Edinex
Early Edinex or Adrette, Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar 1:2,9/50 in Prontor II shutter. Picture by Paddan. (Image rights) |
The Edinex range of viewfinder cameras for 35mm film was made by Gebr. Wirgin in Wiesbaden. The first model was introduced c.1935 in Europe, and c.1936 in the US.[1][2]The same camera was later sold by Adox as the Adrette, released in the late 1930s, after the Wirgin brothers had left Germany and the Wirgin company had been absorbed into Adox.[3] Following World War II Wirgin regained control of the manufacture of these cameras and reverted back to the Edinex name.
In the US (and possibly other markets), the cameras were initially released under the names Midget Marvel and Candid Midget.[4][5] The use of the name Midget Marvel continued for some versions of the camera in the US until at least the 1950s.[6][7]
The Cameras were quite compact since their characteristic bodies were thinner between the film chambers, in addition to the use of a pull-out lens barrel with a pair of pull-out grips. Expensive models of the early Edinex and Adrette were offered with unit focusing and fast lenses, while cheaper models had slower front cell focusing lenses. In both cases, the lens and shutter unit is mounted on the telescopic tube.
The cameras were produced from the mid-1930s until possibly as late as the 1960s. Brand-new camera kits were still being offered for sale by camera shops as late as 1965.[8] Over the years that this camera was produced it was offered with a wide range of different lenses and shutters, and certain minor body changes were made.
Compur-Rapid shutter on Edinex III Pictures by Ricardo Inada. (Image rights) |
Early Edinex, Schneider Xenon 4.5cm f/2, Compur-Rapid shutter. Pictures by herrschmidtke. (Image rights) |
A Japanese Walz rangefinder is mounted on the accessory post. |
Early Edinex, Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar 5cm 1:2,9 in Compur shutter. Images by yalluflex. (Image rights) |
Edinex-0 (black), Schneider Krauznach Radionar f2.9/5cm lens Images by yalluflex. (Image rights) |
Production of the camera was resumed after World War II. The exposure counter was modified and a body release was added c.1949.[9] In the early 1950s, the viewfinder was integrated in a small housing, with an accessory shoe replacing the cylindrical post of earlier models. This version was made with a body release as the Edinex I, and without as the Edinex II.[10] Some cameras from that period have a hinged door on the back, to make film loading easier. The early models of the Edinex have a special accessory mount on top between viewfinder and exposure counter.
Edinex I, Edinar 1:4.5/50mm lens, shutter speeds 1/25,1/50,1/100,1/125. Picture by camera1739. (Image rights) |
Edinex II, similar Edinar lens, more versatile Prontor-S shutter. Picture by Rick Soloway. (Image rights) |
The Edinex III has a coupled rangefinder and unit focusing. It was made with and without an accessory shoe.
Edinex III, Rodenstock Heligon 50mm f/2, Compur-Rapid shutter. Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. (Image rights) |
The Edinex III-S is a less advanced version of the Edinex III, with separate eyepieces for the view and rangefinder.
Edinex III-S, Pronto shutter. Pictures by eBayer Yalluflex. (Image rights) |
The last version of the Edinex, released c.1953,[11] has a fixed lens tube and an additional fairing at the front of the body, joining the characteristic grips on both sides. The example pictured below has a Pronto four-speed shutter and a 4.2cm f/2.8 Culminar lens with a focusing scale in feet combined with a depth-of-field scale.
Late Edinex, Wirgin Edinar 43mm f/3.5, Vario shutter (B, 25, 75, 200). Pictures by Daniel T. Jones. (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ McKeown, p.1001, says c.1935. Some websites, including a prior version of this page, say 1927, but this seems way too early.
- ↑ "Cameras of the 1930's", Delaware Valley Photographic Collectors Association, 1977; reprinted page from "The Camera" magazine, December 1936. This page from an original 1936 publication, reproduced in its entirety in 1977, includes the full description of the camera as introduced in the US in 1936, and verifies most of the critical information about the early versions of this camera.
- ↑ McKeown, p.10. Some websites, including a prior version of this page, say 1934, but this is perhaps a mistake.
- ↑ "Cameras of the 1930's", Delaware Valley Photographic Collectors Association, 1977; reprinted page from "The Camera" magazine, December 1936.
- ↑ Popular Photography, May 1938
- ↑ McKeown's, 1997/98
- ↑ Photography Directory, 1954
- ↑ Brooks Camera Directory, New York, 1965
- ↑ McKeown, p.1001.
- ↑ McKeown, pp.1001–2.
- ↑ McKeown, p.1002.
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). Pp.10 and 1001–2.
Links
In English
- Wirgin Edinex II page at Camera Portraits
In French:
- Wirgin Edinex and Edinex II on www.collection-appareils.com by Sylvain Halgand