Edixa Prismaflex

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The Edixa Prismaflex is a series of 35 mm single lens reflex camera made in the 1960s by Wirgin. The cameras accept M42 screw mount lenses with an aperture release pin. They are budget versions of Wirgin's Prismat cameras of the same time. The design of the body is like that of the earlier Edixa Reflex series, but the exchangeable viewfinder of those cameras was abandoned, in exchange for through-the-lens metering on some models; all Prismaflexes have a fixed pentaprism viewfinder. Compared to the Rex and the Prismat the Prismaflex cameras also lack shutter speeds slower than 1/30 seconds (except for 'B').


Edixa Prismaflex

The orginal Prismaflex was made in 1964. It was available in chrome-topped or black finishes. It gives shutter speeds from 1/30 to 1/500 second, plus 'B'; in 1966, the specification was upgraded to include a top speed of 1/1000 second.[1] The shutter is synchronised for flash, with dual PC sockets on the front for M- and X-synchronisation. There is no shoe to mount a flash; a cold shoe was available as an accessory, which attaches to the viewfinder; there are leatherette pads on the prism to prevent scratching when the shoe is fitted.

The shutter release button is on the front. The sliding latch beside it locks the release. The release button does not have what is now a conventional cable release socket; rather, the collar around the button has a male thread, allowing an adaptor for a cable to be fitted (the Prismaflex Mod. 750 pictured at Hèmpé Photographies[2] has this adapter).

The focusing screen has a central split-prism rangefinder focusing aid, with a microprosm ring around that.

An interesting feature of the camera is that, while advancing the film cocks the shutter, it is possible to cock it without advancing the film, but rotating the shutter speed dial (for deliberate double-exposure).[3]

Edixa Prismaflex Model 750

The Model 750 was made in 1966, and has a top shutter speed of 1/1000 second, according to McKeown.[1] This is counter-intuitive: one might expect a top speed of 1/750 second, and other sources suggest this,[4] but the example shown at Hèmpé Photographies has 1/1000 second.[2] It is possible that the specification was changed during the period of production. It's specification is otherwise more or less identical to the second version of the original Prismaflex model. In the example pictured in McKeown, there is a black dial to the frame counter, instead of a metal one. The camera is identified by the engraving Mod. 750 on the front left-hand side of the top housing.

Edixa Prismaflex 1000

This model is engraved Mod. 1000 on the top housing. According to McKeown it is identical to the Prismaflex of the same year.

Edixa Prismaflex Model CDS

This model, made in about 1967, has an uncoupled CdS lightmeter mounted under the rewind button, with the sensor on the front of the top housing.

Edixa Prismaflex TTL

This model, made in 1966 or '67, also has a CdS meter. This now reads through the lens, but the meter display is still on the meter itself, on the top housing. The shutter speed range is 1/4 - 1/1000 second, plus 'B'.

Some Prismaflex TTL cameras are engraved Mod. K on the front right hand side of the top housing. McKeown lists this separately as a name variant; the specification is identical.

Edixa Prismaflex LTL

This model was made in 1968. The control for this is the distinctive half moon shaped lever near the lens mount, replacing the switch by the meter on the TTL. When this lever is moved downwards, the meter is activated, and the aperture stopped down briefly. During this time, the user must adjust the shutter speed on the meter (the meter's needle is visible in the viewfinder; when it matches the gap between two control marks, the correct shutter speed for the set aperture has been set on the meter). However, before exposure the shutter speed has to be transferred manually to the shutter's mechanical speed selector.

The shutter speed range is 1/30 - 1/1000 second, plus 'B'.


Notes

  1. 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). p.1007-8.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Prismaflex mod. 750 at Michel Pêcher's Hèmpé Photographies.
  3. User's manual, covering the original models of the Prismat and Prismaflex, at Mike Butkus' Orphan Cameras.
  4. The list of Wirgin Edixa cameras at Classic Cameras (archived) gives a top speed of 1/750 second for the Prismat Mod. 750 (McKeown gives 1/1000 for this model too).

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