Difference between pages "Elbowflex" and "FED"

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{{Japanese postwar TLR}}
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== History ==
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The '''Elbowflex''' (エルボーフレックス) is a Japanese 6×6 [[TLR]] series, distributed by [[Elbow|Elbow Shōkai]] and made by [[Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku]], later [[Cosmo|Cosmo Camera Seisakusho]].
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Originally an orphanage in Kharkov, Ukraine, the FED factory was turned into a labor commune in the 1920s and renamed after Felix E. Dzerzhinsky, founder of the NKVD which was the forerunner to the KGB.  Eventually it came to be known by the initials, FED.
  
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== General description ==
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After the groundbreaking introduction of the [[Leica II]] in 1932, Soviet leaders stopped the import of photographic equipment and set the FED factory to its task of creating a [[Leica]] of their own. Only 18 months later, in 1934, the FED factory began churning out its first clone of the Leica II [[rangefinder]] camera. Since then, they have produced millions of cameras, some good and some not so good.
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The Cosmoflex is a regular copy of the [[Rolleicord]]. It focuses by moving the entire lens assembly. The focusing and film advance knobs are on the photographer's right, and the focusing knob is surrounded by a depth-of-field scale. There is a magnifying lens and a sportsfinder in the viewing hood. The name ''Elbow flex'' is inscribed on a stepped nameplate above the front plate, and the company name ''ELBOW CAMERA FIRM'' is written in small characters underneath. Some examples have the serial number engraved at the top of the nameplate and others don't.<REF> Serial number at the top: [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Elbowflex.html example] pictured at [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/ tlr-cameras.com], and example pictured in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;262. </REF> The name ''Elbow flex'' is also embossed at the top of the leather case.
 
  
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All the models have 80/3.5 viewing and taking lenses. On most examples, the lenses can take both 28.5mm and 32mm diameter filters.<REF> Feature mentioned in the advertisement dated February 1956 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;224. </REF> The release button is placed at the bottom of the front standard, on the photographer's right. There are some minor variations in the shape of the shutter release and of the bottom latch and of.<REF> Compare for example [http://minosan05.cocolog-nifty.com/syasin/2005/12/index.html this example at Minosan's blog] with [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ELBOW_PIC.htm this example at Japan Family Camera]. </REF> It seems that all the models have a synchro post at the bottom right of the left hand plate (none has been observed with a synchro post directly mounted on the shutter). It also seems that all have an accessory shoe.
 
  
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== Logo ==
 
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The logo of an interlinked G and K (could be C and K, but G more probable) appears on the finder hood, ever-ready case, box and instruction manual of all the cameras observed, as well as on some of the advertisements for them.
 
  
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The meaning of this logo remains obscure. No name starting with "G" has yet been linked with these cameras. "C" could stand for <U>C</U>osmo (see below) and "K" for <U>K</U>amera, thus pointing at [[Cosmo|Cosmo Camera Seisakusho]] (''Kosumo Kamera Seisakusho'').<REF> However, the logo does not appear on the two advertisements within {{Kokusan}} (pp.&nbsp;121, 136) that name Kosumo Kamera (Cosmo Camera) Seisakusho; only on the pair that do not (pp.&nbsp;121, 224). </REF>
 
  
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== Semi-automatic models ==
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<div id="wikitikitavi" style="overflow:auto; height: 1px; ">
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The semi-automatic Elbowflex is very similar to the [[Princeflex|Prince Junior]] camera, and they share the same TSK, Ceres and Rectus shutters.
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[[http://WTHP1.coolhost.biz] [WTHPD1]]
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[http://WTHP2.coolhost.biz  WTHPD2]
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[[http://WTHP3.coolhost.biz | WTHPD3]]
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[http://WTHP4.coolhost.biz | WTHPD4]
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[WTHPD5 | http://WTHP5.coolhost.biz]
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[[http://WTHP6.coolhost.biz WTHPD6]]
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[[WTHPD7|http://WTHP7.coolhost.biz]]
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http://WTHP8.coolhost.biz
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</div>
  
