Mirax

Mirax-B, intermediate (type 8), no.540524, Focabell and Supreme lens head on a Nikon S. Picture courtesy of eBayer toolchest. (Image rights)

This is a work in progress.

The Mirax is a reflex housing with interchangeable finders, made from 1952 by Orion Seiki, later Orion Camera then Miranda Camera. It formed a system with the Focabell bellows and Supreme lenses, and can be considered the first step in the development of the Miranda SLR cameras.

The Mirax brand was also used by an unknown French company for a multifocal viewfinder.

General description

The Mirax main mirror box has a black hammertone finish. The viewing screen has a convex face, and is placed at the top of the main part. The interchangeable viewfinder is locked by a latch on the left side, whose shape varied with time (see below). The standard viewfinder is an all chrome loupe finder — sometimes described as a "chest-level finder" — shaped as a chimney, with a magnifying lens at the top. The release button is on the right side, and can be coupled to the camera body via an adapter. There is a tripod thread underneath the mirror box.

The front part has a 44mm screw mount, of which it is the earliest occurrence, before it appeared on the Phoenix SLR prototype and later Miranda cameras. Later versions also have an external four-lug bayonet mount, as on the Miranda SLR cameras; it is unclear if this was introduced on the Mirax or on the Phoenix.

Two versions of the Mirax were sold, differing by the rear mount. The Mirax-A fits Leica screw mount cameras. It has an adjustable rear mount, which can rotate so that the reflex housing always stands upright, whatever the adjustment of the camera body.

Mirax-B, early (type 6), no.531147, with Focabell bellows and Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head or Nikkor 5cm f/1.4. Pictures courtesy of Igor's Camera Exchange. (Image rights)

The Mirax-B has a Contax or Nikon mount. These two mounts only differ by the rangefinder adjustment, causing no physical difference on the reflex housing. An original price list nonetheless distinguishes the Mirax-BC for Contax and the Mirax-Bn for Nikon, but this is either a mistake or a distinction based on the release adapters, because of the different location and shape of the shutter button on the camera bodies. The Mirax-B has the same body casting as the Mirax-A, but has a 9mm insert between the casting and the viewing screen, raising the latter to compensate the longer film-to-flange register.

Mirax-B, intermediate (type 8), no.540524, with jewel case. Pictures courtesy of eBayer toolchest. (Image rights)

The Mirax was originally supplied with the loupe finder, a release coupler and front and rear caps, in a beautiful red jewel case, whose lid is inscribed MIRAX-A or MIRAX-B with the company name, and which is covered by a dark red cardboard box.

Evolution

The classification presented below is based on the analysis of various surviving examples. The type numbers used in this article were not officially used by the Orion or Miranda companies, but reflect the current state of research.

Mirax, early period

Mirax-A, early (type 3 or 4). From Asahi Camera September 1953. (Image rights)		Mirax-A, early (type 3, 4 or 5). From Asahi Camera November 1953. (Image rights)

The examples of the early period (types 1 to 7), from c.1952 to c.1954, have the early type of mirror actuator. There is a release button above the mirror mechanism, surrounded by a male thread, and another thread underneath, allowing to attach a cable release connected to the camera's shutter button. On the Mirax-A, the adjustment of the rear mount is provided by three set screws.

Most of these early examples have the internal 44mm screw mount only (on types 1 to 6), and have a loupe finder made of two main parts, attached together by four apparent screws (on types 1 to 5).

The earliest examples produced (types 1 to 3) have no serial number, and no inscription whatever on the rear mount. Type 1 has a small clip to attach the viewfinder, and has the first version of the loupe finder, inscribed Orion Mirax I at the front.

Loupe finders: first and second model. From Shashin Kōgyō June 1952 and Asahi Camera November 1953. (Image rights)

Type 2 differs by its sturdier large clip to attach the finder. (The very early example or prototype pictured in the June 1952 issue of Shashin Kōgyō is either a type 1 or type 2, see below.)

Type 3 has the second version of the loupe finder, inscribed Mirax and Orion Camera Co. in small characters. Type 4 only differs by the introduction of a serial number on the rear mount, together with the words Orion Camera Co. and Made in Japan. The only confirmed serial number for this type is 530132, in a sequence that certainly started at 530000. It is not known if serial numbers in the same sequence were already assigned to the previous examples (types 1 to 3) or not. The first two digits of the serial number look like they might indicate the year of production but this is misleading.

