Difference between revisions of "Vesterflex, Topflex and Honestflex"
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{{Japanese pseudo TLR}} | {{Japanese pseudo TLR}} | ||
| − | The ''' | + | The '''Vesterflex''' is a Japanese 6×6 [[pseudo TLR]], made in 1953–4 by [[Ginrei|Ginrei Kōki]]. The '''Topflex''' and '''Honestflex''' are name variants. |
| − | == | + | == Common features == |
| − | The | + | The camera is shaped as a TLR and is made of [[bakelite]], with a metal back.<REF> Bakelite with metal back: {{Kokusan}}, p.801. </REF> It has a simple viewing hood, with no protection against back light. The film is advanced by a knob on the photographer's right. The camera is fixed-focus and has 80mm f/8 lenses. |
| + | |||
| + | == The Vesterflex == | ||
| + | The '''Vesterflex''' has strap lugs and a ''Vesterflex'' nameplate. The lenses are marked ''H.C. VESTA''. There is a B/I selector and an aperture selector with two positions: ''8'' and ''11''. The shutter plate is inscribed ''G.R.C.'' between the two lenses and ''GINREI OPTICAL CO.'' under the taking lens. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Vesterflex was announced in Japanese camera magazines dated 1954, and Japanese advertisements are reported from October 1953 to December 1954.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.363. </REF> The October 1953 advertisement in ''[[Ars Camera]]'' offers the camera for {{yen|3,000|1953}} (case extra ¥750), over-enthusiastically saying that the Vesterflex was "the biggest conversation topic of the postwar years" (戦後最大の話題).<REF> Advertisement reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.138. </REF> | ||
| + | |||
| + | == The Topflex == | ||
| + | The '''Topflex''' is similar to the Vesterflex but for the absence of strap lugs, the ''TOPFLEX'' nameplate, the ''TOP CAMERA Co.'' marking below the taking lens and the lens engravings: the lenses are engraved ''Kafu Seiko Co. Torhi Coated'', with a serial number, which is perhaps a fake. The camera is thus attributed to [[Top|Top Camera Co.]], but it was probably made by [[Ginrei]] as well. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == The Honestflex == | ||
| + | The '''Honestflex''' is similar to the Topflex. It has a ''HONESTFLEX'' nameplate. There is a film flange on the same side as the advance knob, at the bottom. The shutter gives B, 25, 50, 100 speeds. There is a fake aperture scale below the taking lens, reportedly going from 3.5 to 22.<REF> 3.5 to 22: {{Sugiyama}}, item 4150. </REF> The lenses have the same markings as on the Topflex, this is probably why the camera is attributed to [[Kafu|Kafu Seiko Co.]] by {{Sugiyama}}.<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 4150. </REF> | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
| Line 9: | Line 20: | ||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
| − | * {{Showa10}} Item 801. | + | * {{Showa10}} Item 801. (See also the advertisement for item 521.) |
* {{Lewis}} Pp.82 and 88. | * {{Lewis}} Pp.82 and 88. | ||
* {{Zukan}} Items 4150 and 4182–3. | * {{Zukan}} Items 4150 and 4182–3. | ||
Revision as of 15:53, 11 November 2007
The Vesterflex is a Japanese 6×6 pseudo TLR, made in 1953–4 by Ginrei Kōki. The Topflex and Honestflex are name variants.
Contents
Common features
The camera is shaped as a TLR and is made of bakelite, with a metal back.[1] It has a simple viewing hood, with no protection against back light. The film is advanced by a knob on the photographer's right. The camera is fixed-focus and has 80mm f/8 lenses.
The Vesterflex
The Vesterflex has strap lugs and a Vesterflex nameplate. The lenses are marked H.C. VESTA. There is a B/I selector and an aperture selector with two positions: 8 and 11. The shutter plate is inscribed G.R.C. between the two lenses and GINREI OPTICAL CO. under the taking lens.
The Vesterflex was announced in Japanese camera magazines dated 1954, and Japanese advertisements are reported from October 1953 to December 1954.[2] The October 1953 advertisement in Ars Camera offers the camera for ¥3,000 (case extra ¥750), over-enthusiastically saying that the Vesterflex was "the biggest conversation topic of the postwar years" (戦後最大の話題).[3]
The Topflex
The Topflex is similar to the Vesterflex but for the absence of strap lugs, the TOPFLEX nameplate, the TOP CAMERA Co. marking below the taking lens and the lens engravings: the lenses are engraved Kafu Seiko Co. Torhi Coated, with a serial number, which is perhaps a fake. The camera is thus attributed to Top Camera Co., but it was probably made by Ginrei as well.
The Honestflex
The Honestflex is similar to the Topflex. It has a HONESTFLEX nameplate. There is a film flange on the same side as the advance knob, at the bottom. The shutter gives B, 25, 50, 100 speeds. There is a fake aperture scale below the taking lens, reportedly going from 3.5 to 22.[4] The lenses have the same markings as on the Topflex, this is probably why the camera is attributed to Kafu Seiko Co. by Sugiyama.[5]
Notes
- ↑ Bakelite with metal back: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.801.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.363.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.138.
- ↑ 3.5 to 22: Sugiyama, item 4150.
- ↑ Sugiyama, item 4150.
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 801. (See also the advertisement for item 521.)
- 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.82 and 88.
- 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 4150 and 4182–3.
Links
In Japanese:
- Honestflex in a page of the AJCC website (beware, the Jokeflex pictured at the side is a joke)
- Vesterflex specs at Japan Family Camera
