Taroflex
The Taroflex (タローフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 TLR made by Nippon Kōsokki from 1943.[1]
Contents
Description
The Taroflex is a 6×6 TLR. The focusing is done by moving the front plate back and forth. The film advance is semi-automatic, with a red window only used to set the position of the first exposure.[2] 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 has a depth-of-field plate next to it. The nameplate has a stepped frame and reads TAROFLEX in capital letters, or perhaps TARO FLEX with a narrow space between the two words. The company name NIPPON KOSOKUKI SEISAKUSHO TOKIO is written in smaller letters below. The shutter release button is at the bottom of the front, to the photographer's left.
Advertisements and other documents
The Taroflex was offered for ¥378 in an advertisement dated May 1943, by the distributors Nihon Shōkai and Honjō Shōkai.[3] The lens was mentioned as an f/3.5 and the shutter as an NKS giving 1–200 speeds with a self-timer.
The camera was also 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. The lens was given as a four-element Toa 75/3.5 made by Riken and the shutter as an NKS (B, 1–200, self-timer) made by Nippon Kōsokki.
Variations and actual examples
The camera pictured in the advertisement has a sportsfinder built in the viewing hood. It seems that the serial number is engraved at the bottom, under the moving front standard.
One actual example has been observed with the same viewing hood but no serial number at the bottom.[5] It has a Toa Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 taking lens (serial no. 2963) and a Toa Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.2 viewing lens with no serial number. The shutter is a Ceres giving B, 1–300 speeds. This shutter is certainly postwar: if this fitting is original, this would mean that the production and sales of the Taroflex continued after 1945.
Another actual example has been observed, with a plain viewing hood, no sportsfinder and probably the serial number at the bottom.[6] It seems that the lenses are the same. The shutter is an NKS (B, 1–200, self-timer) and is inscribed NKS–TOKIO on the speed rim.
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 141.
- "Kokusan shashinki no genjōchōsa" (国産写真機ノ現状調査, Inquiry into Japanese cameras), listing Japanese camera production as of April 1943. Reproduced in Supuringu kamera de ikou: Zen 69 kishu no shōkai to tsukaikata (スプリングカメラでいこう: 全69機種の紹介と使い方, Let's try spring cameras: Presentation and use of 69 machines). Tokyo: Shashinkogyo Syuppan-sha, 2004. ISBN 4-87956-072-3. Pp.180–7. Item 114.
- 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. 39 (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. 915.
- 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 2031.
- Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten (私の二眼レフカメラ展, Exhibition of twin lens reflex cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P. 25.
