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Changes: Halma 6×6 TLR

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{{Japanese postwar TLR}}
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{{Japanese postwar 6×6 TLR
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|image=[http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicoz/178878693/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/178878693_b875607729_m_d.jpg]<br>''Picture by [http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicoz/ NicoZ]. {{with permission}}''
⚫
The '''Halma Flex''' and '''Halma Auto''' are Japanese 6&times;6 TLR cameras, perhaps made by a company called Hara, successor of [[Lustre]].<REF> Attribution to Hara: message by Koji Namikawa in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/index.html this page at tlr-cameras.com], based on documents about the camera inspections for export. </REF> The '''Prinz Flex''' and '''Prinz Auto''' are name variants of the Halma Flex.
  
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}}
  ⚫
The '''Halma Flex''' and '''Halma Auto''' are Japanese 6×6 TLR cameras, perhaps made by a company called Hara, successor of [[Lustre]].<REF> Attribution to Hara: message by Koji Namikawa in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/index.html this page at tlr-cameras.com], based on documents about the camera inspections for export. </REF> The '''Prinz Flex''' and '''Prinz Auto''' are name variants of the Halma Flex.
   
 
== Common features ==
  
== Common features ==
 
The Halma Flex and its Prinz name variants are regular copies of the [[Rolleicord]]. The front plate moves back and forth for focusing. The film advance knob is on the photographer's right and the focus knob is on the left. The release button is placed at the bottom of the front standard, on the photographer's right, and the synch post is buried in the front plate on the opposite side. It seems that all the models have a sportsfinder in the viewing hood and an accessory shoe. The Halma Auto has similar features with a crank advance.
  
The Halma Flex and its Prinz name variants are regular copies of the [[Rolleicord]]. The front plate moves back and forth for focusing. The film advance knob is on the photographer's right and the focus knob is on the left. The release button is placed at the bottom of the front standard, on the photographer's right, and the synch post is buried in the front plate on the opposite side. It seems that all the models have a sportsfinder in the viewing hood and an accessory shoe. The Halma Auto has similar features with a crank advance.
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All the examples of the Halma Flex observed so far have a Halmar Anastigmat 8cm f/3.5 taking lens and most have a View Halmar 8cm f/3.5 viewing lens.
  
   
 
== Advertised versions ==
  
== Advertised versions ==
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The only advertisement for the Halma 6&times;6 TLR observed so far was published in ''Camerart'' (a Japanese magazine published in English language), perhaps in 1960.<REF name="advert-camerart"> Advertisement reproduced in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma-Auto.htm this page at tlr-cameras.com]. </REF> The advertisement was inserted by [[Tohko|Tohko Co., Ltd.]], certainly the distributor of the camera, and also presents the [[Halma 44]] and the [[Owla Stereo]]. Four versions of the Halma Flex are listed, all of them having a synchronized shutter of the "Prontor type" (B, 1&ndash;300, self-timer):
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The only advertisement for the Halma 6×6 TLR observed so far was published in ''Camerart'' (a Japanese magazine published in English language), perhaps in 1960.<REF name="advert-camerart"> Advertisement reproduced in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma-Auto.htm this page at tlr-cameras.com]. </REF> It was inserted by [[Tohko|Tohko Co., Ltd.]], certainly the distributor of the camera, and also presents the [[Halma 44]] and the [[Owla Stereo]]. Four versions of the Halma Flex are listed, all of them having a synchronized shutter of the "Prontor type" (B, 1–300, self-timer):
 
* '''Halma Flex I''': red window film advance, push-on filters;
  
* '''Halma Flex I''': red window film advance, push-on filters;
 
* '''Halma Flex IB''': red window film advance, bayonet filters;
  
* '''Halma Flex IB''': red window film advance, bayonet filters;
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=== Type 1 nameplate ===
  
=== Type 1 nameplate ===
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{| class="plainlinks floatright" width=240px style="text-align: center;"
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Two examples are known so far with type 1 nameplate. One corresponds to the Halma Flex IB specifications and has a serial number in the 31xxx range.<REF> Example observed in an online auction, body no.31x02. </REF> The other corresponds to a Halma Flex IIB.<REF> Example pictured in {{McKeown}}, p.376. </REF> The accessory shoe is on the photographer's right and the strap lugs are identical to those of the last [[Lustreflex]] models. The two cameras have a simple shutter casing with a silver shutter plate.
  
