Difference between revisions of "Tanyflex"
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The Tanyflex has a large wooden body with a roughly cubic shape.<REF> Wooden body: description of the January 1951 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> It is noticeably bigger than other 6×6 SLRs, and the concept is close to the later 6×9cm [[Rittreck]]. The choice of 6×6cm format instead of 6×9cm seems unfortunate, given the overall size and the lenses' focal length (105mm to 210mm), though 6×9cm format would have required a larger focal-plane shutter and a revolving back and would have rendered the camera more complex. | The Tanyflex has a large wooden body with a roughly cubic shape.<REF> Wooden body: description of the January 1951 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> It is noticeably bigger than other 6×6 SLRs, and the concept is close to the later 6×9cm [[Rittreck]]. The choice of 6×6cm format instead of 6×9cm seems unfortunate, given the overall size and the lenses' focal length (105mm to 210mm), though 6×9cm format would have required a larger focal-plane shutter and a revolving back and would have rendered the camera more complex. | ||
| − | The front standard is mounted on rack-and-pinion structure with bellows and moves back and forth for focusing; it is driven by knobs placed on each side at the bottom. The camera can take lenses from 105mm to 210mm focal length;<REF> Focal lengths: description of the November 1950 and January 1951 advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> they are is mounted on a removable lens board, recessed for the short focal lengths and protruding for the longer lenses. The body was not sold with a particular lens, and the owner had to provide his/her own.<REF> The November 1950 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146, says that the company "sold the body only" (ボデーのみの販売に応す). </REF> | + | The front standard is mounted on rack-and-pinion structure with bellows and moves back and forth for focusing. On the early models, it is driven by a knob on the photographer's left and locked in position by a small knob at the bottom of the right-hand side plate;<REF> Details of the controls: description of the January 1951 advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> on later models it is driven by two knobs placed on each side of the body at the bottom. The camera can take lenses from 105mm to 210mm focal length;<REF> Focal lengths: description of the November 1950 and January 1951 advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> they are is mounted on a removable lens board, recessed for the short focal lengths and protruding for the longer lenses. The body was not sold with a particular lens, and the owner had to provide his/her own.<REF> The November 1950 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146, says that the company "sold the body only" (ボデーのみの販売に応す). </REF> |
| − | The non-interchangeable viewing hood is above the body, surrounded by two strap lugs. To the photographer's right is a control panel with various knobs and buttons, | + | The non-interchangeable viewing hood is above the body, surrounded by two strap lugs. To the photographer's right is a control panel with various knobs and buttons: the shutter winding knob, the speed selector and the main release, slid to the bottom to trip the shutter. The film runs vertically, certainly from bottom to top, and is advanced by a knob placed at the top right. There is a lever for the mirror on the photographer's left, probably used to wind the mirror mechanism.<REF> Details of the controls: description of the January 1951 advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> |
| − | The camera has a built-in flash plug, placed at the top of the left-hand side plate. It takes a small flash bulb holder and a reflector. These accessories are pictured in the advertisements for the Tanyflex and | + | The camera has a built-in flash plug, placed at the top of the left-hand side plate. It takes a small flash bulb holder, and a reflector can be attached to the side of the camera, behind the bulb. These accessories are pictured in the advertisements for the Tanyflex and were supplied with the camera.<REF> Advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> The flash batteries (6× AA) are contained in the camera body itself.<REF> Description of the January 1951 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> This peculiarity partly accounts for the bulky size, it is shared with very few other cameras, among which the [[Dawe]] [[Nelrod Liteflash]]. |
| − | The camera was also supplied with a carrying case and a hood.<REF> Description of the January 1951 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> | + | The camera was also supplied with a shoulder strap and a lens board for 150mm lenses, in addition to the flash bulb holder and reflector; and a carrying case and a hood were available as accessories.<REF> Description of the January 1951 advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> |
== Evolution == | == Evolution == | ||
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The '''original Tanyflex''' was advertised in Japanese magazines from October 1950, but some sources say that it was released in July of the same year.<REF> Earliest advertisement: {{Kokusan}}, p. 354. July 1950: see [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371109&APage=11 this page of the JCII collection]. </REF> In the November 1950 advertisement in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'',<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> the shutter speeds were given as T, B, 10, 20, 40, 60, 100, 200, 300, and a very small picture was provided. | The '''original Tanyflex''' was advertised in Japanese magazines from October 1950, but some sources say that it was released in July of the same year.<REF> Earliest advertisement: {{Kokusan}}, p. 354. July 1950: see [http://sts.kahaku.go.jp/sts/detail.php?id=1033&key=103310371109&APage=11 this page of the JCII collection]. </REF> In the November 1950 advertisement in ''[[Asahi Camera]]'',<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> the shutter speeds were given as T, B, 10, 20, 40, 60, 100, 200, 300, and a very small picture was provided. | ||
| − | + | The picture is larger in the January 1951 advertisement in the same magazine.<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p. 146. </REF> It seems to show an exposure counter below the film advance knob. The centre part of the viewing hood has a logo, probably the ''TANY'' logo of [[Taniyama]], and is retractable to leave room for a sportsfinder. The focusing controls are of the earlier type, with a small locking knob on the right. The batteries for the flash unit are said to be located at the bottom of the camera; it is not sure if they were located the same on later models. | |
| + | |||
| + | The July 1951 advertisement presents the camera as the '''Tanyflex New''' (タニーフレックス新型), with double exposure prevention and an improved shutter, though the advertising picture is the same as in January. | ||
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| + | The September 1951 advertisement shows a new picture and calls the camera '''Tanyflex II''' (タニーフレックスⅡ型). The control panels on the right-hand side are modified and the knob at the bottom right is larger, perhaps because it is used for focusing instead of locking the rack-and-pinion movement. The list of shutter speeds do not mention the B and 1/300 settings any more. | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
Revision as of 20:41, 19 September 2007
The Tanyflex (タニーフレックス) is a Japanese SLR using 120 film, briefly made in 1950–1 by Taniyama Camera Kōgyō.
