Difference between revisions of "Wrayflex"
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{{Flickr_image | {{Flickr_image | ||
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| − | |image= http:// | + | |image= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8804/16759244833_d1392c4d79.jpg |
|image_align= right | |image_align= right | ||
| − | |image_text= | + | |image_text= Wrayflex I |
| − | |image_by= | + | |image_by= Nigel R99 |
| − | |image_rights= with permission | + | |image_rights= with permission |
| − | }}The '''Wrayflex''' | + | }} |
| − | + | 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://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Wray-Wrayflex-I/AI-6-23907 Wrayflex I] serial no. 1579, with a Unilite 50mm f/2 lens, sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-6/ sixth Westlicht Photographica Auction], on 6 November 2004.</ref> makes images in a 24x32mm format; the second, the '''Wrayflex Ia''',<ref>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Wray-Wrayflex-Ia/AI-6-23908 Wrayflex 1a] serial no. 2580 with Unilite 50 mm f/2, also sold at the November 2004 Westlicht auction.</ref><ref name=W1a>[https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Wray-Wrayflex-Ia/AI-21-13685 Wrayflex Ia] serial no. 2691, with 35 mm f/3.5 Lustrar, sold at the [https://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Cameras/Past-Auctions/Auction-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://www.leitz-auction.com/en/Wray-Wrayflex-II/AI-21-13686 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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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 | * 35/3.5 Lustrar | ||
* 50/2.8 Unilux | * 50/2.8 Unilux | ||
| Line 15: | Line 20: | ||
* 90/4 Lustrar | * 90/4 Lustrar | ||
* 135/4 Lustrar | * 135/4 Lustrar | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image | ||
| + | |image_source= https://www.flickr.com/photos/90900361@N08/47657602541/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
| + | |image= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47657602541_06a2620573.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align= right | ||
| + | |image_text= Wrayflex Ia - identified by the frame counter. <br><small>image by P. Rippingale</small> | ||
| + | |image_by= | ||
| + | |image_rights= wp | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | 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 /> (the cited example of the Wrayflex I at Westlicht also has a cold shoe).<ref name=W1 /> | ||
| − | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | {{Flickr_image | ||
| + | |image_source=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/14728574948/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
| + | |image=http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3914/14728574948_c6dc63e85d.jpg | ||
| + | |image_align=right | ||
| + | |image_text=Wrayflex and Wray lenses (1954) | ||
| + | |image_by=Nesster | ||
| + | |image_rights=cc | ||
| + | }} | ||
== Links == | == Links == | ||
| − | * | + | * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160308162222/http://www.marriottcameras.co.uk/instructions/wrayflex/wf_with_pic.htm Wrayflex user manual] (archived) at [http://www.marriottworld.com/index.htm Marriott's World] |
| − | + | * [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/wrayflex/wrayflex.htm User's manual] (PDF) at Mike Butkus' [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/ Orphan Cameras]. | |
| − | * [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/wrayflex/wrayflex.htm | + | * US Patent 2608922, ''[https://patents.google.com/patent/US2608922A/en?oq=US2608922 Reflex camera with curtain shutter]'', describes the Wrayflex. |
| − | * US | + | * [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. |
| − | * [http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/searchresults.aspx?intSaleID=17790 The British Camera 1840-1960 The Jim Barron Collection], | + | |
| + | ==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 [https://www.johnwade.org/the-wrayflex-story www.wrayflex.co.uk]. | |
[[Category: 35mm SLR]] | [[Category: 35mm SLR]] | ||
[[Category: UK]] | [[Category: UK]] | ||
[[Category: W]] | [[Category: W]] | ||
| + | [[Category: 1950]] | ||
| + | [[Category: 1959]] | ||
| + | [[Category: 24x32]] | ||
Revision as of 00:30, 23 January 2024
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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
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