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|-
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/2035713154/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2088/2035713154_16e2e8c13c_m_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Halma Flex IB no.31802, type 1 nameplate, Halmar Anastigmat and View Halmar 8cm f/3.5 lenses. Picture by Terry Calvert. {{with permission}}''
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|}
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Type 1 nameplate has been observed on a few cameras only. They have an accessory shoe on the photographer's right. The strap lugs are identical to those of the last [[Lustreflex]] models. The focus knob is surrounded by a silver depth-of-field scale. The taking lens is a Halmar Anastigmat 8cm f/3.5 and the viewing lens is a View Halmar 8cm f/3.2 of slightly larger aperture.
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One example has serial no.31234 and corresponds to the specifications for the Halma Flex I; it has a simple shutter casing with a black front plate.<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.chinesecamera.net/thread-23971-1-1.html this page at www.chinesecamera.net]. </REF> That pictured on the right has serial no.31802 and corresponds to a Halma Flex IB; its shutter casing is similar but has a silver front plate. Further cameras correspond to the Halma Flex IIB.<REF> Examples pictured in {{MK}}, p.376, and observed in an online auction. </REF>
   
 
=== Type 2 nameplate ===
  
=== Type 2 nameplate ===
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{| class="plainlinks" align=center style="text-align: center;"
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Most examples observed have type 2 nameplate and a serial number in the 4xxxx range. They have the same strap lugs as the previous camera, and the accessory shoe is on the right too. The focus knob has a silver depth-of-field scale, probably also present on the earlier example.
  
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|-
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/4067974647/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/4067974647_0209411360_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Halma Flex no.43160, type 2 nameplate, [[Copal-MXV]] shutter, Halmar and Viewer Halmar 75mm f/3.5 lenses.<br>Picture by Keith Rock. {{with permission}}''
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|}
   
  ⚫
Most of the Halma Flex cameras have type 2 nameplate and a serial number in the 4xxxx range. The accessory shoe, strap lugs and depth-of-field scale are similar to those fitting earlier examples.
⚫
The semi-automatic examples have a round exposure counter window above the accessory shoe, and no red window in the back. The position of the first exposure is certainly set by aligning the start mark of the leader paper with a mark inside the body. Some examples have the same simple shutter casing as on the type 1 camera described above, others have a [[Copal-MXV]] shutter under a more elaborate black casing.<REF> Copal-MXV: example pictured in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma%20Flex.html this page at tlr-cameras.com], and example observed in an online auction. </REF>
  
   
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The manual examples have a round red window in the back, protected by a vertically sliding cover. The model I has a black shutter plate and a slightly different shutter release; one of them is known with gray leatherette covering.<REF> Black: example pictured in {{McKeown}}, p.376. Gray: example pictured in [http://www.lomo.us/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4225 this Lomo.us forum post], body no.44906. </REF>
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The manual examples have a round red window in the back, protected by a vertically sliding cover. Examples of the model I have a black shutter plate; at least one of them is known with gray leatherette covering.<REF> Black covering: example pictured in {{MK}}, p.376. Gray covering: example pictured in [http://www.lomo.us/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4225 this Lomo.us forum post], body no.44906. </REF>
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  ⚫
The semi-automatic examples have a round exposure counter window above the accessory shoe, and no red window in the back. The position of the first exposure is certainly set by aligning the start mark of the leader paper with a mark inside the body. Some examples may have the same simple shutter casing as on earlier cameras, with a silver front plate. Others, such as that pictured above, have a [[Copal-MXV]] shutter under a more elaborate black casing.<REF> Examples pictured in this page, in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma%20Flex.html this page at tlr-cameras.com], and observed in an online auction. </REF> The Halmar Anastigmat and View Halmar lenses were replaced at some time by Halmar and Viewer Halmar 75mm f/3.5, as is visible on the above camera.
   
