Firstflex 35 (~1958)

Firstflex 35 (~1958)

#439

This photo is from the copy I own

History and technical features 

he early Firstflex-35 model is a leaf-shutter SLR with waist level finder and a special lens bayonet, made starting in 1955 by Tokiwa Seiki. Other names used for that model were Soligor-35, Windsorflex-35 and Lafayette-35.

Two types of the later model exist, the Firstflex 35 and the PLUSflex 35, both with pentaprism finder, flash synchronized shutter, with and Exakta lens bayonet.

Source: camera-wiki.org


Specifications

And here is an example of the second type Firstflex 35. This model was made around 1958 and has an unusual mix of features. A nicely styled camera with what would have been "clean, modern lines" back at the tail end of the fifties.

The reflex mirror acts as the shutter on this camera and has only two shutter speeds available, 1/125 second and "B". The standard pc flash contact on the front plate has a prominent "M" sign beside it, which I would presume to mean that the synchronization is preset for bulbs rather than for electronic flash.

The lens mount is Exacta bayonet and the standard 45mm f/2.8 Auto Tokinon lens has an auto diaphragm mechanism closing down to the taking aperture with light pressure on the shutter release button. You can see the lens release lever clearly in the picture above.

Something is missing here, can you tell me what it was?.............. I think I've figured it out now that I've seen another example, this threaded hole must have been used to mount an accessory shoe to allow you to use a flash on the camera. Interestingly, there is no mention of an accessory shoe in the instruction manual.

Another 'undocumented feature' is the shutter release lock, the nicely-knurled collar underneath the shutter release button can be easily wound upwards to block unintended release of the shutter. Because the shutter release button has quite long travel, the collar does not have to be raised far to do the job very well.

List price was £24/19/6 according to the "British Journal of Photography Annual 1966" which lists new camera models for 1964 and 1965. In June 1964 this model was being sold at the knockdown price of £15/19/6 by Westminster Photographic in London, according to their advert in the "Amateur Photographer".

Source: retinarescue.com


Model

Serial number 65073


Reference sites

camera-wiki.org

retinarescue.com

Manual

English manual


Film


Pictures taken with this camera


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