Difference between revisions of "Alfaflex"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (→Links: +1) |
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (a bit more on the lens names) |
||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
The Alfaflex is a regular copy of the [[Rolleicord]]. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth and the film advance is controlled by red window. The focusing and film advance knobs are on the photographer's right, and the focusing knob is surrounded by a depth-of-field scale. The back has a single red window in the middle, protected by a vertically sliding cover. There is a magnifying lens in the viewing hood but no sportsfinder. The name ''ALFAFLEX'' is inscribed on a nameplate above the front plate, and the company name ''ALFA'' or ''ALFA OPTICAL CO.'' is written in small characters underneath.<REF> ''ALFA'': example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 2050. ''ALFA OPTICAL CO.'': example observed in an online auction. </REF> | The Alfaflex is a regular copy of the [[Rolleicord]]. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth and the film advance is controlled by red window. The focusing and film advance knobs are on the photographer's right, and the focusing knob is surrounded by a depth-of-field scale. The back has a single red window in the middle, protected by a vertically sliding cover. There is a magnifying lens in the viewing hood but no sportsfinder. The name ''ALFAFLEX'' is inscribed on a nameplate above the front plate, and the company name ''ALFA'' or ''ALFA OPTICAL CO.'' is written in small characters underneath.<REF> ''ALFA'': example pictured in {{Sugiyama}}, item 2050. ''ALFA OPTICAL CO.'': example observed in an online auction. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | The shutter is a [[TSK]] giving B, 1–200 speeds. The release lever is directly placed under the shutter casing and the synch post is buried in the front standard at the bottom. The shutter is marked ''TSK'' on the speed rim and ''TOYO S.K.CO'' on the shutter plate, and it was surely made by [[Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The lenses are Alfa 7.5cm f/3.5 or S. Cosmo 7.5cm f/3.5. The Alfa are engraved ''ALFA 1:3.5 f=7.5cm No.xxxxx'' and the S. Cosmo are engraved ''S. COSMO 1:3.5 f=7.5cm ALFA Opt. Co. No.xxxxx.'' | ||
== Versions == | == Versions == | ||
| − | The Alfaflex was featured as a new product in the July 1952 issue of ''[[Ars Camera]].''<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 346. </REF> It was offered along with the [[Cosmoflex]] in an advertisement dated March 1953.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Shashin Salon]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 117. </REF> No price was indicated and the camera name was simply "Alfaflex" | + | The Alfaflex was featured as a new product in the July 1952 issue of ''[[Ars Camera]].''<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 346. </REF> It was offered along with the [[Cosmoflex]] in an advertisement dated March 1953, with S. Cosmo lenses.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Shashin Salon]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 117. </REF> No price was indicated and the camera name was simply "Alfaflex". |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | The Alfaflex was eventually superseded by the [[Cosmoflex]], a slightly improved model. | + | Some recent sources mention an Alfaflex I and Alfaflex II, certainly differing by the lens type (Alfa or S. Cosmo), but it is not sure that the distinction was made at the time.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 2050, presents an example with S. Cosmo lenses as an "Alfaflex II". Lewis, p. 80, briefly mentions an Alfaflex I and an Alfaflex II. [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ALFA_SPEC.htm This page at Japan Family Camera] says that the "original model" has Alfa lenses and that the "Alfaflex II" has S. Cosmo lenses and a self-timer. However no self-timer is visible on the cameras observed so far with S. Cosmo lenses. </REF> The Alfaflex was eventually superseded by the [[Cosmoflex]], a slightly improved model. |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 12:44, 21 May 2007
The Alfaflex (アルファフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made by Alfa Camera Seisakusho from mid-1952 to early 1954.[1]
Contents
Description
The Alfaflex is a regular copy of the Rolleicord. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth and the film advance is controlled by red window. The focusing and film advance knobs are on the photographer's right, and the focusing knob is surrounded by a depth-of-field scale. The back has a single red window in the middle, protected by a vertically sliding cover. There is a magnifying lens in the viewing hood but no sportsfinder. The name ALFAFLEX is inscribed on a nameplate above the front plate, and the company name ALFA or ALFA OPTICAL CO. is written in small characters underneath.[2]
The shutter is a TSK giving B, 1–200 speeds. The release lever is directly placed under the shutter casing and the synch post is buried in the front standard at the bottom. The shutter is marked TSK on the speed rim and TOYO S.K.CO on the shutter plate, and it was surely made by Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku.
The lenses are Alfa 7.5cm f/3.5 or S. Cosmo 7.5cm f/3.5. The Alfa are engraved ALFA 1:3.5 f=7.5cm No.xxxxx and the S. Cosmo are engraved S. COSMO 1:3.5 f=7.5cm ALFA Opt. Co. No.xxxxx.
Versions
The Alfaflex was featured as a new product in the July 1952 issue of Ars Camera.[3] It was offered along with the Cosmoflex in an advertisement dated March 1953, with S. Cosmo lenses.[4] No price was indicated and the camera name was simply "Alfaflex".
Some recent sources mention an Alfaflex I and Alfaflex II, certainly differing by the lens type (Alfa or S. Cosmo), but it is not sure that the distinction was made at the time.[5] The Alfaflex was eventually superseded by the Cosmoflex, a slightly improved model.
Notes
- ↑ Dates: advertisements and articles listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 346.
- ↑ ALFA: example pictured in Sugiyama, item 2050. ALFA OPTICAL CO.: example observed in an online auction.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 346.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Shashin Salon, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 117.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 2050, presents an example with S. Cosmo lenses as an "Alfaflex II". Lewis, p. 80, briefly mentions an Alfaflex I and an Alfaflex II. This page at Japan Family Camera says that the "original model" has Alfa lenses and that the "Alfaflex II" has S. Cosmo lenses and a self-timer. However no self-timer is visible on the cameras observed so far with S. Cosmo lenses.
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 374.
- 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. 80 (brief mention 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. 49.
- 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 2050.
Links
In Japanese:
- Alfaflex and sample pictures in Pempell's blog
- Alfaflex in Koujiya's blog
- Alfaflex specs at Japan Family Camera