 
=== Type 3 nameplate ===
  
=== Type 3 nameplate ===
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{| class="plainlinks" align=center style="text-align: center;"
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Only one example has been observed so far with type 3 nameplate.<REF> Example [http://www.fotokine.be/BD/BD_halmaflex.JPG pictured] in [http://forum.belgiumdigital.com/showthread.php?t=172003 this Belgium Digital forum post]. This particular example has swapped taking and viewing lenses, probably the result of an incompetent repair. The marking of the intended viewing lens begins with ''VIEWER'', instead of the usual ''VIEW HALMAR''. </REF> It is similar to the camera pictured in the 1960 advertisement, and many minor features differ from the previous examples. There are new shorter strap lugs, a different back latch engraved ''JAPAN'', and a different focus knob with a film reminder and a black depth-of-field scale. The accessory shoe has moved to a new location above the focus knob. The shutter release is bigger and contains a cable release thread.
  
  +
|-
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|| [http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicoz/178878693/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/45/178878693_b875607729_d.jpg]
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|-
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|| ''Halma Flex, type 3 nameplate. The taking and viewing lenses are swapped.<br>Picture by [http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicoz/ NicoZ]. {{with permission}}''
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|}
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Later examples have type 3 nameplate. They are similar to the camera pictured in the 1960 advertisement, and many minor features differ from the previous examples. There are new shorter strap lugs, a different back latch engraved ''JAPAN'', and a different focus knob with a film reminder and a black depth-of-field scale. The accessory shoe has moved to a new location above the focus knob. The shutter release is bigger and contains a cable release thread. It seems that the camera now has 8.0cm f/3.5 lenses, and at least one source reports a pair of Tri-Lausar by [[Tomioka]].<REF> Tri-Lausar lenses reported in an online auction. The camera pictured in this page has unspecified 8.0cm f/3.5 lenses. The taking and viewing lenses have been swapped, probably the result of a bad repair. </REF>
   
 
== The Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto ==
  
== The Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto ==
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The Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto were distributed by the British company [[Dixons]] around 1960.<REF> Terry Scott reports in [http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00C0Mo this thread at photo.net] that he bought a Prinz Auto new in the 1960s. </REF>
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The Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto were distributed by the British company [[Dixons]] around 1960.<ref>Terry Scott reports in '''this thread at photo.net''' that he bought a Prinz Auto new in the 1960s. </ref>
   
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The '''Prinz Flex''' is a name variant of the Halma Flex I (type 2). The nameplate reads ''PRINZ FLEX'' and has a four-digit serial number inscribed above in small characters. All the examples observed so far have gray leatherette covering; except for the nameplate, they are similar to the gray Halma Flex I described above.<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Prinz%20Flex.html this page at tlr-cameras.com], example pictured in [http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3660122 this page at Bonhams], and examples observed for sale in online auctions and dealer websites. </REF> They have the same Halmar Anastigmat and View Halmar lenses. The main body casting, back and nameplate are grayish too, but the border of the front standard and viewing hood are black. The focus knob is engraved in metres (in red) and feet (in black).
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The '''Prinz Flex''' is a name variant of the Halma Flex I. The nameplate reads ''PRINZ FLEX'' and has a four-digit serial number inscribed in small characters above. All the examples observed so far have grey leatherette covering; except for the nameplate, they are similar to the grey Halma Flex I (type 2) described above.<ref>Examples pictured in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Prinz%20Flex.html this page at tlr-cameras.com], in [http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3660122 this page at Bonhams], and observed for sale in online auctions and dealer websites. </ref> They have Halmar Anastigmat and View Halmar lenses. The body edges and the nameplate are painted in a dark grey colour, but the borders of the front standard and viewing hood are black. The focus knob is engraved in metres (in red) and feet (in black).
   
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The '''Prinz Auto''' is a name variant of the Halma Flex IIB (type 2) with [[Copal-MXV]] shutter. It has a Tri-Lausar Anastigmat taking lens and a Tri-Lausar Viewer viewing lens, supplied by [[Tougodo]]. The synch post is placed at the top of the front standard, unlike the Halma Flex. The M/X selector has a yellow dot and is not the same as on the Copal-equipped Halma Flex; the aperture scale is marked in red and is reversed, with ''3.5'' at the bottom. The release button is the same as on the Prinz Flex, slightly different from that of the Halma Flex. The nameplate reads ''PRINZ AUTO'' and has a four-digit serial number engraved above in small characters. The highest number observed so far is 3171.<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> The accessory shoe is reportedly engraved "H.S.", probably for <U>H</U>ara <U>S</U>eisakusho.<REF> "H.S." engraving: {{McKeown}}, p.803. Hara Seisakusho: see [[Lustre|Hara]]. </REF> It is said that the Prinz Auto was also advertised with Halmar lenses.<REF> {{McKeown}}, p.803. </REF>
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The '''Prinz Auto''' is a name variant of the Halma Flex IIB (type 2) with [[Copal-MXV]] shutter. It normally has a Tri-Lausar Anastigmat taking lens and a Tri-Lausar Viewer viewing lens, supplied by [[Tomioka]], but it is said that the Prinz Auto was also advertised with Halmar lenses.<REF> Advertised with Halmar lenses: {{MK}}, p.803. </REF> There are some minor differences from the Halma Flex with Copal: the synch post is placed at the top of the front standard, the M/X selector (with a yellow dot) is not placed the same, the aperture scale has red numbers and runs in the reverse direction (with ''3.5'' at the bottom). The name ''PRINZ AUTO'' is inscribed on a stepped nameplate, with the four-digit serial number engraved in small characters above. The right hand strap lug is engraved ''<small>JAPAN</small>'' and the accessory shoe is engraved ''H.S'', probably for <U>H</U>ara <U>S</U>eisakusho.
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The Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto probably shared a common sequence of serial numbers; those confirmed so far range from 1938 to 3171.<REF> Example observed in an online auction. </REF> The ever-ready case for both cameras is similar except for the cut-out at the rear for the red window. It is made of brown leather and has a triangular ''PRINZ'' logo.
   
 
== The Halma Auto ==
  
== The Halma Auto ==
 
The '''Halma Auto''' is a crank advance version of the Halma Flex IIB. It was listed in the 1960 advertisement cited above,<REF name="advert-camerart" /> where the film advance is described as "fully automatic". It is not known if this corresponds to automatic film loading as on a [[Rolleiflex]], or simply to the faster crank advance, which cocks the shutter at the same time. The advertisement also mentions the ability to make double exposures when required.
  
The '''Halma Auto''' is a crank advance version of the Halma Flex IIB. It was listed in the 1960 advertisement cited above,<REF name="advert-camerart" /> where the film advance is described as "fully automatic". It is not known if this corresponds to automatic film loading as on a [[Rolleiflex]], or simply to the faster crank advance, which cocks the shutter at the same time. The advertisement also mentions the ability to make double exposures when required.
   
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The Halma Auto is only known with type 3 nameplate, the newer strap lugs and back latch, whether in the advertising picture or in the only other picture observed so far.<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma-Auto.htm this page at tlr-cameras.com]. </REF> The position of the exposure counter window is higher than on the regular Halma Flex, this feature is perhaps shared with the other "type 3" Halma Flex.
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The Halma Auto is only known with the type 3 nameplate and the newer strap lugs and back latch, whether in the advertising picture or in the only other picture observed so far.<REF> Example pictured in [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma-Auto.htm this page at tlr-cameras.com]. </REF> The position of the exposure counter window is higher than on the regular Halma Flex, this feature is perhaps shared with the other "type 3" Halma Flex.
   
 
== Notes ==
  
== Notes ==
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== Bibliography ==
  
== Bibliography ==
 
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.376 and 803.
  
* {{McKeown12}} Pp.376 and 803.
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The Halma Flex, Halma Auto, Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto are not listed in {{Sugiyama}} or in {{Kokusan}}.
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The Halma Flex, Halma Auto, Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto are not listed in {{SUG}} or in {{Kokusan}}.
   
 
== Links ==
  
== Links ==
 
In English:
  
In English:
 
* Pages at [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/ tlr-cameras.com]:
  
* Pages at [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/ tlr-cameras.com]:
−
** [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/index.html Other Japanese 120 (6&times;6) TLRs], with a [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma%20Flex.html Halma Flex], a [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Prinz%20Flex.html Prinz Flex] and a [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Prinz%20Auto%20Reflex.html Prinz Auto]
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** [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/index.html Other Japanese 120 (6×6) TLRs], with a [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma%20Flex.html Halma Flex], a [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Prinz%20Flex.html Prinz Flex] and a [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Prinz%20Auto%20Reflex.html Prinz Auto]
 
** [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma-Auto.htm Halma advertisement]
  
** [http://www.tlr-cameras.com/Japanese/slides/Halma-Auto.htm Halma advertisement]
 
* [http://www.lomo.us/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4225 Halma Flex] in a thread of the [http://www.lomo.us/forums/ Lomo.us forums]
  
* [http://www.lomo.us/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4225 Halma Flex] in a thread of the [http://www.lomo.us/forums/ Lomo.us forums]
 
* [http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3660122 Prinz Flex], lot no.377 of [http://www.bonhams.com/ Bonhams] auction no.6610 (3 July 1997)
  
* [http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3660122 Prinz Flex], lot no.377 of [http://www.bonhams.com/ Bonhams] auction no.6610 (3 July 1997)
 
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/sets/72157601534936585/ TLR album] among [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/ Alvaro's Pics] at Flickr, with pictures of a Prinz Auto: [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1032033980/in/set-72157601534936585/], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1162037219/in/set-72157601534936585/], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1162037195/in/set-72157601534936585/], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1162037183/in/set-72157601534936585/], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1162989349/in/set-72157601534936585/]
  
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/sets/72157601534936585/ TLR album] among [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/ Alvaro's Pics] at Flickr, with pictures of a Prinz Auto: [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1032033980/in/set-72157601534936585/], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1162037219/in/set-72157601534936585/], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1162037195/in/set-72157601534936585/], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1162037183/in/set-72157601534936585/], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvaropics/1162989349/in/set-72157601534936585/]
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* Prinz Auto pictures: [http://flickr.com/photos/39824071@N00/90411209/] and [http://flickr.com/photos/chrismehigan/90411387/] in [http://flickr.com/photos/chrismehigan/ Chrismehigan's gallery] at Flickr:
+
* Prinz Auto pictures: [http://flickr.com/photos/39824071@N00/90411209/] and [http://flickr.com/photos/chrismehigan/90411387/] in [http://flickr.com/photos/chrismehigan/ Chrismehigan's gallery] at Flickr
  +
In Chinese:
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  +
* [http://www.chinesecamera.net/thread-23971-1-1.html Halma Flex] pictured together with 4×4 TLRs at [http://www.chinesecamera.net/ www.chinesecamera.net]
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In Dutch:
  
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* [http://www.fotokine.be/BD/BD_halmaflex.JPG Halma Flex] in a [http://forum.belgiumdigital.com/showthread.php?t=172003 post] at the [http://forum.belgiumdigital.com/ Belgium Digital forum]
  
   
 
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 TLR]]
  
[[Category: Japanese 6x6 TLR]]

Revision as of 15:42, 26 July 2017

Template:Japanese postwar 6×6 TLR The Halma Flex and Halma Auto are Japanese 6×6 TLR cameras, perhaps made by a company called Hara, successor of Lustre.[1] The Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto are name variants of the Halma Flex.

