Difference between revisions of "Roll-o-Frex"
Rebollo fr (talk | contribs) (details) |
m (→Description: corrected typo to remove under-scores) |
||
| (12 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | {{Japanese prewar and wartime TLR}} | + | {{Japanese prewar and wartime 6×6 TLR}} |
| − | The '''Roll-o-Frex''' (ローローフレックス) is a Japanese | + | The '''Roll-o-Frex''' (ローローフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR advertised by [[Taikodō]] in 1941. The strange name is obviously copied from the [[Rolleiflex]] name ("flex" and "frex" are pronounced the same in Japanese). |
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | The Roll-o-Frex | + | The Roll-o-Frex is a copy of the [[Rolleicord|1936 Rolleicord models]]. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth. The film advance is certainly semi-automatic. The focusing and film advance knobs are on the photographer's right, and there is a round exposure counter window at the top of the right-hand side plate. The focusing knob is surrounded by a metal plate and the shutter release button is placed underneath. There is a magnifying glass inside the viewing hood.<REF> Magnifying glass: Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.106. </REF> It seems that there is a lever on the right-hand side of the viewing hood, perhaps releasing a mirror for eye-level reflex viewing. The nameplate is shaped like the nameplate of the early [[Rolleicord]]. |
| + | |||
| + | NB: The description of this camera is almost identical to that of the Tokyo made, 1941 [[Rorter Ref and Rorterflex]]. | ||
== Advertisements and actual examples == | == Advertisements and actual examples == | ||
| − | The Roll-o-Frex was | + | The Roll-o-Frex does not appear in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, presumably because it was not yet in production.<REF> {{Kakaku0141_short}}. </REF> The camera was advertised in {{ACA}} from May to September 1941, and appears in no other document known so far.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.344. </REF> The September advertisement, placed by [[Taikodō]], mentions an Elect<REF> Name inferred from the ''katakana'' エレクト. </REF> shutter giving 5–200, T, B speeds and an Electer<REF> Name inferred from the ''katakana'' エレクター, and reported in [http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~clenssic/camera-rollofrex.html this page at Pleasure Classic Lenses]. </REF> Anastigmat 75/4.5 lens.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.106. </REF> There is an allusion to an "easy to use depth-of-field table", probably attached to the camera's back.<REF> "Easy to use depth-of-field table": 親切なる焦点深度表. </REF> The pictured camera has a ''Roll-o-Frex'' nameplate. It seems that the words ''MADE IN TOKYO'' are inscribed in small letters in the nameplate's top corners, as on some examples of the [[Rollekonter]]. |
| − | + | Pictures of two surviving examples have been observed so far. They show minor differences from the camera pictured in the advertisement: the position of the release button is slightly higher, and an incurved part is added just in front of the advance knob, certainly indicating whether the film has been wound or not. The camera pictured in {{MK}} has a specific nameplate: the ''MADE IN TOKYO'' engraving is absent and it seems that the name ''Rollo-Frex'' is written in two words instead of three.<REF> {{MK}}, p.860. </REF> The camera pictured in [http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~clenssic/camera-rollofrex.html this page at Pleasure Classic Lenses], whose nameplate is missing, has the name ''Roll-o-Frex'' engraved on the metal plate surrounding the focus knob. It reportedly has an Electer Anastigmat 75/4.5 taking lens, a Universe Anastigmat 75/4.5 viewing lens, and a Pleime shutter (T, B, 1–200) — the same shutter name is faintly legible in the picture in {{MK}}. | |
| − | |||
| − | The | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
* {{Showa10}} Item 340. | * {{Showa10}} Item 340. | ||
| − | * {{McKeown12}} P. | + | * {{Kakaku0141}} The Roll-o-Frex does ''not'' appear in this list. |
| + | * {{McKeown12}} P.860. | ||
The Roll-o-Frex is not listed in {{Sugiyama}}. | The Roll-o-Frex is not listed in {{Sugiyama}}. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Links == | ||
| + | In Japanese: | ||
| + | * [http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~clenssic/camera-rollofrex.html Roll-o-Frex] and [http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~clenssic/kinko-0805-roll-bb.html sample picture] at [http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~clenssic/index.html Pleasure Classic Lenses] | ||
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 TLR]] | [[Category: Japanese 6x6 TLR]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category: R]] |
Latest revision as of 09:05, 14 January 2022
The Roll-o-Frex (ローローフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR advertised by Taikodō in 1941. The strange name is obviously copied from the Rolleiflex name ("flex" and "frex" are pronounced the same in Japanese).
Description
The Roll-o-Frex is a copy of the 1936 Rolleicord models. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth. The film advance is certainly semi-automatic. The focusing and film advance knobs are on the photographer's right, and there is a round exposure counter window at the top of the right-hand side plate. The focusing knob is surrounded by a metal plate and the shutter release button is placed underneath. There is a magnifying glass inside the viewing hood.[1] It seems that there is a lever on the right-hand side of the viewing hood, perhaps releasing a mirror for eye-level reflex viewing. The nameplate is shaped like the nameplate of the early Rolleicord.
NB: The description of this camera is almost identical to that of the Tokyo made, 1941 Rorter Ref and Rorterflex.
Advertisements and actual examples
The Roll-o-Frex does not appear in the official list of set prices compiled in October 1940 and published in January 1941, presumably because it was not yet in production.[2] The camera was advertised in Asahi Camera from May to September 1941, and appears in no other document known so far.[3] The September advertisement, placed by Taikodō, mentions an Elect[4] shutter giving 5–200, T, B speeds and an Electer[5] Anastigmat 75/4.5 lens.[6] There is an allusion to an "easy to use depth-of-field table", probably attached to the camera's back.[7] The pictured camera has a Roll-o-Frex nameplate. It seems that the words MADE IN TOKYO are inscribed in small letters in the nameplate's top corners, as on some examples of the Rollekonter.
Pictures of two surviving examples have been observed so far. They show minor differences from the camera pictured in the advertisement: the position of the release button is slightly higher, and an incurved part is added just in front of the advance knob, certainly indicating whether the film has been wound or not. The camera pictured in McKeown has a specific nameplate: the MADE IN TOKYO engraving is absent and it seems that the name Rollo-Frex is written in two words instead of three.[8] The camera pictured in this page at Pleasure Classic Lenses, whose nameplate is missing, has the name Roll-o-Frex engraved on the metal plate surrounding the focus knob. It reportedly has an Electer Anastigmat 75/4.5 taking lens, a Universe Anastigmat 75/4.5 viewing lens, and a Pleime shutter (T, B, 1–200) — the same shutter name is faintly legible in the picture in McKeown.
Notes
- ↑ Magnifying glass: Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.106.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku".
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.344.
- ↑ Name inferred from the katakana エレクト.
- ↑ Name inferred from the katakana エレクター, and reported in this page at Pleasure Classic Lenses.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.106.
- ↑ "Easy to use depth-of-field table": 親切なる焦点深度表.
- ↑ McKeown, p.860.
Bibliography
- 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. Item 340.
- "Kokusan shashinki no kōtei kakaku" (国産写真機の公定価格, Set prices of the Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of October 25, 1940 and setting the retail prices from December 10, 1940. Published in Asahi Camera January 1941 and reproduced in 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. Pp.108—9. The Roll-o-Frex does not appear in this list.
- 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.860.
The Roll-o-Frex is not listed in Sugiyama.
Links
In Japanese:
