Difference between revisions of "Princeflex"
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It has been observed with a double lens cap, in chrome with ''Prince'' engraved on the top part. | It has been observed with a double lens cap, in chrome with ''Prince'' engraved on the top part. | ||
| − | It is possible that the [[Elbow | + | It is possible that the [[Elbow Flex]] is the same camera: they look very similar and clearly share parts. |
==Source / Further reading== | ==Source / Further reading== | ||
Revision as of 09:48, 8 August 2006
The Princeflex was a Japanese 6×6 TLR. This postwar camera has no resemblance to the 1937 Prince Flex. (See the Prince page for a discussion of the various cameras with that name.)
Some sources say that the postwar camera was made by a company called Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku (東洋精機光学), others attribute it to Prince Camera Works (プリンスカメラワークス). Advertisements for it consistently mention Prince Camera Works (and often add a stylized "PCW" logo) — just like advertisements for the prewar Prince models. The distributor was Mima Shōkai (美馬商会) of Osaka (address Minami-ku Shiomachi 2–35); not the same as the prewar distributor.
The original Princeflex has only been observed in this page at yume_camera. There is a picture of what is probably a prototype (s/n 1001), marked TOYOSEIKI OPT.CO.LTD. under the Princeflex name plate. According to the description given, it has knob advance controlled via a red window, and it can also take 4.5×6 pictures with a mask. Focusing is by a knob on the right side, sliding the whole front plate. The shutter release is at the bottom left of the front plate, with a release lock. This camera has Luminar 8cm/3.5 lenses and a TSK shutter (B, 1–200). It was advertised in Japanese photography magazines for about a year starting from the August 1953 issues; the price was ¥17,000.
The Princeflex II has semi-automatic film advance rather than red windows, and has Super Luminar lenses (also 8cm/3.5). It cost ¥18,000. It was advertised in Japanese photo magazines dated from September 1954 to April 1955.
The Prince Junior was marketed as a less expensive camera (¥9,500). It has semi-automatic film advance with an exposure counter but no double exposure prevention. There is an accessory shoe on the left plate. It has J-Luminar 8cm/3.5 viewing and taking lenses and a Ceres shutter (B, 1–300). McKeown also mentions a Rectus shutter, and shows a picture of a camera with PRINCE JUNIOR written in uppercase and a body shape different from those shown in the links below. It was advertised in Japanese photo magazines dated from September 1955 to April 1956.
It has been observed with a double lens cap, in chrome with Prince engraved on the top part.
It is possible that the Elbow Flex is the same camera: they look very similar and clearly share parts.
Source / 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 792–4.
- 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. 803.
Links
In English:
- Page about various Japanese TLRs, including the Prince Junior, at tlr-cameras.com, there is a discussion of the various Prince cameras
In Japanese:
