Elmoflex

This is a work in progress.

The Elmoflex (エルモフレックス) is a series of Japanese 6×6cm TLR cameras, made by Elmo from 1942 to 1956.

General description

All the Elmoflex have the same general configuration and body casting. The front plate is moved back and forth for focusing, and is driven by a knob on the photographer's right. The film advance automatically stops at each exposure. The advance knob is on the same side as the focus knob, and there is a round exposure counter window at the top of the side plate. The auto-stop mechanism is engaged by a sliding button between the two knobs, and is unlocked after each exposure by pressing the middle part of the advance knob.

The L-shaped back is hinged at the top, and there are two film flanges on the camera's left side. There are short black-painted strap attachments on each side, whose shape was unchanged throughout the camera's production.

Early models

Wartime introduction

The Elmo company claims that the Elmoflex was introduced in 1938. However no original document has been found to confirm this early release date. The camera is notably not mentioned in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941.

Conversely, the earliest document showing the camera is an advertisement in the Japanese magazine Shashin Bunka, dated October 1942. The motto is "Birth of an all new TLR" (二眼レフの最新鋭機誕生), and the document states that "the Elmoflex, awaited by the photographers, is coming" (写真人待望のエルモフレックス出来): these are strong indications that the camera was actually released that year. The advertisement was placed by the distributor Fukada Shōkai. It mentions an f/3.5 lens and slow speeds to 1s, and gives the price of ¥292.

The Elmoflex was intermittently advertised in the same magazine until September 1943. The February 1943 advertisement, again by Fukada, specifies that the camera has a K.O.L. Anastigmat 75/3.5 lens and an Elmo shutter (1–200, self-timer), at an unchanged price.

The government inquiry on Japanese camera production, compiled in April 1943, mentions the Elmoflex with a K.O.L. Elmo 75/3.5 three-element lens and an Orient A shutter by Tōyō Kōki Seizō (1–200, T, B, self-timer). The Elmo shutter was perhaps a rebadged version of the latter.

Immediate postwar period

Elmoflex, second nameplate design, NKS shutter, Lausar f/3.5 lens, in Photo Art December 1949. (Image rights)

The production of the Elmoflex restarted immediately after the war, in 1946. It is said that the "Elmoflex I" was priced at ¥10,710 in September 1947. At least one recent source reports various models released in the second half of the 1940s: the "Elmoflex Junior IA and IS" in 1948, and the "IA, IS, II and IIIB" in 1949. Other than the III-B described below, details of these models are unknown. They were perhaps produced for export only, and rarely appear in Japanese magazines of the period. The only original document found so far is a brief mention in Photo Art December 1949, showing an Elmoflex with Tomioka Lausar f/3.5 taking lens and an NKS shutter to 1/200.

Actual examples

Common features

The Elmoflex III-B and all subsequent models received the Seikosha-Rapid shutter. Conversely, the examples found with lesser shutter specifications surely correspond to earlier models.

The viewing hood of the early cameras contains a magnifying lens hinged to the rear and a mirror behind the front part, which can be slanted at 45 degrees for eye-level focusing. The image projected through the eyepiece is reverted upside-down and left-right, and this viewing method is quite inconvenient.

Underneath the camera, the back latch is the same as on early Rolleicord models. There is a red window on its left, protected by a sliding cover, to set the position of the first exposure.

First nameplate

The oldest cameras observed so far have the first nameplate design, inscribed ELMOFLEX in block letters and MADE IN NIPPON ELMO COMPANY underneath, with a winged ELMO logo in the middle. Two variants of this nameplate are known: one has the ELMOFLEX in heavy block letters, surrounded by the two attachment screws, the other has the same marking in thinner letters, with the two screws under "E" and "X".

These examples either have a K.O.L. Elmo Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5 or a Tomioka Lausar 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens. Various sources, mostly based on Sugiyama's book, say that the "Elmoflex I", dated 1943, has K.O.L. lenses whereas the "Elmoflex Junior", dated 1947, has Lausar lenses. No original document has been found yet to confirm this. The exposure table attached to the camera's back is certainly a reliable distinguishing feature between wartime and postwar models: those examples with a table in Japanese language were certainly made during the war, and those with a table in English language were certainly assembled after 1945.

The K.O.L. taking lens is normally paired with an identical viewing lens. At least one camera, pictured in McKeown with K.O.L. lenses and heavy ELMOFLEX marking, has an unnamed shutter with 200–1, T, B speeds and a self-timer. The speed scale and aperture scale (to f/25) are directly inscribed on the black shutter plate, which has a winged ELMO marking at the bottom; the rotating rim is thin and has no name. This might correspond to the Orient A or "Elmo" shutter mentioned in the 1943 documents. Another similar camera is pictured in Neco's Collection, but lacks the shutter plate and speed rim.

Another example with K.O.L. lenses, pictured in Sugiyama as a wartime camera, has the thin ELMOFLEX marking and an NKS shutter (B, 1–200), with no self-timer. The outer rim is engraved NKS TOKYO, and the black front plate has the same winged ELMO marking and an aperture scale to f/16 on the side. A similar camera has been observed with an exposure table in English language at the rear.

Examples with a Lausar taking lens have a similar NKS shutter (with NKS TOKYO), and exist with either variant of the first nameplate design. At least one has an exposure table in English language, surely indicating postwar manufacture.

Second nameplate

Early Elmoflex, second nameplate design, NKS shutter, Tomioka Lausar 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens no.2220xx, f/3 viewing lens. Pictures courtesy of eBayer 4dogsracing. (Image rights)

Early Elmoflex, second nameplate design, NKS shutter, Takatiho Zuiko 7.5cm f/3.5 lens. Picture courtesy of Pacific Rim Camera. (Image rights)

More recent cameras have the second nameplate design, inscribed ELMOFLEX in block letters, with the screws under the "E" and "X" letters, and ELMO COMPANY below, surrounded by a pattern of bars and tildes. The above camera has a Lausar 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens and an NKS shutter (marked NKS TOKYO); its viewing lens is a 7.5cm f/3, perhaps made by Tomioka too. It is extremely similar to the camera pictured in Photo Art December 1949 (see above). Another camera is known to have a pair of Lausar f/3.5 lenses.

Other cameras with the second nameplate have a Zuiko 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens, inscribed Takatiho Tokyo on the rim. The viewing lens is an Elmo Elzer (or Elzar) Anastigmat 7.5cm f/2.9. The shutter is an NKS (B, 1–200), normally without the TOKYO marking, sometimes equipped with a self-timer. Some cameras from that period, such as that pictured on the right, have the front standard in plain metal instead of black finish. At about the same time, the small latch retaining the viewing hood on earlier cameras was replaced by a more robust sliding bar.

Elmoflex III

All the later Elmoflex models have a four-element Olympus Zuiko 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens and a Seikosha-Rapid shutter giving B, 1–500 speeds.

Elmoflex III-B

The first model of the next series is the Elmoflex III-B — there is no record of a plain "Elmoflex III". It was announced in the June 1950 issue of Ars Camera, where it was apparently mentioned as "for export only". This model is still very close to the earlier cameras. There is no release button on the front plate, and the shutter is cocked and tripped by a dual-function lever at the bottom.

The Elmoflex III-B pictured in Sugiyama has the second nameplate design. It has an Olympus Zuiko Coated 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens, and its viewing lens is an Olympus Viewer 7.5cm f/3.5 — certainly a cheaper three-element design.

Elmoflex III-C

Elmoflex III-C in the 1951 camera annual by Nihon Camera. (Image rights)

The Elmoflex III-C mainly differs by the addition of a body release at the bottom of the front standard, tripped by the photographer's left hand fingers and maybe surrounded by a shutter lock. It is said that the focusing mechanism was made smoother too. It has the third nameplate design: the Elmoflex name is written in fancy rounded letters, with ELMO COMPANY in thin block letters underneath, surrounded by three small stars on each side.

Elmoflex III-C in Photo Art January 1951. (Image rights)

The new model appears in the 1951 camera annual by Nihon Camera (dated October 1950), where it is pictured with an Olympus Zuiko Coated taking lens and no logo on the viewing hood. It is also briefly featured in the January 1951 issue of Photo Art. Both documents mention the price of ¥29,500.

The example pictured in Sugiyama has an ELMO logo on the viewing hood. Its taking lens is an Olympus Zuiko C. 7.5cm f/3.5, and its viewing lens is the same Olympus Viewer as on the III-B.

Elmoflex III-D

The Elmoflex III-D has an additional flash synch socket on the front standard, opposite the release button, replacing the small depression for a cable release head found on earlier cameras. (Some examples are found with a sort of adapter plugged into the synch socket, perhaps used to connect the original flashgun offered by Elmo.)

The new model was advertised in Japanese magazines from March 1951. The early cameras have the same nameplate as the III-C, notably visible in the advertisement in Asahi Camera April 1951. They have an Olympus Zuiko C. taking lens (with red C.) and an Olympus Viewer viewing lens; the serial numbers of the pair are usually close together. The first examples have a plain front standard, with no decorative pattern around the lenses; one of these has a pair of lenses in the 83xxx range. Slightly later examples have a black striated pattern around the viewing lens, which would stay on all subsequent models until the III-F; lens numbers for these cameras are known in the 101xxx and 102xxx range.

The late cameras have the fourth nameplate design, with stepped sides and an ELMOFLEX name in relief, whose letters "E" and "X" are joined by a line. Some examples still have the Olympus Zuiko C. and Olympus Viewer combination, while others have a pair of Olympus Zuiko F.C. Lens numbers have been observed in the 101xxx to 103xxx and 141xxx to 143xxx range.

The earliest documents showing the new nameplate are reportedly dated August 1951. The October 1951 issue of Camera Fan reproduced below gives the price as ¥32,500 (including the case, synch terminal and lens cap) and mentions a flashgun for ¥4,250. It lists various authorized dealers: Hattori Tokei-ten, Misuzu Shōkai and Matsuzakaya. The December 1951 supplement to Photo Art gives the price as ¥37,000, case included.

