Speed Reflex
The Speed Reflex (スピードレフレックス) is a Japanese SLR made in the 1920s by Kuribayashi.[1]
Description
The Speed Reflex has a boxy shape, inspired by English models such as the Thornton-Pickard Ruby Reflex, the Marion Soho Reflex or the Houghton Ensign Reflex. The front standard is mounted on a rack-and-pinion device with double extension bellows, certainly driven by a knob on the photographer's left.[2] The removable lensboard is attached to a plate sliding vertically in the front standard, allowing vertical movements and locked in position by a wheel.
The main body has a viewing hood hinged at the front, and strap lugs on both sides. There is a self-capping focal plane shutter, wound and set by a knob on the photographer's right.[3] The mirror is raised and the shutter is tripped by a lever placed on the same side. The camera has a revolving back, allowing to take vertical and horizontal pictures.[4]
Commercial life
Many sources say that the Speed Reflex was introduced in 1919,[5] and was distributed by Saneidō and Sone Shunsuidō.[6] It is said that the camera was first released in tefuda-size (8×10.5cm) as the Speed Reflex, and later in meishi-size (5.5×8cm) as the Speed Reflex Junior.[7]
The advertisement by Saneidō in the September 1925 issue of Asahi Camera presents the Speed Reflex, renaming of the Junior (ジュニオル改称スピードレフレックス), in both tefuda and meishi formats.[8] The camera was supplied with three plate holders and one film pack holder. The following options were listed:
- Royal lens, tefuda size, ¥100;
- Royal lens, meishi size, ¥90;
- body only, tefuda size, ¥80;
- body only, meishi size, ¥70.
The same advertisement also mentions a Photoman Special Reflex for ¥125, about which nothing is known.
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| Advertisement published in the September 1929 issue of Asahi Camera. (Image rights) |
Notes
- ↑ Released in 1919 by Kuribayashi: Lewis, p.36, Sugiyama, items 2028–9, Baird, pp.13 and 39–42, McKeown, p.575. No original document has been found so far to confirm this.
- ↑ Double extension bellows: advertisement reproduced in Baird, p.40.
- ↑ Self-capping: advertisement reproduced in Baird, p.40.
- ↑ Revolving back: advertisement reproduced in Baird, p.40.
- ↑ Release date: Lewis, p.36, Sugiyama, items 2028–9, Baird, pp.13 and 39–42, McKeown, p.575. No original document has been found so far to confirm this.
- ↑ Distributors: Lewis, p.36, Baird, p.42.
- ↑ Baird, p.41.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Baird, p.40.
Bibliography
- Ars Camera. Advertisement in February 1927. No page number.
- Asahi Camera. Advertisements in March 1928 (p.A21), May 1929 (p.A31) and September 1929 (p.A30).
- Baird, John R. Collectors guide to Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras. Grantsburg, WI (USA): Centennial Photo Service, 1991. ISBN 0-931838-16-9. Pp.13 and 39–42.
- 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.36.
- 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.575.
- Morishita Hajime (森下肇). "Atomu-han kamera no subete" (アトム判カメラのすべて, All of Atom-size cameras). Kamera Rebyū: Kurashikku Kamera Senka (カメラレビュー クラシックカメラ専科) / Camera Review: All about Historical Cameras no.22, September 1992. No ISBN number. Airesu no subete (アイレスのすべて, special issue on Aires). Pp.55–70.
- 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 2028–9.
| Kuribayashi prewar and wartime cameras () | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| rollfilm folders | ||||
| Eagle | Speed Pocket | First Roll | First Center | Semi First | First Six | Baby Semi First | Semi Rotte | Hokoku | Mizuho | ||||
| plate folders | rigid | SLR | TLR | unknown |
| Mikuni | First | First Etui | Kokka | Romax | Tokiwa | Molby | Speed Reflex | First Reflex | Baby First |
