Difference between revisions of "Silverflex"

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search
(added original documents)
(more original documents)
Line 19: Line 19:
 
|| ''Announcement of the Silverflex Model S in {{ACA}} September 1953. {{public domain Japan new}}''
 
|| ''Announcement of the Silverflex Model S in {{ACA}} September 1953. {{public domain Japan new}}''
 
|}
 
|}
−
The Silverflex S was first announced in Japanese magazines dated September 1953.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.352. </REF> The announcement in {{ACA}} says that the manufacturer was known for its Silver Lucky enlargers, and that the Silverflex was its first camera.<REF> Column in {{ACA}} September 1953, p.175. </REF> The document mentions a limited range of shutter speeds (B, 25, 50, 100) and a price of {{yen|8,500|1953}}. The advertisement published in {{ACA}} in September and October 1953, reproduced below, gives the same price and characteristics.<REF> Advertisement in {{ACA}} September 1953, p.73, and October 1953, p.76. The document is also reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.140. </REF>
+
The Silverflex S was first announced in Japanese magazines dated September 1953.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.352. </REF> The announcement in {{ACA}} says that the manufacturer was known for its Silver Lucky enlargers, and that the Silverflex was its first camera.<REF> Column in {{ACA}} September 1953, p.175. </REF> The document mentions a limited range of shutter speeds (B, 25, 50, 100) and a price of {{yen|8,500|1953}}.
 +
 
 +
The advertisements published in {{ACA}} from September to November 1953, reproduced below, give the same price and characteristics.<REF> Advertisement in {{ACA}} September 1953, p.73 (also reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.140), October 1953, p.76, and November 1953, p.35. </REF> The September issue contained a special lottery ticket for owners of the Silverflex, offering various lots, ranging from a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Silver_Pigeon Silver Pigeon] scooter to a free single issue of {{ACA}}.
  
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" width=350px style="text-align: center; clear: both;"
 
{| class="plainlinks" align="center" width=350px style="text-align: center; clear: both;"
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/4026756565/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/4026756565_3bd9dc9aff_d.jpg]
+
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/4026755841/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2687/4026755841_95325205d2_m_d.jpg]
 +
| rowspan=2 | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/4026756565/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/4026756565_3bd9dc9aff_d.jpg]
 +
| rowspan=2 | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/4027508268/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/4027508268_a59839f95e_d.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/4027509294/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/4027509294_29d8573754_m_d.jpg]
 +
|-
 +
|| ''September 1953, with lottery ticket''
 +
|| ''September and October 1953''
 +
|| ''November 1953''
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| ''Advertisement for the Silverflex Model S in {{ACA}} September and October 1953. {{public domain Japan new}}''
+
| colspan=3 | ''Advertisements for the Silverflex Model S in {{ACA}}. {{public domain Japan new}}''
 
|}
 
|}
  
Line 49: Line 59:
 
* {{ACA}}. Advertisements by [[Nippon Kōki]]:
 
* {{ACA}}. Advertisements by [[Nippon Kōki]]:
 
** September 1953, p.73;
 
** September 1953, p.73;
−
** October 1953, p.76.
+
** October 1953, p.76;
 +
** November 1953, p.35.
  
 
=== Recent sources ===
 
=== Recent sources ===

Revision as of 23:18, 26 October 2009

2125819524_d200651043_m_d.jpg
Picture by waynecogan@gmail.com. (Image rights)
Japanese 6×6 TLR
Postwar models (M–Z)
6×6cm
M–Z
(edit) 		Magniflex | Malcaflex | Mamiyaflex I | Mamiyaflex II | Mamiyaflex Automat A | Mamiya C | Mananflex | Manonflex | Marioflex | Metascoflex | Middl Flex | Mihamaflex | Mikono Flex S, P | Minolta Autocord | Minoltacord | Minoltaflex Automat prototypes | Minoltaflex II, III | Minoriflex | Molforeflex | Monade Flex | Morrisflex | Nikkenflex | Nikoflex | Ofunaflex | Olympus Flex | Oplenflex | Oriflex | Orionflex | Osiroflex | Pigeonflex | Princeflex | Prince Junior | Prinz Auto | Prinz Flex | Rectaflex | Ricohflex III–VII, Super, Holiday, Million | Ripeflex | Rolex | Ruvinalflex | Sanonflex | Selcaflex | Silverflex | Starflex | Sunflex IV | Superflex | Toyocaflex | Tsubasaflex | Tubasaflex | Veri Flex | Wagoflex | Walzflex | Welmyflex | Yashica-A, B, C, D, E, 635 | Yashica-Mat, EM, LM, 12, 24, Mat-124 | Zenobiaflex
Prewar and wartime models and postwar models (A–L) ->
Other TLR, pseudo TLR and medium format SLR ->
Other Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->
This is a work in progress.

