Difference between revisions of "Baby Flex"

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{{NeedPhotos}}{{Japanese roll film subminiature}}
{{Japanese subminiature}}
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The '''Baby Flex''' is a Japanese subminiature [[pseudo TLR]] made in the late 1940s or early 1950s, taking 14×14mm pictures on 17.5mm paper backed rollfilm.
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== Description ==
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The Baby Flex has the shape of a regular twin-lens reflex, but in a miniature form. The lens actually has fixed focus and aperture, and the camera is thus a [[pseudo TLR]].
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The film is advanced by a knob on the photographer's right. The L-shaped back is hinged to the top, and there is a simple latch at the bottom. The viewing hood has three ribs, and is released by a small button. The name ''Baby Flex'' is inscribed in relief on a plate in front of the viewfinder. The viewing lens has no marking, and the taking lens is a Sanko 20mm f/3.5.
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== Versions ==
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Two versions of the camera are known, differing by the shutter unit. The '''simple version''' has the same [[everset]] shutter as on the [[Peace and Micky|Peace III]], giving B and I settings.<REF> Example pictured in Pritchard, p.58. </REF> Its shutter plate is black with silver markings: ''PEACE'' at the top, and ''III R.K.'' at the bottom. The '''advanced version''' has a better cocking shutter, giving B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds selected by turning the rim.<REF> Example pictured in {{SUG}}, item 5011. </REF> Its shutter plate has ''Y.N.S.'' at the top and ''PEACE MOD. II'' at the bottom, inscribed in black on a clear background.
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== Origin ==
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The Baby Flex is clearly related to the [[Peace and Micky|Peace]], and was certainly made by the same manufacturer. It was also closely related to the [[Peace Baby Flex]], perhaps a successor. The Sanko lens might be related to the [[Sankō]] company, or to the Sanko 35mm lens of the [[Sun subminiature]] [[pseudo TLR]], or these name similarities might be coincidental.
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== Notes ==
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<references />
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
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* {{McKeown12}} P.87.
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* {{Pritchard}} Pp.58–9.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 5011.
 
* {{Zukan}} Item 5011.
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The Baby Flex is not listed in {{Kokusan}}.
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== Links ==
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In English:
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* [http://www.submin.com/17.5mm/collection/babyflex/baby_flex.htm Baby Flex] (text only) at [http://www.submin.com/ Submin.com]
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* Brief mention of the Baby Flex among [http://www.subclub.org/shop/175mm.htm 17.5mm film cameras] at [http://www.subclub.org/ Subclub.org]
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 17.5mm film]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 17.5mm film]]
 
[[Category: Japanese pseudo TLR]]
 
[[Category: Japanese pseudo TLR]]
 
[[Category: B]]
 
[[Category: B]]

Latest revision as of 06:19, 19 February 2015

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Japanese subminiature
on paper-backed roll film and round film (edit)
17.5mm film Arrow | Baby Flex | Baby-Max | Barlux | Beauty 14 | Bell 14 | Blondy | Baby Colon | Comex | Corona | Croma Color 16 | Epochs | Fuji Kozet | Gamma | Gem 16 | Gemflex | Glico Lighter | Halmat | Hit | Hit-II | Hit-type | Hobby 16 | Homer No.1 | Homer 16 | Honey | Hope | Jenic | Kiku 16 | Kent | Kolt | Kute | Lovely | Mascot | Meteor | Micky | Midget | Mighty | Mini | Moment | Mycro | Myracle | Nikkobaby | Peace | Peace Baby Flex | Peace Small Lef | Pet | Petit | Petty | Prince 16-A | Prince Ruby | Robin | New Rocket | Rubina | Rubix | Saga 16 | Saica | Septon Pen | Sholy-Flex | Snappy | Spy-14 | Sun | Sun B | Sun 16 | Sweet 16 | Tacker | Takka | Tone | Top Camera | Toyoca 16 | Toyoca Ace | Tsubame | Vesta | Vista | Vestkam
20mm film Guzzi | Mycroflex | Top
round film Evarax | Petal | Sakura Petal | Star
unknown Hallow | Lyravit | Tsubasa
cine film see Japanese cine film subminiature
110 film see Japanese 110 film

The Baby Flex is a Japanese subminiature pseudo TLR made in the late 1940s or early 1950s, taking 14×14mm pictures on 17.5mm paper backed rollfilm.

Description

The Baby Flex has the shape of a regular twin-lens reflex, but in a miniature form. The lens actually has fixed focus and aperture, and the camera is thus a pseudo TLR.

The film is advanced by a knob on the photographer's right. The L-shaped back is hinged to the top, and there is a simple latch at the bottom. The viewing hood has three ribs, and is released by a small button. The name Baby Flex is inscribed in relief on a plate in front of the viewfinder. The viewing lens has no marking, and the taking lens is a Sanko 20mm f/3.5.

Versions

Two versions of the camera are known, differing by the shutter unit. The simple version has the same everset shutter as on the Peace III, giving B and I settings.[1] Its shutter plate is black with silver markings: PEACE at the top, and III R.K. at the bottom. The advanced version has a better cocking shutter, giving B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds selected by turning the rim.[2] Its shutter plate has Y.N.S. at the top and PEACE MOD. II at the bottom, inscribed in black on a clear background.

Origin

The Baby Flex is clearly related to the Peace, and was certainly made by the same manufacturer. It was also closely related to the Peace Baby Flex, perhaps a successor. The Sanko lens might be related to the Sankō company, or to the Sanko 35mm lens of the Sun subminiature pseudo TLR, or these name similarities might be coincidental.

Notes

  1. Example pictured in Pritchard, p.58.
  2. Example pictured in Sugiyama, item 5011.

Bibliography

  • 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.87.
  • Pritchard, Michael and St. Denny, Douglas. Spy Cameras — A century of detective and subminiature cameras. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1993. ISBN 1-874485-00-3. Pp.58–9.
  • 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 5011.

The Baby Flex is not listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.

Links

In English: