The Baby Flex is a Japanese subminiature pseudo TLR made in the late 1940s or early 1950s, taking 14×14mm pictures on 17.5mm paper backed rollfilm.
Description[]
The Baby Flex has the shape of a regular twin-lens reflex, but in a miniature form. The lens actually has fixed focus and aperture, and the camera is thus a pseudo TLR.
The film is advanced by a knob on the photographer's right. The L-shaped back is hinged to the top, and there is a simple latch at the bottom. The viewing hood has three ribs, and is released by a small button. The name Baby Flex is inscribed in relief on a plate in front of the viewfinder. The viewing lens has no marking, and the taking lens is a Sanko 20mm f/3.5.
Versions[]
Two versions of the camera are known, differing by the shutter unit. The simple version has the same everset shutter as on the Peace III, giving B and I settings.[1] Its shutter plate is black with silver markings: PEACE at the top, and III R.K. at the bottom. The advanced version has a better cocking shutter, giving B, 150, 100, 50, 25 speeds selected by turning the rim.[2] Its shutter plate has Y.N.S. at the top and PEACE MOD. II at the bottom, inscribed in black on a clear background.
Origin[]
The Baby Flex is clearly related to the Peace, and was certainly made by the same manufacturer. It was also closely related to the Peace Baby Flex, perhaps a successor. The Sanko lens might be related to the Sankō company, or to the Sanko 35mm lens of the Sun subminiature pseudo TLR, or these name similarities might be coincidental.
Notes[]
Bibliography[]
- 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.87.
- Pritchard, Michael and St. Denny, Douglas. Spy Cameras — A century of detective and subminiature cameras. London: Classic Collection Publications, 1993. ISBN 1-874485-00-3. Pp.58–9.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 5011.
The Baby Flex is not listed in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.
Links[]
In English:
- Baby Flex (text only) at Submin.com
- Brief mention of the Baby Flex among 17.5mm film cameras at Subclub.org