General description
The Tanyflex has a large wooden body with a roughly cubic shape.[1] It is noticeably bigger than other 6×6 SLRs, and the concept is close to the later 6×9cm Rittreck. The choice of 6×6cm format instead of 6×9cm seems unfortunate, given the overall size and the lenses' focal length (105mm to 210mm), though 6×9cm format would have required a larger focal-plane shutter and a revolving back and would have rendered the camera more complex.
The front standard is mounted on rack-and-pinion structure with bellows and moves back and forth for focusing. On the early models, it is driven by a knob on the photographer's left and locked in position by a small knob at the bottom of the right-hand side plate;[2] on later models it is driven by two knobs placed on each side of the body at the bottom. The camera can take lenses from 105mm to 210mm focal length;[3] they are is mounted on a removable lens board, recessed for the short focal lengths and protruding for the longer lenses. The body was not sold with a particular lens, and the owner had to provide his/her own.[4]
The non-interchangeable viewing hood is above the body, surrounded by two strap lugs. To the photographer's right is a control panel with various knobs and buttons: the shutter winding knob, the speed selector and the main release, slid to the bottom to trip the shutter. The film runs vertically, certainly from bottom to top, and is advanced by a knob placed at the top right. There is a lever for the mirror on the photographer's left, probably used to wind the mirror mechanism.[5]
The camera has a built-in flash plug, placed at the top of the left-hand side plate. It takes a small flash bulb holder, and a reflector can be attached to the side of the camera, behind the bulb. These accessories are pictured in the advertisements for the Tanyflex and were supplied with the camera.[6] The flash batteries (6× AA) are contained in the camera body itself.[7] This peculiarity partly accounts for the bulky size, it is shared with very few other cameras, among which the Dawe Nelrod Liteflash.
The camera was also supplied with a shoulder strap and a lens board for 150mm lenses, in addition to the flash bulb holder and reflector; and a carrying case and a hood were available as accessories.[8]
Evolution
The Tanyflex was probably made on an artisanal scale, and there were a number of changes during the short time it was produced.
The original Tanyflex was advertised in Japanese magazines from October 1950, but some sources say that it was released in July of the same year.[9] In the November 1950 advertisement in Asahi Camera,[10] the shutter speeds were given as T, B, 10, 20, 40, 60, 100, 200, 300, and a very small picture was provided.
The picture is larger in the January 1951 advertisement in the same magazine.[11] It seems to show an exposure counter below the film advance knob. The centre part of the viewing hood has a logo, probably the TANY logo of Taniyama, and is retractable to leave room for a sportsfinder. The focusing controls are of the earlier type, with a small locking knob on the right. The batteries for the flash unit are said to be located at the bottom of the camera; it is not sure if they were located the same on later models.
The July 1951 advertisement presents the camera as the Tanyflex New (タニーフレックス新型), with double exposure prevention and an improved shutter, though the advertising picture is the same as in January.
The September 1951 advertisement shows a new picture and calls the camera Tanyflex II (タニーフレックスⅡ型). The control panels on the right-hand side are modified and the knob at the bottom right is larger, perhaps because it is used for focusing instead of locking the rack-and-pinion movement. The list of shutter speeds do not mention the B and 1/300 settings any more.
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. Items 589–90.
- 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). Pp. 71 and 76.
- 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. 914.
- 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 2262.
Links
In Japanese:
