Neat Reflex and Idea Reflex
The Neat Reflex are Japanese SLR cameras made from 1926 by Rokuoh-sha, the manufacturing branch of Konishiroku.[1] The Idea Reflex is an evolution of the Neat Reflex released in 1932.
(Another Idea Reflex was made in 1910. See Sakura Reflex Plano.)
Contents
The Neat Reflex
Description
The Neat Reflex (ニートレフレックス) has a boxy shape, inspired by English models such as the Thornton-Pickard Ruby Reflex, the Marion Soho Reflex or the Houghton Ensign Reflex. The front standard is mounted on a rack-and-pinion device, driven by a knob on the photographer's left; it allows vertical movements controlled by a lever actuated by the photographer's right hand. The lens is recessed inside the front standard and is protected by a flap hinged at the top. The main body has a large viewing hood hinged at the front. There is a focal plane shutter on the rear, wound by a key and controlled by a concentric disc; it reportedly gives B, T, 15–1000 speeds.[2] The manufacturer's name ROKUOH-SHA is inscribed below this winding key. The mirror is raised and the shutter is tripped by a lever on the right. There are strap lugs on both sides of the body. The back is revolving, allowing to take horizontal and vertical pictures.
Versions
The Neat Reflex was first released in 1926 in tefuda size (8×10.5cm).[3] An early advertisement or catalogue entry lists the following Voigtländer lenses: Dynar 150/5.5 (¥195), Heliar 150/4.5 (¥210), Heliar 180/4.5 (¥210) and Heliar 150/3.5 (¥265), and says that the camera could be supplied with Carl Zeiss lenses as well.[4]
The camera was released in 1928 in daimeishi size (6.5×9cm);[5] except for the size, it shows little difference from the tefuda model. The lens range was unified around the Tessar and Heliar, in f/4.5 and f/3.5 aperture.[6]
Advertisement in Asahi Camera September 1929. (Image rights) |
The tefuda model was advertised in the September 1929 and February 1930 issues of Asahi Camera.[7] The September 1929 advertisement says that the camera is a "new model" (新型), for some unknown reason. It boasts four main features: the camera's light weight, the self-capping shutter, the long bellows allowing to attach long focal lenses, and the revolving back. It mentions Heliar f/4.5 and Tessar f/4.5 lenses, but also says that any other lens can be mounted on the camera. The February 1930 advertisement again says that the camera is the "latest model" (最新型), but the picture shows no difference; the same is said of the Idea Spring, for equally unfounded reasons. It boasts approximately the same features, and mentions the Tessar f/4.5, Heliar f/4.5 and Heliar f/3.5 lenses.
Advertisement for the Idea Spring and Neat Reflex in Asahi Camera February 1930. (Image rights) |
The Idea Reflex
The Idea Reflex (アイデアレフレックス) was a continuation of the Neat Reflex, released in 1932. It has a new shutter control panel, with a knob at the top replacing both the winding key and the speed setting disc, and a lever underneath, perhaps switching from Bulb to Instant settings.[8] It is also said that the range of speeds was extended by the addition of 1/8.[9] The camera was reportedly offered with a Tessar 135/4.5, Heliar 135/4.5 or Heliar 135/3.5 lens in tefuda size, and with a Tessar 105/4.5, Heliar 105/4.5 or Heliar 105/3.8 in daimeishi size.[10]
Notes
- ↑ McKeown, p.537, classifies the Neat Reflex under "R. Konishi & Co." after Sugiyama, implying that this is not the same company as the later Konica, but this is a mistake.
- ↑ Shutter speeds: Tanaka, p.34 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, Sugiyama, item 2017.
- ↑ Date: Tanaka, p.34 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, camera list of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website. Sugiyama, item 2017, says 1929 but this is apparently a mistake.
- ↑ Advertisement or catalogue entry reproduced in this page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website.
- ↑ Date: Tanaka, p.34 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Tanaka, p.34 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera September 1929, p.A1 and February 1930, p.A1.
- ↑ See the picture reproduced in this page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website, and Tanaka, p.35 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ Tanaka, p.35 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10.
- ↑ See this page of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website. Tanaka, p.35 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.10, does not mention the f/3.5 and f/3.8 lenses.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ). Advertisements by Konishiroku Honten in September 1929 (p.A1) and February 1930 (p.A1).
- 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.35–6 and 47.
- 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.537.
- Shinohara. (篠原慈昆). "'Nīto' de 'ni-to' ... monogatari" (「ニート」で'に〜と'・・・物語り, Account of the 'Neat'). In Camera Collectors' News no.255 (September 1998). Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha. Pp.19–25.
- 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. Item 2017.
- Tanaka Masao (田中政雄). "Konica history 4. Taishō 12-nen – Shōwa 8-nen." (Konica history 4. 大正12年–昭和8年. From Taishō year 12 (1923) to Shōwa year 8 (1933).) Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.10, September 1987. No ISBN number. Konishiroku kamera no rekishi (小西六カメラの歴史, special issue on Konishiroku). Pp.33–8. (See also the cover page of the magazine.)
Links
In Japanese:
- Neat Reflex (tefuda) in the Akahiro Camera Museum
- Neat Reflex (tefuda) in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- Neat Reflex and Idea Reflex (1932) in the camera list of the R. Konishi Rokuoh-sha website
Konishiroku prewar and wartime cameras ( ) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
plate | hand cameras | stereo hand cameras | strut folders | box | telephoto | SLR |
Idea (original) | Idea A | Idea B | Idea Snap | Idea No.1 | Idea (metal) | Lily (original) | Lily (horizontal) | Lily (metal) | Tropical Lily | Noble | Ohca | Sakura Palace | Sakura Pocket Prano | Sakura Prano | Idea Binocular | Sakura Binocular Prano | Minimum Idea | Idea Spring | Korok | Champion | Cherry | Sakura Army | Sakura Honor | Sakura Navy | Idea Telephoto | Idea Reflex (1910 and 1911) | Idea Reflex (1932) | Neat Reflex | Sakura Reflex Prano | |
rollfilm | folders | box or collapsible | TLR | |||
Pearlette | Special Pearlette | B Pearlette | Pearl (for plates and rollfilm) | Pearl No.2 | Pearl (Year 8) | Baby Pearl | Semi Pearl | Sakura Palace | Record | Sakura (box) | Sakura (bakelite) | Sakura-flex |