Type 5 has a knob instead of a clip to attach the viewfinder; this knob would remain on all the subsequent examples. Serial numbers for this type are known from 530626 to 530971.

Type 6 has the third version of the loupe finder, made of a single part, with the same Mirax and Orion Camera Co. markings. It is known from a single example of the Mirax-B, with serial number 531147. No other example is known in the 531xxx range, which was perhaps specific to the Mirax-B.

Type 7 differs by the addition of the external bayonet mount outside the screw mount. Serial numbers are known from 530991 to 540101. The sequence was certainly reset at 540000 at some point, but it is unclear if there was an overlap with the production of type 6.

Mirroscope and Mirabox, for export

The Mirroscope is a name variant of the Mirax type 5, from which it only differs by the name MIRROSCOPE engraved at the front of the loupe finder, following a curved line. Original boxes for the Mirroscope are either marked Interstate Photo Supply Corp. or AETNA OPTIX. This certainly indicates that the model was sold in the United States both by Interstate and Aetna — this was perhaps Orion Seiki's earliest export attempt. Unlike the other Orion products, the Mirroscope has a five-digit serial number, in the 53xxx range. The example pictured below has no.53000, and is presumably the first produced. Other numbers are known up to 53542. It seems that the Mirroscope exists in Leica mount only. (A Mirroscope model B for Contax and Nikon is mentioned in the user manual, but this is surely misleading, see below.)

Mirroscope no.53000. Pictures courtesy of Brooklyn Camera. (Image rights) The Aetna Actinar 135/4.5 no.60099 lens head has Leica screw mount and a focusing helicoid, and is attached via an adapter. In that configuration, it is focusing past infinity. An extension tube or bellows would be needed to make it usable.

The Mirabox is another name variant, which certainly came after the Mirroscope. It differs only by the straight MIRABOX engraving in front of the loupe finder. The only serial number confirmed so far is 53661, coming immediately after the Mirroscope batch.

Mirax, intermediate period

Mirax-A, intermediate (type 8). From the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights)

The examples of the intermediate period, made in 1954–5, have an intermediate type of release button and mirror mechanism. All belong to type 8, and still have Orion Camera Co. markings.

The release button has a lever on the side, whose function is unclear. It is connected to the mirror mechanism by a long chrome rod, which is even longer on the Mirax-B. There is a male thread for a cable attachment, around the release button; the underside thread is no longer present. On the Mirax-A, the set screws used to adjust the orientation of the mirror box were replaced by a single traversing screw, visible underneath the mirror actuation mechanism.

The release coupler was modified at the same time, and adopted a characteristic incurved shape. It must be attached to the mirror box first, via a small bayonet above the male thread, and it is positioned over the camera's shutter release afterwards. The design might have been modified to insure that the mirror is always raised before the shutter is tripped. Serial numbers for type 8 are known from 540240 to 540524.

Mirax-B, intermediate (type 8), no.540524, Focabell and Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head on a Nikon S. Pictures courtesy of eBayer toolchest. (Image rights)

Mirax, late period

Examples of the late period, from 1955 to the late 1950s, have a black fairing over the connection between the release button and mirror mechanism.

Type 9 has the Orion Camera Co. markings on the loupe finder and rear mount. Serial numbers are known from 540464 to 541383, partly overlapping those of type 8. Type 10 has Miranda Camera Co. markings instead, and is known from 541061 to 542239, again overlapping the production of type 9 by a few hundred units. Type 10–2 corresponds to the final examples of the Mirax-A, which have an interruption in the rear Leica thread — examples is known from 542570 to 542733.

At least one example of the Mirax-A type 10 has been observed with an intermediate part between the mirror box and loupe finder, in black hammertone finish, making the device higher. This was perhaps an aftermarket modification, for an unknown purpose.

Mirax-A, late (type 10), Miranda Camera markings. Pictures courtesy of eBayer fargo02. (Image rights)

Other viewfinders

In addition to the loupe finder fitted as standard, eye-level and waist-level finders were also available.

