Graceflex

Japanese 6×6 TLR

Postwar models (A–L)
6×7cm	Koni-Omegaflex M
6×6cm A–L (edit)	Accuraflex \| Aires Automat \| Airesflex \| Aires Reflex \| Akumiflex \| Alfaflex \| Alpenflex \| Amiflex \| Autoflex \| Beautyflex \| Bikor-Flex \| Bioflex \| Companion \| Copenflex \| Cosmoflex \| Crown Flex \| Crystar Flex \| Crystar 25 \| Dorimaflex \| Dorisflex \| Easternflex \| Echoflex \| Eicaflex \| Elbowflex \| Elegaflex \| Eleger Reflex \| Elicaflex \| Elizaflex \| Elmoflex \| Firstflex \| Fodorflex \| Fujicaflex \| Geltoflex \| Gnoflex \| Graceflex \| Halma Auto \| Halma Flex \| Hobiflex \| Honorflex \| Isocaflex \| Itohflex \| Kalloflex \| Kallovex \| Koniflex \| Krimsoflex \| Larkflex \| Laurelflex \| Luminaflex \| Lustreflex \| Lyraflex
Prewar and wartime models and postwar models (M–Z) ->
Other TLR, pseudo TLR and medium format SLR ->
Other Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->

The Graceflex^[1] is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made in 1952 by the company Kigawa Kōgaku^[2].

It is the successor of the Tubasaflex and is similar to the last Tubasaflex I and II versions, with the later strap lugs. The main change is the shape and colour of the front plate, now all black, with a depression to leave place for a soft shutter release. The synch connector, of the ASA bayonet type, is protruding from the front plate instead of being directly mounted on the shutter housing. Of course the name plate has changed too, it is now all metal and written GRACEFLEX.

It is advertised in 1952^[3] with a Bessel 80/3.5 coated lens and a KKK synchronized shutter, in two variants: the Graceflex I with B, 10–200 speeds, and the Graceflex II with the same speeds and a self-timer.^[4] On these models, the shutter release is mounted on the right hand plate, like on the late Tubasaflex I and II. The advertisements also mention that this camera is equipped with a big loupe, it indeed looks bigger than the one equipping the Tubasaflex.^[5]

A variant of the Graceflex II has been observed with a different shutter release, located on the right hand side of the front plate, instead of the right hand plate.^[6] Another variant has been observed with the same shutter release and a big focusing tab on the taking lens.^[7]

Notes

↑ The name is written in uppercase in one word on the cameras. In the advertisements it is sometimes written グレース　フレックス with a space between Grace and Flex.
↑ It is attributed to a company called Daitoh in this page at photographica-world.de, but this is surely a mistake, explained in the company's page.
↑ Advertisement for the Tsubasa Semi F1, F2, F3 and Graceflex I, II, published in the January 1952 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 503. — Advertisement for the Graceflex I, II and Tsubasa Semi F1, F2, F3, published in the January 1952 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 606.
↑ One such model is pictured in McKeown.
↑ Comparing the back pictures of the Graceflex and Tubasaflex Junior published in McKeown.
↑ This example in the www.tlr-cameras.com website.
↑ Example observed in an online auction.

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. Items 503 and 606.
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). P. 75 (brief mention only).