Difference between revisions of "Wrayflex"
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− | The '''Wrayflex''' was a [[35mm]] [[SLR]] made by the British company [[Wray]] after World War II. There were two different models, the first had a low profile appearance and used a system of mirrors to provide the reflex viewing image. It used the 24×32 mm format. Sadly this was rather dim compared to the pentaprism used on competitive cameras, and produced a laterally reversed image. The second version had a higher profile top plate and used a [[pentaprism]], and also adopted the universal 24×36mm 35mm format - it was known as the '''Wrayflex II'''. | + | {{Flickr_image |
+ | |image_source= http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillipsmonitor/4854013995/in/pool-camerawiki | ||
+ | |image= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4854013995_206b02ea7e.jpg | ||
+ | |image_align= right | ||
+ | |image_text= Additional photos of Wrayflex [http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillipsmonitor/tags/wrayflex/ here]. | ||
+ | |image_by= freddybabe | ||
+ | |image_rights= with permission | ||
+ | }}The '''Wrayflex''' was a [[35mm]] [[SLR]] made by the British company [[Wray]] after World War II. There were two different models, the first had a low profile appearance and used a system of mirrors to provide the reflex viewing image. It used the 24×32 mm format. Sadly this was rather dim compared to the pentaprism used on competitive cameras, and produced a laterally reversed image. The second version had a higher profile top plate and used a [[pentaprism]], and also adopted the universal 24×36mm 35mm format - it was known as the '''Wrayflex II'''. | ||
Both used the same series of lenses. The cameras used normal 35mm film cassettes. The 24×32 mm format was a problem for slide material films. | Both used the same series of lenses. The cameras used normal 35mm film cassettes. The 24×32 mm format was a problem for slide material films. | ||
Revision as of 19:19, 16 April 2011
Additional photos of Wrayflex here. image by freddybabe (Image rights) |
The Wrayflex was a 35mm SLR made by the British company Wray after World War II. There were two different models, the first had a low profile appearance and used a system of mirrors to provide the reflex viewing image. It used the 24×32 mm format. Sadly this was rather dim compared to the pentaprism used on competitive cameras, and produced a laterally reversed image. The second version had a higher profile top plate and used a pentaprism, and also adopted the universal 24×36mm 35mm format - it was known as the Wrayflex II.
Both used the same series of lenses. The cameras used normal 35mm film cassettes. The 24×32 mm format was a problem for slide material films.
List of lenses in Wrayflex mount:
- 35/3.5 Lustrar
- 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 unwittingly had infringed the Wray patent and were obliged to acknowledge this fact.
Links
- John Wade has published a book on the camera and its lenses - see www.wrayflex.co.uk for a copy
- Wrayflex user manual at Marriott's World
- instruction manual PDF manual at Mike Butkus' Orphancameras.com
- US patent: "Reflex camera with curtain shutter", describes the Wrayflex
- The British Camera 1840-1960 The Jim Barron Collection, Lot 8
- Wally Morley, 'The Wrayflex' in Photographica World, no. 64, March 1993, pp. 35-37.