The Silverflex (シルバーフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made in 1953–4 by Nippon Kōki. This company was also making the Silver Six 6×6 folder at the same period.

General description

The Silverflex is a plain copy of the Ricohflex VI. The taking and viewing lenses are externally geared for focusing. The distance scale and depth-of-field indications are engraved on the upper lens. The viewing hood contains a large magnifying lens. The film is advanced by a knob on the photographer's right. The advance is controlled by a red window in the back, protected by a vertically sliding cover. The exposure chamber comes out together with the spool holders for film loading.

The lenses are 80mm f/3.5, and the marking is SILVER ANASTIGMAT on the taking lens and SILVER VIEWER on the viewing lens. The shutter is of the setting type and has flash synchronization. The release lever is attached to the shutter casing itself.

It is said that the build quality of the Silverflex is poor, far from that of the Ricohflex.[1]

The Silverflex S

4027507194_6b766c0e28_m_d.jpg
Announcement of the Silverflex Model S in Asahi Camera September 1953. (Image rights)

The Silverflex S was first announced in Japanese magazines dated September 1953.[2] The announcement in Asahi Camera says that the manufacturer was known for its Silver Lucky enlargers, and that the Silverflex was its first camera.[3] The document mentions a limited range of shutter speeds (B, 25, 50, 100) and a price of ¥8,500.

The advertisements published in Asahi Camera from September to November 1953, reproduced below, give the same price and characteristics.[4] The September issue contained a special lottery ticket for owners of the Silverflex, offering various lots, ranging from a Silver Pigeon scooter to a free single issue of Asahi Camera.

4026755841_95325205d2_m_d.jpg 4026756565_3bd9dc9aff_d.jpg 4027508268_a59839f95e_d.jpg
4027509294_29d8573754_m_d.jpg
September 1953, with lottery ticket September and October 1953 November 1953
Advertisements for the Silverflex Model S in Asahi Camera. (Image rights)

In an advertisement in the January 1954 issue of the same magazine, the price is unchanged and the range of speeds has become B, 10–200.[5] In both advertisements, the camera is only called "Silverflex" (シルバーフレックス) but the nameplate reads SILVERFLEX MODEL S.

The cameras observed so far have an NKS shutter (B, 10–200) with flash synchronization, marked NKS at the bottom of the speed rim and at the top of the shutter plate.[6] The early cameras have an ASA synch post and later ones have a PC synch socket.[7]

The Silverflex LII

2125819524_d200651043_m_d.jpg 2125819530_3a369c9f86_m_d.jpg 2125819532_6e7624e27e_m_d.jpg
Silverflex Model LII, Silver Anastigmat 80mm f/3.5 lens no.6328.
Pictures by waynecogan@gmail.com. (Image rights)

One example of the Silverflex has been observed with a nameplate inscribed SILVERFLEX MODEL LII.[8] The only visible difference from the previous model is the shutter name ending in "S.S.", and the presence of a self-timer. (The shutter might be the S.S.S. also observed on an example of the Carl Six.) The later lens number indicates that the model LII went after the model S.

Notes

  1. ↑ On p.443 of Kokusan kamera no rekishi, Orima Isamu (織間勇), who was an engineer at Riken from the 1950s, says that the build quality of the Silverflex was appalling. The same kind of comments also appear in this page by Oozusi.
  2. ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.352.
  3. ↑ Column in Asahi Camera September 1953, p.175.
  4. ↑ Advertisement in Asahi Camera September 1953, p.73 (also reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.140), October 1953, p.76, and November 1953, p.35.
  5. ↑ Advertisement published in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.140. The same advertisement is reproduced here at Shashin-Bako.
  6. ↑ See the pictures here at Oozusi's site.
  7. ↑ ASA synch post: example pictured in Sugiyama, item 2255 (lens no.2xxx). PC synch socket: example pictured here at Oozusi's site (lens no.4120).
  8. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.

Bibliography

Original documents

  • Asahi Camera September 1953. "Shinseihin memo" (新製品, New Products Memo). P.125.
  • Asahi Camera. Advertisements by Nippon Kōki:
    • September 1953, p.73;
    • October 1953, p.76;
    • November 1953, p.35.

Recent sources

  • 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 536. See also the advertisement for items 537–8 and the interview of Orima Isamu (織間勇) on p.443.
  • 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.82 (brief mention 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.721.
  • 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 2255.

Links

In English:

In Japanese:

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Silverflex&oldid=68893"