Difference between revisions of "Mecaflex"
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{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
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| − | |image_text= Mecaflex | + | |image_text= Mecaflex with cover closed |
| − | }}The '''Mecaflex''' | + | |image_by=AWCam |
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| + | The '''Mecaflex''' is a [[35mm]] [[SLR]] camera, initially made in Germany starting in 1951. The camera was designed by [[Kilfitt|Heinz Kilfitt]], designer of the original [[Robot]] camera and the [[Kowa Six]].<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/KILFITT-Muenchen-MECAFLEX-Prototyp/AI-1-21506 Kilfitt prototype of the Mecaflex], sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-1/ first Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 15 November 2002.</ref> First sales were in 1953. Bodies were made for Kilfitt by [[Metz|Metz Apparatefabrik]] in Fürth, Germany;<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Metz-Kilfitt-Mecaflex-outfit/AI-14-17706 Metz Mecaflex] serial no. 1809, with Kilfitt Kilar 40 mm f/3.5 and Tele-Kilar 105 mm f/4, sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-14/ fourteenth Westlicht auction], on 30 November 2008.</ref> 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<ref>[http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11664 SEROA Mecaflex] at Sylvain Halgand's [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr].</ref>) in Monaco - until the end of production in c.1965.<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/S.E.R.O.A-Monaco-Mecaflex/AI-2-21534 SEROA-made Mecaflex] serial no. A-319, with Kilfitt Kilar 40 mm f/2.8, sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-2-3/ second/third Westlicht auction], on 23 May 2003.</ref> 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.<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Seroa-Monaco-Mecaflex/AI-12-20727 SEROA-made Mecaflex] serial no. A-554, with Kilar 40 mm f/2.8 engraved ''BENOIST BERTHIOT PARIS Lic. KILFITT'', sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-12/ twelfth Westlicht auction], on 17 November 2007.</ref> | ||
| − | The camera | + | 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 [[pentaprism|prism]] type<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000809/http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/kilfitt1.htm Mecaflex] at Tigin's [https://web.archive.org/web/20191002075926/http://ukcamera.com:80/ UKCamera.com (archived)].</ref>. | |
| − | Some pictures show the Mecaflex with various other finders, including what looks like an add-on [[pentaprism|prism]] type<ref>http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/kilfitt1.htm</ref>. | ||
| − | The Mecaflex | + | 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. |
| + | <br style="clear:left;"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| − | + | ||
| + | ==Links== | ||
* [http://www.submin.com/35mm/collection/mecaflex/index.htm Mecaflex 35mm cameras] on [http://www.submin.com Submin.com] | * [http://www.submin.com/35mm/collection/mecaflex/index.htm Mecaflex 35mm cameras] on [http://www.submin.com Submin.com] | ||
| − | * [http://www.kilfitt.org/Cameras/Mecaflex.htm Mecaflex on Kilfitt.org] | + | * [http://web.archive.org/web/20181206130220/http://www.kilfitt.org/Cameras/Mecaflex.htm Mecaflex on Kilfitt.org (archived)] |
| − | * [http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/kilfitt1.htm Mecaflex] on [http:// | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20170906000809/http://www.ukcamera.com/classic_cameras/kilfitt1.htm Mecaflex] on [https://web.archive.org/web/20191002075926/http://ukcamera.com:80/ UKCamera.com (archived)] (English & German) |
| − | * [http://robot-camera.de/ROBOT_Historie/Heinz_Kilfitt/MECAFLEX/body_mecaflex.html Mecaflex | + | * [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/ | + | * [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] at [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand (in French) |
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[[Category: German 35mm leaf shutter SLR]] | [[Category: German 35mm leaf shutter SLR]] | ||
[[Category: Monaco]] | [[Category: Monaco]] | ||
| + | [[Category: 1953]] | ||
| + | [[Category: M]] | ||
Latest revision as of 21:29, 31 March 2024
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| 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 UKCamera.com (archived).
Links
- Mecaflex 35mm cameras on Submin.com
- Mecaflex on Kilfitt.org (archived)
- Mecaflex on UKCamera.com (archived) (English & German)
- Mecaflex at Robot Camera History (German, with lots of pictures)
- Mecaflex Seroa, Mecaflex Metz at www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
