Minoltaflex (I)
See also the Minoltaflex Automat and the postwar Minoltaflex II and III.
The Minoltaflex (later termed the Minoltaflex I) is a TLR (twin lens reflex) camera for 120 film made by Chiyoda Kōgaku (later Minolta) and introduced in December 1937. It has unit focusing, and protection against double exposure.
The (silver) nameplate is simply marked Minolta.[1] The camera has a Compur or a Crown II shutter (T, B, 1–300) and a Promar 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens.
Minoltaflex in the October 1941 catalogue by Asanuma Shōkai. (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ Like the Minoltaflex Automat, it is referred to in advertising as ミノルタフレックス (Minorutafurekkusu), obviously a compound of "Minolta" and "flex". The decision whether to refer to this as "Minoltaflex" or "Minolta Flex" — one word or two — is rather arbitrary.
Further reading
- 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 279, 280, 921–4. (See also the picture on p.13.)
- The Japanese Historical Camera. 2nd ed. Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2004. Pp.33, 60.
- Yoshikawa Hayao (吉川速男). Watakushi no Minorutafurekkusu (私のミノルタフレックス, My Minoltaflex). Tokyo: Genkōsha, 1951.
Links
In English:
In Japanese:
- Minoltaflex (I) in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- Minoltaflex (I) at TLR milestone
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