Difference between revisions of "Foth-Flex"
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| − | {{ | + | <div class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 25px 15px;"> |
| − | + | {{Flickr_image | |
| + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/pipa-pipa/5543260387/in/pool-camerawiki/ | ||
| + | |image= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5057/5543260387_e823177abb.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= | ||
| + | |image_text= Foth-Flex II with f/2.5 lenses, showing the focus lever (right<br/>of the picture), and aperture control (left of the taking lens). | ||
| + | |image_by= pipa pipa | ||
| + | |image_rights= wp | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | </div> | ||
| − | The '''Foth-Flex''' is a | + | The '''Foth-Flex''' is a [[TLR]] camera for 6×6 cm exposures on [[120 film]], produced by [[Foth]] in Germany in 1935. It has a number of unusual features for a TLR. It is one of the very few TLR to use a [[focal plane shutter]]; the 1936 [[Mentorett]] is another one. |
== General description == | == General description == | ||
| Line 18: | Line 26: | ||
From 1938 onwards,<ref name="McK 12 10" /> the focusing wheel was replaced by a lever between the two lenses. Variations are known in the position of that lever, which is either on the left or on the right.<REF> Lever on the right pictured in {{MK}} 12th edition, p.301. Camera with lever on the left pictured in [http://olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/oldcameras/fothflex1447.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 this page] at olegvolk.net. </REF> These models have a ''Foth–Flex'' nameplate on the conventional spot above the viewing lens. | From 1938 onwards,<ref name="McK 12 10" /> the focusing wheel was replaced by a lever between the two lenses. Variations are known in the position of that lever, which is either on the left or on the right.<REF> Lever on the right pictured in {{MK}} 12th edition, p.301. Camera with lever on the left pictured in [http://olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/oldcameras/fothflex1447.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 this page] at olegvolk.net. </REF> These models have a ''Foth–Flex'' nameplate on the conventional spot above the viewing lens. | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{German TLR}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{Flickr_image | ||
| + | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/90900361@N08/8260856438/in/pool-camerawiki/ | ||
| + | |image= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8260856438_baa4997cfe.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= left | ||
| + | |image_text= Fothflex with right side lever | ||
| + | |image_by= Geoff Harrisson | ||
| + | |image_rights= wp | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | <br style="clear:both;"/> | ||
| + | |||
== Export == | == Export == | ||
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;" | {| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;" | ||
| − | + | | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/31669098237/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/7897/31669098237_e36d7fd3a7.jpg] | |
| − | + | | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/32736205038/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/7867/32736205038_744ec4c8e9.jpg] | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | | January and February 1936 |
| − | | | + | | April 1936 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | colspan=2 | | + | | colspan=2 | |
| + | {{Flickr_image_caption | ||
| + | |image_text= Advertisements by [[Asanuma Shōkai]] in {{ACA}}, for the Foth [[Derby]] and Foth-Flex.<br/> | ||
| + | |scan_by= rebollo_fr | ||
| + | |image_rights= public domain Japan old | ||
| + | }} | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | The Foth-Flex was exported to various countries, including Japan. In early 1936, the Foth-Flex II was advertised by the distributor [[Asanuma Shōkai]], with f/3.5 lenses.<REF> Advertisements in {{ACA}} January 1936, p.A7, February 1936, p.A7, and April 1936, p.A7. </REF> | + | The Foth-Flex was exported to various countries, including Japan. In early 1936, the Foth-Flex II was advertised by the distributor [[Asanuma Shōkai]], with f/3.5 lenses, at ¥210.<REF> Advertisements in {{ACA}} January 1936, p.A7, February 1936, p.A7, and April 1936, p.A7. </REF> |
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;" | {| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;" | ||
| − | + | | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47786048191/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47786048191_116dbc9377.jpg] | |
| + | | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/33909046068/in/pool-camerawiki https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/33909046068_84a9191199.jpg] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | || | + | | September 1936 |
| + | | November and December 1936 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | colspan=2 | | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image_caption | ||
| + | |image_text= Advertisements by [[Nichizui]] in {{ACA}}.<br/> | ||
| + | |scan_by= rebollo_fr | ||
| + | |image_rights= public domain Japan old | ||
