Difference between revisions of "Princeflex"
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=== Princeflex 2 === | === Princeflex 2 === | ||
| − | The '''Princeflex 2''' has semi-automatic film advance rather than red windows: there is a round window for an exposure counter at the top of the right-hand side plate, and a button to unlock film advance next to the focusing knob. The lenses are Super Luminar 80/3.5. The shutter is of an unknown type, still giving B, 1–200 speeds. The release button has a simpler shape, with a soft release thread and what is advertised as an improved shutter lock. The synch post is of the PC type but its location is unknown. The back latch has changed, it is now the same as on the early Elbowflex (see for example [http://minosan05.cocolog-nifty.com/syasin/2005/12/index.html here at Minosan's blog]). This model, unlike others, has a ''P.C.W.'' logo above the viewing hood. | + | The '''Princeflex 2''' has semi-automatic film advance rather than red windows: there is a round window for an exposure counter at the top of the right-hand side plate, and a button to unlock film advance next to the focusing knob. The lenses are Super Luminar 80/3.5. The shutter is of an unknown type, still giving B, 1–200 speeds. The release button has a simpler shape, with a soft release thread and what is advertised as an improved shutter lock. It probably does not have double exposure prevention. The synch post is of the PC type but its location is unknown, perhaps at the bottom of the left-hand plate as on the Prince Junior. The back latch has changed, it is now the same as on the early Elbowflex (see for example [http://minosan05.cocolog-nifty.com/syasin/2005/12/index.html here at Minosan's blog]). This model, unlike others, has a ''P.C.W.'' logo above the viewing hood. It probably has the same ''TOYOSEIKI OPT.CO.LTD.'' and serial number engraving as the original model. |
The Princeflex 2 was advertised in Japanese photo magazines dated from September 1954 to April 1955.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 363. </REF> In an advertisement dated September 1954,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 177. </REF> it was offered for {{yen|18,000|1954}}. No surviving example has been observed so far. | The Princeflex 2 was advertised in Japanese photo magazines dated from September 1954 to April 1955.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 363. </REF> In an advertisement dated September 1954,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 177. </REF> it was offered for {{yen|18,000|1954}}. No surviving example has been observed so far. | ||
=== Prince Junior === | === Prince Junior === | ||
| − | The '''Prince Junior''' was | + | The '''Prince Junior''' was introduced as a less expensive camera (¥9,500). It has semi-automatic film advance with an exposure counter, the same as the Princeflex 2. There is no depth-of-field scale and no soft release connector. There is an accessory shoe on the left plate, which was perhaps already present on the Princeflex. The back latch has changed again, and it is the same as on the late Elbowflex. The serial number is engraved above the ''Prince Junior'' nameplate, and the company name has disappeared. |
| − | + | The Prince Junior usually has J-Luminar 8cm f/3.5 viewing and taking lenses and a [[Ceres]] shutter (B, 1–300). The PC synch post is buried in the left-hand plate, at the bottom. The chrome lens cap covers both lenses and is engraved ''Prince'' on the upper part. | |
| + | |||
| + | This model was advertised in Japanese photo magazines dated from September 1955 to April 1956.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p. 363. </REF> The advertisement placed in the September 1955 issue of ''[[Asahi Camera]]''<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 177. </REF> shows some sort of lottery: people were asked to guess the camera's release price, and among the correct answers, three people would win a Prince Junior. The answers would be collected until August 15th, and the correct answer would be published in the October 1955 issue of the magazine. The next advertisement<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 177. </REF> indeed shows the price of {{yen|9,500|1955}}, a sure indication that the TLR boom was close to the end. The advertisement placed in the January 1956 issue<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Asahi Camera]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 177. </REF> says that the Prince Junior "is not above Rollei, but the results are the same" (ローライ以上とは申しませんが写した結果は同じです！). | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Prince Junior (capital letters) === | ||
| + | All the Prince Junior observed so far correspond to the above description, but for one example pictured in {{McKeown}}.<REF> Example pictured in {{McKeown}}, p. 803. </REF> It has differences in the shape of the main body, strap lugs, exposure counter, back latch and viewing hood. The name ''PRINCE JUNIOR'' is written in capital letters on a different nameplate. The serial number is engraved above, perhaps ''No'' followed by five digits, unlike the mere four digits of the above cameras. The lenses are the same J-Luminar and the shutter is a [[Rectus]]. | ||
== Sources / Further reading == | == Sources / Further reading == | ||
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== Links == | == Links == | ||
In English: | In English: | ||
| − | * [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/index.html | + | * [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/index.html Various Japanese TLRs] (with the [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Prince%20Junior.html Prince Junior]) at Barry Toogood's [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/ tlr-cameras.com] |
In Japanese: | In Japanese: | ||
| − | * [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/PRINCE_J_PIC.htm Prince Junior page] and [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/PRINCE_SPEC.htm Princeflex | + | * [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/PRINCE_J_PIC.htm Prince Junior page] and [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/PRINCE_SPEC.htm Princeflex specs] at [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp Japan Family Camera] |
| − | * [http://www.geocities.jp/yume_camera/princeflex.html Prince Flex and Princeflex at yume_camera] | + | * [http://www.geocities.jp/yume_camera/princeflex.html Prewar Prince Flex and postwar Princeflex at yume_camera] |
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 TLR]] | [[Category: Japanese 6x6 TLR]] | ||
[[Category: P]] | [[Category: P]] | ||
Revision as of 20:30, 22 May 2007
The Princeflex (プリンスフレックス) and Prince Junior (プリンスジュニア) are Japanese 6×6 TLR cameras, distributed from 1953 to 1956 by Misuzu Shōkai and made by Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku and perhaps later by Cosmo Camera Seisakusho.
