Difference between revisions of "Reflex Beauty"

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{{Japanese Six postwar
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{{Japanese medium format SLR
|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1353004098/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/1353004098_01c2b96428_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture courtesy of George Cronk. {{with permission}}''
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|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47956451942/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47956451942_79868cd774_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture courtesy of George Cronk. {{with permission}}''
 
}}
 
}}
{{stub}}
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The '''Reflex Beauty''' (レフレックス・ビューティ) is a Japanese 6×6 SLR made by [[Taiyōdō]] in the mid-1950s.
{{WIP}}
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The '''Reflex Beauty''' is a Japanese 6&times;6 SLR made by [[Taiyōdō]] in the mid-1950s.
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''See also the [[Beautyflex]] 6×6 TLR.''
  
 
== The Reflex Beauty (I) ==
 
== The Reflex Beauty (I) ==
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The design of the Reflex Beauty was strongly influenced by the [[Reflex-Korelle]], but it is not a dead-copy.
 
The design of the Reflex Beauty was strongly influenced by the [[Reflex-Korelle]], but it is not a dead-copy.
  
The main body has a prismatic shape and the cubic mirror box protrudes at the front. On the original model, the film runs horizontally from right to left; it is advanced by a knob placed at the top left and containing a film reminder disc. The serial number is engraved on a small plate screwed to the top plate next to the advance knob. The back is hinged to the right and contains a red window in the middle, protected by a horizontally sliding cover, for manual control of the film advance.
+
The main body has a prismatic shape and the cubic mirror box protrudes at the front. On the original model, the film runs horizontally from right to left; it is advanced by a knob placed at the top left and containing a film reminder disc. The serial number is engraved on a small plate screwed to the top plate next to the advance knob. The back is hinged to the right and contains a [[red window]] in the middle, protected by a horizontally sliding cover, for manual control of the [[film advance]]. The leather is embossed ''T<small>AIYŌDŌ KŌKI CO.</small>'' under the red window.
  
The focal-plane shutter has horizontally travelling curtains; it is wound by a lever at the top right and the speed is selected by a knob placed immediately to the left. The available speeds are B, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500. The release button and a cable release thread are attached to the right of the mirror box &mdash; as seen from the photographer. There is an accessory shoe and a sunken PC synch socket on the left, and there are strap lugs on each side. The tripod thread is placed under the mirror box and there are two film flanges under the bottom plate, allowing the camera to stand on a table.
+
The [[focal plane shutter|focal-plane shutter]] has horizontally travelling curtains; it is wound by a lever at the top right and the speed is selected by a knob placed immediately to the left. The available speeds are B, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500. The [[shutter release|release button]] and a [[cable release]] thread are attached to the right of the mirror box as seen by the photographer. There is an accessory shoe and a sunken [[flash sync|PC synch socket]] on the left, and there are strap lugs on each side. The tripod thread is placed under the mirror box and there are two film flanges under the bottom plate, allowing the camera to stand on a table.
  
The nameplate is in front of the viewing hood; it is silver-coloured and engraved ''Reflex Beauty'' in cursive script on the original model. The center part of the hood is retractable, giving place to a sportsfinder, and has a shape reminding the [[Hasselblad]] viewing hoods. There is also a loupe hinged at the back of the hood. The mirror is moved upwards when the release button is tripped and only comes back when the shutter is wound again.
+
The nameplate is in front of the viewing hood; it is silver-coloured and engraved ''Reflex Beauty'' in cursive script on the original model. The center part of the hood is retractable, giving place to a sports finder, and has a shape reminding the [[Hasselblad]] viewing hoods. There is also a [[loupe]] hinged at the back of the hood. The mirror is moved upwards when the release button is tripped and only comes back when the shutter is wound again.
  
The lens mount is the same screw thread as on the [[Reflex-Korelle]]. The standard lens is a TKK Canter 75mm f/3.5 in all-chrome finish, made by [[Taiyōdō]] &mdash; the initials TKK probably stand for <U>T</U>aiyōdō <U>K</U>ō<U>k</U>i. It has a slightly knurled focusing ring with depth-of-field indications, and has an aperture ring at the front going from 3.5 to 22.
+
The lens mount is the same screw thread as on the [[Reflex-Korelle]]. The standard lens is a TKK Canter 75mm f/3.5 in all-chrome finish, made by [[Taiyōdō]] the initials TKK probably stand for <U>T</U>aiyōdō <U>K</U>ō<U>k</U>i. It has a slightly knurled focusing ring with depth-of-field indications, and has an aperture ring at the front going from 3.5 to 22.
 
