
↑ Roman version inferred from the katakana キコーコンパー.

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 58.