Common features

The Halma Flex and its Prinz name variants are regular copies of the Rolleicord. The front plate moves back and forth for focusing. The film advance knob is on the photographer's right and the focus knob is on the left. The release button is placed at the bottom of the front standard, on the photographer's right, and the synch post is buried in the front plate on the opposite side. It seems that all the models have a sportsfinder in the viewing hood and an accessory shoe. The Halma Auto has similar features with a crank advance.

Advertised versions

The only advertisement for the Halma 6×6 TLR observed so far was published in Camerart (a Japanese magazine published in English language), perhaps in 1960.[2] It was inserted by Tohko Co., Ltd., certainly the distributor of the camera, and also presents the Halma 44 and the Owla Stereo. Four versions of the Halma Flex are listed, all of them having a synchronized shutter of the "Prontor type" (B, 1–300, self-timer):

  • Halma Flex I: red window film advance, push-on filters;
  • Halma Flex IB: red window film advance, bayonet filters;
  • Halma Flex II: semi-automatic film advance, push-on filters;
  • Halma Flex IIB: semi-automatic film advance, bayonet filters.

The description says that the exposure counter of the semi-automatic models is automatically reset to "S" when the back is opened.

Evolution of the Halma Flex

The Halma Flex is known with three types of nameplate, all of them inscribed HalmaFlex. Type 1 is oval and has a small serial number, type 2 is almost rectangular and has a serial number too, type 3 is almost oval and has no serial number.

Today, the Halma Flex is surprisingly common in South American online auctions, from Argentina or Brazil; this is perhaps an indication that the camera was exported to these two countries. (A transaction for a Halma Auto has been recorded in Argentina too.)

Type 1 nameplate

2035713154_16e2e8c13c_m_d.jpg
Halma Flex IB no.31802, type 1 nameplate, Halmar Anastigmat and View Halmar 8cm f/3.5 lenses. Picture by Terry Calvert. (Image rights)

Type 1 nameplate has been observed on a few cameras only. They have an accessory shoe on the photographer's right. The strap lugs are identical to those of the last Lustreflex models. The focus knob is surrounded by a silver depth-of-field scale. The taking lens is a Halmar Anastigmat 8cm f/3.5 and the viewing lens is a View Halmar 8cm f/3.2 of slightly larger aperture.

One example has serial no.31234 and corresponds to the specifications for the Halma Flex I; it has a simple shutter casing with a black front plate.[3] That pictured on the right has serial no.31802 and corresponds to a Halma Flex IB; its shutter casing is similar but has a silver front plate. Further cameras correspond to the Halma Flex IIB.[4]

Type 2 nameplate

4067974647_0209411360_d.jpg
Halma Flex no.43160, type 2 nameplate, Copal-MXV shutter, Halmar and Viewer Halmar 75mm f/3.5 lenses.
Picture by Keith Rock. (Image rights)

Most of the Halma Flex cameras have type 2 nameplate and a serial number in the 4xxxx range. The accessory shoe, strap lugs and depth-of-field scale are similar to those fitting earlier examples.

The manual examples have a round red window in the back, protected by a vertically sliding cover. Examples of the model I have a black shutter plate; at least one of them is known with gray leatherette covering.[5]

The semi-automatic examples have a round exposure counter window above the accessory shoe, and no red window in the back. The position of the first exposure is certainly set by aligning the start mark of the leader paper with a mark inside the body. Some examples may have the same simple shutter casing as on earlier cameras, with a silver front plate. Others, such as that pictured above, have a Copal-MXV shutter under a more elaborate black casing.[6] The Halmar Anastigmat and View Halmar lenses were replaced at some time by Halmar and Viewer Halmar 75mm f/3.5, as is visible on the above camera.

Type 3 nameplate

178878693_b875607729_d.jpg
Halma Flex, type 3 nameplate. The taking and viewing lenses are swapped.
Picture by NicoZ. (Image rights)

Later examples have type 3 nameplate. They are similar to the camera pictured in the 1960 advertisement, and many minor features differ from the previous examples. There are new shorter strap lugs, a different back latch engraved JAPAN, and a different focus knob with a film reminder and a black depth-of-field scale. The accessory shoe has moved to a new location above the focus knob. The shutter release is bigger and contains a cable release thread. It seems that the camera now has 8.0cm f/3.5 lenses, and at least one source reports a pair of Tri-Lausar by Tomioka.[7]

The Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto

The Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto were distributed by the British company Dixons around 1960.[8]

The Prinz Flex is a name variant of the Halma Flex I. The nameplate reads PRINZ FLEX and has a four-digit serial number inscribed in small characters above. All the examples observed so far have grey leatherette covering; except for the nameplate, they are similar to the grey Halma Flex I (type 2) described above.[9] They have Halmar Anastigmat and View Halmar lenses. The body edges and the nameplate are painted in a dark grey colour, but the borders of the front standard and viewing hood are black. The focus knob is engraved in metres (in red) and feet (in black).

The Prinz Auto is a name variant of the Halma Flex IIB (type 2) with Copal-MXV shutter. It normally has a Tri-Lausar Anastigmat taking lens and a Tri-Lausar Viewer viewing lens, supplied by Tomioka, but it is said that the Prinz Auto was also advertised with Halmar lenses.[10] There are some minor differences from the Halma Flex with Copal: the synch post is placed at the top of the front standard, the M/X selector (with a yellow dot) is not placed the same, the aperture scale has red numbers and runs in the reverse direction (with 3.5 at the bottom). The name PRINZ AUTO is inscribed on a stepped nameplate, with the four-digit serial number engraved in small characters above. The right hand strap lug is engraved JAPAN and the accessory shoe is engraved H.S, probably for Hara Seisakusho.

The Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto probably shared a common sequence of serial numbers; those confirmed so far range from 1938 to 3171.[11] The ever-ready case for both cameras is similar except for the cut-out at the rear for the red window. It is made of brown leather and has a triangular PRINZ logo.

The Halma Auto

The Halma Auto is a crank advance version of the Halma Flex IIB. It was listed in the 1960 advertisement cited above,[2] where the film advance is described as "fully automatic". It is not known if this corresponds to automatic film loading as on a Rolleiflex, or simply to the faster crank advance, which cocks the shutter at the same time. The advertisement also mentions the ability to make double exposures when required.

The Halma Auto is only known with the type 3 nameplate and the newer strap lugs and back latch, whether in the advertising picture or in the only other picture observed so far.[12] The position of the exposure counter window is higher than on the regular Halma Flex, this feature is perhaps shared with the other "type 3" Halma Flex.

Notes

  1. ↑ Attribution to Hara: message by Koji Namikawa in this page at tlr-cameras.com, based on documents about the camera inspections for export.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Advertisement reproduced in this page at tlr-cameras.com.
  3. ↑ Example pictured in this page at www.chinesecamera.net.
  4. ↑ Examples pictured in McKeown, p.376, and observed in an online auction.
  5. ↑ Black covering: example pictured in McKeown, p.376. Gray covering: example pictured in this Lomo.us forum post, body no.44906.
  6. ↑ Examples pictured in this page, in this page at tlr-cameras.com, and observed in an online auction.
  7. ↑ Tri-Lausar lenses reported in an online auction. The camera pictured in this page has unspecified 8.0cm f/3.5 lenses. The taking and viewing lenses have been swapped, probably the result of a bad repair.
  8. ↑ Terry Scott reports in this thread at photo.net that he bought a Prinz Auto new in the 1960s.
  9. ↑ Examples pictured in this page at tlr-cameras.com, in this page at Bonhams, and observed for sale in online auctions and dealer websites.
  10. ↑ Advertised with Halmar lenses: McKeown, p.803.
  11. ↑ Example observed in an online auction.
  12. ↑ Example pictured in this page at tlr-cameras.com.

Bibliography

The Halma Flex, Halma Auto, Prinz Flex and Prinz Auto are not listed in Sugiyama or in Kokusan kamera no rekishi.

Links

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