| + | }} | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | + | From September 1936, it was advertised by [[Nichizui]], at an unchanged price.<REF> Advertisement in {{ACA}} September 1936. </REF> The advertisements placed in the November and December issues of {{ACA}} say that Nichizui was the main distributor for Asia (東洋総代理店).<REF> Advertisements in {{ACA}} November 1936, p.A22, and December 1936, p.A21. </REF> They list two versions of the camera, with f/3.5 or f/2.5 lenses. The f/2.5 model has a sports finder; the f/3.5 normally has none, but it could be added as an option. | |
| + | |||
| + | {|class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;" | ||
| + | | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5451902487/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5451902487_0855a7c5eb.jpg] | ||
| + | | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/4912661360/in/pool-camerawiki/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4912661360_915c6325bf.jpg] | ||
| + | | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/8144358488/in/pool-camerawiki http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8144358488_635c2c0690.jpg] | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | | | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image_caption | ||
| + | |image_text= Foth-flex in a leaflet issued in about 1936<br/>by Peeling Van Neck of London (this copy<br/>was sent to New Zealand).<br/> | ||
| + | |scan_by= Dirk HR Spennemann | ||
| + | |image_rights= public domain UK | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | | | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image_caption | ||
| + | |image_text= Catalogue by Herbert Small (in Australia) about<br/>1937-8. Exports to the British Commonwealth<br/>countries would of course cease in 1939.<br/> | ||
| + | |scan_by= Dirk HR Spennemann | ||
| + | |image_rights= public domain Australia | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | | | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image_caption | ||
| + | |image_text= American advertisement in 1937<br/>emphasizes the lens speed.<br/> | ||
| + | |scan_by= Nesster | ||
| + | |image_rights= commercial | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |} | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 49: | Line 110: | ||
** April 1936, p.A7. | ** April 1936, p.A7. | ||
* {{ACA}}. Advertisements by [[Nichizui|Nichizui Bōeki]]: | * {{ACA}}. Advertisements by [[Nichizui|Nichizui Bōeki]]: | ||
| + | ** September 1936, p.A33; | ||
** November 1936, p.A22; | ** November 1936, p.A22; | ||
** December 1936, p.A21. | ** December 1936, p.A21. | ||
| Line 54: | Line 116: | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| − | + | * [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/German/slides/Foth%20Foth-Flex%20I.html Foth-Flex I] and [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/German/slides/Foth%202.5.html Foth-Flex f/2.5] at Barry toogood's [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/German/index.html www.tlr-cameras.com] | |
| − | * [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/German/slides/Foth%20Foth-Flex%20I.html Foth-Flex I] and [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/German/slides/Foth%202.5.html Foth-Flex f/2.5] at [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/German/index.html www.tlr-cameras.com] | ||
* [http://olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/oldcameras/fothflex1447.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 Foth-Flex II with focusing lever] in [http://olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/oldcameras/ Oleg Volk's camera gallery] | * [http://olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/oldcameras/fothflex1447.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 Foth-Flex II with focusing lever] in [http://olegvolk.net/gallery/technology/oldcameras/ Oleg Volk's camera gallery] | ||
| + | * [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Foth-Flex/AI-15-18446 Foth-Flex] serial no. 16887 sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-15/ fifteenth Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 23 May 2009. | ||
| + | * [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/foth-flex/foth-flex.htm Foth-Flex PDF manual] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html OrphanCameras.com] | ||
[[Category: German 6x6 TLR]] | [[Category: German 6x6 TLR]] | ||
| Line 62: | Line 125: | ||
[[Category: F]] | [[Category: F]] | ||
[[Category: 1935]] | [[Category: 1935]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Advertising (historic)]] | ||
| + | [[Category:120 film]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:47, 29 January 2024
|
| Foth-Flex II with f/2.5 lenses, showing the focus lever (right of the picture), and aperture control (left of the taking lens). image by pipa pipa (Image rights) |
The Foth-Flex is a TLR camera for 6×6 cm exposures on 120 film, produced by Foth in Germany in 1935. It has a number of unusual features for a TLR. It is one of the very few TLR to use a focal plane shutter; the 1936 Mentorett is another one.
General description
The Foth-Flex has a focal plane cloth shutter with speeds up to 1/500s. It takes 6×6 pictures on 120 film. It has a curious (shove-under) accessory shoe and no flash synchronization.