{{br}}
 
{{br}}
=== Pictures ===
 
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" style="text-align: center;"
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1352116431/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1229/1352116431_275670fa6f_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1353004098/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1240/1353004098_01c2b96428_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1353004088/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1325/1353004088_4b775b525b_m_d.jpg]
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| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47956485478/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47956485478_1735cfa7c2_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47956451942/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47956451942_79868cd774_m_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47956484657/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47956484657_75b8577889_m_d.jpg]
 
|-
 
|-
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1352116425/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1251/1352116425_42b6285fd3_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1353004120/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1325/1353004120_002f435f97_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1353004106/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1089/1353004106_a171233fe1_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1353004134/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1279/1353004134_38b59e67aa_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1352116411/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/1352116411_0f6acb17eb_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1352116445/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/1352116445_bfeb5ec412_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1353004110/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1379/1353004110_241016f46e_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/1352116459/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1348/1352116459_c77ec67ab3_t_d.jpg]
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| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47956504893/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47956504893_b6e3838298_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47956503662/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47956503662_e928816c28_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47957680811/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47957680811_fe8b1f96e5_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47957664838/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47957664838_6be03eceb9_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47957674858/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47957674858_6eec1ca9e0_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47957672992/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47957672992_a4cf4e1596_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47957721931/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47957721931_30a5358138_t_d.jpg] [http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerawiki/47957704128/in/pool-camerawiki/ https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47957704128_b0bcb1dcc7_t_d.jpg]
 
|-
 
|-
||''Reflex Beauty no.&nbsp;11568, TKK Canter 75mm f/3.5 lens no.&nbsp;11712.''<br>''Pictures courtesy of George Cronk. {{with permission}}''
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|''Reflex Beauty no.11568, TKK Canter 75mm f/3.5 lens no.11712.''<br>''Pictures courtesy of George Cronk. {{with permission}}''
 
|}
 
|}
  
=== Advertisements and surviving examples ===
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=== Advertisements and other documents ===
The Reflex Beauty was announced in many Japanese magazines in October 1954.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;361. </REF> It was offered for {{yen|18,800|1954}} in an advertisement in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' dated the same month.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;169. See also the advertisement published in ''[[Photo Art]]'' October 1954, reproduced on p.&nbsp;168 of the same book. </REF> This advertisement also mentions a 150mm lens as "under production" (製作中), presumably meaning "available soon".
+
The Reflex Beauty was announced in many Japanese magazines in October 1954.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.361. </REF> It was offered for {{yen|18,800|1954}} in an advertisement in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'' dated the same month.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.169. See also the advertisement published in ''[[Photo Art]]'' October 1954, reproduced on p.168 of the same book. </REF> This advertisement also mentions a 150mm lens as "under production" (製作中), presumably meaning "available soon". This lens has not been observed yet and it is not known if it was actually sold.
 +
 
 +
== The Reflex Beauty II ==
 +
The '''Reflex Beauty II''' was released in 1956. It was featured in various Japanese magazines throughout the year 1956 but no advertisement is known.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.396. </REF>
 +
 
 +
The model II has a bayonet mount, locked by a lever at the bottom. The other main difference with the previous model is the coupling of the film advance to the shutter winding: both are operated by a black and chrome lever at the top right, slightly different from the lever of the original model. As a consequence, the film now runs from left to right and the advance knob has disappeared from the top left corner; the film reminder disc is directly mounted on the top plate. The model II presents other minor changes in the shape of the shutter release and in the black nameplate engraved ''Reflex Beauty'' in typewriter script.
  
The examples of the Reflex Beauty observed so far have both the body and the lens number in the 11xxx or 12xxx range. The 150mm lens has not been seen yet and it is not known if it was actually sold.
+
The standard lens of the Reflex Beauty II is the same as on the original model, supplied with an adapter converting the screw mount to the bayonet mount. The only other known lens is the TKK Canter 135mm f/4, a short tele lens apparently using the bayonet mount directly. Only two examples of this lens have been observed so far, with serial numbers in the 35xxx range.<REF> Lens no.35003 sold in lot 42 of Rahn Photographica Auction 4, and lens no.35135 sold in lot 666 of Westlicht auction 10 (see the links below). The lens no.35003 might be the third example produced. </REF>
  
== The Reflex Beauty II ==
+
== Total production ==
 +
The examples of the Reflex Beauty observed so far have a body number in the 11xxx or 12xxx range and a lens number in the 10xxx, 11xxx or 12xxx range. The serial number sequence probably began at 10000 and we can roughly estimate the total production at less than 3,000.
 +
 
 +
== Notes ==
 +
<references />
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
 
* {{Showa10}} Items 744 and 1469. (See also the advertisement for item 738.)
 