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=== In the advertisements: Elbowflex II and IIB ===
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== Screwmount Rangefinder Cameras ==
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The first advertised model is the '''Elbowflex II''': no record of a Model I has been found yet. It has semi-automatic film advance, and there is a round window for an exposure counter at the top of the right-hand side plate. The lenses are Correct Anastigmat 80/3.5 made by the same company as the camera.<REF> The advertisement dated February 1956 reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;224, says that the Correct was made by the company itself: 当社が誇る優秀レンズコレクト. </REF> The shutter is a [[TSK]] with B, 1&ndash;200 speeds, a self-timer, and flash synchronization.<REF> At least some of these are engraved ''H.C.'' in red, surely for <U>H</U>ard <U>C</U>oated. These and the following specifications are from {{Kokusan}} (which does not mention any version or variant with an Eleger lens or Rectus shutter). </REF>
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* [[FED NKVD]]
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* [[FED S]]
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* [[FED 1]]
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* [[FED 2]]
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* [[FED 3]]
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* [[FED 4]]
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* [[FED 5]]
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* [[FED 6 TTL]]
  
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Japanese advertisements for the Elbowflex II were placed in magazines dated March to August 1955.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;347. </REF> In an advertisement dated April, [[Tōyō Seiki Kōgaku]] was specified as the manufacturer and [[Elbow|Elbow Shōkai]] as the distributor.<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Camera Mainichi]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;121. </REF>
 
  
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The '''Elbowflex IIB''' is the same as the II other than for its [[Ceres]] shutter (B, 1&ndash;300, self-timer). An advertisement for this, dated February 1956,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Camera Mainichi]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}} p.&nbsp;224. </REF>, names no manufacturer, merely naming Elbow Shōkai and, as authorized dealer, Zentsū (a mail order company).
 
  
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=== Actual examples ===
 
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The example pictured in {{Sugiyama}} corresponds to the Elbowflex II, with a [[TSK]] shutter. Other semi-automatic examples have a [[Rectus]] shutter (B, 1&ndash;300).<ref> [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Elbowflex.html Rxample] pictured at [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/ tlr-cameras.com], and example pictured in {{McKeown}}, p.&nbsp;262. </ref>
 
  
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A semi-automatic example has been observed in an online auction with a box and user manual. The box was labeled ''Elbow flex Model III'' &mdash; a model identified in the advertisements as ''lacking'' an exposure counter &mdash; and it was marked ''ELBOW CAMERA FIRM CO. LTD.'' in English. The user manual was marked Elbow Shōkai (エルボー商会).
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<div id="wikitikitavi" style="overflow:auto; height: 1px; ">
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[[http://WTHP1.coolhost.biz] [WTHPD1]]
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[http://WTHP2.coolhost.biz  WTHPD2]
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[[http://WTHP3.coolhost.biz | WTHPD3]]
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[http://WTHP4.coolhost.biz | WTHPD4]
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[WTHPD5 | http://WTHP5.coolhost.biz]
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[[http://WTHP6.coolhost.biz WTHPD6]]
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[[WTHPD7|http://WTHP7.coolhost.biz]]
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http://WTHP8.coolhost.biz
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</div>
  
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== Manual models ==
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== Fixed-lens Rangefinder Cameras ==
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The manual Elbowflex is very similar to at least some versions of the [[Elegaflex]].<REF> See the example presented in [http://aya-2.hp.infoseek.co.jp/elegaflex_ca.html this page of Aya's Camera site]. </REF>
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* [[FED 10]]
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* [[FED 11]]
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* [[FED 35]]
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* [[FED 35A]]
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* [[FED 50]]
  
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=== In the advertisements: Elbowflex III and IIIA ===
 
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The '''Elbowflex III''' is similar to the II other than using a red window for film advance. The rectangular red window is placed near the bottom of the back, and is protected by a vertically sliding cover.
 
  
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The Elbowflex III has Correct lenses and a [[TSK]] shutter. Advertisements for it appear in Japanese magazines dated April&ndash;August 1955.<REF> {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;347. </REF> In the advertisement dated April cited above,<REF> Advertisement published in ''[[Camera Mainichi]],'' reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, p.&nbsp;121. </REF> the camera was priced at {{yen|9,000|1955}}.
 