The Foth-Flex has two Foth Anastigmat lenses, taking only push-on filters.
Operation
The Foth-Flex is focused by a wheel on the left side of the camera. Aperture is set by a lever under the taking lens. The shutter is operated on the right side of the camera: a lever to set it and a button to fire it. A separate wheel is used to advance the film. The last unusual feature of the Foth-Flex is the back which is hinged on two sides. The two parts are held together by a button on the lower back. There is no frame counter, but there is a ruby window in the bottom.
Variations
The earlier models (Foth-Flex I) are marked Foth on the waist-level finder, and have a FOTH–FLEX nameplate under the taking lens. The shutter only gives B, 25–500 speeds.[1]
Later models (Foth-Flex II) have slow speeds down to 2s.[1] This version is known to exist with Foth Anastigmat f/3.5 or f/2.5 lenses.[2] At least some cameras have a sports finder integrated in the waist level finder.
From 1938 onwards,[2] the focusing wheel was replaced by a lever between the two lenses. Variations are known in the position of that lever, which is either on the left or on the right.[3] These models have a Foth–Flex nameplate on the conventional spot above the viewing lens.
| German TLR () | |
|---|---|
| 35 mm | Contaflex | Flexilette | Optima Reflex |
| 3×4 | Pilot Reflex |
| 4×4 | Baby Rolleiflex (1931) | Baby Rolleiflex (1957) | Karma-Flex |
| 6×6 | Altiflex | Amplion Reflex | Brillant | Flektar | Flexo | Flexora | Flexora II | Flexora III | Foth-Flex | Ikoflex 1 | Ikoflex II | Ikoflex Ia | Ikoflex Ic Ikoflex Favorit | Karma-Flex | Mentorett | Montiflex | Peerflekta | Perfekta | Photina Reflex | Plascaflex | Reflecta | Reflekta | Reflekta II | Rica Flex | Rocca Automatic | Rocca Super Reflex | Rolleiflex | Rolleicord | Rollop | Superb | Superflex | Trumpfreflex | Vitaflex | Weltaflex | Wirgin Reflex | Zeca-Flex |
| 6×9 | Superfekta |
|
| Fothflex with right side lever image by Geoff Harrisson (Image rights) |
Export
|
|
| January and February 1936 | April 1936 |
|
Advertisements by Asanuma Shōkai in Asahi Camera, for the Foth Derby and Foth-Flex. | |
The Foth-Flex was exported to various countries, including Japan. In early 1936, the Foth-Flex II was advertised by the distributor Asanuma Shōkai, with f/3.5 lenses, at ¥210.[4]
|
|
| September 1936 | November and December 1936 |
|
Advertisements by Nichizui in Asahi Camera. | |
From September 1936, it was advertised by Nichizui, at an unchanged price.[5] The advertisements placed in the November and December issues of Asahi Camera say that Nichizui was the main distributor for Asia (東洋総代理店).[6] They list two versions of the camera, with f/3.5 or f/2.5 lenses. The f/2.5 model has a sports finder; the f/3.5 normally has none, but it could be added as an option.
|
|
|
|
Foth-flex in a leaflet issued in about 1936 |
Catalogue by Herbert Small (in Australia) about |
American advertisement in 1937 |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 McKeown 12th edition, p.301.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 McKeown 12th edition, p.301, and 10th edition, p.200.
- ↑ Lever on the right pictured in McKeown 12th edition, p.301. Camera with lever on the left pictured in this page at olegvolk.net.
- ↑ Advertisements in Asahi Camera January 1936, p.A7, February 1936, p.A7, and April 1936, p.A7.
- ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera September 1936.
- ↑ Advertisements in Asahi Camera November 1936, p.A22, and December 1936, p.A21.
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Asanuma Shōkai:
- January 1936, p.A7;
- February 1936, p.A7;
- April 1936, p.A7.
- Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Nichizui Bōeki:
- September 1936, p.A33;
- November 1936, p.A22;
- December 1936, p.A21.
- 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.301.
Links
- Foth-Flex I and Foth-Flex f/2.5 at Barry toogood's www.tlr-cameras.com
- Foth-Flex II with focusing lever in Oleg Volk's camera gallery
- Foth-Flex serial no. 16887 sold at the fifteenth Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 23 May 2009.
- Foth-Flex PDF manual at OrphanCameras.com