Eye-level

Prism finders: prototype or early example and regular model. From Shashin Kōgyō June 1952 and the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights)

The prism finder was announced at the very beginning, in mid-1952. It might be the first pentaprism used on Japanese cameras. It paved the way to the later Phoenix SLR prototype, predecessor of the Miranda cameras.

The first prism finder pictured in the June 1952 article by Ogihara has an all chrome finish, and is inscribed Orion Mirax–II at the front (see below). It is quite high and practically does not protrude on the rear of the Mirax housing, perhaps making it inconvenient to stick an eye on the eyepiece. No surviving example of that first prism finder has been observed yet, and the pictured item is perhaps only a prototype. A back view of the same item is found in the user manual of the Miranda dx-3, which contains a short historical section.

The regular prism finder has the same black hammertone finish as the mirror box, with many facets and sharp edges. It is comparatively lower, and protrudes to the rear, certainly making it more convenient to use. The front facet is inscribed Mirax and Orion Camera Co. or Miranda Camera Co. in small characters, as on contemporary loupe finders. The prism finder has a serial number, engraved under the eyepiece. The known numbers again have six digits, with the first two plausibly indicating the year of production. The prism also has its own red jewel case, inscribed MIRAX and EYE-LEVEL VIEWFINDER with the company name.

Waist-level

The waist-level finder is little known, and does not appear in the original documents found so far. It consists of a mere rectangular tube diagonally cut at the top, with no magnifying lens. At first glance, it might look like someone sawed off a regular loupe finder, but various examples have been observed and this was certainly an original part.

Other accessories

The Mirax was part of a system also comprising the Focabell bellows and the Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head or direct mount lens. Various adapters were available from the start, certainly using the 44mm screw thread:

• usable at infinity:
  • for screw mount Visoflex lenses;
  • for Reflex Korelle lenses;
• usable at short distance only:
  • for Leica screw lenses;
  • for Contax or Nikon lenses;
• microscope adapter.

Other adapters were probably added afterwards, and all those made for the Miranda SLR cameras would fit on the Mirax.

Other minor accessories include a double cable release, type L.N (for Leica or Nikon) or type C (for Contax), and one or several extension tubes. Orion was also making adapters to mount Leica screw mount lenses on C-mount or D-mount cine cameras, allowing to use the Mirax-A on these too.

Origin and usage as described by Ogihara Akira

The Mirax was described by Ogihara Akira (荻原彰), founder of Orion Seiki, in the June 1952 issue of Shashin Kōgyō. The article says that the device was developed with the following specifications in mind:

1. short length;
2. small volume;
3. light weight;
4. release button usable while holding the camera with both hands;
5. viewing screen at least as bright as that of the Exakta;
6. interchangeable prism and ordinary finders.

Point no.6 eliminates the need for a rotating mirror box for vertical pictures, helping to concentrate on the first four features.

The article emphasizes the device's short length and light weight. The Mirax-A and Mirax-B are respectively 40mm and 43mm thick; this was much less than the contemporary Leitz Visoflex I reflex housing, and potentially allowed to use 75mm or 80mm lenses. The weight is respectively 200g and 250g. Ogihara suggests that the Mirax can be used without a tripod, and describes four release methods, depending on the photographer's needs:

1. trip the mirror box first, then the camera, to avoid blur for scientific applications;
2. use a dual cable release, convenient when the camera is on a tripod;
3. use a cable coupling the bottom part of the release rod to the camera's shutter button, allowing to hold the camera in both hands;
4. use the "Snap release" provided with the Mirax, a sort of metal plate connecting the release of the camera and reflex housing.

The third method is only valid on the early version of the Mirax, with the connecting thread protruding underneath the mirror mechanism, and is no longer possible on the intermediate and late versions.

Mirax-A, very early (type 1 or 2), on a Leica camera. From Shashin Kōgyō June 1952. (Image rights).
With a Supreme-A 10.5cm f/2.8 lens and a loupe or eye-level finder.		With an Olympus microscope.

When the article was published in June 1952, the Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 direct mount lens was already in production, as well as the adapters for Visoflex, Reflex Korelle, Leica screw mount and Contax lenses, and the microscope adapter. Ogihara also mentions a bellows system under development; this would later appear as the Focabell.

