Difference between revisions of "Mecaflex"
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* [http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/kilfitt1.htm Mecaflex] on [http://www.ukcamera.com/ UKCamera.com] (English & German) | * [http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/kilfitt1.htm Mecaflex] on [http://www.ukcamera.com/ UKCamera.com] (English & German) | ||
* [http://robot-camera.de/ROBOT_Historie/Heinz_Kilfitt/MECAFLEX/body_mecaflex.html Mecaflex] at [http://robot-camera.de/index.html Robot Camera History] (German, with lots of pictures) | * [http://robot-camera.de/ROBOT_Historie/Heinz_Kilfitt/MECAFLEX/body_mecaflex.html Mecaflex] at [http://robot-camera.de/index.html Robot Camera History] (German, with lots of pictures) | ||
− | * [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11664 Mecaflex Seroa], [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=10048 Mecaflex Metz] and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/album_notices_K_O/Mecaflex/index.html User's manual] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand | + | * [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11664 Mecaflex Seroa], [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=10048 Mecaflex Metz] <!--Commented out link, page no longer present/available, please remove if not returned by 11/2016 and [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/album_notices_K_O/Mecaflex/index.html User's manual] -->at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand |
Revision as of 05:18, 19 May 2016
Mecaflex with cover closed image by AWCam (Image rights) |
The Mecaflex is a 35mm SLR camera, initially made in Germany starting in 1951. The camera was designed by Heinz Kilfitt, designer of the original Robot camera and the Kowa Six.[1] First sales were in 1953. Bodies were made for Kilfitt by Metz Apparatefabrik in Fürth, Germany;[2] McKeown states that Metz withdrew from the deal after making only a small number of the cameras. in 1958, body production was resumed by S.E.R.O.A. (Société d'Etude et Recherche Optique et Acoustique[3]) in Monaco - until the end of production in c.1965.[4] Lenses were made by Kilfitt's company, based in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, but apparently manufacturing in Munich, Germany. Examples have also been seen with Kilfitt's Kilar lenses made under licence by Berthiot.[5]
The camera is unusual in having a flip-up cover on top which both opens the waist-level viewfinder and uncovers the top-plate controls - winding lever, rewind knob and shutter release. Another slightly odd feature is the use of a 24×24mm frame format, giving 50 exposures on a 35mm film, like the Robot.
Photographs of some examples show a release button standing above the cover, and the winding lever having a slot allowing use with the cover closed; others show both the lever and release hidden inside the cover. Some pictures show the Mecaflex with various other finders, including what looks like an add-on prism type[6].
The Mecaflex uses interchangeable lenses made by Kilfitt, and a Prontor leaf shutter - with a setting ring (1-1/300 + B) around the lens mount.
Notes
- ↑ Kilfitt prototype of the Mecaflex, sold at the first Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 15 November 2002.
- ↑ Metz Mecaflex serial no. 1809, with Kilfitt Kilar 40 mm f/3.5 and Tele-Kilar 105 mm f/4, sold at the fourteenth Westlicht auction, on 30 November 2008.
- ↑ SEROA Mecaflex at Sylvain Halgand's www.collection-appareils.fr.
- ↑ SEROA-made Mecaflex serial no. A-319, with Kilfitt Kilar 40 mm f/2.8, sold at the second/third Westlicht auction, on 23 May 2003.
- ↑ SEROA-made Mecaflex serial no. A-554, with Kilar 40 mm f/2.8 engraved BENOIST BERTHIOT PARIS Lic. KILFITT, sold at the twelfth Westlicht auction, on 17 November 2007.
- ↑ Mecaflex at Tigin's Classic Cameras.
Links
- Mecaflex 35mm cameras on Submin.com
- Mecaflex on Kilfitt.org
- Mecaflex on UKCamera.com (English & German)
- Mecaflex at Robot Camera History (German, with lots of pictures)
- Mecaflex Seroa, Mecaflex Metz at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand