Difference between revisions of "Firstflex"
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The '''Firstflex''' are Japanese 6×6cm TLR cameras for 120 film,, made by [[Tokiwa Seiki]] in about 1951-55,<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p922-3.</ref> with the viewing and taking lenses linked by external gear-teeth. McKeown lists several models, describing them as cheaply made: | The '''Firstflex''' are Japanese 6×6cm TLR cameras for 120 film,, made by [[Tokiwa Seiki]] in about 1951-55,<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p922-3.</ref> with the viewing and taking lenses linked by external gear-teeth. McKeown lists several models, describing them as cheaply made: | ||
| − | * Firstflex I (1951): First Anastigmat 80 mm f/3.5. Unidentified shutter, 1/10 - 1/200 second plus B, synchronised with an ASA bayonet. Nameplate in upright capitals, chrome-on-black. A very similar camera is named the '''Kenflex'''. | + | * Firstflex I (1951): First Anastigmat 80 mm f/3.5. Unidentified shutter, 1/10 - 1/200 second plus B, synchronised with an ASA bayonet. Nameplate in upright capitals, chrome-on-black. A very similar camera is named the '''Kenflex''' (pictured below). |
| − | * Firstflex II (1951): First anastigmat as above, shutter speeds 1/5 - 1/200 second, plus B, synchronised with an ASA bayonet, now on the camera body. Nameplate in italic capitals (as illustrated below), the same style as that of the Kenflex . | + | * Firstflex II (1951): First anastigmat as above, shutter speeds 1/5 - 1/200 second, plus B, synchronised with an ASA bayonet, now on the camera body. Nameplate in italic capitals (as illustrated below), the same text style as that of the Kenflex. |
* Firstflex II (1952): Lens now engraved as a ''Special'' First Anastigmat (but still 80 mm f/3.5), in an MSK-II shutter, with speeds 1 - 1/400 second, plus B, still synchronised with an ASA bayonet, now once again mounted on the shutter. Embossed chrome nameplate. Focusing hood incorporates an eye-level [[viewfinder#Albada finder|Albada finder]]. | * Firstflex II (1952): Lens now engraved as a ''Special'' First Anastigmat (but still 80 mm f/3.5), in an MSK-II shutter, with speeds 1 - 1/400 second, plus B, still synchronised with an ASA bayonet, now once again mounted on the shutter. Embossed chrome nameplate. Focusing hood incorporates an eye-level [[viewfinder#Albada finder|Albada finder]]. | ||
* Popular Firstflex PII (1953): Special First Anastigmat, in unidentified shutter with speeds 1/10 - 1/200 second, plus B. | * Popular Firstflex PII (1953): Special First Anastigmat, in unidentified shutter with speeds 1/10 - 1/200 second, plus B. | ||
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Revision as of 14:36, 2 September 2012
This article is a stub. You can help Camera-wiki.org by expanding it.
See also the Firstflex 35 SLR models.
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| Two Firstflexes. The camera on the left matches the specification of the Firstflex I, except for the style of the nameplate. The low serial number also suggests an early type. That on the right is a 1952 Firstflex II with Albada finder (missing its leatherette surround). image by Graustark (Image rights) |
The Firstflex are Japanese 6×6cm TLR cameras for 120 film,, made by Tokiwa Seiki in about 1951-55,[1] with the viewing and taking lenses linked by external gear-teeth. McKeown lists several models, describing them as cheaply made:
- Firstflex I (1951): First Anastigmat 80 mm f/3.5. Unidentified shutter, 1/10 - 1/200 second plus B, synchronised with an ASA bayonet. Nameplate in upright capitals, chrome-on-black. A very similar camera is named the Kenflex (pictured below).
- Firstflex II (1951): First anastigmat as above, shutter speeds 1/5 - 1/200 second, plus B, synchronised with an ASA bayonet, now on the camera body. Nameplate in italic capitals (as illustrated below), the same text style as that of the Kenflex.
- Firstflex II (1952): Lens now engraved as a Special First Anastigmat (but still 80 mm f/3.5), in an MSK-II shutter, with speeds 1 - 1/400 second, plus B, still synchronised with an ASA bayonet, now once again mounted on the shutter. Embossed chrome nameplate. Focusing hood incorporates an eye-level Albada finder.
- Popular Firstflex PII (1953): Special First Anastigmat, in unidentified shutter with speeds 1/10 - 1/200 second, plus B.
- Firstflex LIII (1955): First Anastigmat in MSK-II shutter; very much like the 1952 camera, but without the Albada finder.
All the cameras use a winding knob for advancing the film, with a red window in the back, with a sliding cover.
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Notes
- ↑ 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). p922-3.
Bibliography
- 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
- Firstflex among First TLR cameras on Barry Toogood's tlr-cameras.com
