Lyra Flex
The Lyra Flex is a Japanese 6×6 TLR that was made by Fuji Kōgaku between 1938 and 1944. The focusing knob is on the right when held by the photographer, and the whole front plate moves for focusing. There is automatic film advance, with a knob and an exposure counter.
See also the postwar Lyraflex.
The Lyra Flex
The original model is offered in 1938 and 1939.[1] An advertisement dated March 1938[2] presents the Lyra Flex with a Fujikō A shutter (T, B, 1–300), a Fujikō Anastigmat Goldar 75/3.5 four element taking lens and a Fuji–kō Anastigmat Terionar 75/3.2 viewing lens, for ¥190. The shutter release is on the right hand plate. The name plate says LyraFlex, with another marking underneath, Fuji kōgaku kikai seisakusho; and the shutter plate is black with a FUJIKō marking at the top. There is probably a sports finder. The viewing hood shows a cross-like structure with the FUJI KŌGAKU logo at the center.
It seems that it also exists with a Terionar 75/3.5 lens[3].
The Lyra Flex F and J
The Lyra Flex F and Lyra Flex J are offered between 1941 and 1944.[4] The shutter release is now at the bottom of the front plate, falling under the left hand fingers. There are changes in the nameplate, marked LYRA FLEX in uppercase letters, in the viewing hood is different, with no cross structure and no logo, and in the strap lugs. There is an exposure table on the back.
The Lyra Flex F and Lyra Flex J are equipped respectively with a Fujikō F and a Fujikō J shutter. Both shutters have T, B, 1–200 speeds, but the J has a selftimer. It seems to be the only difference between the two models. The shutter plate is sometimes black with white markings and sometimes yellowish with black markings. It is written FUJIKō at the top (in two parts: FUJ and IKō, with an arrow between both), and FUJIKōGAKU at the bottom.
The Lyra Flex F cost ¥230 in 1941[5] and the Lyra Flex J cost ¥252 in 1941[6] and ¥289 in 1942[7].
Notes
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 342.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Ars Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 101.
- ↑ Such an example is pictured in the book Kamera zukan, by Sugiyama and Naoi, according to Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 342.
- ↑ Dates: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 342–3.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Lyra Flex F, published in the September 1941 issue of Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 300.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Lyra range, published in the May 1941 issue of Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 303.
- ↑ Advertisement for the Lyra Flex J, published in the October 1942 issue of Shashin Bunka, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, item 301.
Bibliography
- 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 299–301. (See also the advertisement for items 294, 298 and 303.)
- 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). P. 39 (brief mention only).
- 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. 329. (It presents a picture of a Lyra Flex J, identified by mistake as an original Lyra Flex.)
Links
In English:
- Other Japanese 120 (6x6) TLRs at tlr-cameras.com, with a Lyra Flex F, identified as a Lyra Flex J. On the page with the bigger pictures, there is also an original Lyra Flex, identified as a Lyra Flex F.
In Japanese: