Dorisflex
The Dorisflex is a Japanese 6×6 TLR, made by Doris Camera and released in 1954 or 1955.[1]
General description
The Dorisflex is a simple and boxy TLR. The front elements of the taking and viewing lenses are geared together for focusing, with a tab on the taking lens to help turning. There is an advance knob on the top right and no exposure counter. Film advance is probably controlled by red windows. The viewing hood contains a sportsfinder and a loupe.[2]
Evolution
The original Dorisflex has a Delta 80/3.5 lens and a Prestar[3] synchronized shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer). It was priced ¥8,900 in May 1955.[4]
The Dorisflex A[5] has a Delta C 80/3.5 lens and the lens bezels are black instead of chrome. The shutter is a Helio (B, 10–200, self-timer), synchronized via a PC post and engraved HELIO in the speed rim. An advertisement dated October 1955[6] mentions the price of ¥6,000, but it is unclear if it applies to the Dorisflex A or to the Doris IA folder advertised together.
Notes
- ↑ Date: all the advertisements mentioned by Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 356, are dated 1955 but Lewis, p. 88, and this page at Japan Family Camera both say that the Dorisflex was released in 1954.
- ↑ Description based on advertising pictures and an example observed at a Yahoo Japan auction.
- ↑ Inferred from the katakana プレスター.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 153.
- ↑ Simply called "Dorisflex" in McKeown, p. 250.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 153.
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 638–9.
- 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. 88 (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. 250.
Links
In English:
- Dorisflex within this Japanese miscellanea page at tlr-cameras.com
In Japanese:
- Dorisflex specs at Japan Family Camera (contains mistakes)
