Minoltaflex (I)
The Minoltaflex is a TLR (twin lens reflex) camera for 120 film made by Chiyoda Kōgaku (later Minolta) from 1937 until the 1950s.
The Minoltaflex (later termed the Minoltaflex I) was introduced in December 1937. It has unit focusing, and protection against double exposure.
The (silver) nameplate is simply marked Minolta.[1] The camera has a Compur or a Crown II shutter (T, B, 1–300) and a Promar 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens.
The Minoltaflex Automat (advertised in 1942) has a Crown II shutter and a Promar 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens; film is wound by a crank and the shutter is self-cocking. This too is simply marked Minolta.
The postwar Minoltaflex (later termed the Minoltaflex II), advertised from the July 1950 until the July 1952 issues of magazines, has a Rokkor 75mm f/3.5 lens and a Konan Rapid shutter (B, 1–500).
The Minoltaflex IIB, introduced in May 1952, has semi-automatic film advance. It was advertised in magazines dated September 1952 until February 1954.
The Minoltaflex III has a Seikosha-Rapid shutter (B, 1–500). It was advertised in magazines dated December 1953 through November 1955.
Note
- ↑ Like the Minoltaflex Automat, it is referred to in advertising as ミノルタフレックス (Minorutafurekkusu), obviously a compound of "Minolta" and "flex". The decision whether to refer to this as "Minoltaflex" or "Minolta Flex" — one word or two — is rather arbitrary.
Further reading
- 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 279, 280, 921–4. (See also the picture on p.13.)
- The Japanese Historical Camera. 2nd ed. Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 2004. Pp.33, 60.
- Yoshikawa Hayao (吉川速男). Watakushi no Minorutafurekkusu (私のミノルタフレックス, My Minoltaflex). Tokyo: Genkōsha, 1951.
Links
In English:
In Japanese:
- Minoltaflex (I) and Minoltaflex Automat in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- Minoltaflex (I) and Minoltaflex III at TLR milestone
- Minoltaflex Automat and more pictures in Miyazawa Noriyuki's camera site
- Minoltaflex IIb (early) and Minoltaflex IIb (mid-period) at Niganrefu
- Minoltaflex IIB disassembly at Japan Family Camera
- Minoltaflex IIB restoration at Kan's Room
- Minoltaflex III at Hayata Camera
- Minoltaflex III restoration and photographs taken with this (and its Meopta Belar lens) at Shiroto shashinki shūri kōbō
- Photos taken by a Minoltaflex IIb at Tsukuchan no daisuki no mono