* {{Showa10}} Items 744 and 1469. (See also the advertisement for item 738.)
* {{Lewis}} P.&nbsp;86 (brief mention only).
+
* {{CCN}} no.219. Nishinomiya: Camera Collectors News-sha.<!-- not seen -->
* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;114.
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* {{Lewis}} P.86 (brief mention only).
* {{Zukan}} Items 2068&ndash;9.
+
* {{McKeown12}} P.114.
 +
* {{Zukan}} Items 2068–9.
 +
<!-- not seen:
 +
* {{KKS055}}
 +
-->
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In English:
 
In English:
* [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=64589&acat=64589&_ssl=off Reflex Beauty II], lot no.666 of [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/ Westlicht Photographica Auction] no.10 (18 November 2006)
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* Reflex Beauty II: [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=10&inO=666 lot no.666] of [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=10 auction no.10] (November 18, 2006) by [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=3&L=1 Westlicht Photographica Auction]
 
In German:
 
In German:
* [http://www.photographica-auctionen.de/auctionlist/objectWinInfo.asp?objektnr=42&auktionsnamn=Photographica%204 Reflex Beauty II], lot no.&nbsp;42 of [http://www.photographica-auctionen.de/eng/index.asp Photographica Auction] no.&nbsp;4 (11 November 2006).
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* Reflex Beauty II: [http://www.auction2000.se/auk/w.MegaPic?inC=FHR&inA=11112006&inO=42&inSO=1 lot no.42] of auction no.4 (November 11, 2006) by [http://www.photographica-auctionen.de/eng/ Rahn]
 
In Swedish:
 
In Swedish:
* [http://www.lpfoto.se/eng/auktioner/objectwinInfo.asp?auktionsnamn=Auktion%2026%20S%F6ndagen%20den%2022%20april%202007&objektnr=76 Reflex Beauty (I)], lot no.&nbsp;76 of [http://www.lpfoto.se/eng/index.asp LP Foto] auction no.&nbsp;26 (22 April 2007).
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* Past auctions by [http://www.lpfoto.se/ LP Foto]:
* [http://www.lpfoto.se/eng/auktioner/objectwinInfo.asp?auktionsnamn=Auktion%2016%20den%208%20september%202002&objektnr=499 TKK Canter 75/3.5 lens for the Reflex Beauty], lot no.&nbsp;499 of [http://www.lpfoto.se/eng/index.asp LP Foto] auction no.&nbsp;16 (8 September 2002).
+
** Reflex Beauty (I): [http://auktion.lpfoto.se/auk/w.MegaPic?inC=LP&inA=07-04-22&inO=76&inSO=1 lot no.76] of auction no.26 (April 22, 2007).
 +
** TKK Canter 75/3.5 lens for the Reflex Beauty: [http://auktion.lpfoto.se/auk/w.MegaPic?inC=LP&inA=02-09-08&inO=499&inSO=1 lot no.499] of auction no.16 (September 8, 2002).
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
* [http://coolys.exblog.jp/3263433/ Japanese 6&times;6 SLR cameras] at the [http://coolys.exblog.jp/ Coolys Creek blog]
+
* [http://asacame.fc2web.com/hsp120slrall/slr120beauty.htm Reflex Beauty (I) and II] at [http://asacame.fc2web.com/ Asacame]
In Chinese:
+
* [http://coolys.exblog.jp/3263433/ Japanese 6×6 SLR cameras] at the [http://coolys.exblog.jp/ Coolys Creek blog]
* [http://www.ccc2000.net/Camera/Details.aspx?ID=1857 Reflex Beauty (I)] at [http://www.ccc2000.net/camera/ www.ccc2000.net]
 
  
 
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 SLR]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 SLR]]

Revision as of 10:39, 29 May 2019

Japanese medium-format SLR (edit)
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Japanese TLR and pseudo TLR ->
Other Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->

The Reflex Beauty (レフレックス・ビューティ) is a Japanese 6×6 SLR made by Taiyōdō in the mid-1950s.

