Difference between revisions of "Wrayflex"
m |
(more details in text, ref to examples at Westlicht, +cats.) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | <div class="floatright plainlinks" style="margin:0px 0px 15px 15px;"> | ||
{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
|image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillipsmonitor/4854013995/in/pool-camerawiki | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillipsmonitor/4854013995/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
|image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4854013995_206b02ea7e.jpg | |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4854013995_206b02ea7e.jpg | ||
| − | |image_align= | + | |image_align= |
| − | |image_text= | + | |image_text= Wrayflex Ia |
|image_by= freddybabe | |image_by= freddybabe | ||
|image_rights= with permission | |image_rights= with permission | ||
| − | }}The '''Wrayflex''' | + | }} |
| − | + | </div> | |
| + | The '''Wrayflex''' is a [[35mm]] [[SLR]] camera made by [[Wray]] from about 1950, the only British-made 35mm SLR.<ref name=McK>{{McKeown12}} p1016-7.</ref> There are three different models: the first two have a low profile appearance and use a system of mirrors rather than a pentaprism to provide the reflex viewing image. The first camera, the '''Wrayflex I''',<ref name=W1>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=26677&_ssl=off#26677 Wrayflex I] serial no. 1579, with a Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, sold at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=25199&acat=25199&lang=3 November 2004 Westlicht Photographica Auction] in Vienna.</ref> makes images in a 24x32mm format; the second, the '''Wrayflex Ia''',<ref name=W1a>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=260702&_ssl=off#260702 Wrayflex Ia] serial no. 2691, with 35 mm f/3.5 Lustrar, offered at the [http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?id=246557&acat=246557&offset=1&lang=3 May 2012 Westlicht auction]; several excellent pictures.</ref> gives the standard 24x36mm format. Other than this it is very similar to the first model; McKeown states that the frame-counter (which counts beyond 40 on the Wrayflex I because of the small format) is the easiest way to tell the two apart.<ref name=McK></ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Sadly the mirror viewfinders were very dim compared to the prism used on rival cameras, and produced a laterally reversed image. The third model, the '''Wrayflex II''' from about 1959,<ref name=W2>[http://www.westlicht-auction.com/index.php?f=popup&id=260716&_ssl=off#260716 Wrayflex II] serial no. 4246, with Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, also offered at the May 2012 Westlicht auction.</ref> has a prism, giving it a taller profile. It has the standard 24x36mm image format. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The cameras use normal 35mm film cassettes. The 24x32 mm format was a problem for slide films (the images would not fit neatly in standard mounts, and might be incorrectly cut by the processors). | ||
| + | |||
| + | All three cameras use the same series of lenses: | ||
| − | |||
* 35/3.5 Lustrar | * 35/3.5 Lustrar | ||
* 50/2.8 Unilux | * 50/2.8 Unilux | ||
| Line 17: | Line 24: | ||
| − | The Unilite lens design was covered by | + | The Unilite lens design was covered by patents; later there would be a dispute with [[Corfield]] when the latter company introduced their 45mm Lumax f/1.9 lens for the [[Periflex]] camera range. Corfield had unwittingly infringed the Wray patent and were obliged to acknowledge this fact. |
| + | |||
| + | All three models have a focal-plane shutter, with speeds ½ - 1/1000 second, plus 'B'. There are separate flash synchronisation sockets on the front of the camera for electronic flash ('E') and bulbs ('B'). The Wrayflex II also has a [[cold shoe]] on top of the prism;<ref name=W2></ref> (the cited example of the Wrayflex I at Westlicht also has a cold shoe).<ref name=W1></ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| − | |||
* [http://www.marriottcameras.co.uk/instructions/wrayflex/wf_with_pic.htm Wrayflex user manual] at [http://www.marriottcameras.co.uk/ Marriott's World] | * [http://www.marriottcameras.co.uk/instructions/wrayflex/wf_with_pic.htm Wrayflex user manual] at [http://www.marriottcameras.co.uk/ Marriott's World] | ||
| − | * [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/wrayflex/wrayflex.htm | + | * [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/wrayflex/wrayflex.htm User's manual] (PDF) at Mike Butkus' [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Orphan Cameras]. |
| − | * US | + | * US Patent 2608922, ''[http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US2608922&F=0 Reflex camera with curtain shutter]'', describes the Wrayflex. |
| − | * [http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/searchresults.aspx?intSaleID=17790 The British Camera 1840-1960 The Jim Barron Collection], | + | * [http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/wrayflex-dummy-camera-4028233-details.aspx?from=salesummary&intObjectID=4028233&sid=8d1b1b8e-db34-4197-9a7c-3925767c7dde ''Dummy'' Wrayflex] I or Ia; lot 8 of the auction ''[http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/searchresults.aspx?intSaleID=17790 The British Camera 1840-1960 The Jim Barron Collection]'' at [http://www.christies.com Christie's], in December 2002 in London. |
| + | * Additional photos of the Wrayflex Ia in [http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillipsmonitor/tags/wrayflex/ freddybabe's Flickr Photostream]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Bibliography== | ||
* Wally Morley, 'The Wrayflex' in Photographica World, no. 64, March 1993, pp. 35-37. | * Wally Morley, 'The Wrayflex' in Photographica World, no. 64, March 1993, pp. 35-37. | ||
| + | * John Wade, 'The Wrayflex Story' Wordpower Publishing; see [http://www.wrayflex.co.uk www.wrayflex.co.uk]. | ||
| Line 31: | Line 49: | ||
[[Category: UK]] | [[Category: UK]] | ||
[[Category: W]] | [[Category: W]] | ||
| + | [[Category: 1950]] | ||
| + | [[Category: 1959]] | ||
Revision as of 18:12, 12 April 2012
|
| Wrayflex Ia image by freddybabe (Image rights) |
The Wrayflex is a 35mm SLR camera made by Wray from about 1950, the only British-made 35mm SLR.[1] There are three different models: the first two have a low profile appearance and use a system of mirrors rather than a pentaprism to provide the reflex viewing image. The first camera, the Wrayflex I,[2] makes images in a 24x32mm format; the second, the Wrayflex Ia,[3] gives the standard 24x36mm format. Other than this it is very similar to the first model; McKeown states that the frame-counter (which counts beyond 40 on the Wrayflex I because of the small format) is the easiest way to tell the two apart.[1]
Sadly the mirror viewfinders were very dim compared to the prism used on rival cameras, and produced a laterally reversed image. The third model, the Wrayflex II from about 1959,[4] has a prism, giving it a taller profile. It has the standard 24x36mm image format.
The cameras use normal 35mm film cassettes. The 24x32 mm format was a problem for slide films (the images would not fit neatly in standard mounts, and might be incorrectly cut by the processors).
All three cameras use the same series of lenses:
- 35/3.5 Lustrar
- 50/2.8 Unilux
- 50/2 Unilite
- 90/4 Lustrar
- 135/4 Lustrar
The Unilite lens design was covered by patents; later there would be a dispute with Corfield when the latter company introduced their 45mm Lumax f/1.9 lens for the Periflex camera range. Corfield had unwittingly infringed the Wray patent and were obliged to acknowledge this fact.
All three models have a focal-plane shutter, with speeds ½ - 1/1000 second, plus 'B'. There are separate flash synchronisation sockets on the front of the camera for electronic flash ('E') and bulbs ('B'). The Wrayflex II also has a cold shoe on top of the prism;[4] (the cited example of the Wrayflex I at Westlicht also has a cold shoe).[2]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 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). p1016-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wrayflex I serial no. 1579, with a Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, sold at the November 2004 Westlicht Photographica Auction in Vienna.
- ↑ Wrayflex Ia serial no. 2691, with 35 mm f/3.5 Lustrar, offered at the May 2012 Westlicht auction; several excellent pictures.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wrayflex II serial no. 4246, with Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, also offered at the May 2012 Westlicht auction.
Links
- Wrayflex user manual at Marriott's World
- User's manual (PDF) at Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras.
- US Patent 2608922, Reflex camera with curtain shutter, describes the Wrayflex.
- Dummy Wrayflex I or Ia; lot 8 of the auction The British Camera 1840-1960 The Jim Barron Collection at Christie's, in December 2002 in London.
- Additional photos of the Wrayflex Ia in freddybabe's Flickr Photostream.
Bibliography
- Wally Morley, 'The Wrayflex' in Photographica World, no. 64, March 1993, pp. 35-37.
- John Wade, 'The Wrayflex Story' Wordpower Publishing; see www.wrayflex.co.uk.
