Firstflex

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See also the Firstflex 35 SLR models.

The Firstflex are Japanese 6×6cm TLR cameras for 120 film, made by Tokiwa Seiki in about 1951-55,[1] with the viewing and taking lenses linked by external gear-teeth. McKeown lists several models, describing them as cheaply made:

  • Firstflex I (1951): First Anastigmat 80 mm f/3.5. Unidentified shutter, 1/10 - 1/200 second plus B, synchronised with an ASA bayonet. Nameplate in upright capitals, chrome-on-black. A very similar camera is named the Kenflex (pictured below).
  • Firstflex II (1951): First anastigmat as above, shutter speeds 1/5 - 1/200 second, plus B, synchronised with an ASA bayonet, now on the camera body. Nameplate in italic capitals (as illustrated below), the same text style as that of the Kenflex.
  • Firstflex II (1952): Lens now engraved as a Special First Anastigmat (but still 80 mm f/3.5), in an MSK-II shutter, with speeds 1 - 1/400 second, plus B, still synchronised with an ASA bayonet, now once again mounted on the shutter. Embossed chrome nameplate. Focusing hood incorporates an eye-level Albada finder.
  • Popular Firstflex PII (1953): Special First Anastigmat, in unidentified shutter with speeds 1/10 - 1/200 second, plus B.
  • Firstflex LIII (1955): First Anastigmat in MSK-II shutter; very much like the 1952 camera, but without the Albada finder.

All the cameras use a winding knob for advancing the film, with a red window in the back, with a sliding cover.



Japanese 6×6 TLR
Postwar models (A–L)
6×7cm Koni-Omegaflex M
6×6cm
A–L
(edit)
Accuraflex | Aires Automat | Airesflex | Aires Reflex | Akumiflex | Alfaflex | Alpenflex | Amiflex | Autoflex | Beautyflex | Bikor-Flex | Bioflex | Companion | Copenflex | Cosmoflex | Crown Flex | Crystar Flex | Crystar 25 | Dorimaflex | Dorisflex | Easternflex | Echoflex | Eicaflex | Elbowflex | Elegaflex | Eleger Reflex | Elicaflex | Elizaflex | Elmoflex | Firstflex | Fodorflex | Fujicaflex | Geltoflex | Gnoflex | Graceflex | Halma Auto | Halma Flex | Hobiflex | Honorflex | Isocaflex | Itohflex | Kalloflex | Kallovex | Koniflex | Krimsoflex | Larkflex | Laurelflex | Luminaflex | Lustreflex | Lyraflex
Prewar and wartime models and postwar models (M–Z) ->
Other TLR, pseudo TLR and medium format SLR ->
Other Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->

Notes

  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). p922-3.


Bibliography

  • Watakushi no ni-gan-refu kamera-ten (私の二眼レフカメラ展, Exhibition of twin lens reflex cameras). Tokyo: JCII Camera Museum, 1992. (Exhibition catalogue, no ISBN number.) P.27.


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