The postwar Princeflex has no resemblance to the 1937 Prince Flex.[1] (See the Prince page for a discussion of the various cameras with that name.)
Contents
Maker
Advertisements dated September 1953 and September 1954 say that the Princeflex was made by Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku, later advertisements for the Prince Junior dated September and October 1955 and January 1956 do not give the maker's name. It seems that Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku, which was also the maker of the Elbowflex and Elbow Six, changed its name for Cosmo Camera Seisakusho (Kosumo Kamera Seisakusho) in mid-1955. It is thus probable that the Prince Junior was made by Cosmo.
All the advertisements consistently mention the distributor Mima Shōkai. The name "Prince Camera Works" (プリンスカメラワークス, Purinsu Kamera Wākusu) is added above the distributor's name, often associated with a stylized "PCW" logo — just like advertisements for the prewar Prince models. Many sources interpret this as another maker name,[2] but it is most probable that "Prince Camera Works" was not the name of any actual company and was only used in advertising, as was certainly the case before 1945.
General description
The Princeflex and Prince Junior are regular copies of the Rolleicord. Focusing is by a knob on the right side, sliding the whole front plate. The film advance knob is on the photographer's right too. There is a magnifying lens and a sportsfinder in the viewing hood. The name Prince flex or Prince Junior is inscribed on a stepped nameplate above the front plate.
All the models have 80/3.5 viewing and taking lenses. The release button is placed at the bottom of the front standard, actuated by the photographer's right hand fingers.
It is possible that the Elbowflex is the same camera: they look very similar and clearly share parts.
Versions
Princeflex
The original Princeflex has knob advance controlled via a red window, and it can also take 4.5×6 pictures with a mask. It has Luminar Anastigmat lenses and a TSK shutter (B, 1–200, self-timer), certainly made by Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku itself. The shutter release has a release lock and a thread for a soft release. The ASA synch post is buried in the front plate, opposite the shutter button. The focusing knob is surrounded by a depth-of-field scale. The company name TOYOSEIKI OPT.CO.LTD. is written in small characters under the Prince flex name plate, together with the serial number.
This model was advertised in Japanese photography magazines for about a year starting from the August 1953 issues.[3] In an advertisement dated September 1953,[4] the camera was offered for ¥17,000.
The only other picture observed so far is in this page at yume_camera, it probably shows a prototype (s/n 1001).
Princeflex 2
The Princeflex 2 has semi-automatic film advance rather than red windows: there is a round window for an exposure counter at the top of the right-hand side plate, and a button to unlock film advance next to the focusing knob. The lenses are Super Luminar 80/3.5. The shutter is of an unknown type, still giving B, 1–200 speeds. The release button has a simpler shape, with a soft release thread and what is advertised as an improved shutter lock. It probably does not have double exposure prevention. The synch post is of the PC type but its location is unknown, perhaps at the bottom of the left-hand plate as on the Prince Junior. The back latch has changed, it is now the same as on the early Elbowflex (see for example here at Minosan's blog). This model, unlike others, has a P.C.W. logo above the viewing hood. It probably has the same TOYOSEIKI OPT.CO.LTD. and serial number engraving as the original model.
The Princeflex 2 was advertised in Japanese photo magazines dated from September 1954 to April 1955.[5] In an advertisement dated September 1954,[6] it was offered for ¥18,000. No surviving example has been observed so far.
Prince Junior
The Prince Junior was introduced as a less expensive camera (¥9,500). It has semi-automatic film advance with an exposure counter, the same as the Princeflex 2. There is no depth-of-field scale and no soft release connector. There is an accessory shoe on the left plate, which was perhaps already present on the Princeflex. The back latch has changed again, and it is the same as on the late Elbowflex. The serial number is engraved above the Prince Junior nameplate, and the company name has disappeared.
The Prince Junior usually has J-Luminar 8cm f/3.5 viewing and taking lenses and a Ceres shutter (B, 1–300). The PC synch post is buried in the left-hand plate, at the bottom. The chrome lens cap covers both lenses and is engraved Prince on the upper part.
This model was advertised in Japanese photo magazines dated from September 1955 to April 1956.[7] The advertisement placed in the September 1955 issue of Asahi Camera[8] shows some sort of lottery: people were asked to guess the camera's release price, and among the correct answers, three people would win a Prince Junior. The answers would be collected until August 15th, and the correct answer would be published in the October 1955 issue of the magazine. The next advertisement[9] indeed shows the price of ¥9,500, a sure indication that the TLR boom was close to the end. The advertisement placed in the January 1956 issue[10] says that the Prince Junior "is not above Rollei, but the results are the same" (ローライ以上とは申しませんが写した結果は同じです！).
Prince Junior (capital letters)
All the Prince Junior observed so far correspond to the above description, but for one example pictured in McKeown.[11] It has differences in the shape of the main body, strap lugs, exposure counter, back latch and viewing hood. The name PRINCE JUNIOR is written in capital letters on a different nameplate. The serial number is engraved above, perhaps No followed by five digits, unlike the mere four digits of the above cameras. The lenses are the same J-Luminar and the shutter is a Rectus.
Sources / 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.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). Pp. 82 and 88 (brief mentions only).
- 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.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 2225.
Links
In English:
- Various Japanese TLRs (with the Prince Junior) at Barry Toogood's tlr-cameras.com
In Japanese:
- Prince Junior page and Princeflex specs at Japan Family Camera
- Prewar Prince Flex and postwar Princeflex at yume_camera
