Difference between revisions of "Shinkoflex"
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* [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371079&APage=8 Shinkoflex] in the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/set_brws_01.php?id=1033 Camera database] of the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/ Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology] | * [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371079&APage=8 Shinkoflex] in the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/set_brws_01.php?id=1033 Camera database] of the [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/ Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology] | ||
| − | * [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki4.jpg Advertisement for the Kanko 2600] published in the March 1942 issue of ''Hōdō Shashin,'' reproduced in the [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm Japanese camera page] of the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website] | + | * [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki4.jpg Advertisement for the Kanko 2600] published in the March 1942 issue of ''[[Hōdō Shashin]],'' reproduced in the [http://syasinsyuu.cool.ne.jp/camera/syasinki.htm Japanese camera page] of the [http://kyoto.cool.ne.jp/syasinsyuu/index.htm Gochamaze website] |
* [http://ww81.tiki.ne.jp/~yumarin7/siryouhansya.htm Documentation page] of the [http://ww81.tiki.ne.jp/~yumarin7/ Old Telescope website], with Kanko mirror lenses | * [http://ww81.tiki.ne.jp/~yumarin7/siryouhansya.htm Documentation page] of the [http://ww81.tiki.ne.jp/~yumarin7/ Old Telescope website], with Kanko mirror lenses | ||
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 SLR]] | [[Category: Japanese 6x6 SLR]] | ||
[[Category: S]] | [[Category: S]] | ||
Revision as of 22:37, 19 March 2007
The Shinkoflex and Flex Six are Japanese 6×6 SLR cameras, dated 1940 and identical except for the name.[1] It is said that the Shinkoflex was the first Japanese 6×6 SLR, the first Japanese rollfilm SLR with a focal plane shutter and the first Japanese camera to have an advance lever.[2]
Contents
Maker and distributor
The Shinkoflex is usually attributed to Yamashita Shōten (some sources say "Yamashita Shōkai" by mistake) but this was certainly only the distributor.[3] It was mentioned in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), listing the Japanese camera production as of April 1943.[4] The maker's name is unfortunately missing from the document, but the focal plane shutter and the lens are mentioned as made by Shinkō, the same company which made the Shinko Baby and Shinko Super.[5] It seems obvious that the company which made the shutter also made the rest of the body.
The Flex Six is attributed to Kyōto Seiki for an unknown reason,[6] but the camera is almost identical to the Shinkoflex.
Description
The Shinkoflex and Flex Six are strongly influenced by the Reflex-Korelle, with a focal plane shutter and a cube-like mirror box protruding from the body. The left half of the top plate has an advance lever and perhaps an exposure counter. The right half has the speed setting knob, with B, 10–500 speed settings.[7] It seems that the release button is on the right-hand side of the mirror box. The nameplate (Shinkoflex or Flex Six) is above the lens, in front of the viewing hood. The back is hinged to the right.
It is said that the lens is interchangeable.[8] It is not known if it used the same mount as the Reflex-Korelle. The lens mentioned in the "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras") is the same four-element Shinko 80/3.5 as on the Shinko Super.[9]
Actual examples
Two actual examples of the Shinkoflex have been observed. One is pictured in Sugiyama and has a Radionar 7.5cm f/3.5 lens by Schneider, a lens that was perhaps originally made for the Reflex-Korelle.[10] The other is pictured in Lewis[11] and in this page of the JCII collection and has a different lens and a larger lens plate, almost covering all the front plate.
One example of the Flex Six is pictured in Sugiyama with a front-cell focusing U.L.L. Anastigmat 80/3.5 lens mounted on the larger lens plate.
Kanko mirror lenses
The Kanko mirror lenses made by Kansai Kōgaku were available for the Flex Six or Shinkoflex body. (See the article about Kansai Kōgaku for the full range.) Surviving examples are known of the 450mm focal length Kanko 2600. One is pictured in Sugiyama and another in this page of the Old Telescope website.[12]
Notes
- ↑ Date: Sugiyama, items 2008, 2027 and 6008; McKeown, pp. 592 and 1020; this page of the JCII collection.
- ↑ See for example Sugiyama, item 2027, and McKeown, p. 1020.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 2027, and McKeown, p. 1020, attribute the camera to "Yamashita Trading Co." This page of the JCII collection says "Yamashita Shōkai", but an advertisement for the Shinko Super reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p. 74, gives the name Yamashita Shōten. Lewis, p. 57, says Yamashita Shōten too.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), item 127.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens item M3.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 2008, McKeown, p. 592.
- ↑ Speed range: Sugiyama, items 2008 and 2027, McKeown, pp. 592 and 1020.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 2027, McKeown, p. 1020.
- ↑ "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" ("Inquiry into Japanese cameras"), lens item M3.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 2027.
- ↑ Lewis, p. 57.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 6008, calls it the Flex Six (military version), but nothing indicates that it was made for the military.
Bibliography
- 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). P. 57.
- 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). Pp. 592 and 1020.
- 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. Items 2008, 2027 and 6008.
These cameras are not listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.
Links
In Japanese:
- Shinkoflex in the Camera database of the Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
- Advertisement for the Kanko 2600 published in the March 1942 issue of Hōdō Shashin, reproduced in the Japanese camera page of the Gochamaze website
- Documentation page of the Old Telescope website, with Kanko mirror lenses
