Difference between revisions of "Gnoflex"

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The '''Gnoflex''' is a quite unknown camera from the 1950ies, a [[Rolleiflex]] copy available in different versions, and made quite well, but by whom? That's not known.<br/>&nbsp;
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The '''Gnoflex''' is a mysterious camera from the 1950s, and known largely through images of models that occasionally crop-up on auction sites. It appears most likely that the manufacturer was TOC (Tokyo Optical Company), better known as [[Tōkyō Kōgaku]] which found later success with their Topcon brand. Examples of cameras can often be found with TOC branded cases. In addition, Gnoflex models bear a striking similarity to Tōkyō Kōgaku's [[Primoflex]] (which was also sold as the [[Laurelflex]] and Topcoflex) and [[Sunflex IV]] cameras.<br/>&nbsp;
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There were at least four different models.
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* One has an Elnor 75mm f3.5 lens and NKS-FB 1 to 1/300 shutter, and is often seen with a case which is clearly branded
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* Another has a Horinor 75mm f3.5 lens and NKS-SC 1 to 1/200 shutter.
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* The Gnoflex II has a Hitar 80mm f3.5 lens and Synchro-Super or NKS-FB 1 to 1/300 shutter. It very closely resembles the Fodorflex II/Beautyflex D (differentiated by their Rollei bayonet-style filter mounts) which were made by [[Taiyōdō|Taiyōdō Kōki]], who were know to largely favour 80mm. However, it seems more likely that this model was also made by TOC.
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* Another II-type has a Horinor 75mm f3.5 lens and a Synchro-Super (of unknown speeds), and again this model has been seen with a TOC branded case.
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{{Japanese postwar 6×6 TLR (A–L)}}
 
{{Japanese postwar 6×6 TLR (A–L)}}
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|image= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4803/39878985913_1d83eecb05.jpg
 
|image= http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4803/39878985913_1d83eecb05.jpg
 
|image_align= left
 
|image_align= left
|image_text= The 6&times;6 [[TLR]] had f3.5 lenses: ''8cm Hitar [[Anastigmat]]'' or ''75mm Horinor'' or ''75mm Elnor''.<br>It had a ''Synchro-Super'' or an [[NKS]]-FB shutter, both with speeds from 1 to 1/300 sec. plus B.
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|image_text= The 6&times;6 [[TLR]] Gnoflex II with ''8cm Hitar [[Anastigmat]]'' lens and ''Synchro-Super'' shutter.
 
|image_by= Mike Novak
 
|image_by= Mike Novak
 
|image_rights= wp
 
|image_rights= wp
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==Links==
 
==Links==
 
*[http://historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium2/pm.cgi?action=app_display&app=datasheet&app_id=2881 Gnoflex] on historiccamera.com [http://historiccamera.com/]
 
*[http://historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium2/pm.cgi?action=app_display&app=datasheet&app_id=2881 Gnoflex] on historiccamera.com [http://historiccamera.com/]
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IphxdR2nXAk&t=0s Gnoflex TLR video review] by YouTuber [https://www.youtube.com/c/KimGarza KimGarza Photography & Art] (in Spanish, with English subtitling]
  
 
[[Category:Japanese 6x6 TLR]]
 
[[Category:Japanese 6x6 TLR]]
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[[Category:G]]
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[[Category:120 film]]

Latest revision as of 20:42, 31 January 2023

The Gnoflex is a mysterious camera from the 1950s, and known largely through images of models that occasionally crop-up on auction sites. It appears most likely that the manufacturer was TOC (Tokyo Optical Company), better known as Tōkyō Kōgaku which found later success with their Topcon brand. Examples of cameras can often be found with TOC branded cases. In addition, Gnoflex models bear a striking similarity to Tōkyō Kōgaku's Primoflex (which was also sold as the Laurelflex and Topcoflex) and Sunflex IV cameras.
 

There were at least four different models.

  • One has an Elnor 75mm f3.5 lens and NKS-FB 1 to 1/300 shutter, and is often seen with a case which is clearly branded
  • Another has a Horinor 75mm f3.5 lens and NKS-SC 1 to 1/200 shutter.
  • The Gnoflex II has a Hitar 80mm f3.5 lens and Synchro-Super or NKS-FB 1 to 1/300 shutter. It very closely resembles the Fodorflex II/Beautyflex D (differentiated by their Rollei bayonet-style filter mounts) which were made by Taiyōdō Kōki, who were know to largely favour 80mm. However, it seems more likely that this model was also made by TOC.
  • Another II-type has a Horinor 75mm f3.5 lens and a Synchro-Super (of unknown speeds), and again this model has been seen with a TOC branded case.


Japanese 6×6 TLR
Postwar models (A–L)
6×7cm Koni-Omegaflex M
6×6cm
A–L
(edit)
Accuraflex | Aires Automat | Airesflex | Aires Reflex | Akumiflex | Alfaflex | Alpenflex | Amiflex | Autoflex | Beautyflex | Bikor-Flex | Bioflex | Companion | Copenflex | Cosmoflex | Crown Flex | Crystar Flex | Crystar 25 | Dorimaflex | Dorisflex | Easternflex | Echoflex | Eicaflex | Elbowflex | Elegaflex | Eleger Reflex | Elicaflex | Elizaflex | Elmoflex | Firstflex | Fodorflex | Fujicaflex | Geltoflex | Gnoflex | Graceflex | Halma Auto | Halma Flex | Hobiflex | Honorflex | Isocaflex | Itohflex | Kalloflex | Kallovex | Koniflex | Krimsoflex | Larkflex | Laurelflex | Luminaflex | Lustreflex | Lyraflex
Prewar and wartime models and postwar models (M–Z) ->
Other TLR, pseudo TLR and medium format SLR ->
Other Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->


Links