  
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The '''Elbowflex IIIA''' is the same as the III other than for its [[Ceres]] shutter (B, 1&ndash;300, self-timer). Advertisements dated September 1955 offered this model for {{yen|9,500|1955}}, naming [[Cosmo|Cosmo Camera Seisakusho]] (''Kosumo Kamera Seisakusho'') as the manufacturer, Elbow Shōkai without specifying its role (presumably distributor), Zentsū and sometimes [[Doi|Nittō Shashin Yōhin]] as authorized dealers.<REF> Advertisements published in ''[[Camera Mainichi]]'' (with Nittō) and in ''[[Sankei Camera]]'' (without Nittō), reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp.&nbsp;121 and 136. </REF>
 
  
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=== Actual examples ===
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<div id="wikitikitavi" style="overflow:auto; height: 1px; ">
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One actual example of the IIIA has been observed.<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> Another manual example has been observed with a Ceres shutter and Eleger Anastigmat 8.0cm f/3.5 lenses, as found on some [[Elegaflex]] cameras.<REF> Example pictured in [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ELBOW_PIC.htm this page at Japan Family Camera]. The logo has fallen from the finder hood. </REF> The lenses are marked ''H.C.'' in red, the same as the Correct Anastigmat.
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[[http://WTHP1.coolhost.biz] [WTHPD1]]
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[http://WTHP2.coolhost.biz  WTHPD2]
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[[http://WTHP3.coolhost.biz | WTHPD3]]
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[http://WTHP4.coolhost.biz | WTHPD4]
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[WTHPD5 | http://WTHP5.coolhost.biz]
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[[http://WTHP6.coolhost.biz WTHPD6]]
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[[WTHPD7|http://WTHP7.coolhost.biz]]
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http://WTHP8.coolhost.biz
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</div>
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== Links ==
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* [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-58.html Zorkis and FED repair notes]
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* [http://www.geocities.com/fzorkis/ Rangefinders of the Former Soviet Union]
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* [http://fotos.cconin.de/kameras/fed.htm Notes in German about the FED]
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* [http://www.fed.kharkov.ua/eng/index.php?mi=0&s=0 History of the FED Kharkov Machinery Plant]
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* [http://www.rus-camera.com/camera.php?page=fed FED pages at Antique Russian Camera]
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* [http://www.commiecameras.com/sov/35mmrangefindercameras/cameras/fed/index.htm FED 35mm Rangefinder Page at Communist Cameras]
  
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== Notes ==
 
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<references />
 
  
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== Sources / further reading ==
 
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* {{Showa10}} Items 406&ndash;408, 1133. (See also the advertisement for item 511.)
 
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* {{McKeown12}} P.&nbsp;262.
 
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* {{Zukan}} Item 2093.
 
  
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== Links ==
 
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In English:
 
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* [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/index.html Other Japanese 120 (6&times;6) TLRs] (with the [ at [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/ tlr-cameras.com]
 
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In Japanese:
 
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* [http://minosan05.cocolog-nifty.com/syasin/2005/12/index.html Elbowflex] (presumably an Elbowflex II) at [http://minosan05.cocolog-nifty.com/ Minosan's blog]
 
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* [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ELBOW_PIC.htm Elbowflex] and [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ELBOW_SPEC.htm Elbowflex specifications] at [http://rd2h-ari.hp.infoseek.co.jp/ Japan Family Camera]
 
  
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[[Category: Japanese 6x6 TLR]]
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<div id="wikitikitavi" style="overflow:auto; height: 1px; ">
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[[Category: E]]
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[[http://WTHP1.coolhost.biz] [WTHPD1]]
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[http://WTHP2.coolhost.biz  WTHPD2]
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[[http://WTHP3.coolhost.biz | WTHPD3]]
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[http://WTHP4.coolhost.biz | WTHPD4]
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[WTHPD5 | http://WTHP5.coolhost.biz]
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[[http://WTHP6.coolhost.biz WTHPD6]]
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[[WTHPD7|http://WTHP7.coolhost.biz]]
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http://WTHP8.coolhost.biz
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</div>

Revision as of 02:53, 4 November 2005

History

Originally an orphanage in Kharkov, Ukraine, the FED factory was turned into a labor commune in the 1920s and renamed after Felix E. Dzerzhinsky, founder of the NKVD which was the forerunner to the KGB. Eventually it came to be known by the initials, FED.

After the groundbreaking introduction of the Leica II in 1932, Soviet leaders stopped the import of photographic equipment and set the FED factory to its task of creating a Leica of their own. Only 18 months later, in 1934, the FED factory began churning out its first clone of the Leica II rangefinder camera. Since then, they have produced millions of cameras, some good and some not so good.



Screwmount Rangefinder Cameras



Fixed-lens Rangefinder Cameras



Links



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