Difference between revisions of "Vesterflex, Topflex and Honestflex"
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== The Vesterflex == | == The Vesterflex == | ||
| − | The '''Vesterflex''' has strap lugs and a ''Vesterflex'' nameplate. The | + | The '''Vesterflex''' has strap lugs and a ''Vesterflex'' nameplate. The taking lens is marked ''H.C. VESTER'' and the viewing lens has ''G.R.C. VESTER VIEW LENS''.<REF> The marking is visible on the picture in Takasaki, p.72 of {{KKS}} no.49. </REF> There is a ''B'' and ''I'' speed selector (for <U>B</U>ulb and <U>I</U>nstant), and the aperture selector also has 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 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> | ||
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== The Honestflex == | == 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, going from 3.5 to 22. The two lenses have the same markings: ''Kafu Seiko Co. Torhi Coated 80mm N°872728''; the serial number is a fake repeated on both lenses. These markings are certainly the same as on the Topflex, and this is probably why the camera is attributed to [[Kafu|Kafu Seiko Co.]] by {{Sugiyama}};<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 4150. </REF> however this company name is perhaps a fake too. | + | 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, going from 3.5 to 22. The two lenses have the same markings: ''Kafu Seiko Co. Torhi Coated 80mm N°872728''; the serial number is a fake repeated on both lenses.<REF> The marking is visible on the picture in Takasaki, p.67 of {{KKS}} no.49. </REF> These markings are certainly the same as on the Topflex, and this is probably why the camera is attributed to [[Kafu|Kafu Seiko Co.]] by {{Sugiyama}};<REF> {{Sugiyama}}, item 4150. </REF> however this company name is perhaps a fake too. |
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
Revision as of 18:30, 31 December 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 taking lens is marked H.C. VESTER and the viewing lens has G.R.C. VESTER VIEW LENS.[2] There is a B and I speed selector (for Bulb and Instant), and the aperture selector also has 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.[3] 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).[4]
One source mentions a "Vestaflex II" released in 1954, this might be a typo for a "Vesterflex II", about which nothing else is known.[5]
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, going from 3.5 to 22. The two lenses have the same markings: Kafu Seiko Co. Torhi Coated 80mm N°872728; the serial number is a fake repeated on both lenses.[6] These markings are certainly the same as on the Topflex, and this is probably why the camera is attributed to Kafu Seiko Co. by Sugiyama;[7] however this company name is perhaps a fake too.
Notes
- ↑ Bakelite with metal back: Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.801.
- ↑ The marking is visible on the picture in Takasaki, p.72 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.49.
- ↑ Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.363.
- ↑ Advertisement reproduced in Kokusan kamera no rekishi, p.138.
- ↑ Lewis, p.88.
- ↑ The marking is visible on the picture in Takasaki, p.67 of Kurashikku Kamera Senka no.49.
- ↑ 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.
- Takasaki Akio (高崎晶夫). "Kokusan 6×6cm-han nigan-refu A to Z" (国産6×6cm判二眼レフA to Z, Japanese 6×6cm TLR A to Z). 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.49, December 1998. ISBN 4-257-13022-9. Amerika-sei 35mm renzu-shattā kamera (アメリカ製35mmレンズシャッターカメラ, issue about American 35mm lens-shutter cameras). Pp.64–73.
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
