Ciro-flex

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search

The Ciro-flex was a series of 6x6 TLRs made by the American manufacturer Ciro beginning circa 1941. All share a strong resemblance, with uncoupled red window film advance and Wollensak lenses & shutters. By using a slightly longer-than-normal 85mm focal length, sharpness in the corners of the 2¼×2¼-inch image remained adequate even with a less-expensive triplet lens design.

The earliest model A's were built in Detroit, Michigan; and "ciro-flex" appears uncapitalized on the nameplate. Post-WWII production resumed with the models B (with an Alphax shutter with top speed of 1/200th) and C (Rapax shutter with top speed of 1/400th). By 1947 the company had relocated to Delaware, Ohio, and then after the Graflex acquisition some were marked Rochester NY. A brochure shown on Flickr listed models B-F sold simultaneously, priced from $76.98 to $148.75 including tax.

The models are not labeled, and must be distinguished by features in most cases. Serial numbers may be stamped inside the film chamber beneath the first roller, or on the baffle revealed when the focus board is extended.

  • Ciro-flex Model A, made in Detroit with Wollensak 85/3.5 triplet lens. The nameplate has lowercase "ciro-flex" branding; all later models capitalize the initial C.
  • Ciro-flex Model B with Alphax shutter, made in Detroit and then Delaware OH.
  • Ciro-flex Model C with Rapax shutter.
  • Ciro-flex Model D with Alphax synchromatic shutter.
  • Ciro-flex Model E with Rapax synchromatic shutter.
  • Ciro-flex Model F — the highest-spec Ciro-flex, it included an f/3.2, four-element Wollensak Raptar 83mm lens and Rapax Full Synchromatic shutter.

After Graflex bought out Ciro's camera lines, the Ciro-flex design continued with some minor changes as the Graflex 22.

Gallery


Links