Difference between revisions of "Elbowflex"
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==Examples in the real world== | ==Examples in the real world== | ||
− | + | Some examples have also been observed that do not correspond to the descriptions above: | |
* one example corresponding to the description of the model IIIA except that it is equipped with Eleger Anastigmat 8.0cm/3.5 viewing & taking lenses, marked ''H.C.'' in red, surely for <U>H</U>ard <U>C</U>oated (a marking also observed on the Correct Anastigmat lenses of other examples);<ref>[http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ELBOW_PIC.htm This example], at [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ Japan Family Camera]. The logo has fallen from the finder hood.</ref> | * one example corresponding to the description of the model IIIA except that it is equipped with Eleger Anastigmat 8.0cm/3.5 viewing & taking lenses, marked ''H.C.'' in red, surely for <U>H</U>ard <U>C</U>oated (a marking also observed on the Correct Anastigmat lenses of other examples);<ref>[http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ELBOW_PIC.htm This example], at [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ Japan Family Camera]. The logo has fallen from the finder hood.</ref> | ||
− | * | + | * other examples corresponding to the description of the model II or IIB with a [[Rectus]] shutter (B, 1–300). This particular example, unlike others, has the serial number above the name plate.<ref>[http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Elbowflex.html This example], within the "[http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/index.html other Japanese]" page of [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/ tlr-cameras.com]. Another such example is pictured in {{McKeown}}, p. 262. </ref> |
At a Yahoo Japan auction, an example with exposure counter has been observed with a box and user manual. The box was labeled ''Elbow flex Model III'' — of course, a model identified above as ''lacking'' an exposure counter — and it was marked ''ELBOW CAMERA FIRM CO. LTD.'' in English. The user manual was marked Elbow Shōkai (エルボー商会). | At a Yahoo Japan auction, an example with exposure counter has been observed with a box and user manual. The box was labeled ''Elbow flex Model III'' — of course, a model identified above as ''lacking'' an exposure counter — and it was marked ''ELBOW CAMERA FIRM CO. LTD.'' in English. The user manual was marked Elbow Shōkai (エルボー商会). | ||
+ | |||
+ | There are some variations in the shape of the bottom latch and of the shutter release.<REF> Compare for example [http://minosan05.cocolog-nifty.com/syasin/2005/12/index.html this example at Minosan's blog] with [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ELBOW_PIC.htm this example at Japan Family Camera]. </REF> It seems that all the models have a synchro post at the bottom right of the left hand plate, none has been observed with a synchro post directly mounted on the shutter. | ||
==Prince Junior== | ==Prince Junior== | ||
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== Source/ further reading == | == Source/ further reading == | ||
− | *{{Showa10}} Items 406–408, 1133. (See also the advertisement for item 511.) | + | * {{Showa10}} Items 406–408, 1133. (See also the advertisement for item 511.) |
+ | * {{McKeown12}} P. 262. | ||
== External links == | == External links == |
Revision as of 19:18, 29 July 2006
The Elbow flex (エルボー・フレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR series, distributed by Elbow Camera Firm, which is unlikely to have been its manufacturer.
All models of the Elbow flex noted so far focus by moving the entire lens assembly, and have 80mm f/3.5 viewing and taking lenses.
Contents
Logo
The logo of an interlinked G and K (could be C and K, but G more probable) appears on the finder hood, ever-ready case, box and instruction manual of all the cameras observed, as well as on some of the advertisements for them.
The meaning of this logo remains obscure. No name starting with G has yet been linked with these cameras. C could stand for Cosmo (see below), but if so K would not be explained.[1]
Models as described in advertisements
The Elbow flex II has semi-automatic film advance, Correct Anastigmat 80/3.5 viewing and taking lenses, a magnifying glass, a TSK shutter (B, 1–200), self-timer, and flash synchronization. Japanese advertisements for it were placed in magazines dated March–August 1955; at least some of these specify Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku as the manufacturer and Elbow Shōkai as the distributor.[2]
The Elbow flex III is similar to the II other than using a red window for film advance and adding an accessory shoe. Advertisements for it appear in Japanese magazines dated April–August 1955, pricing it at ¥9,000.
The Elbow flex IIIA is the same as the III other than for its Ceres shutter (B, 1–300). An advertisement in a magazine dated September 1955 prices it at ¥9,500, specifies Kosumo Kamera (Cosmo Camera) Seisakusho as the manufacturer, names Elbow Shōkai without specifying its role (presumably distributor), and gives Zentsū and Nittō Shashin Yōhin as authorized dealers.[3]
The Elbow flex IIB is the same as the II other than for the Ceres shutter of the IIIA.[4] An advertisement for this, dated February 1956[5], names no manufacturer, merely naming Elbow Shōkai and, as authorized dealer, Zentsū.
No record of a Model I has been found yet.
Examples in the real world
Some examples have also been observed that do not correspond to the descriptions above:
- one example corresponding to the description of the model IIIA except that it is equipped with Eleger Anastigmat 8.0cm/3.5 viewing & taking lenses, marked H.C. in red, surely for Hard Coated (a marking also observed on the Correct Anastigmat lenses of other examples);[6]
- other examples corresponding to the description of the model II or IIB with a Rectus shutter (B, 1–300). This particular example, unlike others, has the serial number above the name plate.[7]
At a Yahoo Japan auction, an example with exposure counter has been observed with a box and user manual. The box was labeled Elbow flex Model III — of course, a model identified above as lacking an exposure counter — and it was marked ELBOW CAMERA FIRM CO. LTD. in English. The user manual was marked Elbow Shōkai (エルボー商会).
There are some variations in the shape of the bottom latch and of the shutter release.[8] It seems that all the models have a synchro post at the bottom right of the left hand plate, none has been observed with a synchro post directly mounted on the shutter.
Prince Junior
The Elbow flex with exposure counter is very similar to the Prince Junior camera, and they share the same TSK, Ceres and Rectus shutters.
Notes
- ↑ Further, the logo does not appear on the two advertisements within Kokusan kamera no rekishi (pp. 121, 136) that name Kosumo Kamera (Cosmo Camera) Seisakusho; only on the pair that do not (pp. 121, 224).
- ↑ The particular advertisement referred to was placed in the April 1955 issue of Camera Mainichi and is reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 121. These and the following specifications are from Kokusan kamera no rekishi (which does not mention any version or variant with an Eleger lens or Rectus shutter).
- ↑ Placed in Camera Mainichi and reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 121.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi mentions a variant with the TSK shutter; the difference between this and the II is unclear.
- ↑ Advertisement in the February 1956 issue of Camera Mainichi, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi p. 224.
- ↑ This example, at Japan Family Camera. The logo has fallen from the finder hood.
- ↑ This example, within the "other Japanese" page of tlr-cameras.com. Another such example is pictured in McKeown, p. 262.
- ↑ Compare for example this example at Minosan's blog with this example at Japan Family Camera.
Source/ further reading
- 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 406–408, 1133. (See also the advertisement for item 511.)
- 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. 262.
External links
In English:
In Japanese:
- Elbow flex (presumably Elbowflex II) at Minosan's blog
- Elbow flex and Elbow flex specifications at Japan Family Camera