Elmoflex III-D in Camera Fan October 1951. (Image rights)	Elmoflex III-D in the December 1951 supplement to Photo Art. (Image rights)

Elmoflex III-E

The Elmoflex III-E has a more robust back latch, copied on contemporary Rolleicord models. The depth-of-field scale around the focusing knob is modified, and is chrome finished with a more modern look. There is a screw thread (akin to a tripod thread) and a small hole added to the left side, to attach a dedicated flashgun. Moreover, the decorative pattern around the viewing lens has an added chrome strip.

June 1952.	July 1952.	August and September 1952.
Advertisements in Shashin Kōgyō. (Image rights)

The Elmoflex III-E was first announced and advertised in April 1952. The advertisements reproduced above are in the June to September 1952 issues of Shashin Kōgyō; that dated July mistakenly shows a picture of a III-D.

The early cameras have the same nameplate as the late III-D. This feature appears in the early advertisements, and on at least one surviving example.

Regular cameras have the fifth nameplate design, with a different underline of the ELMOFLEX name, separate from the "E" and "X" letters, and the body serial number inscribed in small characters underneath. Body numbers are known in the 35xxxx range, and lens numbers have been observed in the 14xxxx, 37xxxx and 38xxxx range.

Elmoflex III-F

Elmoflex III-F. Picture by Elmo Alves. (Image rights)

The Elmoflex III-F, released in August 1953, has a sports finder inside the viewing hood, with a folding flap at the front and a square eyepiece on the rear. The round eyepiece for eye-level focusing is smaller than on previous models, and the magnifying lens is now hinged to the front of the hood.

Elmoflex V and VI

Elmoflex VI-M. Picture by itsathird. (Image rights)

Bibliography

Original documents

• Camera Fan October 1951. "Kokusan kamera daitokushū" (国産カメラ大特集, Large special issue on Japanese cameras). Pp.25–44.
• "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Item 116.
• "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. The Elmoflex does not appear in this document.
• Nihon Camera special issue Kamera Nenkan 1951-nenban (カメラ年鑑1951年版, Camera annual, 1951 edition). October 1950. P.7.
• Photo Art December 1949. "Ōru kokusan kamera" (オール国産カメラ, All of Japanese cameras). P.41.
• Photo Art no.20, January 1951. "Kokusan kamera no kentō" (国産カメラの検討, Inquiry on Japanese cameras). Pp.36–40.
• Sakaki Yoshinobu (榊由信), of the Elmo company. "Erumofurekkusu" (エルモフレックス, Elmoflex). In Shashin Kōgyō no.12, May 1953. Pp.244–5.
• Photo Art 12-gatsu-gō furoku Saishin Kokusan Shashinki Sō-katarogu (フォトアート12月號附録最新国産写真機総カタログ, General catalogue of the latest Japanese cameras, supplement to the December issue). December 1951. P.12.
• Shashin Kōgyō. Advertisements by Elmo-sha:
  • no.1, June 1952, p.4;
  • no.2, July 1952, p.8;
  • no.3, August 1952, p.5;
  • no.4, September 1952, p.49.
• Shashin Kōgyō no.28, September 1954. "Erumofurekkusu V-gata" (エルモフレックスV型, Elmoflex V). P.179.
• Shashin Kōgyō no.31, January 1955. "Kokusan kamera sōran" (日本のカメラ全貌・二眼レフカメラ・スプリングカメラ, Panorama of Japanese cameras). P.62.

Recent sources

• 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 29, 411–7 and 1134. (See also the advertisement for item 156.)
• 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). Pp.60, 62–3, 67, 71, 80, 82 and 87.
• 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.263.
• 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. Items 2006 and 2098–104.
• Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten (私の二眼レフカメラ展, Exhibition of twin lens reflex cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.27.

Links

In English:

• Elmoflex page in Barry Toogood's tlr-cameras.com
• Elmoflex in the camera page of Patty Moussali's website (some pictures of the website were taken with the Elmoflex)
• Elmo company profile (pdf format), at mrelmo.co.uk (mentioning the Elmoflex as released in 1938)

In Japanese:

• Elmoflex at Neco's camera collection:
  • Early Elmoflex with K.O.L. Elmo (referenced as an "Elmoflex I"), with other pictures here and here
  • Early Elmoflex with Lausar (referenced as an "Elmoflex Junior"), with other pictures here
  • Elmoflex III-D (referenced as a III-E)
  • Elmoflex V
  • Elmoflex cases
• Elmoflex III-D and Elmoflex V at TLR Milestone
• Elmoflex III-F at Puppy's Island
• Elmoflex repair notes at Kan's Room
• Elmoflex at Chotto Pinboke
• Elmoflex III-F at Doru's bar blog
• Elmoflex in a TLR page in Diwa's photo site
• Elmoflex III-F at Otowa no nigan-refu
• Elmoflex specifications at Japan Family Camera
• Elmoflex at Shashin wo tanoshimu
• Pictures taken with an Elmoflex at Nobuo Honda's website
• Advertisement for the Elmoflex dated 1954, reproduced in Shashin-Bako
• Chronology in the Elmo official website (mentioning the Elmoflex as released in 1938)