Roll-o-Frex
The Roll-o-Frex (ローローフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR advertised by Taikodō in 1941.[1] The strange name is obviously copied from the Rolleiflex name ("flex" and "frex" are pronounced the same in Japanese).
Description
The Roll-o-Frex has many points in common with the Rollekonter and Rorter Ref, and it probably shares a number of parts with both cameras. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth. The film advance is probably 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 depth-of-field plate and the shutter release button is placed underneath. There is a magnifying glass inside the viewing hood.[2] The nameplate is shaped like the nameplate of the early Rolleicord, it seems identical to the nameplate of the Rollekonter and Rorter Ref except for the inscription.
Advertisements and actual examples
The Roll-o-Frex was described in an advertisement by Taikodō dated September 1941.[3] The shutter was mentioned as an Elect[4] giving 5–200, T, B speeds and the lens as an Electar[5] Anastigmat 75/4.5.
The camera pictured in the advertisement has a Roll-o-Frex nameplate. It seems that the words MADE IN TOKYO are inscribed in small letters on the nameplate too, like on some examples of the Rollekonter.
The only surviving example observed so far is pictured in McKeown.[6] On this example, the nameplate is different: the MADE IN TOKYO engraving is absent and it seems that the name Rollo-Frex is written in two words instead of three.
Notes
- ↑ Date: advertisements listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 344.
- ↑ Magnifying glass: Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 106.
- ↑ Advertisement published in Asahi Camera, reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 106.
- ↑ Name inferred from the katakana エレクト.
- ↑ Name inferred from the katakana エレクター.
- ↑ 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.
- 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.