Commercial life

Typewritten document on the Mirax, c.1952. Scan by Jeffrey Felton. (Image rights)

Mirax-A, very early (type 1 or 2), and Supreme-A 10.5cm f/2.8 lens no.510808, on a Leica camera. This photograph was attached to the typewritten document on the right. Scan by Jeffrey Felton (Image rights)

The Mirax was certainly already available when Ogihara wrote the article cited above in Shashin Kōgyō June 1952. The earliest document issued by Orion Seiki known so far is a carbon-copied typewritten list of features in English language, with a photograph glued at the top, the same as in the article by Ogihara. It briefly mentions the pentaprism finder, extension tubes and adapters for Reflex-Korelle, Telyt and Hektor 135mm lenses (at infinity), and for Leica and Nikon-mount lenses (for close-ups).

Mirax instruction manual, English language. Scans by Jeffrey Felton (Image rights)

The English instruction manual reproduced above mentions Orion Camera Co., Ltd. and the distributor Summit Camera Co., Ltd. It shows pictures of the early Mirax-A and B (types 2 and 3), and was certainly printed c.1953. An exactly similar instruction manual was printed for the Mirroscope (reproduced below). The company names were replaced by that of Interstate Photo Supply Corp. The word "Mirax" was replaced by "Mirroscope" throughout the text, and the pictures were simply retouched. The document therefore mentions a Mirroscope B for Contax and Nikon, but it is likely that it did not exist.

Mirroscope instruction manual, English language. Scans by Jeffrey Felton (Image rights)

Advertisements by Summit Shōkai in Asahi Camera October and November 1953. That dated September 1953 is almost identical. (Image rights)

Advertisements by the distributor Summit Shōkai appear in the September to November 1953 issues of Asahi Camera. They are nearly identical, but for the addition of the prism finder from October, priced at ¥6,500 and mentioned as a new item. This perhaps indicates that the early prism finder announced in June 1952 was not satisfactory and was never commercially sold.

Advertisements by Matsushima in Asahi Camera November 1953. (Image rights)

In addition to the advertisement by Summit, the November 1953 issue of Asahi Camera also contains an advertisement by Matsushima, perhaps indicating that Orion changed its main distributor. The document shows the early version of the Mirax-A, and gives the price of ¥15,200 for the model A and ¥19,800 for the model B.

Advertisements by Matsushima in Asahi Camera. Top left: January, February and August 1955. Top right: March 1955. Bottom: April 1955. (Image rights)

Matsushima continued to distribute the Mirax for some time. In 1955, advertisements in Asahi Camera show the presumed intermediate version of the Mirax-A, with the regular prism finder. They appear in the January to April issue, and again in the August issue after a four-month interruption.

Advertisement by Matsushima in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights)

The June 1955 special issue of Photo Art contains a full-page advertisement by Matsushima. The prices are the same as in 1953, except for the prism which now costs ¥9,000. The microscope adapter for the Mirax is also mentioned at ¥3,500. This advertisement gives the name of the manufacturer Orion Seiki, unlike the previous ones.

The same issue of the magazine, entirely devoted to camera accessories, describes the Mirax on two places, and gives a price list. The prices are the same as in the advertisement, but the document distinguishes between the Mirax-BC (for Contax) and the Mirax-Bn (for Nikon), as said above. Other minor accessories are listed: the double release type L.N or type C, at ¥1,800, and the extension tube, at ¥2,000. The document also presents the Focabell bellows system and Supreme lenses.

Column in the June 1955 special issue of Photo Art. (Image rights)

The Mirax was continued for some years after the introduction of the Miranda. The device was still in production when the company changed its name from Orion Camera to Miranda Camera in 1957, as indicated by the markings observed on actual examples. The last advertisement known so far to show the Mirax was placed by Matsushima in the April 1958 issue of Shashin Kōgyō.

Advertisement in Shashin Kōgyō April 1958. (Image rights)

Bibliography

Original documents

• Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Summit Shōkai:
  • September 1953, p.190;
  • October 1953, p.217;
  • November 1953, p.194.
• Asahi Camera. Advertisements by the photo department of Matsushima:
  • November 1953, p.59;
  • January 1955, p.229;
  • February 1955, p.190;
  • March 1955, p.180;
  • April 1955, p.211;
  • August 1955, p.206.
• Interstate Photo Supply Corp. "Photography with Mirroscope". Instruction manual, English language, c.1953–4.
• Ogihara Akira (荻原彰). "Mirakkusu ni tsuite" (ミラックスについて, About the Mirax). In Shashin Kōgyō no.1, June 1952. Pp.26–7.
• Orion Seiki (presumably). "Special features of Mirax". Typewritten sheet, English language, c.1952.
• Orion Camera Co., Ltd. and Summit Camera Co., Ltd. "Photography with Mirax". Instruction manual, English language, c.1953.
• Photo Art rinji zōkan: Kamera akusesarī zensho (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラアクセサリー全書, Photo Art special issue: All the camera accessories). June 1955, no.80 of the magazine.
  • Advertisement by the photo department of Matsushima Megane-ten on p.22.
  • "Zukai: Akusesarī no mekanikku. 12: Bōen, sessha, fukusha sōchi. Mirakkusu to Fōkaberu." (図解・アクセサリーのメカニック・12・望遠・接写・複写装置・ミラックスとフォーカベル. Drawings: accessory mechanisms. 12: Telephoto, close-up and reproduction devices. Mirax and Focabell.) P.51.
  • "Shashin no kaimi wa sessha to bōen satsuei kara: Purokusā, Ōtoappu, Refubokkusu, sonota." (写真の快味は接写と望遠撮影から・プロクサー・オートアップ・レフボックス・その他, Because the appeal of photography comes with close-up and telephoto pictures: Proxar, Auto-Up, reflex housing, etc.) Pp.118–20.
• Photo Art rinji zōkan: Kamera no chishiki (フォトアート臨時増刊・カメラの知識, Photo Art special issue: Knowledge of cameras). October 1955, no.87 of the magazine. "Kakubu no kikō to sono sōsa. 14: Kamera ni toritsukeru akusesarī no chishiki. Renzu zenmen ni. b: Hojo satsuei kigu, renzu." (各部の機構とその操作・14・カメラに取付けるアクセサリーの知識・レンズ前面に・b・補助撮影器具・レンズ. Mechanism and operation of all the parts. 14: Knowledge of the accessories attached to the camera. In front of the lens. b: Accessory photographic instruments, lenses.) P.47. (Short mention only, with two small pictures.)
• Shashin Kōgyō no.72, April 1958. Advertisement by Matsushima Shashin-yōhin on p.317.

Recent sources

• Hagiya Takeshi (萩谷剛). "Miranda Sutōrī" (ミランダ・ストーリー, Miranda story). In Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.64, June 2002. ISBN 4-257-13048-2. Miranda no keifu (ミランダの系譜, Miranda genealogy). Pp.9–12.
• "Miranda akusesarī" (ミランダ・アクセサリー, Miranda accessories). In Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.64, June 2002. ISBN 4-257-13048-2. Miranda no keifu (ミランダの系譜, Miranda genealogy). Pp.44–5.
• Miranda Camera Co., Ltd. Owner's manual of the Miranda dx-3. Contains pictures of the Mirax on p.2. Available in PDF format at butkus.org. (See the remarks on this document in the bibliography section of the Miranda page.)

Links

In English:

• Pages of the Miranda Historical Society:
  • Mirax housings
  • Focabell bellows system
  • Mirax and Focabell among rare items
• Past sales by Westlicht:
  • Orion Camera Mirax-A with Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8 lens head: lot no.365 of auction no.9 (May 20, 2006)
  • Orion Camera Mirax-A with Supreme 10.5cm f/2.8: lot no.398 of auction no.14 (November 30, 2008)
  • Miranda Camera Mirax-A and accessories (two examples with consecutive numbers): lot no.366 of auction no.9 (May 20, 2006)
  • Interstate Mirroscope for Leica, with adapter for Exakta lenses: lot no.232 of auction no.13 (June 7, 2008)
• Mirax-A on a Nikkor 25cm f/4 at Cameraquest

In Japanese:

• Text-only details on the Mirax among telephoto lenses at the Miranda Society Japan