See also the Beautyflex 6×6 TLR.

The Reflex Beauty (I)

The original model was released in 1954. It is recognized by the separate film advance and shutter winding, the silver nameplate and other details.

Description

The design of the Reflex Beauty was strongly influenced by the Reflex-Korelle, but it is not a dead-copy.

The main body has a prismatic shape and the cubic mirror box protrudes at the front. On the original model, the film runs horizontally from right to left; it is advanced by a knob placed at the top left and containing a film reminder disc. The serial number is engraved on a small plate screwed to the top plate next to the advance knob. The back is hinged to the right and contains a red window in the middle, protected by a horizontally sliding cover, for manual control of the film advance. The leather is embossed TAIYŌDŌ KŌKI CO. under the red window.

The focal-plane shutter has horizontally travelling curtains; it is wound by a lever at the top right and the speed is selected by a knob placed immediately to the left. The available speeds are B, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500. The release button and a cable release thread are attached to the right of the mirror box — as seen by the photographer. There is an accessory shoe and a sunken PC synch socket on the left, and there are strap lugs on each side. The tripod thread is placed under the mirror box and there are two film flanges under the bottom plate, allowing the camera to stand on a table.

The nameplate is in front of the viewing hood; it is silver-coloured and engraved Reflex Beauty in cursive script on the original model. The center part of the hood is retractable, giving place to a sports finder, and has a shape reminding the Hasselblad viewing hoods. There is also a loupe hinged at the back of the hood. The mirror is moved upwards when the release button is tripped and only comes back when the shutter is wound again.

The lens mount is the same screw thread as on the Reflex-Korelle. The standard lens is a TKK Canter 75mm f/3.5 in all-chrome finish, made by Taiyōdō — the initials TKK probably stand for Taiyōdō Kōki. It has a slightly knurled focusing ring with depth-of-field indications, and has an aperture ring at the front going from 3.5 to 22.

Advertisements and other documents

The Reflex Beauty was announced in many Japanese magazines in October 1954.[1] It was offered for ¥18,800 in an advertisement in Asahi Camera dated the same month.[2] This advertisement also mentions a 150mm lens as "under production" (製作中), presumably meaning "available soon". This lens has not been observed yet and it is not known if it was actually sold.

The Reflex Beauty II

The Reflex Beauty II was released in 1956. It was featured in various Japanese magazines throughout the year 1956 but no advertisement is known.[3]

The model II has a bayonet mount, locked by a lever at the bottom. The other main difference with the previous model is the coupling of the film advance to the shutter winding: both are operated by a black and chrome lever at the top right, slightly different from the lever of the original model. As a consequence, the film now runs from left to right and the advance knob has disappeared from the top left corner; the film reminder disc is directly mounted on the top plate. The model II presents other minor changes in the shape of the shutter release and in the black nameplate engraved Reflex Beauty in typewriter script.

The standard lens of the Reflex Beauty II is the same as on the original model, supplied with an adapter converting the screw mount to the bayonet mount. The only other known lens is the TKK Canter 135mm f/4, a short tele lens apparently using the bayonet mount directly. Only two examples of this lens have been observed so far, with serial numbers in the 35xxx range.[4]

Total production

The examples of the Reflex Beauty observed so far have a body number in the 11xxx or 12xxx range and a lens number in the 10xxx, 11xxx or 12xxx range. The serial number sequence probably began at 10000 and we can roughly estimate the total production at less than 3,000.

Notes

  1. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.361.
  2. Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.169. See also the advertisement published in Photo Art October 1954, reproduced on p.168 of the same book.
  3. Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.396.
  4. Lens no.35003 sold in lot 42 of Rahn Photographica Auction 4, and lens no.35135 sold in lot 666 of Westlicht auction 10 (see the links below). The lens no.35003 might be the third example produced.

Bibliography

Links

In English:

In German:

  • Reflex Beauty II: lot no.42 of auction no.4 (November 11, 2006) by Rahn

In Swedish:

  • Past auctions by LP Foto:
    • Reflex Beauty (I): lot no.76 of auction no.26 (April 22, 2007).
    • TKK Canter 75/3.5 lens for the Reflex Beauty: lot no.499 of auction no.16 (September 8, 2002).

In Japanese: