Difference between revisions of "Wrayflex"
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| − | 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>[https://wlpa.auction2000.online/auk/w.object?inc=wlpa&ina=6&ino=636 Wrayflex I] serial no. 1579, with a Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.online/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=6 sixth Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 6 November 2004.</ref> makes images in a 24x32mm format; the second, the '''Wrayflex Ia''',<ref>[https://wlpa.auction2000.online/auk/w.object?inc=wlpa&ina=6&ino=637 Wrayflex 1a] serial no. 2580 with Unilite 50 mm f/2, also sold at the November 2004 Westlicht auction.</ref><ref name=W1a>[https://wlpa.auction2000. | + | 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>[https://wlpa.auction2000.online/auk/w.object?inc=wlpa&ina=6&ino=636 Wrayflex I] serial no. 1579, with a Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.online/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=6 sixth Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 6 November 2004.</ref> makes images in a 24x32mm format; the second, the '''Wrayflex Ia''',<ref>[https://wlpa.auction2000.online/auk/w.object?inc=wlpa&ina=6&ino=637 Wrayflex 1a] serial no. 2580 with Unilite 50 mm f/2, also sold at the November 2004 Westlicht auction.</ref><ref name=W1a>[https://wlpa.auction2000.online/auk/w.object?inc=wlpa&ina=21&ino=514 Wrayflex Ia] serial no. 2691, with 35 mm f/3.5 Lustrar, sold at the [https://wlpa.auction2000.online/auk/w.ObjectList?inSiteLang=&inC=WLPA&inA=21 21st Westlicht auction], on 23 May 2012.</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 /> |
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>[https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=21&inO=515 Wrayflex II] serial no. 4246, with Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, also sold at the May 2012 Westlicht auction.</ref> has a prism, giving it a taller profile. It has the standard 24x36mm image format. | 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>[https://wlpa.auction2000.se/auk/w.Object?inC=WLPA&inA=21&inO=515 Wrayflex II] serial no. 4246, with Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, also sold at the May 2012 Westlicht auction.</ref> has a prism, giving it a taller profile. It has the standard 24x36mm image format. | ||
Revision as of 05:55, 22 November 2023
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| Wrayflex I image by Nigel R99 (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][4] 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,[5] has a prism, giving it a taller profile. It has the standard 24x36mm image format.
The cameras use normal 35mm film cassettes and have a film-advance key in the base. 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
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| Wrayflex Ia - identified by the frame counter. image by P. Rippingale (Image rights) |
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;[5] (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 sixth Westlicht Photographica Auction, on 6 November 2004.
- ↑ Wrayflex 1a serial no. 2580 with Unilite 50 mm f/2, also sold at the November 2004 Westlicht auction.
- ↑ Wrayflex Ia serial no. 2691, with 35 mm f/3.5 Lustrar, sold at the 21st Westlicht auction, on 23 May 2012.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wrayflex II serial no. 4246, with Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, also sold at the May 2012 Westlicht auction.
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| Wrayflex and Wray lenses (1954) image by Nesster (Image rights) |
Links
- Wrayflex user manual (archived) 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.
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.
